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Chapter 27: Toast

Bending over to pick up his adidas runners, Howie grabbed a hold of the shoes and carried them over to the edge of the bed where he sat down and began the simple task of placing them on and lacing them up. He occasionally glanced up at the television, which was placed on low volume, but never paid any attention to what program was on. It really was of no interest to him, and he finally flicked it off with a careless toss of the remote. Standing up, he shot a quick glance around the room. His suitcase and duffle bag were both packed, as he had just finished packing them minutes before because they were heading out in a couple of hours to go on to the next town. It was only 7:18 in the morning, which lead Howie to mentally question himself why he always got up so early. Was it really impossible for him to sleep in an hour or two later then usual?

Howie figured he had approximately two and a half hours before they were due to set off and he had nothing planned to do between now and then. Feeling his stomach grumble made him realize just how hungry he was and craving for some breakfast. It was no wonder he was so hungry, considering he hadn't had a bite to eat since right before the rehersal yesterday. 'Might as well go get something' he thought as he reached into his duffle bag for his wallet, then headed towards the door.

But as he stepped into the hall with the thought of walking down to the hotel resteraunt to have breakfast by himself, a new thought crossed his mind and he changed directions and started making his way towards AJ's hotel room. He knew for sure that AJ would still be sound asleep, but it seemed like a humorous idea to wake AJ up at this hour. Howie knew that if AJ could have his way, he would sleep in until thirty seconds before they had to leave. He'd actually attempted it once and Kevin had reemed his butt about it, so Howie figured he'd give his friend an early wake-up call this morning.

AJ's room was all the way on the next floor up. The Boys had all been spread out in this hotel, compared to the way it usually was. Normally, it would be two on one floor, two on another, and the last one on another floor. This time, Howie's room was located on the fourth floor, AJ's on the fifth (the same floor as his mother's room), Brian was on the third, Nick on the sixth, and Kevin on the second floor.

Quietness was the only thing roaming the hallways as Howie proceeded on his way. Occasionally he would hear the sound of a television as he passed by the rooms, but so far, he hadn't seen another guest. Which satisfied him to say the least. He really didn't want to deal with any run-ins at the moment. A minute or so later, he found himself stopping outside AJ's door, and from his earlier presumptions, there was no sound coming from inside.

AJ was asleep.

Raising a fist, Howie brought it lightly against the door. Knowing that was no help, Howie pounded his fist harder. It wasn't until several knocks later did he finally hear his friend answer, "Hold on, damnit!" from inside. Howie snickered as he stepped back a foot from the door. Several seconds passed when the lock on the door finally clicked and was slowly pulled open. AJ appeared in the doorway, balancing his weight uneasily on his left leg. His right knee was free of the brace and he wasn't using his crutches. A nasty black and blue bruise resided on the side of his knee, and by AJ's tassled hair and flushed cheeks, he didn't look all that happy about being woken up so early.

"What do you want?" he grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the doorframe. He was having to squint his eyes from the brightness in the hall, and by the looks of it, he was about ready to fall asleep standing there.

"Mornin' sunshine!" Howie grinned, reaching forward to smack AJ's cheek playfully.

"Don't!" AJ glared, unamused.

"Shouldn't you be wearing your knee brace?" Howie questioned, motioning toward's AJ's knee.

AJ yawned. "No. Doc said I don't have to wear it when I'm sleeping," he answered.

"That bruise looks pretty ugly."

"What'd you come here for?"

"Need to ask you a question."

"Can't it wait until later? You rudely interrupted a steamy dream of mine-"

"Eeewww, spare me the details. And no, it can't wait until later."

"Fine, ask your damn question so I can get back to sleep."

Howie rolled his eyes in humor; AJ really wasn't a morning person, especially when he was woken up before he thought he should be awake. Clearing his throat, though, Howie opened his mouth to speak. "Um..." he hesitated for a moment. "Would you be mad if I asked you...for Jeanie's room number?"

AJ looked at his best friend oddly, having to mask the smirk that was creeping upon his lips. "Why do you want to know her room number?" he asked with a hint of suspicision.

