How I Met AJ McLean

First, let me just say that the concert was as great as I had expected. There was a huge crush, of course, but for AJ, to me it was worth it....and I even had the bruises to show for it. Anyway, the concert was Standing Room Only, so I had been on my feet from about 5pm on line outside the building until around 11:30 when they kicked us out. As we were all sitting around on the steps, Dennis Gallo, who played keyboard and guitar for the Backstreet Boys at the time as well as played for "Johnny", came out to talk to one of the guards. My friends and I introduced ourselves, and got our pics taken with him. He was really a sweetheart, too.

Needless to say, as soon as I got back in the car, the first thing I did was take off my shoes. My feet were throbbing they were so sore. I have some friends I met on a Backstreet Boys email list who I hung out with at the concert and who happen to know where the guys live. So, after the concert we drove to AJ's house first, then Kevin's, then Howie's parents' house. AJ's house was really the only one I remember seeing that night. I was like, okay well, it's only Kev's house or it's only Howie. I was in the car with one Howie/Kevin fan and a Kevin fan so...I didn't really need to ooh and aah over their houses. Kat and Jehne did just fine.

We drove back to the backlot of Universal, the private gated area, and waited for AJ to come out. I was all but falling asleep in the backseat. We had partied for awhile the night before, and even though I'd made an early night of it while my friends had kept going, I still had gotten up before them and was finally feeling my exhaustion. So, here we are, waiting, then I hear very clearly, "That's Amanda's blue Mercedes!" We peeled out of the parking lot, taking after our friends in the other car as they lit out first.

The chase was on.

We followed them for a bit, then wound up losing them and following the wrong car. After turning around, we made a bee-line back to AJ's house. Now, this entire time, Kat, Jehne and myself had been listening to a mix of songs Jehne had made up. As we rounded the corner of AJ's street, the line was, "Omigod, we're back again." Which, of course, cracked us all up. When we pulled up in front of his house, Denise was busily taking bags of his birthday presents into the house. AJ was in Amanda's blue Mercedes in the driveway. My friend had been driving the other car, and asked, "Do you think we should ask if we can say hi?"

My jaw must have hit the floor. All I remember thinking was that AJ was sooooo close, and I was going to meet him, one way or another. She got out, and did ask if we come say hi and happy birthday. AJ said, "Sure, no problem."

Sure, no problem. My knees are just like jelly. My heart is pounding in my ears because I'm going to actually get to MEET you. Sure...no problem.

I asked Jehne to pop the trunk, which she did, and I scrambled through the pack I'd brought along containing my two Backstreet Boys scrapbooks (fyi, it's grown since then to about four books now). So, I'm scrambling through my pack, looking for the planner. Had to find it. There is this one picture of AJ in it that I love...AJ by the window. It's at the end of January. Finally found the planner, plucked it from the pack, slammed shut the lid and started across the street to where AJ was talking with my friends. Halfway across, I paused. I wasn't wearing any shoes. Wonderful, I thought, I'm about to meet AJ wearing my bright yellow socks. I shrugged and kept walking. If I paused to put my shoes on, he might go back into the house before I got a chance to meet him. I couldn't let THAT happen, now could I?

I stopped about two feet away from him, and stared. My mind totally froze. All I kept thinking was, "This is Alex...this is Alex." He was so close. A few steps and I would be able to touch him. I listened as he talked about Brian showing up at the concert, about it being a surprise. Kev and Howie were out of town, he'd said, so he knew they wouldn't be there. Nick had alot going on so AJ knew he wouldn't be there either. He mentioned that he was hungry, and we told him we could go get him something from McDonald's, but he declined, saying that he was going to go inside and go to bed.

Like THAT was really an image I needed at that point!

My friend Carmen said, "If I knew we were going to do this, I would have brought my scrapbook."

To which, I replied, "Well, I've got both of mine in the car so...." I drifted off when AJ looked at me and asked, "Two?"

I just about melted into the sidewalk. I felt my face heat, knew I was blushing, and looked anywhere but at him. That smile has never failed to make my heart flip.

There were about eight of us. I stood by, watching everyone take their turn. I was last. Before it was my turn, Kat turned me to face her, lifted the sides of my sweater (they never seem to want to stay where they're supposed to), turned me back around, then pushed me at AJ. He kissed my right cheek just before he hugged me. My heart was hammering in my ears, and I think I mumbled something like "happy birthday" but I don't really remember. I remember the feel of his arms; the smell of his cologne; the smell of HIM. He needed a shave, too, and I remember how the bristles felt against my cheek.

Where was I? Oh, yes...well, I stepped out of his arms (reluctantly, mind you, VERY reluctantly), and he held out his hand for my planner so he could sign it. I had it open to the pic I wanted signed, and he said, "Are you sure you want that one? It's kind of old." I replied, "It's one of my favorites." He grinned at me, and damned if my cheeks didn't heat again. He signed the book, handed it back, and slid his arm around me for the picture. I look totally shell shocked, and I was. I was standing next to the man of my hottest dreams, and HE WAS TOUCHING ME!!!

He hugged me goodbye, kissing my other cheek. He said goodnight to us, then hurried down the driveway, leaving us with Amanda. She had been in the backround the entire time, trying to edge toward the house. My friends kept her in conversation, though, and after AJ left I turned to her, fully intent on hating her guts.

I couldn't do it. She was so nice, very sweet. Damn it all to hell. My brain decided to function again, once AJ had gone, so I apologized to her for showing up like we did. She had said it was no problem...that it was fans like us who put BSB where they are, so it didn't really bother them. I got a hug and watched her follow after AJ.