It's A Roller Coaster Ride We're On

That trip to the hospital seemed to… reunite my parents and I. Okay, so, we’ll never be like how most people are with their parents but Mom actually wants to have a phone conversation one night a week which is fine by me. Dad’s doing fine and he’s home now, he just has to watch his cholesterol levels and exercise more. The Jonas’, Lauren, the band, Rob and I left California to go back to Florida to continue with the tour. We were back on the buses and it was late April; almost my twenty-first birthday.

We were lounging on the bus; watching movies, talking, stuff of the sorts. Nick and I were cuddled on the couch. Kevin was sitting on the other end of the couch, Lauren on his lap. Joe and Frankie were on the floor playing a card game.

“So, Mel, your birthday’s coming up isn’t it?” Kevin asked.

“Five days.” It wasn’t just me that answered though. Nick had and… Joe. I glanced over at him but he kept his concentration on his game with Frankie. He was acting like he hadn’t spoken.

“The big 21,” Kevin said, trying to divert mine and Nick’s attention away from the awkwardness. “Finally I won’t be alone.” He said.

“Hey, I’ll be joining you two soon enough.” Lauren said with a pout.

“Yeah in three months.” I said, sticking my tongue out at her.

“Your birthday’s in August Lauren?” Joe asked, looking up.

“Yeah, the day before yours actually,” she said.

“We should have a double party.” He suggested.

“Oh, my God that would be so fun!” she exclaimed.

“Oh boy,” I said, closing my eyes and shaking my head.

“What?” Nick asked.

“She’s in party mode.” I explained.

“I still don’t get it.”

“She’s going to start planning now. Go through about five different themes, four different kinds of cake, and ten different dresses.”

“Whoa.”

“No kidding.”

“Well, don’t worry about it. Because in five short days, be prepared for the best birthday ever. May 4, 2009 will be your favorite day yet.” He said.

“Oh it will now, will it?” I asked, leaning closer to him.

“Yeah, it will.” He said, kissing me softly. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he took that as an initiative to pull me closer by wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing me harder. He licked my bottom lip, asking for entrance into my mouth but I pulled away and rested my forehead against his.

“Not here, in front of everyone. Your little brother’s here.” I whispered; keeping my eyes closed.

“Damn it.” he chuckled. He gave me one more kiss and pulled me across his lap so he was sort of… cradling me is the best way to explain it. I opened my eyes and smiled at him then turned my head to see Joe looking at me, sadness in his eyes. As soon as he realized I was looking back he looked down at the cards in his hand and continued to play with Frankie.

****

Birthday weekend we were in Alabama. The day before my birthday we were in the hotel, interviewing the three boys all together. That was a little awkward because Nick wasn’t really speaking with Joe the way they used to. They still talked because they’re brothers in a band together but… it’s not the same. It’s so… formal.

Anyway… birthday morning I woke up in the hotel room and turned onto my side opening my eyes to come face to face with Frankie.

“Holy sh-” I started to shout before stopping myself. I bolted up and saw the rest of the Jonas’ and Lauren surrounding me.

“Happy Birthday Melissa!” they all shouted. Nick came and sat on the bed next to me wrapping his arm around me and kissing me on the cheek.

“Happy Birthday baby,” he whispered.

“Wow, um, thanks everyone.” I said, smiling at them all.

“Alright honey, you go shower and then come into mine and Kevin’s room, we have a nice birthday breakfast for you. Then, after that, you, Lauren and I are going shopping, just us girls.” Denise said. “That gives the boys time to set things up for your little birthday bash we’ll have tonight.”

“Aw, Denise, thank you.” I said, jumping up to hug her. “I’ll be quick.”

****

After my lovely birthday breakfast (chocolate chip pancakes of course), Denise, Lauren, and I left the boys to do some shopping. Denise had gone all out and hired a limo, not a gigantic one, but still, it was pretty cool. It took us to the nearest mall and we were dragged in and out of practically every store. We never left one empty handed. Today was a girls shopping day and Denise was going to make sure we made the best of it.

