"Elena? Elena! ELENA! WAKE UP!"
Elena snapped out of her daydream and was greeted by a hand waving right in her face. "What?" She looked up to find it belonged to her co-worker, Cindy. They're offices were right across from each other.
"I've been trying to bring you back to earth for the last five minutes! Who are you thinking about?"
"How do you know it's a who?"
"Because I can tell. Us women could tell what another woman is thinking. Besides you had a stupid grin on your face," she laughed.
"Well, for your information, I was just thinking about the concert I just went to. It was so much fun!" Cindy rolled her eyes. "Please don't tell me you're all hung over the Backstreet Boys. The concert was two weeks ago. I thought you'd be over the shock by now."
"And what if I say that yeah, I am hung over them?"
"I'd say you need to be committed."
"Oh please, I've been a fan for how long now? Five years. Say it, five years. And you just noticed that I like them? Where the hell have you been?"
"Well, excuse me for not keeping up with the times."
"Anyway, what do you want?"
"Oh yeah. Jerry wants to see you. Something about a new assignment."
"But I'm not finished with my article on how pop culture affects today's youth's ability to do well in school."
"I'm taking over that."
"Umm, ok. Thanks."
Elena got up and started walking towards her boss' office. She felt butterflies in her stomach for some strange reason. Jerry was a nice guy. He was fair, reasonable, and well liked. He was always courteous and attentive to his employees' needs. Why was she so nervous? And what was so important that Jerry wanted her to abandon her other work? Well, she was about to find out as she stood outside the wooden door with the words CHIEF EDITOR on the glass. She straightened out her navy blue suit, took a deep breath, and casually walked in. Jerry, who was facing the window, spun around in his chair to face her. He smiled.
"Hello, Elena. Looking spiffy as usual, I see."
"Thanks. Cindy said you wanted to see me?"
"Ah, yes. Please have a seat." She sat down right across from him.
"Well, Elena, I called you here because I wanted to tell you about this new assignment I think you're perfect for."
"Ok."
"It involves being on the road."
"I've done that before. I can handle that."
"For a month."
"Wow. That's a pretty long time."
"Yes it is. Are you ok with that though?"
"Well, it depends on who I'd be spending a month with."
"I understand that. Here comes the fun part."
'Please don't let it be Marilyn Manson. Please don't let it be Marilyn Manson,' she silently prayed.
"You're going to be on the road for a month with…the Backstreet Boys."
'I must be going crazy! I just heard him say the Backstreet Boys! Cindy's right! I should be committed! I'm way over the healthily obsessed limit!' Elena laughed. "I'm sorry, I thought you said the Backstreet Boys!"
"I did."
"What?"
"You, Elena, are spending 30 nights and days with the pop princes themselves. How do you feel about that?"
"Uhhhh…I…oh my gosh! I'm really happy! I could kiss you! But I won't! I'll hug you instead!" She stood up and reached over his desk to hug him. "Thank you! You're the best boss in the world!"
" *lol* I'd knew you be happy! But remember, it's not all fun and games. You're actually going to have to do some work, as in asking questions and writing down quotes and maybe getting the inside scoop on what goes on behind closed doors. Real stuff. Their true lives."
"I'll be sure to do that, boss."
"I know you will. And I'll be beeping you every so often to make sure. Now get lost, DeLorenzo!" he laughed.
Elena couldn't stop grinning as she made her way back to her office. Cindy stopped her midway holding out her cell phone.
"It's some guy named AJ."
Elena practically ripped her hand off snatching it from her. "Thanks, Cindy! AJ?! Hi! How's everything, hon?"
"Peachy keen. You seem a little excited."
"Oh my Gawd, AJ! You won't believe who I get to spend a month on the road with!" AJ stifled back a laugh. "Oh I think I have a pretty good idea."
"Really? Who?"
"Hmm, could it be that group of wonderful guys who dance and sing from Orlando?"
"Nope, it's not 'N Sync!"
"I wasn't talking about 'N Sync, smartass! I was talking about US!"
" *lol* Well, you're right! Hey, how did you know? I just found out five seconds ago!" She strolled into her office and almost had a heart attack from shock and nearly dropped her phone. AJ was sitting behind her desk, phone in hand, and smiling.