"Because," Howie answered shortly.

AJ chuckled. "You lookin' to get lucky?"

"No, I want to ask her to have breakfast with me," Howie answered, rolling his eyes.

Raising an eyebrow, AJ paused for a second before asking, "Why are you asking for my permission?"

"One, your my best friend. Two, she's your therapist and I want to make sure you don't mind. Because if you do, then I won't persue it. And three, I don't know her room number, but you do."

"Well, since you rudely woke me up from my much needed beauty sleep-"

"Much needed is an understatement..."

AJ glared at the Latino. "Shut up. For that, I'm really not going to give you her room number."

"Dang, Aje, I was only joking."

"Uh huh, sure. Prove it to me. Get down on your hands and knees and grovel at my feet."

"In your dreams."

"Whatever you say. I'm going back to sleep," AJ shrugged and moved to close the door, but Howie immediately prevented him from doing so.

"Fine, I'm sorry all mighty and wise one. Now give me her room number."

"Keep going," AJ grinned.

"Aje!"

"Alright, alright...stop sprouting grey hairs over it! She's in room 319."

"See, that wasn't so hard, now was it?"

"Yes, it was terrible. Now leave me alone. I need sleep!"

"Try going to bed at a decent hour."

"Doesn't work when you're a Backstreet Boy."

"Meaning?" Howie smirked.

"You got one sick mind, D!"

"Well, you are my best friend."

"Shut up before I kick your ass."

"And how do you propose you are going to do that, gimp?"

"Why I oughta-"

"That's what I thought!"

"S-L-E-E-P! Sleep!"

With that being said, AJ slammed the door shut, leaving Howie standing in the hall with an amused expression on his face. The Latino rolled his eyes at the door, chuckling, then turned around and walked away.

*****

Howie ran a hand through his short curls as he headed towards Jeanie's hotel room, number 319. His heart pounded at a slightly quicker then normal rhythm as he thought of what he could possibly say once he knocked on her door and she answered...that was, if she answered. "Hey, I was just in your hallway and I figured I would stop by and say "hi"!" Howie spoke outloud, quietly to himself. "Yeah, that's real smooth, Dorough..."

He continued walking, keeping a eye out for anyone who started walking down the hallway. He had to be a bit extra careful since he hadn't brought his body guard to escort him where he went. That was usually a big "no-no", but Howie really didn't care at the moment. It was early anyway... How many teenies would be awake and hyper at this hour? So far, he hadn't seen anyone for that matter, and it brought him relief. 'C'mon, Dorough...think!' Howie shoved his hands into his pockets, keeping his eyes on the ground as he walked.

Room 314.

Room 315.

Room 316.

'You're only going to ask her to have breakfast with you. How hard of a question can that be to ask?'

Room 317.

Room 318.

Howie froze. There was her door, Room 319. He'd come upon it more quickly then he'd anticipated, and he still wasn't sure what he was going to say to her. Listening closely through the silence, he failed to hear anything coming from inside the room. 'She's probably still asleep. It is early.' Howie bit down on his bottom lip, clenching his right hand into a fist. Slowly, he raised his hand and tapped it rapidly against the door several times.

Then he waited.

But there came no answer.

Frowning slightly, Howie knocked on the door again. He really had no right to be disturbing her at this hour; it was now 7:28. He had begun to wonder if he should just head down to the hotel resteraunt by himself like he had originally planned, when he faintly heard a pair of feet padding over to the door. Only the sound stopped as soon as they were directly in front of the door. Raising an eyebrow, Howie knocked again, lighter this time. "Ms. McGuire?" he called out, wondering if he had misheard the sound.

For several seconds, there was no reply, when finally Howie heard the pair of feet scurrying away from the door and Jeanie's english accent called out from inside, "Just a second!" Howie raised his eyebrows again and quicky looked both ways down the hallway to see if anyone was coming. Surprisingly, just as he did so, two teen girls stepped out of a room a ways down the hall, both chattering obnoxiously. Reacting quickly, Howie reached into his pocket and dropped a handful of spare change on the floor, bending down to act as if he were gathering it so the teen girls couldn't catch a glimpse of his face.

