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Chapter 2
*Kris' POV*
"This can not be happening!" I yelled to no one in particular as my car rumbled, then died as I pulled up to the side of the road in the middle of a completely unfamiliar area. I looked around and saw nothing but trees and pavement. (A.N.- I don't know if there is an unoccupied space in Florida, I've never been there, so if it sounds like b.s., that's because it is.)
"Oh Lord, what next?" I moaned in abject misery, slumping onto the driver's wheel. It finally occurred to my to use my cell phone and call for help some time later. Picking it up, I flipped it open, hit a button...and nothing happened. I stared at the phone in absolute disbelief, then started sobbing harder.
"I can not believe this...no battery. Just my luck!" I cried. Then I thought, maybe I could fix the car, since I'm actually pretty handy with that kind of thing. Grabbing a flash light from the trunk, I popped the front open and took a good look. After five minutes, I realized it was beyond my car knowledge, and sat down to figure out my next step. When I finally stopped crying like a child, my anger took hold and I took a good kick at one of the tires, swearing such awful things under my breath that I was surprised at myself.
"Okay, what do I do now?" I asked nothing in particular. I looked around and only saw trees and paved road in the darkness. Leaning against my car, I began to cry, again, hot tears streaming down my cheeks, washing away whatever makeup remained. I never heard the car coasting down the road and I never dreamed how much change it would bring to my life. *
*Brian's POV*
I was on my way home from a friend's house who lived way out of Orlando, when all of a sudden I saw an awesome Beemer on the side of the road. Pulling up to get a better look, I realized that there was someone in the front seat. Leaving my car running, I jumped out and knocked lightly on the black Beemer's window. A head popped up, one of the saddest sights I've ever seen. Her long, black hair hung in disarray and her blue eyes were puffy and swollen from crying. Even so, I thought she was gorgeous as she stepped out of her car, looking pretty good in a blue tube top, black Capris and black sandals.
"Hon, do you need help?" I asked gently. She looked up at me and gasped. I really hope she isn't going to faint on me or something. *
*Kris' POV*
I looked up into the bluest set of eyes I'd ever seen, not to mention one of the hottest guys in the world.
"That has got to be the biggest understatement of the day," I muttered, smiling at him a little. Then louder, "My name is Kristina Tenom, or Kris. I could use plenty of help! My car broke down and I'm not even out of gas, and to top off one h*ll of a day, I'm lost!" Tears started streaming down my face again when why all this had happened popped into my head. The guy ran a hand through his sandy hair, whistling.
"You're having quite a night, but maybe I can help you. I'm Brian Littrell." I shook his hand, which was large and warm. "
Hey Kris, doesn't your cell phone work?" He motioned towards the one on my seat, his piercing blue eyes holding mine as he sweetly offered me his handkerchief.
"The battery is dead, and I left the car hookup at home, though it wouldn't do me any good anyway," I replied, wiping my eyes. He smiled at me, placing his hands gently on my shoulders.
"It's gonna be all right, Kris. I'll get ya home, all right?" he said, looking straight into my eyes. I only nodded, willing myself to stop crying.
"Where do you live? Is there anyone you should call?" he asked, gently leading me towards his car.
"No, my room mate...oh Lord, we're fighting. My parents don't even live in this state, and Josh, well, he can go burn in Hades. No, I really don't have anyone to call. I live in Orlando, in our apartment." Brian frowned and took this all in, and I took the time to glance at his wife beater shirt and black cargoes. His arms were muscular, but not bulging, like Josh's. He had a kind face, and it looked familiar...
"Not having a good time of it, eh? Orlando isn't too far away, but your car.. I have a suggestion. I know we just met, but do you want to stay at my place tonight? One of my friends is staying over tonight, too, but there is plenty of rooms to go around. We can check out your car in the morning and get it towed. How about it?" I thought about it for like, half a second, before taking a glance at his pleading eyes and giving in.
"Oh, all right! Let me lock up my car and I'll try my roomie, even if she is mad at me." *
"Sweet car, Brian!" I cried as I hopped in the passenger seat of his convertible BMW, forgetting for a little bit about the whole awful night. Brian handed me his cell phone as the car rumbled to life, saying, "Use as much time as you need, don't worry about anything." I shot him a look, 'cause I knew how expensive cell phones could be. I dialed in my digits, praying that Nina wasn't out on one of her all-night-I-am-a-party-animal crazes. The phone rang three times before I heard a familiar voice groggily say, "Hello?"
"Hey Nina, it's me."
"Kris, where are you? I've been worrying about you, you always call!" Nina cried, only having relief in her voice instead of the anger I expected.
"I'm fine, I promise. As to where I am, well, it's a long story," I replied, holding back the endless cascade of tears that were so ready to fall.
"Um, Josh called, wanting to know where you were. When he told me what happened, well...I stormed at him for a while, then hung up on him. What a jerk!" Glancing at Brian, who was courteously ignoring my conversation, I smiled to myself.
"Good, he deserves it. If he calls again, tell him we're finished and I'll tell him face to face when I get home tomorrow. I'm sorry for earlier, Na," I apologized, calling her by her nickname. "I'm with a guy here who was nice enough to offer me a place to stay."
"What happened, are you okay?" Nina questioned, worried.
"I'll sum it up for you real quick. I left Josh at the party, got totally lost, my car broke down and my cell phone died. Brian came by, says he lives close and will let me crash with him and his friend at his house tonight."
"Ooh, what's his last name, Kris? Is he cute?" Nina teased, in spite of herself. "Littrell, and yeah, I would say so," I replied, sneaking a quick glance at him.
"Hey, kool. Ya know, that name sounds familiar," she murmured, and I wondered if she could read minds, 'cause I'd been thinking the same thing. It wouldn't surprise me, we've been best friends for ages.
"Okay, whatever. I gotta go, call ya tomorrow."
"Wait, one last thing, but I'm afraid it's not good news." I groaned and closed my eyes.
"Well, it's not like today can possibly get any worse, so you might as well tell me."
"Your boss called, and the jist of it was you got fired, along with a million other people." I swore quietly under my breath.
"Okay, so it did get worse. Thanks Na, talk to ya tomorrow. Bye," I said, snapping the phone closed. I leaned back in the leather chair and closed my eyes, wondering what I was gonna do. *
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