“So what do you think?” Valerie said as she bit her bottom lip. “I can’t help the color but I mean does it look more descent on me?”
Stacy rolled her eyes as she stood up and clapped, “The dress is very nice and you are rocking it. Look at you, your going to be one hot maid of honor.”
“I don’t look like a pig in a hot pink sack?” Valerie said as she turned to face the mirror.
“Ok seriously you have to stop that,” Stacy said standing beside her. “You look good your new diet is working…”
“Ok so you think AJ will like it?” Valerie asked.
“He would be crazy not to,” Stacy said as she sat back on the bed. “Talking about AJ where is he?”
“Asia,” Valerie pouted. “He won’t be back till the wedding and will meet me in Orlando.”
“Wow how time flies,” Stacy said looking at her watch. “Well I have to go, unlike you I work tonight.”
“Ok bye thanks for coming over and taking me to get my dress.” Valerie told her now good friend and co-worker.
“Hey I had fun I would have been bored at home anyway with my girlfriend in Maine visiting her parents.” Stacy said as she stood up.
“You miss her? Only for a couple more days though.” Valerie said hugging her. “Hey maybe we could do something tomorrow.”
“Yeah like what?” Stacy said as she took her car keys out of her pocket.
“Well I don’t what ever bowling?” she said shrugging.
“Ok, I’ll call you later or tomorrow.”
********
“Hello?” Valerie said into her phone as she saw her caller ID.
“I didn’t wake you up did I?” AJ asked as he heard her.
“No I can’t sleep you know since I am so used to my night shift.” Valerie said giggling.
“I miss you, so how was your day off?” He asked as he took a seat on the high chair allowing the make up artist to do her job.
“It was good I got my dress back and it fits more descent. I had lunch with Stacy as well. What about you? How was your interview are you getting ready for the concert?” Valerie asked as she saw the time.
“Getting my hair and makeup done,” Alex said as he watched the make up artist do something with his hair what he had anyway. “What would you do if I shaved my hair off?”
“You didn’t?” Valerie said caught off by surprise. “I want to see you send me a picture. I bet you will look much hotter.”
AJ laughed into the phone, “I haven’t yet babe, but I am thinking about it.”
“I can’t wait to see you.” Valerie said as she heard someone tell him it was time to go.
“I can’t either, I have to go…but I love you and dream with me.” AJ said blowing a kiss to her and giggled when he heard her return the kiss.
“I will even if its not the same… Love you and I’ll talk to you later ok?” Valerie said quickly.
“Yeah ok bye love you.” Alex said as he saw the impatient look he was getting by his manager. “Ok I’m ready…” he said smiling at him.
“I don’t get it AJ you can have any girl you want and you chose her? Really?”
AJ stopped and looked at his manager who also was or he thought was a good friend. “Your right I could but they just don’t make me happy. I like Valerie and that’s that look lets just not get into that discussion again. I haven’t seen any decline in the fans because of it…” he said walking ahead of him smiling when he saw the rest of his band mates.
*********
“So what are we doing after all?” Stacy asked as she heard Valerie answer the phone.
“I don’t care how about lunch and a movie?” she asked as she yawned, it was only nine but she could no longer sleep.
“Deal I’ll pick you up around eleven.” Stacy said yawing as well.
Amber hung up and after freshening up she walked to her living room turning on her TV. She sighed when a knock on her door startled her, she didn’t expect anyone but she still walked to the door.
She smiled when she saw Leigh and baby James, “well good morning,” she said opening the door.
“Hey we thought we could stop by and say hello. We didn’t wake you did we?” Leigh asked as she walked in.
“No I was up already… here let me.” Valerie said kissing her on the cheek as she took baby James in her arms. “How’s the prettiest baby in the world doing?” she cooed as she kissed him.
“He’s teething and cranky with colic’s.” she said as she handed Valerie a cloth.
“Awe poor baby, have you tried baby Orajel? We recommend that a lot at the hospital.” Valerie said as she saw baby James make a face before bursting into a cry.
Leigh sighed and took him back in her hand instantly he quieted down. “Yes I have been rubbing it on his gums. He just doesn’t want to be with anyone but me since he started teething.” She said as she rocked him in her arms. “Howie isn’t even here to help me.”
“He will be here soon; I am sure he misses both of you too.”
“Yeah but he isn’t here to deal… but your right when he is here I am taking a day off.” Leigh said laughing a little as she kissed her baby. “I know I am complaining but I would not give this up for the world you know.” she said as she saw her baby in a very adoringly way.
Two hours later Valerie was walking into a restaurant with Stacy beside her. She was a little nervous when she saw that she was being followed by the paparazzi. She didn’t understand why if AJ wasn’t even here. “Sorry about that I don’t even understand why they are following me. Well maybe I have an idea, to badger me about my weight.”
“Don’t worry I don’t mind, I guess they just haven’t seen you and AJ together in a few weeks. I guess they think you would have left with him to Asia.” Stacy said ignoring Valerie’s comment about her weight only rolling her eyes at her lightly.
“Well if they really cared about the truth they would know I am here for my career and I just happened to fall in love with a long time friend…well not the best of friend back then.” Valerie said as she took a sip of the glass of water.
“Well let’s ignore them and order ok?”
************
“Are you sure this is going to work?”
“Positive just keep snapping pictures,” Raul said as he watched closely. He had tried to play nice but Valerie hadn’t called him so he had to go a different route.
He smiled as he saw the girl that was with her stand up and leave it was his chance. He smiled as he walked toward the booth, “Well look who I happen to stumble upon.”
Valerie almost choked on her water when she recognized the voice, “Raul what are you doing here?”
“I was just having some lunch I thought I had recognized you. So where’s your boyfriend he go to the restroom?” Raul asked smiling at her as he took a seat where Stacy had been sitting.
“Why do you care to know?” Valerie asked with an attitude.
“Why so hostel I was just being friendly. I guess I should go…” Raul said standing up.
“Raul I’m sorry its just I am not used to you being nice that’s all.” Valerie said feeling a little guilty about her rudeness. He had been really nice and had been keeping his word. This had just been a coincidence.
“It’s ok I deserve it,” Raul said sitting back down. “I wish I could show you how much I really miss us.’ He said as he took her hand in his.
“Raul,” Valerie said pulling her hand away.
“I know I’m sorry but I just can’t stand they way people talk about you now that your dating that Backstreet boy… don’t you read the nasty things there fans write about you? they hate you Valerie and sooner or later they are going to break your little bond with him. Just know that when that happens I will be right here to help you forget.” He leaned into her and kissed her cheek staying still for a few seconds.
Valerie pulled away and cleared her throat, “Raul I think you need to go. I am fine and I don’t care what anyone says I am happy and he is happy.”
“Just remember I am always here.” Raul said standing up just in time Stacy had just come back. “Later.”
**********
“Nice job Joe it really looks like we are kissing and lingering.” Raul said as he high fived his partner in crime. He loved his new job as a paparazzi it was unbelievable the money you could get with good snap shots of celebrities.
“Now what are you going to do?” Joe asked.
“Oh you’ll see my friend this is going to break that Backstreet fags heart I just know it.” Raul laughed as he began to play the soon to be events.
Chapter End Notes:
So here is an update finally... enjoy. I would love to hear your opinion. The drama is about to start. :)
