Backstreets Back

15 October, 2014

Looking up at the client, I saw his wavy blonde hair, his bright blue eyes, and his defined face. I had seen the face before, many, many times. In fact, I had looked at this face every morning I woke up and every night I went to sleep for years as a middle schooler, a poster of his face plastered directly next to my bed. I’d stare at it hoping and praying someday I’d get lucky enough to see him in person. Well, years later, my wish was granted. Standing before me was none other than Nick Carter: the ’90’s boy band heart throb, looking even better than the poster.
It was my first day on the job working at the front desk of the Malibu Health Club, and of all people, the first person to walk in was Carter, my middle school dream man. I used to daydream of different scenarios of meeting him. I’d be in one of his concerts, front row, and he’d notice me in the crowd, pull me up on stage, and declare his immediate love for me. Or, maybe we’d sit next to each other on a plane, I’d order a Ginger Ale, and he’d look at me with those dreamy eyes of his and whisper, “Ginger Ale is my favorite soda, will you be my wife?” In which I’d tell him I’d like to take things slow, and by slow I mean find the nearest chapel upon landing.
To my 12-year-old demise, neither ended up coming true, and I had forgotten all about my love for Carter until this moment. I immediately backtracked ten years, and all those love-y dove-y Backstreet Boy feelings came rushing back to my heart. Right in front of me. Nick. CARTER!
It didn’t go exactly how I would’ve wanted it to. He wasn’t Prince Charming, he didn’t gallop up on a white horse and sweep me off my feet and ride away into the sunset draping me in his arms like I would’ve preferred. Instead, he drudged into the health club to see one of the chiropractors about back pain, keeping his eyes straight ahead as I squeaked out a pathetic “hello”. After the longest thirty minutes of my life, he walked out of the doctor office and toward my desk to pay. “Holy moly, he’s coming towards me. ME, of all people! Do I look okay? Can he see me sweating? Why didn’t I curl my hair today? I knew I should have curled my hair!”
“Um, hello?” he asked.
Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out... I could do this. Of course I could do this. All I had to do was slide his card. Why was I panicking? Why was I sweating?
“Nick Carter. I love you. I’ve always loved you. You’re the one for me. My all. My everything. I know you don’t know me but I know everything about you! Backstreets back, alright! Remember that song? I do. I listened to it for hours and hours and hours...”
“Um, hello? Anybody there?”
Shaking my head, I realized I still hadn’t said anything. “Uh, yeah, hi. It’ll be fifty dollars exactly, sir.”
Barely looking me in the eye, he handed me his American Express. I looked down at the card; sure enough, NICK CARTER stamped in big silver letters. Trying to keep myself composed, I slid the card through the machine, hearing a beep: “declined,” the machine read. Confused, I slid the card again, hearing the same beep.
“Nick, err, I mean, Mr. Carter, do you have any other cards I could charge?” With a loud sigh of frustration, he held out his Visa. Grabbing his card, our fingers touched, and it was magic. Sparks flew, trumpets sounded, and angels sang in Heaven. Did he feel it? He had to have felt it. It was electrifying. Paige Carter. I liked the sound of it. Would I have a small wedding or big wedding? What would my parents think? They’d probably freak out. Or what about those kids from high school? Why couldn’t this have happened five years ago?
“Excuse me, can you let go of my hand?” he asked, annoyance in his voice.
“I think it was you holding my hand,” I laughed. Ha. Ha. He didn’t find it funny.
Awkwardly clearing my throat, I slid his new card, giving myself a mental pep-talk to pull myself together. And then, immediately after the swipe, it happened again. Declined.
How could Nick Carter’s credit cards get declined? What was going on?
Looking up at Nick, he groaned and rolled his eyes, telling me there was nothing wrong with his cards and blaming it on the machine.
Wow, he had great teeth. And what great style... wearing a loose fitting white V-neck. It’s like he was trying to say “I know I’m hot, but I’m also trying to make it look natural.” And boy, did it work. What. A. Hunk.
“Hello, miss? I think it’s your machine?”
Abruptly jumping up, I squealed a quick “Yep, no problem Nicky!” Covering my mouth, I backed away into the back hallway.
Running to the file room, I started jumping up and down, tapping my boss on her shoulders. “He’s here! My dream man! He’s here! Nick! Nick Carter! You know, the gorgeous backstreet boy?! Backstreet’s back!”
“Paige. Let me say this as clearly as I can. Get a hold of yourself! He comes in all the time! How can you expect to work here when you act like this! Plus you know he’s engaged, right? Chill!”
“Well, he may be getting married, but we still had a moment.” After explaining his card problems, she went out, fixed the machine, and saw him on his way.
Walking up to the balcony overlooking the parking lot, I watched him walk to his car, slide in, and back up to pull out of the lot. As he pulled away, he looked up at the windows, and I swear I saw him look up to me and give a head nod.
Walking to my desk, I patted myself on the back for handling it so swell. Sure, it could’ve gone better, but hey, I got a head nod! Nick and I had an understanding, obviously he was engaged and didn’t want to stir up controversy with his fiance so he couldn’t ask me on a date. Our connection was powerful as fireworks and he clearly didn’t show his true affections towards me or he wouldn’t be able to control himself. My boss could tell me I was a nutcase as much as she wanted, but I knew the truth. I was Nick Carter’s soulmate, and sooner or later he’d be back. Yeah, he’d be back all right.
Although I have yet to see Carter again, it doesn’t phase me because I have someone who loves me that’s even more special. Hard to believe, you say? It’s true. My Father in Heaven, the creator of the tree’s and the ocean’s and the star’s and you and me, loves us so much that He never holds back His affection. God, and His Son Jesus, want nothing more than a relationship with His children, asking us to spend time with Him and share our deepest thoughts and dreams and ideas. God loves us so much that He sent Jesus down to spend time with us and heal our broken hearts. God gave Jesus all His power, and Jesus decided to use it all to help others instead of Himself! He gave sight to the blind, helped the crippled walk, and even fed thousands of hungry people! Coming down, Jesus was a celebrity. After all, he was the son of God, yet He took time to help hurting individuals, never being too busy or proud or important for someone in need. He loves us just as we are, and he’ll never let go of our hands.
Sorry Nick Carter. You’re a great guy and all, and I know we hit it off quite nicely, but I’m gonna have to pass on your silent yet obvious marriage proposal. My Father in Heaven already provides everything I need. But, if you call me up and sing “I Want it That Way,” maybe, just maybe I’d let you take me on a date or two or twenty...