Angel of Mine

Amy was the richest girl in school. She was first in everything. Fashion, Prom Queen, vacations, guys. You name it, she has it all. If you set your eyes on the cute guy who sat next to you in biology, she already dated him.

"I hate her," I muttered to no one in particular. I closed my locker door and turned around to see Brent. I let out a little squeal of surprise. He merely grinned.

"Stop doing that," I said through gritted teeth, slapping him on the arm.

"Let me guess, Amy Fuller got to you again," he said, an eyebrow raised.

"No, my dog got ran over by a truck. Of course, it's Amy Fuller!" I growled. "She gets under my skin and I can never get rid of her. She's going to haunt me for the rest of my life, mocking me, getting the guys, bragging about her grandkids to everyone."

"You're over reacting, Angie." Brent carried my books to drama class. Unfortunately, Amy also took that class, and excelled in it. After all, she was the prima donna of Rockney High. We took our usual seat in the middle. Amy was at the left of us, her clique around her.

Mr. Brewster talked about Shakespeare's tragic play. Macbeth. I was too preoccupied in trying to think of witty comebacks for Amy next time we met. My gaze fell on my binder, and I smiled. It was a glossy 8x10 picture of my favorite Backstreet Boy, Nick Carter. I sighed dreamily. I was in love with them since I first heard their single "We've Got It Goin' On" on airwaves in Orlando.

"I got the best prom dress yesterday. Daddy had it specially made in France and shipped back to here to Florida," Amy was saying to her groupie. Ugh, it was like she was this big Hollywood star the way they're fawning over her.

"What's it made of?" Fawn Nichols asked. She was definitely someone after Amy's heart. Snotty and spoilt. And she was Amy's cousin.

"I can't tell you. It'll ruin the surprise." Amy saw me standing behind them at the lunch line. "So, Angeline, did you get a date for the Prom?" she asked sweetly, knowing full well I had never gotten a date for the Prom since my sophomore year. I always end up going alone or staying at home.

"Yes, I did," I snapped, surprising myself. You don't have a date! My inner voice screamed. I chose to ignored it.

The girls had looks of surprise. Amy raised one delicate eyebrow at me. "Oh really," she said.

"Really." I level my gaze with hers, refusing to back down.

"It'd better not be another Rob Lucas," was all Fawn said. She tossed her blonde curls back. Her hair was really curly, not kinky or frizzy. But real natural curls.

Rob Lucas was one of the cutest guys in school. Last year, I had made the mistake of bragging to Amy and the Pussycats that Rob and I were going to the Prom, in hopes that I'd impress her enough. I made a fool of myself when Rob and Amy went to the Prom together while I end up going solo. It had been humiliating and embarrassing. Since then, the Pussycats never let me live it down.

"No, it's not. He's way better than Rob." I couldn't believe it, that I was fabricating another lie that would get me into trouble.

The girls exchanged looks. No guy was better than Rob. This definitely got their attention. Instead of trying to get myself out of this mess, I was getting myself in deeper.

"What does he look like?" Georgia Wilson queried. Look like? Oh boy. I paused for a while. My eyes fell on my Nick picture.

"Tall, yeah, tall, and blond." I bit my lower lip, waiting.

Amy's eyes narrowed. "How come I've never seen him around?"

"Home schooled," I replied without thought. Aw, great. "That's why you never see him around."

Amy's brow furrowed. It was clear she smelt a rat. "Name." It wasn't a question but a demand. I gulped.

"N-Nick," I blurted out. Amy waited. "Just Nick. No need for me to tell you his last name."

"Uh-huh." Fawn nodded knowingly. "Probably a nerd."

"He is not! He's the coolest and cutest guy around ever." I jumped to my mystery guy's defense.

"Then bring him to the Prom. It's two weeks away. That'll give you plenty of time to ready yourselves." Amy smiled at me. It was a challenge, and I have no guy name Nick to give to her by the night of the Prom. But as I stared into Amy's gaze, images from back when she always beat me flashed back in my mind. I grinned at her widely.

"You bet."

"You what?" Brent nearly shouted.

It was a few days alter and the news that Angeline DeHaven had found a guy. A cute one, way cuter than Rob Lucas, Amy's current boyfriend. Brent had been so excited that he congratulate me before I dragged him off to a secluded corner and confessed my sin. He had given me a look like I had two heads.

