Prologue- So Emotional
Rachel stopped sobbing and looked at the gun on the other side of the table.. She felt like shooting herself; it would take away all of her emotional pain for all eternity, not to mention her life. She looked at a picture of AJ. She had had a horrible life – until she met him. Ever since then -- until now -- she’s had the happiest time of her life. You see,
as a kid, her father used to come home drunk and physically abuse both her and
her mother. A little while after that they finally got the guts to call the cops and arrest him.
During her High School years, she went to a special school called Sunset, place for kids with emotional problems. Years later, having been turned down from the college of her choice, she attended the community college. Even though she graduated as the class Valedictorian, she still felt depressed. One reason was that her mom was just diagnosed with breast Cancer at the time. The tumor had already spread through both of her breasts and Rachel was now sure her mom was going to die.
After that, she got a job at a nearby Blockbuster around the corner. While on duty, she was watching a scene from "Dawson’s Creek". She wished her life wasn’t like the soap opera it was; she wished she’d lived her life how they do in the movies – Girl meets Boy, Girl gets Boy, Girl and Boy live happily ever after – that sorta thing. Unfortunately, one summer ago, her boyfriend at the time, Jared, had sexually abused her one night. Ever since then, she had promised herself that she wouldn’t be that close with anyone ever
again.
Chapter 1- Love at First Sight
She was really depressed; her mom had just died and there was nothing left
for her. Deciding that she needed to lift her spirits up a bit, she went to
a club. She didn’t dance; she just sat at the bar. Then a man sat next to
her and ordered a martini (I don’t think AJ drinks, but hey--who knows?). It
was then that she started crying.
"Hey, what’s wrong?" the man asked. He looked concerned. He had the most
beautiful brown eyes she had ever seen.
"Nothing…it’s just that my mother had just died of breast Cancer."
"Oh. I’m sorry," the man said.
"Don’t be. It’s not your fault. No one’s to blame."
"Oh. Well, my name is Alex McLean. Is there anything I can do to help you?"
"My name is Rachel Fisher, and if you’re suggesting that bringing me to a
hotel doing whatever you want with me is ‘helping’ me, than say hi to my lawyer!"
"No, no, it’s not like that. Look, I really am sorry ‘bout your mom and everything."
"Oh. Well, it’s OK. I’m sorry I got on you like that. I just get so uptight
these days."
"It’s OK. I understand what you’re going through. Just a few days ago, my aunt got sick. So sick, she had to go to the hospital."
This got Rachel’s attention. "Really?"
"Yeah. The doctors said they’d run some tests to see what wrong with her, but they hadn’t called yet."
"Oh. I’m really sorry…"
"Oh, no, you shouldn’t be. Like you said, it’s no one’s fault. Not yours, not mine, no one’s. Like me, you should learn to accept the fact that these things happen in life. Even if you got to where you wanted to go, there’s always a setback. Now, are you going to just sit there like a lump on a log, or are you going to dance with me?"
"I think I’ll try the second suggestion," Rachel replied, with a smile. And with that, they got up and danced the night away.
Chapter 2- Nick’s Nintendo
Rachel had never been this happy in a long time. She was on her way to see Alex at a concert he was performing with his group, the Backstreet Boys. She had hit it off pretty well with him the other night and pretty soon, she was frequently seeing him at his house in Orlando, Florida. She had learned a lot about Alex, especially about how he loves to sing with his bandmates Nick, Howie, Brian and Kevin. So anyway, Rachel was heading to the Orlando Arena where they were performing. She got out from her car and went
inside.
Suddenly, the arena clerk said, "Uh, excuse me Miss, but can I see your
pass? You have to have a pass to go backstage."
"Uh…", Rachel said as she looked into her purse. "It, uh, seems that I lost my pass…sorry."
All of a sudden an all too familiar voice said, "Hey, Cliff my man, Look, she’s with me, so can you just…?"
The clerk sighed. "Oh, all right, ‘Jay, but make sure next time that she gets that backstage pass, okay?"
"Sure, man. Hey, Rach’. I’m sorry about that. My man Cliff is really serious when it comes to protecting us from ‘horrible’ fans and stalkers. I’m sure once you get that pass, he’ll be lot nicer to you."
Rachel chuckled. "Yeah…well anyway, I’m totally, just ecstatic about tonight’s concert."
"Yeah? Good, you should be, ‘cause I’ve got a little thing planned for you tonight."
Rachel smiled. "Really?"
"Yep. Anyway, you wanna meet the guys?"
"Well, that IS one reason I’m here, right? I mean, besides seeing you?"
"You know, I think you’re getting too smart for me, Rach’."
"Yep, I’m a natural Einstein."
AJ chuckled. "Sure you are."
They went inside the boys’ dressing room. Rachel was introduced to
Howie, Kevin, and Brian. All of a sudden, Nick came bursting into the room
with an angry look on his face. He stood in front of everyone.
"Okay, let’s make this quick so no one gets hurt. Who took my Nintendo?!"
Everyone looked at each other. Just then, Kevin spoke up and said, "Uh, Nick, I think Denise took it and packed it inside the van."
"What?! Denise?! How could she do this to me?"
All of a sudden a female voice interrupted Nick. "I did it because the more you get your brain sucked into these things the more you’ll miss out on concerts! Hey, Alex. Now
who’s this lovely looking thing?"
"Mom, Nick, this is Rachel Fisher."
Rachel waved and smiled. "Hi."
Denise smiled back and said, "Hello, Hon’…are you going to watch the concert tonight?"
"Yeah, I’m so excited."
"Well, if we don’t get out of here, we won’t have a concert to see, so let’s leave these guys in here to change."
AJ smiled and said, "Bye, Mom."