"I have my ways."
"AJ!" She put her phone down and ran to hug him. "What are you doing here?!"
"Just checking up on my girl. What, aren't you happy to see me?"
"Of course I am! Wow, one great surprise after the other! Where are the rest of the guys? Aren't you supposed to be on tour?"
"The guys are in good ol' Cali and we are on tour, but there had just been an earthquake and the arena was slightly damaged. After they fix it in two days, we'll be putting on our shows and moving on."
"Why, of all places, are you here?"
"I thought it would be very gentleman like of me to accompany you back to LA so you can badger out our deepest darkest secrets."
"Oh. When are we supposed to leave?"
"Tonight."
"Tonight?! I have to pack!"
"So we can swing back to your house and you can gather your little female things."
"Well, you seem to have everything under control, don't you. Hey, wait a second! Did you have anything to do with me getting this mission?" She eyed him suspiciously.
"What? Me? Noooooooo."
Are you telling me the truth?"
"Yeah, I am." He was trying very hard not to crack. And it showed.
"How much did you pay him?"
"I don't know what you're talking ab---"
"How much, AJ?"
" *sigh* Two hundred."
"Two hundred?! Are you crazy?! That's bribery!"
"Shhhhh! Not so loud!"
"Just don't get caught! Man, you paid my boss two hundred dollars to sneak me on your tour?! Now that is friendship!" she laughed.
"Well, it's not like he wasn't going to give it to you anyway! I just convinced him to give it to you sooner."
"I can't believe you! No one's ever done anything like this for me before!"
"Is that a good thing?"
"Hella yeah! Come on! I have to go pack!" She grabbed his hand and zoomed out the door and into her car. They arrived at her house a few minutes later. AJ looked up at the beautiful colonial house.
"I forgot how nice your house was."
"It's not as spacious and glamorous as yours, but it suits me." She unlocked the door and entered followed by AJ. "You can just make yourself comfortable while I run upstairs, change out of these professional looking clothes, and get my stuff together." AJ looked into the living room and snickered. "What?"
He picked up her black lace bra from the sofa with the tips of his fingers and dangled it in front of her. "Misplace something?"
She blushed and snatched it away from him. "Don't mind the mess. I haven't had time to clean."
"Hey, I've got no problem with that. You should see our tour bus! We've got trees growing out of our bunks!"
"Thanks for sharing. I'll be right back." She happily skipped up the stairs. AJ just wandered around and looked at her porcelain trinkets neatly displayed in and around a tall glass case. She loved collecting that kind of stuff.
'Now I know what to get her for Christmas. Those Precious Moments thingies or something.' "Oooh, this is purty…" AJ picked up a neon yellow and blue lava lamp and was hypnotized by it. "Cooolorrrrs…" Something suddenly caught his eye. He made his way over to her fireplace ledge and picked up the frame. The picture had Elena being attacked by AJ and Howie on both sides. They were all laughing and being stupid. Those days were gone.
"I remember that like it was yesterday."
AJ didn't hear her sneak up behind him.
"Oh, I-I-I was just looking…You done already?"
"No, I just came down to get something."
"Oh."
"That picture was taken the day after our special date. Do you remember? In the park? You wanted to kill us for kissing so much!" She laughed sadly.
"Yeah, I remember. You guys were constantly playing tonsil hockey! But seriously, if I had known…I wouldn't have given you such a hard time about it. I'm really sorry, Eelie."
"It's ok. The past is past. All we have is the future. So…wanna help me pack?"
"Sure. Anything to help you move faster."
"Well, excuse me."
He followed her up the stairs and into her room. He was immediately caught off guard by the big BSB poster that was hanging by her bed. Elena looked at him then at the poster and laughed.
"Sad, isn't it?"
"Well actually, I'm kind of glad you're contributing to those lovely paychecks we enjoy receiving so much."
"It's relief to know my money is being put to good use."
"Yeah, I can't think of a better way to spend it. So…what do you want me to help you with?" He began reaching for her top left dresser drawer.
"Don't you dare touch that, McLean. That's my underwear drawer."
"Ooooooh, really?! Can I take a little peak?"
