Brian breathed heavily as he walked up the steps to Nick’s house.
The majestic doors looked down threateningly at him as he gripped the door knob uncertainly.
He knew Mandy would be there and even the thought of her made his whole body shiver.
He rang the doorbell and tapped his foot nervously as he waited for someone to answer the door.
“Hey Brian.” he nearly jumped at the voice of Howie.
“Hi Howie.” Brian smiled at him nervously.
“Come on in, everyone’s here.” Howie assured him in.
Brian walked though several throngs of people before finally seeing Kevin and AJ. He wasn’t surprised that a lot of people came to Nick’s birthday party bash. He was known to be a party person.
“Hey Brian.” he turned to see AJ grinning mischievously at him.
“Hi AJ.”
“Hi Brian.” Kevin greeted him then went back to the conversation he was having with AJ about cars.
He hardly heard what they said as his eyes searched for Mandy’s familiar slim figure.
Then he saw her talking with Nick and another guy. His attention was immediately diverted altogether.
Her long brown hair cascaded down her shoulders complimenting her black mini skirt and matching top. The 3-inch sandals she was wearing made her slightly taller than her normal size.
“Brian, are you hungry?” he was cut off from his day dream when Kevin offered him an apple.
“Yeah.” Brian snatched the apple from Kevin’s hand and took a bite of it.
“I prefer a Honda; it’s an excellent brand for a car...” Brian listened to AJ as he drawled on about his favorite car.
“Honda’s nice, but I prefer a Mercedes-Benz.”
“They’re too stylish for me, I prefer something more casual.”
“Honda’s are supposed to be a guzzler in gas…”
Suddenly Brian was aware that someone was watching him. He turned to see Mandy, Nick, and the other guy approaching them.
“Hi guys.” Mandy greeted giving each of them a handshake.
Brian resisted the temptation to caress her in his arms and instead shook her hand lightly.
“This is Jeff, my boyfriend. Jeff, these are the Backstreet Boys: Howie, AJ, Kevin, Brian, and Nick, but I’m sure you know who Nick is already.” Mandy laughed lightly sending her straight hair in ripples.
Brian felt a pang of betrayal as he stared at Jeff’s features.
He had hazel eyes which squinted every time he laughed, light brown hair, an athletic built, and a humorous personality which was almost similar to Brian’s.
Unfortunately, Brian felt he wasn’t in a mood to joke right now.
“Where are you from?” Brian tried to make his voice pleasant but it sounded more like sarcasm when it came out.
“I’m from San Francisco.” Jeff replied.
“Do you have a job now?”
“Yes actually. I’m a ‘small time’ actor. I haven’t acted in any movies yet, just commercials but I plan to hit the mainstream when I’m ready.” he said proudly.
“How old did you start acting?” Brian interrogated him.
“Just recently.” Jeff laughed then finally became serious again, “I just graduated from university.”
“Did you pay your loan yet?”
“Nope, I actually don’t have any loan to pay. I was under scholarship.”
“Really?” Brian said in mock belief, “Tell me about it.”
“I was given a dramatic arts scholarship in my senior year in high school. I loved acting as a young boy. I would usually act in school plays, and even local community plays, but I never really thought I could become an actor until I won that scholarship. I guess I’m just one lucky man.”
“You think your luck will run out, someday?” Brian questioned him evenly.
“Excuse me, what did you say?” Jeff asked, slightly offended by his question.
Before Brian was able to reply, Nick spoke up first.
“I’m going to get some cocktail, you guys want to come?”
“Sure.” Jeff immediately replied as he followed Howie and AJ to the refreshment table.
Kevin looked awkwardly at Mandy then at Brian.
“I’ll just go to the restroom first.” he told them leaving both of them alone.
“Why did you do that Brian?” Mandy questioned him.
“What did I do?” Brian asked, his voice a mixture of rage and innocence.
“Humiliate me in front of my boyfriend!” she gripped his arm tightly when he failed to make eye-contact, “I’m talking to you Brian Littrell!”
“What?” Brian finally looked at her in annoyance.
“Forget it. If you’re still heart broken about me, you need to get over it. I’m already moving on with my life and you’re just standing here in pieces. That doesn’t give you any acceptable reason to fuck with my life!” Mandy told him aggressively.
“Mandy, I… I still love you.” Brian replied, his voice choked and barely audible.
“You’re a girl freak, you know. You’re not the one I want. YOU ARE NOT THE ONE FOR ME. Can’t you tell that to your freakin’ head?” she said to him one last time.
Brian watched helplessly as Mandy walked away, tears welling up in his eyes.
Author's Chapter Notes:
I'm sorry for leaving you all in suspense... lol
