NINTENDO ANYONE?

Chapter 1

Why? I had asked myself that question a thousand times. And there was still no answer.

My so-called best friends, Tara and Michelle, had dragged me to Florida for the Nintendo Championships. We had just finished our last year of high school, this was supposed to be some big fancy, schmanzy trip that the three of us were taking for the start of our adult lives.

I had yet to be excited.

When they first told me about this trip, I thought that it would be cool. We could hang out in Miami, check out Orlando, maybe swing by Tampa. All the major cities in Florida. But then once Tara told me that we were going to be spending our time in Orlando at the Nintendo Championships, I almost backed out of the trip. They pestered me for weeks, before I finally gave in and said that I would go.

So here we were, walking around the stadium in Orlando, seeing all that Nintendo had to offer. I had brought my portable CD player with me and was listening to my favorite cd. Millennium, following Tara and Michelle around, not really paying attention to anything. They were both so into Nintendo. Me, I could take it or leave it. I had my CD player quite loud, so that I could drown out the noise around me.

Somewhere along the line I had lost Tara and Michelle. “No big deal.” I thought, “We can meet up at the hotel or something.” That was a rule that we had on this little trip, if we ever got separated, we would meet at the hotel. I figured that I would walk around a little and see if there was anything that interested me.

I came across one game, it was a role-playing game. Those ones did nothing for me, I preferred the ones that you get rowdy with. The ones that you can go against your friends with, but there was a huge crowd around this one game, so I figured that it must be something special. I couldn’t see who was playing from way in the back, so I elbowed my way to the front. I almost died when I saw who was playing. Suddenly this trip had become interesting, very interesting.

The current object of my celebrity lust was standing before the controller. Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys. I had to control myself with everything that I had to not jump him on the spot. For the past year, I had listened to nothing but their music. Anything that was on TV about them, I taped it. I was crushed when they announced their Into The Millennium tour and there were no shows for my province. In fact there were only three shows in all of Canada, none of which were close to me.

I stood rooted to the spot. I didn’t want to lose this moment. Maybe, just maybe, he would see me, fall madly in love with me, whisk me away and we would live happily ever after. Of course there was always the possibility that I would get hit by lightening in doors too.

I watched as Nick played his game. I wondered why he was here and not with the guys and then I remembered that they were on a short break from the touring. Nick had stayed here in Orlando, AJ was with his girlfriend, Brian and Kevin were in Kentucky with their families and Howie was with his parents. I figured that he was being brave, being here alone. I didn’t see any bodyguards lurking around for him.

The sound of the crowd awing brought me back to reality. Nick had lost. His opponent had killed him. He graciously shook his hand and then made the move to leave. He stepped right in front of me almost knocking me over, had he not reached out to grab me.

“Sorry about that. Are you okay?” Nick asked with worry.

“I uh ... I.” I stumbled. “Great Kielly, he is going to think you are a fool.” I thought as I tried to compose myself. “I’m fine. Nick, what are you doing here?” I whispered so that no one would hear me.

Nick bent close to me, which caused my knees to go weak. “You know who I am?”

I smiled and put one of my earphones to his ear. It just so happened that “I Need You Tonight” was playing on my CD player. “Yes I do. I love you.” As soon as those words were out of my mouth, I regretted it. I looked up at Nick with worry, “Well, I mean ...” I trailed off.

Nick suddenly looked up, there were a few more people that had recognized him. He needed to make a run for it. “Come on.” He said quietly and grabbed my hand.

I wasn’t going to argue. Nick had started calmly toward the exit. The closer we got to the door, the closer the crowd of girls got to Nick. Nick quickened his pace, since he was still holding my hand I was running along side. Nick was more than six feet tall, I was only five seven. He was a few strides ahead of me.

He pushed through the door and we ran to his car. He started it and pulled away just as the girls were running through the parking lot. “That was close.” He said pulling out into traffic. “I guess since I have taken you hostage, I should know what your name is.” He laughed.

“Kielly Andrews.” I reached my hand across to shake his. “Uhm, I guess I should say that I am not usually in the habit of just running off with people that I have just met. But you are an exception.” I explained.

