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Klutz Meets Grace

She let the waves take her back and forth, she felt the board under her feet take her where the ocean wanted to go. She belonged to the deep blue salty waters and nothing else. The sun had just begun to rise up from the east end of the ocean, Anastasia new that it was 5:30am by looking at the sun. This was her place and knew that no one else would be on this part of the beach until at least noon. She was here when the sun rose and she would be floating on her board as the sun set.

When she was out in the water, she didn’t need to think about just how crazy her life had become within the last month, she had the waves for comfort and whenever she felt like crying, she knew the waters would take her tears out to see to be forgotten and lost.

Nick was out for his morning run, something he had started doing since he moved into his new beach house. He had to get into shape, especially if he were going to be touring within a year with the guys. He saw her again in the oceans waves, surfing with ease and elegance. He had seen her out there every day for the past two weeks surfing alone and sometimes he would catch her surf just before sunset with much calmer waves. He never was able to get close enough to see her, but from a distance, her long blonde hair stuck out on her tan skin. She wore a pair of white board shorts today with a brown bikini top.

The guys would make fun of him whenever he spoke out about the mystery surfer. They still didn’t believe Nick took up jogging, non-the-less in the morning. Nick was about to turn around from his two mile run to head home to shower before going to meet the guys in the recording studio when he stepped into a hole on the beach and fell onto the white sand.

Anastasia was just walking in with her board and went to reach for her towel that laid on the jetty rocks when she noticed the jogger from a distance take a face plant. She couldn’t help but giggle her self the way his face actually hit the sand. She squeezed the water from her waist long hair, continuing to watch the klutzy blonde. When he didn’t stand back up, she jogged over to him.

“Hey there, are you alright?” she asked kneeling down the tall blonde who was now sitting up.

“This hole jumped out in front of me and well, took me down. I hurt my ankle pretty bad,” Nick held onto his left ankle tightly squinting up at Anastasia trying to laugh.

“Here let me take a look, I’m actually a sports trainer,” she smiled at him. “My name is Anastasia by the way,” she pulled his fingers away from his grip to examine his ankle.

“Nick,” he watched as her long blonde hair fell over her shoulders, brushing against his leg. He couldn’t help the goose bumps that appeared over his body as she gently ran her long fingers over his ankle.

“It’s already swollen, which is a good thing. I think it’s just a sprain,” she moved his ankle side to side.

“Ah watch it!” Nick winced in pain.

“Sorry.”

“So you think it’s just a sprain?”

“If it were broken, I wouldn’t have been able to move it around like that. And where it hurts the most is the most typical spot for a sprain. I’ve had my share, trust me.” She winked at Nick and showed him the scar on her right ankle.

"What's that from?" Nick asked.

"Too many sprains and cartliage damage. And one nasty break."

"Damn." Nick looked the scar.

“Here let’s get you up,” she stood up holding her hand out to Nick. He took it, standing up on his good leg. “Okay now let’s put some weight on it,” Nick stepped down gingerly and cried out in pain.

“I can’t,” he told Anastasia still holding her hand. She now had her arm around his waist.

“Alright, maybe you should get an x-ray. Um, did you drive or anything?”

“My house is about two miles down the beach.” Nick shrugged.

“Well,” she bit her lower lip thinking. “If you want, my car is just up there. I’ll drive it down and take you to get it looked at?”

“I can call one of my friends, I don’t want to be a pain,” Nick wiped a bead of sweat that was falling from his forehead.

“No, I don’t mind at all, I would actually feel better knowing you were okay,” she smiled up at him. He was a good six inches taller than her.

“That would be very sweet of you,” Nick fixed his weight on his good foot.

“Here, let’s get you over to that hill right there, I don’t think my car will go around the jetty. Think you can try?” Nick nodded his head and she put his arm around her shoulders. She helped Nick slowly over to the hill, he limped, half skipped, and partly hopped on one fit to get where needed to go.

“Thanks,” he said breathing hard.

“I’ll be right back Nick,” she flashed him one more smile and jogged to where her surf board was. She picked it up with ease, even though it was taller than her and carried it up the hill where her car was.
“The guys are not going to believe this,” Nick said to himself shaking his head.

