SR14


		CHAPTER NOTE: While doing an online chat, things in ( ) mean Vanessa’s thoughts and actions. Also just in cause you didn’t know // means phone conversations. Chapter Fourteen With A Little Help March 15th 2003 “Nick, try it again.” Said Brian through the microphone that leads into the sound booth. Nick sang the part of the song over again, after Brian had made his changes. “Yeah, that’s better, thanks Frick.” “Hey, can you guys come out here for a minute.” Asked Kevin. “Sure.” Said both Nick and Brian as they followed Kevin out into the lounge area of the studio. AJ and Howie were already sitting down waiting for the others. “What’s this all about Kev, we were just finally getting down the song.” Exclaimed Nick as he sat down next to AJ. Kevin brought a file folder over to couches and sat down himself. “Sorry Nick, but I’ve got something that I need to go over with you guys.” “What’s wrong now? I thought everything has blown over from coming out in December.” Said AJ a little scared that maybe things weren’t as good as he had originally thought. Kevin shook his head. “No, nothing like that. It’s just have I a proposal here for Nick and AJ, from the channel TLC.” Everybody looked at Kevin in confusion. “What would TLC want with Nick and AJ?” Asked Howie. “What it looks like to me is they want them to go on this show, called ‘A Baby Story.’” AJ was out of his seat in a flash. A huge smile plastered on his face. “They want US to do be on ‘A Baby Story’?” “That’s what it looks like. I take it Bone likes the idea, what do you think Nick?” “I don’t think I can make that decision without talking to Justin. And right now I’m not sure if that’s such a great idea. I had to literally put his clothes on him this morning, because he insisted that he was getting to fat to be in the public eye.” AJ laughed. “He has gotten bigger then I have.” He said patting the small bulge on his belly. Nick glared at AJ and then looked back at Kevin. “I will talk to him though. He loves doing TV, so I have a feeling he will give in.” “Does that mean we would be on the show too?” Asked Howie. “I’ve seen how those work. They would follow you guys around for a few days at different times of your pregnancy, which means we would be in it too.” Kevin looked down at the copy of the contract that they would have to sign before even thinking about doing the show. “We are all supposed to sign this, so I guess that means we are all getting clearance to be on the show I suppose.” Brian looked at his cousin and saw something in his eyes that wasn’t there earlier. ‘Remember to talk to him alone later.’ He thought to himself. After everybody headed back to their own recording booths Brian walked up to Kevin and tapped him on the shoulder. Kevin turned around. “What?” Brian stepped back slightly, he didn’t like the tone of voice Kevin had used. “What’s wrong Kev?” “I don’t want to talk about it.” Brian shook his head. “You always make us come clean with our problems, so it wouldn’t be fair if we didn’t do the same for you. So, you better spit it out.” Kevin glared at Brian and tried to go back to finishing what he was doing. “Are things bad between you and Kris?” Kevin didn’t respond. “How is she doing with her pregnancy Kev, you don’t say much about it anymore. The only way I know things about it is because I talk to her.” Brian could tell he hit a sore subject when Kevin turned around at tears were falling down his cheeks. With one quick motion Brian had his sad cousin in his arms. “Shhh, its ok Kev. Let whatever it is all out.” After a few minutes Kevin pulled back and looked at Brian. “I can’t help but hate them for it Brian.” Now it was Brian’s turn to look confused. “Hate who for what?” “AJ and Justin. Ever since we found out they were going to have babies that’s all the world has thought about. When I made the announcement about Kris being pregnant, people just smiled and went back to talking with THEM. I know AJ is my best friend and Justin is a good friend too, but right now I can’t help but hate them. When Leigh had Baylee, he was the first backstreet baby. I knew from the beginning that Kris being pregnant wasn’t going to get the same attention as Leigh did. But this is crazy.” Brian didn’t think he could think of a time where he had seen his cousin like this before. If anything it soothed him. Sometimes when Kevin held his emotions inside all the time, it was hard to remember that he actually was human. And now to see him insanely jealous was actually a comfort. “And how with this whole baby show thing. Did they even ask Kris and me if we wanted to do it? No, they want ‘The first pregnant men’ to do the show.” “Kevin, I’m not trying to take the spotlight away from you and Kris, please you gota believe me when I say that has so not been my point.” Kevin and Brian turned around to see a tear stained AJ standing there. “Fuck, AJ how long have you been standing