We entered one particularly fancy store and were just mulling around. I ended up in the dress section and was browsing through the racks when I spotted this gorgeous deep blue one. I pulled it off the rack; it was just my size, and the only one left. I was examining it, smoothing out the pleats.

“You should try it on.” Lauren said from behind me.

“Geez Lauren, don’t do that!” I exclaimed, spinning around to face her nearly dropping the dress on the ground in the process.

“Sorry. But seriously, you should try it on.”

“What should she try on?” Denise asked, walking over to us.

“This,” Lauren said, grabbing the dress from my hands and holding it up for Denise to see.

“Oh yes, definitely. If you like it, I will buy it for you.”

“Denise you don’t…”

“Nonsense,” she said, stopping my words of protest. “Now go…” she said, shoving me into the dressing room.

I stepped out of my jeans and pulled my shirt off placing them on the chair. I slipped the dress over my head and adjusted it, turning to look at myself in the mirror. I gasped and brought my hand to my chest.

“How does it fit?” Lauren called, knocking on the door.

“It’s perfect," I whispered.

“What?”

“I said, it’s perfect,” I said, opening the door so she and Denise could see.

“Oh my,” Denise gasped, putting her hand to her heart. “Melissa you look…”

“Stunning,” Lauren said, grabbing my hand and spinning me around.

“That’s it, I’m buying that dress. Go change back and hand it to me. You’re wearing this tonight. Once we get back to the hotel we’re heading straight to your room where you’ll put it on and I’ll fancy up your hair a bit.”

“Nick won’t be able to keep his eyes off of you.” Lauren giggled.

“Yeah…” I said. He won’t be the only one… I thought as I carefully slipped the dress off and handed it over the door to Denise.

****

After what seemed like forever we finally made our way back to the hotel. Denise ushered me into the elevator and then down the hall to mine and Lauren’s room faster than you could say supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. I guess she was trying to avoid running into any of the boys. As soon as we made it into the room she threw the dress at me and shoved me into the bathroom.

“Geez Denise, why so pushy?” I asked as she closed the bathroom door behind me.

“Because we don’t have a lot of time so hurry up while the curling iron heats up. Try not to mess up your makeup. We can keep that the way it is except a little touch up here and there would help.”

“Alright alright, I’m hurrying.” I said, stepping out of my clothes and into the dress the second time that day. After I got dressed I walked back into the room and Denise sat me down and just added a few loose curls to my hair while Lauren quickly touched up my makeup.

“Done!” she announced, pulling away from my face.

“Same here,” Denise said, setting the curling iron down. “Okay Melissa, go look in the mirror.”

I stood up and walked over to the mirror. The girl I saw staring back at me didn’t even look like me. I couldn’t help but gasp.

“Are you sure you only touched up my makeup?” I asked, looking at my flawless face.

“Positive, just a little foundation and a touch of mascara….”

“Whoa.” I said.

“Alright, come on, let’s go. The men are waiting.” Denise said, grabbing my arm. We walked down the hallway to hers and Kevin Sr.’s door. She opened it up and walked in first, and then Lauren and then they announced me.

“Here she is, the lady of the evening…”

“No hooker reference intended.” Lauren added. I heard everyone laugh.

“The birthday girl,” Denise said.

“Melissa Douglas!” she and Lauren exclaimed, opening the door all the way. I walked in with a large smile on my face and looked around. John, Ryan, Garbo, Jack, Rob, and Kevin Sr. were all applauding me. Frankie ran up and hugged my knees. Kevin smiled at me. And Joe and Nick… their jaws were practically on the floor… both of them.

“Babe you look… indescribably beautiful.” Nick said, walking up to me and wrapping his arms around me, picking me up and spinning me around.

“Thank you,” I said, giving him a kiss. I looked over at Joe, his eyes looked glazed over and his mouth was still open. “Joe?”

No answer. I walked over to him and snapped my fingers in front of his face.