Ch. 2:Choclate Chip Pancakes for Lunch

Anastasia waited in the lounge reading a People magazine. She sat in her now almost dried board shorts, and a white halter top over her bikini.

“You were right,” she heard a voice say. She lowered the magazine just below her eyes and saw Nick hunched over a pair of crutches. His blonde hair falling over his eyes, she couldn’t but notice how adorable he looked.

“Sprain?” she now stood up looked down at his foot. It had an air cast on wrapped up in an ace bandage.

“Yeah, the doctor said I should be ok in a few days. Ice and rest and I’ll be good as new!”

“I don’t know about that, I mean you did fall into a rather large hole,” she winked at Nick.

“Hey, someone distracted me,” he half grinned at Anastasia. She could feel her cheeks grow warm. “So, thank you for everything. You must have things you need to do. I can call for a ride. I called some of my friends already, I was supposed to meet them at 8 but that isn’t going to happen, they said all I had to do was call.”

“I’ll take ya home Klutz. Today is actually my day off, I would love to do nothing more than wait in a hospital!”

“Sure pick on the tall kid,” Nick pouted.

“Aww poor baby, I’m just teasing,” what are you doing Stacey? You shouldn’t be flirting with this Nick guy, she thought.

“Well, can I take you out for some breakfast at least?”

“You don’t have to do that besides it’s lunch time.”

“But I want to and I won’t take no for an answer.”

“Okay, chocolate chip pancakes.”

“That’s what you want?”

“Yes.”

“For lunch?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, chocolate chip pancakes it is.” The two laughed as they walked out of the hospital and got into Anastasia’s Jeep Cherokee.

She put Nick’s crutches in the back after he got in and started the car.

“So, that’s pretty cool you can drive a stick,” Nick told her looking down at her hand as she shifted first to second gear.

“Thanks. I hate automatics, I get bored. So where are we going?”

“Go left at that light. So, do you mind me asking how old you are?”

“What do I look forty or something?”

“No, not at all, just some girls—”

“Sixteen.” She looked at Nick through the corner of her eye to see his facial expression. She couldn’t help but laugh as his jaw almost hit his lap. “What’s wrong?”

“I-I just thought you were older”

“I’m messing with you Nick. I’m twenty-four. You?”

“Twenty-seven.”

“Now where am I going?”

“Shey’s, it’s on the left.” Nick pointed over to this small restaurant where people were sitting outside eating. I parallel parked my car and got out and handed Nick his crutches. We went inside to eat because it was already a hot day in California. We sat in a booth and ordered our pancakes.

“So do you live near that beach?” Nick asked taking a sip from his lemonade.

“A five minute drive. It’s just a pain to get there with the board so I drive, or I would jog. I do that sometimes just to swim.”

“And you’re a sports trainer?”

“Yep. Mostly for high school teams, but I’m working at some sports camps here and there. It’s a good job. So, what are you doing these days…with the BSB?” Nick dropped the straw out of his mouth

“You know?”

“Don’t look so surprised Mr. Carter. I didn’t live under a rock the last ten years. I was actually quite the fan.” Nick sat up a little straighter. He couldn’t believe for one, that she knew who he was and two that she was very cool about the fact he was a Backstreet Boy.

“So, you know more about me than I know about you, not fair.” Nick whined.

“What do you want to know?” she raised an eye brow up at him.

“Last name.”

“Stevens.”

“Favorite type of music.”

“I don’t have one, depends on my mood.”

“Fair enough. Favorite BSB song?”

“Back to Your Heart.”

“Favorite sport.”

“Surfing, dancing, basket ball.”

“Hmm, are pancakes your favorite food?”

“Yes. Next to it ice cream.”

“Favorite BSB?”

“A.J.” Nicks eyes grew wide. “Well, I hear this Nick character is kinda a pimp.”

“He is NOT!” Nick defended and they both started laughing.

“I also hear he’s kinda cute…” Anastasia took a sip of her water.

“Well, I did hear that one was true.” The two stared into each others eyes for a minute and then were snapped out of it as the waitress placed two plates of chocolate chip pancakes down in front of them.

“But Brian you have to believe me, how else would I have gotten to the hospital and back?”