there.” Asked Kevin all of a sudden feeling really bad for feeling the way he was. He knew AJ hadn’t meant for any of this to happen. “Long enough to know that you h…hate me.” Kevin was at AJ’s side in a second. Turning his head so he was looking in his eyes he said. “AJ, I do not hate you. I’m being a stupid jealous fool, and I’m sorry that I’ve hurt you in the process. But you gota believe me I do not hate you.” AJ sniffed and nodded. “God, I hate having waked out hormones.” Kevin smiled and patted AJ on the back. “You are a piece of work Alex, a piece of work.” ***@* AJ walked into the fairly quiet house. All he wanted to do was go take a nice long nap, before they all had to get ready to go bowling. For months at least once a week the members of BSB, Nsync and even D12 and Dr. Dre all got together and did something. Either goes bowling, play pool or just all stay home and watch a football game on TV. They had all come to the conclusion that if they all got together then the idea of having to stick around after the babies were born wouldn’t be suck a big deal. At first things were a little sticky, but now the guys and the various girls that came along seemed to actually enjoy each other’s company. This week they were going bowling. They had reserved the whole ally and were getting pizzas ordered in. It was going to be a fun night. He could hear people talking in the kitchen so he headed in there first. He smiled when he saw Hailie and Vanessa sitting there with a book open and Hailie’s little finger going across the page as she sounded out the words in the book. “How’s Papa’s favorite girl?” Asked AJ kissing Hailie on the top of the head. Hailie looked up and smiled. “Listen to this, I can read.” Hailie read the first line of the book and looked back up so proud of herself. AJ smiled. “That’s great baby. I knew you could do it.” “She’s doing really well Mr. McLean. This girl is a natural born reader.” Said Vanessa packing the book into her backpack that was sitting on the floor. She knew she was trying to escape. The whole thought of being in the same room with one of her idols, was too much for her. When it was just Hailie she was fine, but if one of them walked in the room it was time to leave. Hailie looked at Vanessa. “You can’t go yet. You have to come bowling with us. You promised.” Vanessa looked up shocked. She had been hoping deep down the little girl would have forgotten the little tool she had used to get the girl to sit still and read. She had promised if she sat down long enough she would go bowling with them. ‘Good going Vanessa, you just had to make a promise to the kid.’ “Yeah, you really should come with us Vanessa. Hailie has been talking about you to the guy’s non-stop for the last few months. They are really interested in finally meeting the woman who’s made Hailie so happy about school work.” Vanessa looked from Hailie’s blue eyes to AJ’s chocolate brown ones and sighed. She never could stand to look in those eyes. “All right, but I’m going to go home and change. I will meet you there ok?” Hailie jumped up and hugged Vanessa. “YAY!” She exclaimed and ran out of the room almost knocking Marshall down. “My god, what in the world did you say to her?” AJ and Vanessa laughed at the look on Marshall’s face. “Vanessa is coming with us bowling tonight.” Said AJ. Marshall smiled. “So you finally gave into the wrath of Hailie Jade.” Vanessa blushed and smiled. “Umm, yeah, but I will see you guys at six then. With that she practically ran out of the house. This was going to be an extremely long night. *@* The music and laughter was already filtering out into the parking lot as Vanessa made her way to the door. It was 6:15 already because she had spent the last 20 minutes sitting in her car trying to figure out if she could really do this or now. She felt intimidated by Marshall and AJ, not to mention that one time she had ‘met’ Howie the few months back. Now she was just about to join at least fifteen guys she had only dreamed of seeing at a meet and greet after a concert, let alone hanging out with them. Taking a deep breath she willed herself not to throw up and walked into the loud smoke filled room. Hailie looked up from her pizza just as Vanessa walked through the door. “Vanessa!” She screeched and ran to the young woman. “I’m so glad you came!” Vanessa smiled. “I said I was coming didn’t I?” Hailie nodded and crabbed Vanessa’s hand. “Come on you gota meet everybody.” Vanessa swallowed as she looked around the large table. Most of the people she recognized, but there were a few she knew must be members of D12, and she didn’t know them all that well. “Hey guys, this is my friend Vanessa.” Said Hailie proudly showing Vanessa off to her ‘family’. Vanessa smiled and said a small Hello, before she sat down next to Hailie and Brian. *@* Things were going smoothly until Nick stood up and yelled at the top of his lungs. “HEY