"My God, Becky! I still have shivers from the concert last night! It was like the best night of my life!" A high-pitched, and equally annoying, voice rung through the hall, stinging Howie's ears. He cringed.

"Like, omg, I totally agree! Did you see how hot Nick looked up there on stage, wagging his cute little butt?!" the second voice, which obviously belonged to "Becky" screeched back in reply. "Ahhh! I felt like I was going to like totally die when he blew that kiss to me!"

"He wasn't blowing that kiss to you! He was blowing it to the blonde bimbo standing next to you! You know, the one whose boobs were too big for her skimpy little tank top!"

"That's so not true, Reese! You're just jealous that your honey, Sweet D, didn't touch your hand!"

Howie couldn't help but to perk his ears up at the mention of his name. He loved it when his ego was boosted like that.

"He wasn't able to because the blonde bimbo with the big boobs who was standing next to me pushed me out of the way! What a ho! I think she and the blonde bimbo next to you were twins!"

"What was up with AJ and the crutches last night? How do you think he hurt himself?"

"He was probably drunk and fell down a flight of stairs!" The girl giggled.

Howie felt an immense amount of anger well and boil within him. He couldn't believe the nerve and amount of disrespect this girl had. Clenching both his fists, he prepared to stand up and reprimend the rude comment the girl had just dished, but her friend beat Howie to it. So, he stayed in his crouching position, listening intently.

"That's harsh, Reese! How can you even say that? AJ's been sober for over a year now! He has more guts to keep that up then you do!" Becky scolded in a sharp voice, silencing her friend's giggles immediately. "That was a shitty thing to say about him!"

"Sorry!" Reese shrugged and that was the last thing Howie was able to catch of the conversation before the two girls rounded a corner at the end of the hallway and dissappeared from sight and earshot. Still feeling a bit angered, Howie gathered the rest of his spare change from the floor and shoved it back into pocket. Standing up, he had just enough time to run his hand through his hair again before the door clicked and slowly opened. Howie froze again for the second time since he had stopped in front of Jeanie's door.

Silence fell over the two as they stood there at a loss for words. Inside, Howie was mentally slapping himself for standing there foolishly and not saying anything. By the look on Jeanie's face, it was obvious she was feeling the same way about herself. "Hey!" Howie finally blurted out nervously, feeling his cheeks turn a deep shade of crimson.

"Hello," Jeanie replied, her voice just as unconfident as Howie's.

"I hope I'm not disturbing you. I didn't wake you up, did I?"

"No, you're not disturbing me at all. I was already awake." Jeanie's soft rose-colored lips remained parted, her hazel eyes sparkling the slightest bit as she stared at Howie. For a moment she was unsure of what to say and she began to feel a bit of pity for Howie as he seemed to be in an even worse situation. Opening her mouth to speak again, a friendly smile played at the corner of her lips as she tried to make light of the situation. "Are you going to stand there all morning? Or would you like to come in?" she asked, slowly moving aside and opening the door further.

Howie smiled sheepishly, stepping into the room while quietly saying, "sorry" as Jeanie shut the door. Nervously, he stuck his hands into his pockets and looked around the room. Raising a surprised eyebrow, he looked at Jeanie again. "You sure this your hotel room?" he questioned, taking note of the pile of clothes and other various possessions strewn on the floor and about the room. If he didn't know any better, he would have figured it was either Brian or Nick's room.

It was Jeanie's turn to smile sheepishly. "The mess..." she laughed, looking around the room. "Yeah...what can I say?"

"No blame. Was just gonna say it resembles Brian and Nick's rooms."

"Is that a compliment?"

"In an odd sense...I guess."

"So..." Jeanie spoke in an odd tone of voice as she clasped her hands together, watching Howie still looking around the room. "What exactly is it you wanted? Not to sound rude or anything..."