"Only if you want your eyes gouged out afterwards."
"Umm, I think I'll pass."
"Yeah, I thought so. You can just start pulling things out of my closet. You know, jeans, shirts and blouses, skirts, and a few dresses just in case I get lucky and meet a hot guy on the road," she joked wiggling her butt. "By the way, are any members of your crew single by any chance?"
"Yeah, I think Dave is."
"Who's Dave?"
"He's an electrician. And 53."
"You jerk!" She threw a pillow at him, which he successfully dodged. AJ walked over to her closet and began taking anything out. He held out a white sparkly midriff.
"Is this a shirt or a bra?"
"It's a shirt, you tart. I only use it to go clubbing in summer."
"Did you steal it from Britney Spears?"
"No, actually, I stole it from you when I sneaked into the Larger Than Life video set."
" *lol* I remember that! I still have it! And it still fits, too! You want it?"
"Sure. I'll give it to Staci. She'll like it. She's a whore."
"Hey, are you calling me a whore?"
"Yes, I am. You're such a slut, AJ, eww. I'm sure you made tons of money standing at street corners all around the world. Half of the female population and 1/16 of the male would be waving fifty dollars in front of your face in a heart beat."
" *gasp* Uh! YOU should talk!" He took out a spandex silver tube top. "Is this a headband or something?!"
She pulled it out of his grasp. "No! It's a---ugh! You know what?! Gimme that! I'll pack! You just sit on my bed and watch me!"
"Ok."
She scrambled around her room stuffing everything into a large suitcase and then proceeded to throw her little things into her duffel bag. In addition to that, she brought along her CD holder bag and briefcase which had important papers, pens, pencils, etc, and a calculator.
"What do you need a calculator for?"
"Just in case I have to find out how many condoms you use up a day on average."
"That little thing ain't gonna work! You're gonna need a computer!"
"You are such a…a…a GUY!"
"Well according to AJ Jr., you are correct."
" *lol* Hey, do you still have that leopard print cowboy hat of yours?"
"Uh-uh, I donated that to some rock 'n roll online auction a couple of years ago. My road kill apparel days are gone."
"Oh, but I liked that hat!"
"You're probably the only one. I cringe at the fact that I actually thought I looked cool in it."
"But you did! I thought it was very sexy!"
"Really?! Now you tell me?! Dammit, now I have to go hunting for another one! Literally! Grrrr, baby, grrrrr!"
"Down, boy! Down! Or else I'm gonna have to whip ya!"
"Hehe, you're really into that kinky stuff, aren't you."
"It depends…"
"On what?"
"On who I'd be torturing."
"You're bad."
"You know it. Ok, I'm all done now."
"That's nice."
"Well, I can't carry all this by myself!"
"Aww, do I have to?"
"Yes! Maybe to the rest of the world, you're a celebrity, but when you are in my domain, you are just silly, goofy AJ. Nothing special."
"Gee, thanks."
"Anytime."
He rolled his eyes and began to carry her heavy suitcase and bulky gym bag, while she handled her carry-ons. He almost killed himself down the stairs.
"Damn girl, what do you got in here?! Bricks?!"
"Nope, just my essentials."
"Haven't you ever heard of traveling light?"
"Yeah, I am traveling light."
"Holy shitballs! You're going to give me a hernia!"
"Well don't carry both things at once!"
"No, I am a man, I can handle it."
"Ok then, don't complain!"
Once downstairs, Elena unplugged everything so her house wouldn't unexpectedly burst into flames, locked everything, and took one more glance around.
"See ya in a month, house. I'll miss you." They staggered out the door and to her car. She opened her trunk so AJ could throw her suitcase and duffel bag in there, while she tossed the rest of her stuff in the backseat. Then she hopped onto the driver's seat while AJ sat beside her and they buckled their safety belts. <>P>"Eelie, you ready to spend 30 days in a crowded stuffy bus with us stinking messy guys?"
"You kidding? I've been waiting my whole life to be confined in a small cubicle with a bunch of sweaty and obnoxious guys!"
"Alright! We're gonna party all night and day! Yeah, baby, whoooo!"
They laughed and soon were on their way to the airport. Little did they know it was going to be the most unforgettable trip of their lives.