EVERYBODY I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO MAKE!” Everybody turned to look at the blonde man and waited for his announcement. Nick giggled. “Um, I just wanted to say that me and Justin are…we’re…um” “Getting married” Laughed Justin having to finish his fiancé’s sentence. A whole round of congratulations were said and things got on the topic of weddings, which really made Vanessa feel uncomfortable. “You know D. You’re the only member of Backstreet who isn’t either engaged or married.” Said Joey. Howie blushed. “I’ve just haven’t found the right woman yet I guess.” “Maybe you need to try what it seems everybody else is trying and go for guys.” Laughed JC. Everybody laughed. “Vanessa doesn’t have a boyfriend.” Said Hailie. “And I know she likes you guys too. I saw your CD’s in her bag.” OK, Vanessa wanted to be swallowed whole now. Every eye was on her and she could feel it. “You never told us you were a fan.” Said Kevin. “I didn’t think it was important.” She mumbled still not looking up from the napkin on her lap. AJ looked at everybody in the room telling them to let it go. Everybody seemed to understand and changed the conversation. *@* “How the hell is AJ in the lead. He was behind just a minute ago.” Exclaimed Lance. “Yeah, and wasn’t he in the bathroom?” Asked Brian looking at AJ. AJ grinned. “Hey, I didn’t tell him to do it. He just loves me so much.” He said. Everybody glared at Marshall, who was actually blushing. Vanessa watched the scene in amazement. Even though she didn’t want to admit it, she was having a good time. Kristen was the only other woman there, and they seemed to get alone really well. They had a lot more in common then she would have thought. But now it was almost 10:00 and she knew it was time for her to be heading him. Standing up she walked over to where Hailie was sitting on AJ’s lap helping him keep score. “I think I’m going to be heading home now.” AJ looked up and smiled. She was a beautiful girl. He knew that if he wasn’t with Marshall, or if he weren’t gay he would date this girl in a heartbeat. “You can’t stay till the end of the game?” She shook her head. “I have to get up early and baby-sit my nephew.” “Will you still come over tomorrow to help me with my book report?” Asked Hailie before she started to yawn. Vanessa laughed and patted the girl’s head. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Hailie smiled and jumped off AJ’s lap to go up where Marshall was. “It was nice of you to come tonight. Hailie really has this hero worshiping thing going on with you.” Vanessa shook her head. “I’m just a normal old 21 year old. Nothing to special about me” “Oh, I’ve heard different. You really are her best friend. I’m glad she has somebody like you.” Vanessa smiled. “It really isn’t that hard. She is a great girl.” “AJ it’s your turn.” Yelled Brian. “I guess I’ll see you at the house tomorrow?” “Yup, I should be there around 4:00pm” “AJ, you coming?” “Just a second B-Rok.” He yelled back. “By AJ.” *@* It was close to midnight before they guys started piling out of the ally. “Yo D!” Howie turned around to see Marshall running in his direction. “Huh?” “I was wondering if you could baby-sit Hai tomorrow afternoon. Kevin just told us he made a time for us to talk to the TLC people about doing that show, and I don’t really want to drag Hailie along.” “Sure sounds fine to me, what time do you need me to come over?” Marshall thought for a moment and then turned around. “Alex, what time do we need D for tomorrow?” AJ walked over to where Marshall and Howie were talking. “Kevin said that the meeting starts at 1:30 and that it should be over by at least 4:00.” Howie nodded. “All right I will be at the house around 1:00 and you guys stay out for dinner or something. You haven’t been out together for a while. Might as well take advantage of having a babysitter.” Marshall smiled. “Thanks man.” “No problem.” *@* Hailie bounced around the family room. She was so excited. Howie was going to be over at the house at the same time Vanessa would be. When Marshall and AJ had told her Howie would be babysitting her that afternoon, she knew they totally forgot about Vanessa coming. So, Hailie planned to take that to her advantage. She could tell Howie had feelings for her older friend, and she could tell that Vanessa had some feelings for him too. So that’s what she was going to do. They were going to be forced to do stuff together. Giggling she walked into the kitchen. “What are you so happy about?” Asked Marshall. Hailie giggled again. “Nothing.” Marshall looked at his daughter and shook his head. Sometimes he couldn’t figure her out. “What time is Uncle Howie coming?” Marshall looked at his watch. “He should be here in about ten minutes, and he will be staying until bed time.” Hailie nodded. “What are you and Papa going to be doing?” “We have to go to that meeting we told you about, and then