"Well, the fellas and I don't have to be on the bus to head out to the next town for another two hours. I was on my way down to the hotel resteraunt to have a little something for breakfast and I was wondering if maybe you would...like to join me?" Howie asked carefully in one long drawn out voice, hinting a bit of hopefulness in his tone.

"Breakfast?"

"Yeah...would you like to join me?"

"Well, breakfast sounds fairly decent right now. So I guess I will accept your invitation."

"You will?" Howie asked with shock.

"Yes," Jeanie giggled. "You sound surprised?"

"Sorry," Howie apologized sheepishly.

"Relax, Howie. Do you always act this nervous around people you aren't closely acquainted with?"

"No, not normally."

"Alright...well, would you mind to give me a minute to get changed? I'm not really big on the idea of parading around in my pajamas..."

"I think they're cute," Howie answered honestly, looking over the light blue and white habiscus flower print pants and tight fitting white tank that Jeanie was using as sleepwear. The outfit hugged her figure perfectly.

Jeanie reached for a fresh set of clothes from her suitcase as Howie spoke to her. "Thank-you," she smiled shyly. "I'll be out in a few minutes. Take a seat if you'd like?"

"Thanks," Howie nodded and slowly sat down on the edge of Jeanie's bed as she headed into the bathroom and shut the door. Howie smacked himself on the forehead, groaning at the foolish way he had just acted. 'Real smooth, Dorough...Real smooth...'

*****

Making it successfully across the hotel lobby without any confrontations, Howie and Jeanie entered the resteraunt. They found it to be just as deserted as the lobby had been, except for an elderly couple they passed who were sitting at a two person table, eating a breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs and strong black coffee. Even despite the lack of customers in the resteraunt, Howie lead Jeanie towards a two person table near the back. "Will this do?" he asked, pulling a seat away from the table so Jeanie could take a seat.

Jeanie smiled and nodded as she sat down. "Thank-you," she replied, watching as Howie took a seat himself. Folding her hands in her lap, she slowly looked around, her smile lingering at the corners of her lips.

Howie noticed Jeanie's prolonged smile as she continued to look around and a crooked smile of his own formed. "What's so great that it's keeping that beautiful smile on your face?"

Jeanie turned her gaze back to him, offering him a questioning look. "I don't know...I guess I'm still just trying to get used to the luxury of staying at these really fancy hotels. I mean, I've never had the privilage of staying at such nice places. It was more like Motel 8," she explained thoughtfully. "I've stayed at the Embassy Suites once or twice, but it was mostly Motel 8. You must love this though. The types of hotels you get to stay in that is."

Howie was silent for a moment before he finally replied. "Actually, the hotels we stay in don't make any difference to me. These are basically what we've been staying in for almost the past nine years. Though, I do have to admit at first I couldn't help but take advantage of the luxuries of these types of hotels. Who can't? It kinda makes you feel rich..."

"...But you are rich," Jeanie said slowly.

"I don't think of myself as rich. I just think of myself as a person who gets overly paid for doing what he loves to do."

"That's a really great way to look at it, Howie."

Seconds slowly passed by as Howie looked one way and Jeanie looked another, both thrown into an uncomfortable bout of silence. So when a waiter finally started heading their way, they unconciously felt a sense of relief washing over them. "Good morning, and here are your menus," the waiter spoke, handing cream-color folders to Howie and Jeanie that sported the hotel's symbol logo on the front. "Would the two of you like a few minutes to look it over before you decide?"

"Yeah, that would be great. Thanks," Howie answered, nodding as he prepared to open the menu. The waiter smiled curtiously and walked away. Surprisingly, the menu had quite a selection for breakfast, more then what Howie needed to decide from. He wasn't looking for anything really exquisite, maybe just some good old fashion bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, and toast. Or a spanish omelet would do the trick... Howie chuckled quietly to himself for an unknown reason as he continued to skim over the menu.

