Even though it was a blistering 37ºC outside, the Backstreet Boys were armed in coats with hoods, baseball caps and baggy pants. They all disagreed with the management when they said that they had to do this to prevent fans from noticing them. But when it's that hot outside and they're are wearing winter clothing, it's kind of hard not to notice.
As was the story with Mags. She couldn't persuade anyone to go to the store with her that day, so she went alone. Brian blew his "cover" several times with his Jim Carrey impressions, and Mags caught on quickly. She had heard all about the fans who screamed at the Backstreet Boys when they saw them, but she was convinced that the strategy was not a good way to get their attention. Inching her way towards them, she pretended that the ground was more interesting then they were, although everyone else was giving them second glances. Every once in a while Mags would say, "Ooo, this is a piece of quartzite," or "granite, cool!" all the time getting closer and closer.
When she reached Brian's shoulder, she stopped and whispered, "Busted...B-Rok" and continued walking. Brian called after her and she turned around. "Uhh, thanks for not making a scene, we really appreciate that!" He smiled when he saw Mags laugh at their clothing. She now had a good view and they looked pretty goofy. "We gotta put this crraazzyy stuff on and pretend like we're from somewhere else. I had a little... accident...and, um, I lost all of my underwear, except for the ones I'm wearing o'course, so I gotta buy some." Mags laughed at that. "Would you like an autograph?"
"Kinda hard not to make a scene with you and AJ around!" Howie grunted, but smiled despite himself.
"Sure I'd like an autograph! I came prepared today, actually. I have a pen, some paper, my shirt, take your pick! By the way, I'm Maggie, but some people call me Mags." Mags smiled. "I do have one small request... hugs!"
After they were all done signing her stuff, Brian invited her to go shopping with them, since they had lost their guards and ditched Kevin. They chatted about normal stuff, school, their job, dancing, etc. Brian told Mags all about his underwear, and Howie told her about the stowaway.
"Hey how about these?" Brian held up a package of thongs, " are these me or what?"
"Nooo. Who wants to see your wrinkly behind anyway?" Nick laughed. Mags grinned ear to ear. "Oh never mind. Question answered."
"That's graphic Nick, no need to describe Rok's butt in such a...vivid manner." AJ smirked.
"Hey, why's everyone always pickin' on me?(In the bad witch's voice ) I'll get you, and you're little dog too, muhahaha. And I thought you were on MY side AJ!" Brian pouted. He continued his quest for the perfect underwear nevertheless. "Oh look who just came in, our bodyguards have found us... How about these tighty whities? I bet I know someone who would like to see me in these!" Mags blushed. " No, not you. Frack!"
"Just buy your underwear and leave us out of it." AJ smirked, "I'm not the one wearing very DIRTY UNDERWEAR." People turned to look at them. Mags saw one little girl wrinkle up her nose. Nick and AJ exchanged high fives.
"That was very mean AJ" Howie scolded playfully.
"I thought you were on MY side D! Oh well. I'm gonna try on these cool pants I found. Back in a flash." AJ took off to the changing rooms. A few seconds later, Brian followed, motioning Mags to come too.
"He's much to proud to close the change room door. Plus he always forgets to." Brian explained. He grabbed the handle of the door and swung it wide open. AJ was standing in there with nothing but briefs. Mags and Brian fell on the floor in hysterical laughter.
"I ran out of boxers!" AJ turned bright red and shut the door. Brian and Mags just laughed harder. Meanwhile Nick and Howie remembered that they were supposed to find something for Jansin. They paid for their stuff and waited for Brian and AJ.
Brian settled for an armload of boxers. The clerk was trying desperately not to laugh, but Brian was lenient. AJ hugged Mags then left the store in a hurry. Mags thanked them all for a great time and went off to tell Caro what happened.
****************************************************
Jansin opened his eyes slowly and looked at his surroundings, not bothering to get up. He was much to sore to do that yet and he still didn't have any feeling in his legs, which he hadn't mentioned to anyone. He tried unsuccessfully to move, but gave up a few minutes later. His red arms throbbed, that was the only real pain he could feel. Other than that, it felt like he just had a head. He knew what he had and he didn't like it. A fever. Jansin heard rustling from the back of the bus and saw Kevin emerge. If his sister was alive, she would threaten to kill him if she found out where he had been. He smiled. Remembering her was hard, he'd only seen her once.
She was a year older than he was, and they had been separated. He remembered her name, Samantha, and a little of their conversation. Jansin had been so sick that time that he barely understood her.
"Even though we're brother and sister," she had said, " we've never known each other. It's sad to see you like this, that you got caught up in everything. It wasn't supposed to happen that way." Tears brimmed her eyes. "Now I have only one chance to talk to you, and it's to say good-bye. I'm going to a better place Jansin. Be strong." She was suddenly grabbed by her shoulders and pulled backwards. Her hands were handcuffed behind her.
"And for the love of God, GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE! I don't want to leave, don't take me away!" She whimpered. Despite her kicking and screaming, " Get out of this damned hellhole Jansin, do whatever it takes!" the men in white suits and masks subdued her.
The long needle took her by surprise, and its contents made her body grow weak. That was the last time Jansin saw her.
Kevin trudged to the front of the bus, still a bit upset that Denise had decided to wake him up. He was even more upset that the rest of the guys took off without him. Kevin listened to his grumbling stomach and checked his watch. It was 3:30, and he went to sleep at eight in the morning.
Jansin watching him walk over to the fridge, and smiled at Kevin's hair. The part of it that he had been laying on was flat and sticking on end. He would have laughed but he really didn't trust it.
Kevin turned on the TV and sat down on the couch, missing Jansin's legs by an inch or so. He didn't even notice Jansin as he munched contentedly on a banana. Kevin stopped chewing, swallowed, and slowly turned to his right.
"Ahh!" he yelped, startled. Jansin just blinked at him. There was not much else he could do. Kevin started asking questions, but Jansin couldn't answer, his throat felt clogged. Kevin walked over to the door and started tugging on the handle.
"Locked. See? Now how did you get in?" Jansin just looked at him funny. He wasn't sure about what he should do.
"Blink twice if it was Denise." Kevin watched Jansin blink twice. "Ahh, I see. Are you sick? Blink twice." Jansin blinked twice. "Hmm. Does Denise know? Probably. Blink twice." This time Jansin did not. "She doesn't? Gee, I'm not very good at this. Where are we anyway?" Kevin looked out the window. "The gas station. Don't light a match. Aw man, Denise is talking to the manager. This is going to take forever. I'll just have to do this myself."
He felt Jansin's forehead with his large hand, then quickly pulled it away.
"Ouch. That's hot. Well, I can get a cloth, and you can have one of my blankets...Denise should be back soon. I'd go get her but..." He looked down at his robe and pajamas, "I don't have the right attire. Where are those guys when you need them?" He looked down at Jansin, and saw that he had fallen asleep.
Kevin went to his bunk and grabbed his blanket. He placed it on Jansin, secured a cold cloth to his head, and then trudged to the bathroom to make his hair.
Chapter 4!
Back To Table of Contents