“I believe someone helped you, I’m not sure about your mystery surfer.” Brian shook his head looking down at a song he and Nick were working on.

“She’s coming tonight, did I tell you that?” Nick sat on the couch, letting his crutches fall to the floor.

“No, you did not.”

“Yeah, so you’ll get to meet her.”

“She’s beautiful Bri. There’s something about her, she’s funny and witty, athletic.”

“And probably has a boyfriend?”

“If she did, would she be coming over tonight?”

“Good point. Now, let’s get working here. We need like five more songs to record. This album has to be amazing…and it’s so hard without Kevin this time around.”

Nick felt for his best friend. Kevin was the rock of the group for the most part, his opinion to previous albums always meant the most and he was almost always right. He still wasn’t sure if touring would happen without him or not.

For the next few hours the continued to strum on their guitars, write and sing. They were interrupted by a knock on the door.

“I’ll get it for you,” Brian said sticking a pencil behind his ear as he got up. Brian opened the door to a tall, long blonde hair, beautiful woman. Everything Nick had described and more.

“Hi, is Nick home?” she smiled at Brian.

“Of course, c’mon on please. I’m Brian,” he held his hand out as he talked in his sweet southern drawl. She shook it, not elegantly but with confidence.

“I know I used to be a Backstreet geek…okay still am in love with the music. Too bad about your cousin. I’m Anastasia.”

“Yeah thank you. Nick’s in here, thank you for taking care of this pain in the butt for us. He says he didn’t even have his cell phone on him, what would’ve he had done if you weren’t there.” Anastasia shrugged. She walked around the corner and saw Nick sitting on the couch with his foot propped up onto a pillow.

“Hey you,” she smiled at Nick. He was about to stand to greet her but she held her hand up telling him to stay. She leaned in and gave him a hug.

“You met Brian?”

“I did. I change my mind, he’s my favorite Backstreet Boy.” She looked at Brian and smiled.

“He’s married with a kid, sorry.” Nick pointed out.

“Okay kids, I’m going to head out. Nick I’ll pick you up tomorrow at seven, we have to be at the studio all day.”

“Yes Dad. Sheesh Kevin leaves and you take his place.

“Runs in the family. Nice to meet you Anastasia. Don’t let him fool you, he can do quite a bit on his own. Later Frack.”

“See ya Frick. So, sit down. What do you want to do?”

“Hmm, I’m not sure. I’d say go for a swim or a walk on the beach or surfing…but…”

“Sure make me feel worse than I do.”

“I’m only having fun. Were you working on a song?” She picked up a guitar that was leaning against the chair.

“We were.” She looked down at the paper and started strumming the notes she saw. “You play?”

“A little,” she smiled back and set the guitar down. “It sounds good, the lyrics though, I don’t know if they fit with that kind of melody.”

“Play some more,” Nick propped up on one elbow.

“Nah, I’m not that good. So, how is the ankle?”

“It’s sore.”

“When’s the last time you iced?”

“About two hours ago.”

“Nick! You should every twenty minutes on and twenty minutes off. Where’s your kitchen?” She stood up and Nick watched her toned legs walk towards the kitchen. She came back a minute later with a bag of peas.

“I’m not hungry?” Nick questioned.

“No, they make the best ice packs. Just don’t eat them after they’ve defrosted and have been frozen again. May I?” She pointed to Nick’s ankle and he nodded his head. He watched as she gently un-wrapped the bandage and un-strapped the air cast. She let her finger tips softly wander over the black and bruised and ankle. She planted a small kiss and said “better?” before putting on the bag of peas.

“Better,” Nick replied. He watched at how gentle she was with him, yet how full of life she had in her. Her blue eyes sparkled and whenever she would look right into Nick’s eyes he couldn’t help have this feeling that there was so much more about her that he wanted to know.

“So, how about a movie? We could just chill in, get to know one another?”

“That sounds perfect, why don’t you go pick one on the wall and I’ll order a pizza?”

“With chocolate chips,” she smiled at him.

“Excuse me?”

“Okay just mushrooms.” They laughed and Anastasia stood up and went over to where there were shelves of DVDs. She picked an older movie, so that they would be able to talk and still know what was going on during the film.