"Oh no..." Jeanie suddenly blurted. Howie looked up just in time to see her eyes grow with nervousness and her cheeks hint at a tint of redness. Jeanie looked at him apologetically and stood up. "You're going to have to excuse me, Howie. I forgot to bring some money. I'm just going to run back up to my room real quick and grab some-"

Howie quickly stood up also and grabbed hold of Jeanie's hand before she could move away. "That won't be necessary, Jeanie. You can sit down, because I already planned on paying for breakfast for the both of us. I want it to be my treat."

Jeanie suddenly looked extremely uncomfortable as Howie said this. "I don't want to be an inconvenience to you."

"You're not an incovenience. I enjoy your company, which is why I asked you to have breakfast with me. So please, allow me to pay for you."

"Are you sure?"

Howie smiled. "Positive."

"Ok..." Jeanie hesitantly took her seat again and picked up the menu. Sure, Howie said he wanted to pay for her, but that didn't mean he could stop her from ordering the cheapest thing on the menu. She still felt like she was being an inconvenience to him, no matter what he said. 'Alright...cheapest thing on the menu is...' she thought, her hazel eyes skimming down the list.

"Well, I think I'm going to have the spanish omelet and an orange juice. Gotta love that stuff," Howie grinned, placing his menu down. He looked expectantly at Jeanie. "What about you? What are you going to have?"

"Toast."

"Toast?"

"Yeah, you know, it's bread and they toast it. That's why they call it toast. Am I correct?"

"Yes, but that's surely not all you're going to have, right?"

"Yes. I just want toast."

"Jeanie, order whatever you want on the menu. The price doesn't matter."

"Who said the price matters?"

"Obviously you think it does if you're just ordering toast."

"I happen to like toast."

"It's not a matter of liking toast or not liking it. Please order something else."

"I'm a light eater, Howie."

"I highly doubt that."

"Oh, and what's that supposed to mean?"

"I didn't mean it that way."

"But by the tone of your voice, it sure seemed to be that was the way you were implying it."

"I didn't say you are fat!"

"Ok. So now you are saying I'm fat?"

"No! That's not what I'm saying at all!" Howie felt the confusion well within him as he stared at Jeanie in disbelief. All of this over toast? Then he saw her lips curl up into a smile and she laughed. His features fell as he continued to stare at her. "What's so funny?" he asked, unamused.

"Calm down, Howie," Jeanie told him, placing her hands in her lap. She could see the waiter heading their way again. "You are too easy to get riled up."

"I resent that."

"Are we ready to order now?" The waiter asked, unaware of the small quarrel they had just went through.

"Yeah. Jeanie?"

"Go ahead and order first."

"Alright. I want the spanish omelet with an orange juice. Make that a large orange juice. Oh, and make sure the eggs get cooked the way they should be cooked. I don't want them even sparcely runny."

"No problem, sir," the waiter nodded, quickly jotting down Howie's order. "And you, ma'am?"

"Just some toast, please."

"Jeanie, please order something else to go along with the toast."

"No, Howie. I already told you all I want is toast."

"But toast isn't enough."

"For me it is."

"Eating just toast is not healthy."

"For me it is."

"Then you are not a healthy eater."

"Well, that was just rude."

The waiter looked between the two, unsure if he should intervene. Howie saw the uncomfortable look in the waiter's eyes and spoke up. "She'll have the same thing as me and a side order of toast."

"Alright. I'll go put your orders in right away."

"I think you scared the waiter away," Jeanie giggled as she watched the waiter hurry off.

"I scared the waiter away? I think it was you who scared him away with your desperation for only wanting toast!"

"Oh, give it up already."

"Why don't you want me to pay for your breakfast? Is really that big of a deal to you?"

"Excuse me?"

"You don't want me to pay-"

"It's not that big of a deal."

"Well you sure made me think otherwise."

"Howie, it's fine. Drop the subject. I'll eat the damn omelet you ordered for me, and I'm going to eat my toast!"

"Alright, sorry for bursting your bubble..." Howie sighed as he leaned back in his seat. Who would have ever thought that you could get in this big of an argument over something so stupid as toast? Maybe he should just keep his mouth shut for the rest of breakfast.