"Not so loud," I begged. "It's not like it's a big deal."

"It is a big deal, Angie. What are you going to do when you show up at the Prom without this Nick?"

"I can deal with it myself." I wasn't too sure. Brent was right. What am I going to do?

My parents were thrilled that I had gotten a date for what they considered the event of the year. My younger brother had simply made a face, saying that he was probably a real nerd to date me. I said nothing. After all, he was right. Who in their right mind would date me? Especially the real Nick Carter whom my mystery man was based on. Thankfully, Amy and the Pussycats didn't smell a rat. Brent would gave me this disapproving look and shake his head as if I was the world's biggest liar. Maybe I am.

I stared at myself in the mirror. My room was a typical teenager's. A couple of posters (I dislike having too many posters on my wall as it looked cluttered), family pictures and friends, a watercolor painting of two dolphins drawn by me and a large cork-covered bulletin board. My collection of stuffed animals sat on the custom made shelves along with my books and CDs.

My mom had took me to the hairdresser's insisting that I need a new haircut for the Prom. So now, my once long hair was cut and layered around my face. Brown eyes stared back at me. I sighed, dropping onto my bed.

"I'm sorry," Brent said. He eyes settle on the dress hanging on my closet door. It a forest green, nipped in waist, sleeveless, the skirts brushing against my ankles when I tried it on this afternoon. Black suede shoes nestled below in their boxes.

"Wow. Your mom went all out for this," he said.

"Yeah, and I'm going all out making a fool of myself," I said dejectedly. "The guy I'm creating is not even real. I just based him on someone. Someone who's famous, who hardly has time for someone like me."

"That's not true, Angie. Who wouldn't go out with you? You're funny, smart…" Brent trailed off.

"Nick Carter wouldn't go out with me, that's who!" I snapped. "The Nick that everyone talked about happens to be a Backstreet Boy who will never give me the time or that day."

Brent's eyes went wide. I grew impatient. I had thought that he would know since I had a huge crush on the BSB Boy. "Forget about it. I'm moving far, far away from here. I'm changing my name, dyeing my hair. I'm going to Iceland."

"Don't exaggerate," Brent said calmly. "It's not that bad."

"They're going to write "Angeline DeHaven, the biggest loser in Rockney High" in my yearbook." I buried my face in my hands. "The Prom's tomorrow, and I have no date."

"You can try to tell them the truth," Brent said.

"I can't!" I wailed. "Wait! I'll just say he went down with food poisoning, and he can't make it. Oh, what a genius I am."

Brent opened his mouth to say something but closed it again. He sighed and got up. "It'll be better if you tell them the truth, Angie. I have to go. See you tomorrow night."

I stood in front of the hallway mirror. My hair had been washed and blown dried, instead of fancy curls like everyone would wearing, I decided on the natural look. My dress fitted over my body snugly, the skirt brushing my ankles. I wasn't wearing a smile but a frown. I had no date, no guy to show. I was also the world's biggest liar.

When I got there, the Prom was already in full swing. Couples were dancing together to some fast-paced song played by the DJ. Some were clustered in groups, just enjoying themselves. Brent was nowhere to be seen. I spied Amy Fuller and Rob Lucas hand in hand in a corner surrounded by their friends. I hurried away to the table for a drink.

The punch looked like purple Kool Aid. The girls were all in blacks, whites, reds, blues, greens and pinks. The guys looked great with their tux and ties. I sipped my drink, trying to think of a good excuse my non-existent date other than the he got food poisoning one.

"Angie. There you are." It was Fawn. "So, where is he?"

"Around. Somewhere." I waved my hand vaguely.

Fawn smirked. "This better not be another one of your scams, Angeline."

I merely shrugged. She spotted Jonathan Chapman and hurried over to him, exclaiming about how good he looked in his tux and tie. I turned away to come face to face with Amy Fuller instead. Oh great.

"Well?" she demanded.

"Well what?" I asked innocently, inside I was desperate.