“Well that’s good to know. So what are you doing in Florida? Are you from here?” He asked.

“No actually, I am here with a couple of friends. I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. We just finished high school. My friends thought that we should take in the Nintendo Championships. I fought the idea at first, but now things are looking pretty good.” I confessed.

“You are not a Nintendo fan?”

“Well, sort of. I mean, the game that you were just playing, not really. But the ones that you can get into with friends, those I like.” I said to him. I realized that I had no idea where we were going. I hadn’t told Nick what hotel I was staying at and he was headed in the opposite direction. “Nick, where are we going?”

“Oh, I thought that we could go back to my place. Hang out, relax, play some Nintendo. I have to convert you over to the role-playing games.” He chuckled. “Is that okay?”

Like I would give up a chance to hang out with Nick Carter? Not in a million years! “Absolutely.” I would have to be crazy to give this up.

We talked casually on the drive to Nick’s place. He told me that he actually shared a house with Brian, Howie and Kevin. But they weren’t due back until the next day, so we would be alone. My stomach did flops at the thought of being alone with Nick. He asked me questions about me, I told him as much as I thought he should know at this point.

I had read that the guys had just purchased a new house for the four of them. They were all very proud of it and liked to have parties there when they were home. Just as we were arriving, the sky had turned dark and you could see the storm coming in the distance. Nick hopped out of his car and made it over to my side to open the door, before I could even reach for the handle. He held out his hand for me to take. He was such a gentleman.

“Thank you sir.” I laughed.

I followed him into the house and was suitably impressed when I walked through the door. The guys had worked hard on decorating the house, making it look as though all three of them had taken their personalities and molded them together in just the right way.

“Uhm Nick?”

“Yes.” He replied turning on the lights. The storm that was coming had made everything darker.

“Is there a phone that I can use? I should try and get a message to my friends that I am okay.” I explained.

Nick was right beside me suddenly. He smelled so good. “You bet, here.” He said handing me the phone.

I quickly dialed Michelle’s cell number, but because of the storm approaching it wasn’t in service. Then I dialed the hotel and left a message, “Could you please leave a message for Michelle Smith and Tara McDougall in rooms 234 and 235. Please tell them that Kielly called. I am fine, I am with Nick Carter and I will be back at the hotel later.” Just as I was hanging up the phone, there was a loud crack of thunder. As though it was right outside the door. “Oh God.” I said aloud.

“What’s the matter?” Nick called from the kitchen.

“I hate thunder.” I whispered as I quickly walked over to him. I needed to be close to someone. “It’s weird, the rain and wind and hail and all the stuff that does the damage does nothing for me, but the thunder does a real number on me.” I laughed uneasily.

Nick put his arm around my shoulder squeezing lightly, my knees threatened to give way underneath me. “I will protect you Kielly. Have no fear.” If Nick only knew how much that affected me. “So would you like something to drink?”

“Just water would be fine. I am a little nervous.”

“Nervous? What is there to be nervous about?” Nick asked getting me my water.

“Well, it’s not every day that I meet a celebrity. Not too mention the fact that I have been in lust after you for quite a while now. And well, like I said before, thunder does a real number on me.” I explained.

“Well, I can assure you that I am as normal as the next guy. Now let’s get into that Nintendo.” Nick handed me my water and led me down into the basement. The guys had built a rec. room down there. Nick’s Nintendo was set up with the surround sound and a big screen TV.

“This is great. You must love playing your games here.” I commented as I sat down.

“It is great. If I didn’t have a job to do, I would be here for life.” He laughed. “So, what game would you like to start with? Final Fantasy?” Nick asked.

“You pick. I am not up to date with the role-playing games. You play for a bit and then I will join you once I get the gist of the game.” I said relaxing into the over sized chair.

“Sounds good to me.”

I watched as Nick got himself settled and into the game. After about ten minutes, I got gutsy and moved to sit beside Nick. I was in heaven. Nick smelled so good. I watched his face as he got into the game. He obviously blocked out all things around him when he was playing. I noticed that even though Nick had the lights on, it was still very dark. The storm was approaching. After another twenty minutes, Nick stopped the game and asked if I wanted to play.