“How about, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean Two’. I love these movies!”

“Sounds perfect, pizza will be here in twenty. Well, let’s wait before we pop it in. So, if you want within the next couple of days I can give you some exercises for you ankle so that it heels faster?”

“Really? That would be great, I’m not used to this being laid up. Brian liked I though because we actually got work done.”

“Mmm, that’s so amazing.” She sat on the couch and brought her knees up to her chest.

“What’s the amazing part of that?”

“Your job that you get to write music and play and perform and travel!”

“Yeah, it’s pretty sweet, exhausting, especially when we first came out. Is sports medicine what you always wanted to do?”

“Well, sorta.” Nick was just about to ask her what she meant when her phone went off. “Oh, sorry,” she pulled her phone out of her large brown bag and hit a button. “May I use your bathroom Nick?”

“Of course, go through the kitchen, near where you walked in.”

“Thanks,” Anastasia bounded up from the couch taking her bag and went into the bathroom. She closed the door behind her and set her bag on the toilet seat. She went through her bag and pulled out a pink box. She opened it up and pricked her finger checking her blood glucose levels. When they read normal, she took her medication, drinking straight from the faucet. She wiped her mouth and glanced in the mirror.

‘Go slow with this one, you don’t need anymore trauma in your life Stace,’ she pepped talk herself and walked out of the bathroom. When she walked back out to the living room she saw Nick making painful expressions.

“What are you doing?” she laughed setting her purse next to the couch and taking a seat.

“Trying to move my foot,” Nick’s eyes looked full of determination.

“Give it a few days there Carter, it’s too swollen.”

“This sucks, how did that hole even get there?”

“I don’t want to hear it! I had my surgery when I had just turned twenty one and was legal to go to clubs, during the summer and had a cast on for three months and was on crutches for over six months!”

“Okay you win!”

“So you have a gorgeous home and it’s awesome it’s right on the water! I’d die to have a place like this or at least in this location.”

“I love it. It keeps me sane,” he watched as she stared out the French doors, looking out into the water. “I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who loves the ocean as much as me,” Nick told her.

“I’ve always been around it, I can’t go a day without being in it. Whether it’s running, swimming or surfing. I agree though, it helps keep me sane too.”

“How long have you surfed?”

“Oh geeze, I guess since I was like ten?”

“I’ve tried it once, I wasn’t too successful. Aaron, my little brother is pretty good.”

“That’s because you haven’t been out with me, as soon as you can stand I’ll take you.”

“You actually think you can get my ass up on a board?”

“I know so. It’s so calm out now, it’s gorgeous.” Nick sat up a little more to look outside with her.

“I wish I could take you down to the beach right now,” Nick said looking at Anastasia.

“Aww that’s sweet Nick, I’ll go in the morning.” The doorbell rang.

“That’s the pizza,” Nick grabbed his crutches and got up. Anastasia placed her hand on Nick’s lower back to make sure he made it okay. Anastasia opened the door and took the pizza from the guy.

“That will be twelve-fifteen.” Nick nodded his head and handed the guy a twenty and said ‘thank you’.

“I’m surprised you get delivery out here,” Anastasia told him as they went into the kitchen.

“The main road is actually like a mile away, its building fast here. Let’s take this into the living room and put the movie in.”

Towards the end of the movie, Anastasia was leaning into Nick and his arm was around her shoulder. She lied sleepily in his arms as she watched the movie.

“You awake?” Nick asked looking down.

“Mmm hmm, sorry I’m just kinda fading. I’m usually a night owl.”

“It’s alright. Did you make these bracelets?” Nick asked playing with the many bracelets on her left arm.

“Yes,” she said shortly and pulled her hand away. “Hey, I should get going, it’s getting kind of late and I have to work tomorrow morning for a football camp. Gotta love summer hours,” she sat up and stretched a little.

“Alright. Thank you for coming over,” Nick watched as she stood up and Nick got up, picking his crutches up from the ground. “Hey Anastasia?”

“Yes?” she grabbed her purse and looked at him.

“I’m glad, I well, was a klutz today.” Nick shrugged his shoulders.

“I’m glad you were a klutz too,” she winked.