"Bye, baby, make sure you keep those fans screaming tonight, alright?"
"Ya got it. See ya, Rach’."
Rachel gave one of those ‘makes your heart melt’ kind of smiles and said,
"See ya later."
Chapter 3- I’ll Never Break Your Heart
An hour into the concert (which, in this case, takes 2 hours), all of the guys left the stage and a chair was put in the middle. Then AJ came out with a rose in his hand and started talking to the crowd.
"How’s it going, Orlando? (audience replies with a scream) Well, I have to say, there are a lot of nice ladies here at my house tonight (more screams), but there’s one special person I’d like to share this song with (even more screams). Miss Rachel Fisher, could you please come up here?"
All of a sudden, a spotlight was on her and security guards were helping her up on stage. She was then seated on the chair. Then AJ spoke up again. "Hey, Rachel. This is for you." He gave her the rose and then the intro to "I’ll Never Break Your Heart" started playing
(audience screams yet again--predictable, ain’t it?). Then, AJ sang:
From the first day
That I saw this smiling face
Honey, I knew that we would be
Together forever
Ooh, when I asked you out
You said no, but I found out
Darling, that you’ve been hurt
You thought that you’d never love again…
I deserve
A try, Honey, just once
Give me a chance and I prove this all wrong
You walked in you were so quick to judge
But, Honey, he’s nothing like me
I’ll never break your heart
I’ll never make you cry
I’d rather die than live without you
I’ll give you all of me, Honey, that’s no lie
( repeat)
As time goes by you will get to know me
A little more better
Girl, that’s way love goes
Baby, baby
And I ( I )
Know you’re afraid ( know you’re afraid )
To let you’re feelings ( Feelings show)
And I understand
That girl, it’s time to let go ( it’s time to let go)
Because I deserve
A try, Honey, just once
Give me a chance and I’ll prove this all wrong
You walked in you were so quick to judge
But, Honey, he’s nothing like me
Darling, why can’t you see
I’ll never break your heart…
After the concert, AJ drove Rachel home. As he was walking her to the door,
he started to say, "So, did you have a great time?"
"Yeah," Rachel replied, "that thing you did was so sweet." Just then she started to notice AJ looking into her eyes. She looked into his. Then it started the kiss. After
a little while, Rachel pulled away. "AJ, look, we can’t do this." AJ shot a
confused look at her. "Why not? " Rachel looked at him again, "It’s just
that…the last boyfriend I had ended up raping me and I just don’t wanna get close with anyone again." AJ thought for a moment. "I’m sorry. Please forgive me, but it’s the truth." AJ looked up.
"Hey, it’s alright. I understand how you feel. But I just want to say that I would never do
anything like that to you. Ever." This time it was Rachel’s turn to think.
"I know, you wouldn’t. I trust you. Just give me some time, ok? I just don’t think I’m ready for a relationship right now." AJ nodded.
"Good night. Hopefully after a while you’ve thought this out already." Rachel smiled one
of her smiles again.
"Hopefully. ‘Night."
AJ thought for awhile whilst driving on his way to Howie’s. <What should I do? I would never do anything to hurt her. She knows that. Hopefully. God, if only there was a way to tell her that I would never harm her. Should I give her some time? Howie would know. >
At Howie’s Place
"So, you’re asking me to tell you how to win this girl’s heart?" asked Howie.
"Basically," replied AJ. "I just don’t think she understands that I won’t ever hurt her like how her ex did." Howie thought for a moment.
"So..what did the guy do to her again?" AJ answered, "He raped her. That’s what. She thinks that if she ever gets too close to me, or anyone for that matter, she get hurt again. And I don’t want that to happen."
"Well, AJ, being your best friend and all, Howie started, I think that you should
just say you’re sorry about the kiss and that things will just go slow from now
on."
"You think that’ll work?" AJ asked.
"Duh! If it didn’t than I wouldn’t be telling you this right now, man. Look, trust me, it will work. Just say it like you mean it from the bottom of your heart. And I know you do."
AJ thought about it and then said, "Thanks, man, you’re the best. I owe you big
time."
Howie smiled and said, "And I mean REAL BIG." AJ smiled too and then
said, "Yeah, whatever. Help me round up the guys; got some fixing up to do."
Chapter 4- A Love Serenade
AJ and the guys arrived at Rachel’s house at around 10:00 P.M.
"Ok, you guys, you know what to do. God, I hope this works."
Howie shot him a confident look as he said, "Hey, man don’t worry, you’ll get her back."
"Thanks, I hope so." Just then Brian started working the guitar and AJ started to sing:
Baby, please try to forgive me
Stay here don’t put out the glow
Hold me now don’t bother
If every minute it makes me weaker
You can save me from the man that I’ve become
Oh, yeah
Lookin’ back on the things I’ve done
I was tryin’ to be someone
I’ve played my part
And kept you in the dark
Now let me show you the shape of my heart…
Rachel had heard the ‘serenade’ and went onto her porch. "Hey, Rachel. Look, I’m really sorry…It was all my fault. I promise from now on that we’ll go slow." Rachel shook her head and said, "No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be living in the past and keep thinking that every guy I go near will hurt me the way Jared did. Besides, it was my head that wasn’t listening ‘cause my heart already knew you wouldn’t do that." Suddenly, Howie, Nick, Kevin and Brian all said in unison, "Aw…how sweet…AJ and Rachel are making up." Rachel and AJ looked at each other and just laughed. "So we’re back together?" AJ
asked.
"AJ, we were never together."
AJ though for a minute. "Oh yeah!"
Then, again in unison, Rachel, Howie, Nick, Brian and Kevin all said,
"Duh!"
The End
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