“I guess so. You have to explain the controller to me though.” I said inching closer to him. Our legs touched lightly, sending shivers up my spine. I was alone with Nick Carter. How many girls would pay to be in my situation?

After a brief introduction to the controller and the game, we started. I surprised myself with how good I was. I surprised Nick as well. “I thought you were no good at these games?” He asked after I had killed him again.

“I’m not. This is just beginner’s luck.” I laughed. At that point, there was another loud crack of thunder. I jumped and almost dropped my controller. The rain started and then there was more thunder. I put the controller down on the floor and sat back on the couch, closing my eyes.

“Are you okay?” Nick asked looking at me.

“Just give me a second.” I said. Nick took my glass of water and went to get me a fresh glass. Just as he was getting back, I was calming down. “Okay, I am better now. Can we get back to me kicking your butt?”

“Oh, she is getting cocky, ladies and gentleman. Nick will have to slay her.” He called as he picked up his controller.

Just as we were getting into the game, there was a flash of lightening followed by a crack of thunder and then the power went out. “So much for that game. I was kicking your butt you know.” I said finishing just in time for another loud crack of thunder to shake the house. “Holy shit.”

Nick put his arms around me and pulled me into a hug. I melted, I couldn’t help it. I was suddenly so scared, tears started to fall out of my eyes. “It’s okay.” Nick said comforting me.

I hated to do it, but I pulled out of his arms, “I’m sorry. I usually don’t lose control like this.” I said leaning against the back of the couch. “But it seems to be so close.”

“Don’t worry about it. Let’s go upstairs and start a fire. We need some light in here.” He suggested getting up and reaching out with his hand to help me up. I took his hand and as he pulled me up, I pushed, getting a little too much momentum, falling into Nick. My arms went around Nick’s neck, my face was millimeters away from his. I looked into those blue eyes that I loved so much and waited for Nick to make the move. I so wanted to kiss him. We stared at each other for a few seconds, Nick leaned in first, that was all the encouragement that I needed. Our lips met, we kissed as violently as the storm that was raging outside. I ran my hands through Nick’s soft blonde hair. I had hoped and dreamed for this moment since I first heard Nick sing and had looked into those eyes. I always did have a soft spot for blonde hair, blue-eyed guys.

It was a full five minutes of kissing that went by, when I suddenly realized whom I was kissing. I stopped and stepped back. “Nick, I am so sorry.” I said wiping my lips.

Nick cleared his throat and ran his right hand through his hair looking at the ground he said, “That’s okay, I enjoyed that.” He cleared his throat again, “Why don’t we get that fire going?” He finished and started up the stairs.

“It already is.” I mumbled as I followed him up the stairs. Nick led me to the main living room at the front of the house. As he played with the fire, I watched the rain come down in sheets outside. “I better call the hotel again, to see if Tara and Michelle got my message.” I said reaching for the phone.

“Can’t. The phone won’t work if the power is out.” Nick said quietly.

I set the phone back down and watched Nick. How was it possible to be having these feelings for someone that I had just met? Sure I knew a lot about Nick, but I didn’t know the real Nick. The Nick I knew was whatever he wanted the public to know, which at times was not much. I glanced at my watch and saw that it was only three in the afternoon. I had been with Nick for a couple of hours. Not that I wanted to, but I wondered when he was going to take me back to the hotel.

“I love a roaring fire.” He said as he sat down beside me. “So what do you want to do now? Our options are limited.”

“I don’t know. I was getting into that Nintendo. I think that you succeeded in your mission to turn me onto role-playing games.” I laughed. I could just sit here in this spot on the leather couch forever. Gazing into Nick’s eyes, the glow of the fire reflecting off his face.

“Well, we could talk. Or play cards. I have a deck around here somewhere.” He suggested, leaning over the couch to reach for a deck of cards.

“Why don’t we talk. I would love to get to know the real Nick Carter.” I replied.

“Okay,” he said.

 -- > chapter 2

[ Home ] [ Up ]