Instead of answering, she took my arm and dragged me from the table across the dance floor right up to the stage. If I had not known fear then, I know it now. My heart was pounding in my chest as my eyes swept over the large crowd. Amy took a mike, pausing for a moment, letting everyone feast their eyes on her. She wore a pearl white gown, sequined bodice, cap sleeves, diamond earrings. Her hair was piled on top of her head elegantly. Once she had everyone's attention, she spoke.

"I'd like to welcome you all to this year's Prom '99. It is a privilege to be here for the dance of the millennium." Loud whoops and cheers were heard. "I'd like to present Angeline who for the first time has brought a date to the dance."

My cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. She was saying it like I had never score a date before. I glanced downward.

Kids were murmuring and looking around, obviously trying to see who had I bring. Amy had a tiny smirk on her face. She had caught me. vSuddenly, the murmurs grew louder into whispers of excitement. Girls left and right were pointing, some let out squeals. None screamed. Amy frowned. I caught a glimpse blond hair moving toward the stage. Was it possible that Brent…?

Amy's mouth dropped open. So did mine when I saw who it was with Brent. The very person who had so long plastered to my wall. Who I had dreamed of nearly every night. His face was on every teen magazine available and on my bedroom wall.

Brent had a wide grin on his face. I simply stared as the Nick Carter took my hand, leaning down and gave me a kiss on the cheek. Brent gave me the thumbs up sign.

"How? What? When?" Amy sputtered. I came back to the present.

"You thought he'd stood me up or that I was lying, Amy?" I asked, a smug smile on my face. Nick had his arm around me. "Meet the mystery nerd who is my date," I said, loudly enough for the Pussycats to hear.

Several of them flushed red. Most of the girls were green with envy and jealousy, the guys envious.

"Let's go somewhere else, Angel," Nick said, leading me out of the place. Brent followed.

When we were away from the building, I let out a squeal of delight, grabbing Brent in a tight hug. "How?"

"Remember when I told you I had a good friend who's always traveling?" he asked, still grinning.

"Yeah, I thought you meant he had a job that requires him to do so," I replied. "Now I know." I glanced at Nick.

"Go on, Angie. He's not here just to help only."

"I still can't believe it," I said, walking up to him. "Angeline DeHaven. Known as Angie or Angel. Big Backstreet Boys fan. Loves peanut butter and dolphins."

Nick laughed. "You probably know everything about me but, here goes. Nick Carter. Known as Nicky to most and Kaos. Journey fan. Loves video games and the beach."

"I think we have a lot in common then, Mr. Carter." I smiled.

"Brent told me a lot about you, Angel," he said.

"Hey, I've been trying to get you guys hooked up since last year," was Brent's reply.

"Did it work?" I asked, casting another glance at my soon to be boyfriend.

"We'll find out, won't we?" Nick said.

The next day at school was crazy. Girls came up, begging for an autograph of Nick and the other BSB. Brent sat next to my on the bench on the quad. Amy Fuller walked by followed by her cronies.

"I don't know how you did it, DeHaven but it's not going to work on me," she hissed. "Everyone knows that you didn't have a date for the Prom last night. And Nick Carter is not dating you."

"I wouldn't say that, Amy." I nodded toward the parking lot. A forest green Jeep was parked at there. In it were both Nick and Brian Littrell. And Brian's little pooch, Tyke.

"Omigod!" Fawn shrieked. So did ten other girls. I got up, slung my backpack on my shoulder, cast Amy one last look and walked toward the Jeep. "Go Angie!" Brent shouted. So did a few guys.

I got in the Jeep, Tyke jumping onto my lap. I petted the Chihuahua. "How come you're doing this?" I asked Nick as we drove down town. "The Prom's over and…" I let it trailed off.

Brian let out a laugh. He half-turned in his seat to look at me. "Angel, we don't do things halfway. Besides, I want to know who's that girl that got my Nicky's heart thumpin'. We want to hang with you because you're Brent's friend, and, if I'm not mistaken, Nick's current girlfriend."

I noticed that Nick was blushing. Something warmed my heart. He's really interested in me. I allowed myself a tiny smile.

"Thanks, Brian. You guys are the best."

Maybe fantasies do come true. And angels do exist. I leaned back in the car, enjoying myself.

You came into my life

Sent from above

Better than a dream

Such a perfect love

Gonna love you till the end of time

Angel of mine

Angel of Mine, Eternal

© 1999 Anya