“Joe? Can you hear me?” he nodded his head and closed his mouth. “Joe, speak… come on, you’re scaring me a little.”

“Lyss, you look, gorgeous…” he whispered. Nick came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my neck.

“Thank you,” I mouthed to Joe. He gave me a small smile and went to sit on the couch next to Frankie.

“Alright Melissa, cake or presents first?” Lauren asked.

“Presents!” I exclaimed, jumping up and down. Kevin brought a chair out for me and I sat in it, Nick next to me and started opening presents. Everyone had got me some really awesome gifts and now I was down to Kevin, Lauren, Joe, and Nick.

I opened Kevin’s present and smiled. I stood up and hugged him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“They’re beautiful Kev, thank you.”

“My pleasure,” he said, smiling at me.

“Let me see!” Lauren said. I handed her the box containing the beautiful pink diamond earrings. “Oh!” she gasped.

“I know!”

“My turn!” she said, grabbing her present, a big box.

“Oh boy,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Should I be scared?”

“Um…… no….” she said.

“Sure…” I opened the box and took out the tissue paper. “Oh, my God! Lauren you idiot.”

“What is it?” Kevin asked.

“It’s a beer hat.” I said, lifting it out of the box. “Laur, you know I never want to drink beer. Just the smell of it makes me want to puke.”

“21!” she shouted, pumping her fists in the air.

“Oh geez.” I said, rolling my eyes. “Joe, you’re next.”

“I hope you like it.” he said, handing me his neatly wrapped box.

“I’m sure I will.” I said, smiling at him as I un-wrapped it. I opened the box and gasped. “No!”

I looked up at him and he just beamed. His face radiated with glee.

“Wh-… how… where did you find one?” I asked.

“I have connections.” He said, shrugging his shoulders as I pulled the Polaroid camera out of the box.

“Joe this is amazing! Thank you so much!” I exclaimed. I jumped out of my seat over to him and gave him a tight hug.

“You’re welcome,” he whispered, his breath tickling my ear. It sent shivers down my spine and I pulled away, looking into his deep brown eyes before turning to Nick.

“And what do you have for me Nicky?” I asked, batting my eyelashes. He stood up and walked to his parents’ closet and pulled out his guitar. He walked over to me and took my hand and led me to my seat. He pulled his chair directly in front of mine and started to play a tune I didn’t recognize.

“The only reason for light,/To dance across her eyes,/And shine in her hair,/Nothing I’d need to hear,/But her thoughts,/Oh when she thinks in lyrics,/Should I be this far in?/Deeper and deeper…/Wont’ deny,/The treasure map I’ve found,/Can’t escape,/The boulders hunting me down,/Knock me over,/Dive further into the sand,/Till your precious self is mine,/Dreams can’t reach this far,/Who knew this could exist,/That so much emotion could fit,/Polish these rusty coins,/Hope they’re worth enough,/To earn her jukebox melodies,/When I whisper,/The words you didn’t say,/Do you feel it too?/Won’t deny,/The treasure map I’ve found,/Can’t escape,/The boulders hunting me down,/Knock me over,/Dive further into the sand,/Till your precious self is mine,/Lost my breath,/Lost my sense,/Lost my reasons,/For anything else,/Won’t deny,/The treasure map I’ve found,/Can’t escape,/The boulders hunting me down,/Knock me over,/Dive further into the sand,/Till your precious self is mine…”

When he was done singing, I was speechless. There were no words to describe how I felt right then. I felt so… elated that Nick finished that song… and it was about me! But then I felt… confused. I couldn’t help but to look over at Joe while Nick was singing. He had a serious look on his face, like he was thinking really hard.

“Nick that was… I… I have no words. Thank you.” I said, standing up and wrapping my arms around his torso. He kissed the top of my head and hugged me tight.

“You’re welcome. Happy Birthday Mel.”

I pressed my face into his shoulder, peering over it at his older brother. He was staring intensely back at me. Although I squeezed Nick and loved the feeling of his warm embrace I couldn’t help but wonder… Did I pick the right guy?