“Can I call you tomorrow?”

“Please do,” she pulled him in for a hug. “Ice that one more time before bed.”

“Yes, Mom,” Nick pulled away.

“Goodnight doll face,” she smiled and walked out the door.

Ch. 4: Gummy Bears and Currents

“Dammit Stacie, it hurts!” Nick whined.

“Nick, it’s going to. You’ve been off of it for almost a week now. It’s not going to get stronger. It’s not swollen anymore, it’s just tight from not using it and if you did those exercises I told you to do…”

“Well, it was sore,” Nick limped through the mall. “Why did we have to come to the mall when you hate it anyway?”

“Because I have to get the new ‘Boys Like Girls’ CD and something else. Besides the exercise is good for you,” she slung her arm through Nick’s and walked by his side. “Are you always this whiney?”

“Yes,” Nick whined even more to prove his point.

“Damn, and you’re still alive after touring with those guys all these years?”

“Hey! I’m not that bad. Why don’t you just buy the CD off the internet and put into your Ipod?”

“I will put it on my Ipod, but what if I take the songs off of my Ipod someday and then I want to hear these songs?”

“You won’t, they are only a phase.”

“Like you know good music…okay you do but still. Here its right here,” she went to the bin and pulled it out.

“Let me buy it for you,” Nick told her taking the CD out of her hand.

“No, I’ve got it thanks,” she took it back but Nick took it out of her hand and got to the register before her. He whipped out his wallet and placed his credit card on the counter.

“Get out of here,” Nick said playing and pushed his arm in front of her.

“Don’t listen to him, I’ll pay,” Stacie went to throw a twenty on the counter but Nick pushed her back, telling the teenage girl to go ahead.

“Here you go,” Nick handed her the bag and smirked.

“Thank you, but you shouldn’t have,” she smiled up at Nick.

“It’s a thank you for taking such good care of me.”

“You were a mess, someone had to,” Stacie laughed.

“Oh, you’re going to get it,” Nick wrapped his arm around her waist. Stacie couldn’t help but how natural it felt for it to be there. But she knew she wasn’t ready and pulled away.

“What time is it?” Nick looked down at his watch.

“Four, why?”

“We have to hurry!” She pulled on Nick’s hand to the pharmacy. “Um, just stay here for a minute, here sit on that bench, get off that foot, I’ll be right back!” Before Nick could say anything Stacie ran into the drug store. A few minutes later she came out with a bag from the store and a bag of gummy bears.

“What was that all about?” Nick asked walking up to her.

“You don’t like gummy bears?” She pushed the bag towards him.

“No, I do but you ran off like a crazy person,” Nick laughed taking a bear from the bag.

“I am NOT crazy,” Nick couldn’t quite tell if she was serious or not with her tone of voice. “But we have to go before we miss the good waves, so maybe I am.” She winked at Nick popping a bear into her mouth.

Forty minutes later Nick and Stacie were on the beach with her surf board.

“I don’t know if I’ll be able to try yet,” Nick said looking into the rough waves. Stacie looked down at Nick’s foot.

“It is kinda swelling isn’t it? I’m sorry we should go ice and just..”

“Go get some waves and hang five or whatever you call it,” Nick laughed.

“Hang ten, and no I have an idea. Come on,” she took the board and Nick’s hand and walked down to the waters. “Careful there’s a strong current,” she held onto Nick’s hand tighter. “You okay?”

“I’m good,” Nick said watching his steps. The board was strapped around Stacie’s ankle and she sat on the board.

“Get on,” she told Nick. “It’s fun to just sit and let the waves take us away,” she told Nick. He got on the back of the board, grateful to get off his throbbing ankle. The cold California waters felt good on it however.

“Do you ever long board?”

“I have, it’s not as fun though, at least for me.” They sat quietly, enjoying the sunset and each other’s company for the next ten minutes.

“What are you getting tired on me already?” Nick laughed as Stacie leaned against him.

“A little, are you ready to go in? I’m also cold,” she whispered and Nick said okay. They hopped off the bored into the brisk water and started walking in. Stacie pulled the board and found it hard for her to go against the current. Her body felt instantly weak and she fell under water’s angry currents.