we are going to go out to dinner and maybe see a movie or something.” Hailie smiled. “That’s nice, you haven’t had a romantic night out in a long time.” Marshall laughed. “Since when did you get to be so smart?” “I dunno.” She said shrugging her shoulders. Marshall could hear AJ running down the stairs and about to come into the room except the doorbell decided it was going to ring. “I’ll get it!” Yelled AJ and he walked to the door and looked through the peek whole to see who it was. Seeing it was Howie he smiled. “We don’t want any go away.” Howie laughed on the other end of the door. “I guess you don’t want to be getting any tonight either, other wise you would let the babysitter into the house.” The door was thrown open in a flash and AJ smiled at Howie. “Come on, come on. We don’t have time to waist.” Howie laughed and shook his head. “You are something else Bone.” Hailie bounced into the room. “Uncle Howie!” Howie mimicked Hailie’s bouncy step. “Hailie!” This caused Hailie to start laughing so hard she was on the floor giggling. Marshall walked into the room. “Ok, I leave you two alone with my daughter for a few seconds, and you already have her dead. Good going.” This caused Hailie to giggle more, which got all the adults laughing too. “Marshall, we have better get going.” Said AJ looking at his watch. “If we want to get into the city in time we need to be in the car now.” Marshall nodded and him and AJ said their quick ‘goodbyes, and be goods’ and left Howie and Hailie standing in the entry hall. “So what do you want to now, Hai?” Hailie thought for a moment. “You wana watch Monsters Inc?” Howie nodded and followed Hailie into the family room where the TV was. *@* “And then Daddy said that Uncle Dre was being an idiot because he wouldn’t listen to his idea.” Said Hailie chewing on a piece of her cookie. Howie swallowed his own cookie before answering the little girl. “I’m sure Uncle Dre will come around. There is high demand for your daddy and papa to do a song together.” Hailie wasn’t sure what high demand meant, but nodded anyway. “Uncle Howie, what time is it?” Howie looked at his watch. “Almost 3:30.” Hailie jumped out of her chair in a flash. “Come on we gota play tea party.” She said tugging Howie out of his chair and into the section of the family room where her toy kitchen and table was. Howie wasn’t sure what had gotten into the little girl but decided to play along anyway. “Here put these on.” Said Hailie handing Howie one of Marshall’s old suit jackets and a top hat. “What are we playing?” Hailie didn’t respond just walked back to the toy kitchen and started to make some ‘soup and sandwiches’. Howie had just gotten the coat and hat on when the doorbell rang. “Stay here Hai, I will get it.” He walked out of the room and to the door, looking through the peek whole he was slightly taken back when he saw Vanessa standing on the other side. Opening it he smiled. “Hi.” Vanessa looked at Howie in shock. What in the world was he doing there? “Um hello.” “Come on in, me and Hailie were just about to play tea party.” Said Howie moving out of the way so Vanessa could walk into the house. Vanessa tried her hardest to relax. “That would explain the coat and hat.” Howie blushed and touched his head. “Yeah.” Hailie was busy setting the little table when Vanessa and Howie walked back into the room. Looking up she smiled. “Hey, Vanessa.” “Hey, Hailie. I see you’ve got Howie here playing with ya.” Hailie nodded. “Do you want to play too?” Vanessa shook her head. “We are supposed to be doing that book report remember.” Frowning Hailie crossed her arms. “I want to play now, we can do the book report later.” Vanessa looked at Howie and sighed. “All right, but only for another half hour. I can’t stay too long tonight because I have a class to go to.” Hailie smiled. “You sit over there.” Said Hailie pointing where she wanted Howie to sit. “And you over there.” Howie smiled at Vanessa as they sat down. “Where’s your seat Hai?” “I’m gunna be the waitress.” She said putting an apron around her waist, and walking over to the couple. “What would you like?” She asked in her most professional voice. Howie winked at Vanessa. “I would like the veal in red whine sauce, along with broccoli.” Hailie looked at Howie. “How about a sandwich and soup?” Howie tried not to laugh. “That would be fine.” What Vanessa and Howie weren’t expecting was Hailie left after giving them their ‘food’. Leaving Howie and Vanessa alone sitting at the little table. “Why do I have this feeling we’ve been set up by a seven year old?” Laughed Howie. Vanessa looked around and all of a sudden she got the joke, and got up from he chair. “I think I’m leaving now.” Howie got up just as quickly and turned her around to face him. “Why are you so scared to get close to any of us? I saw the way you acted last night, you had your guard up so high not even God himself could break it.” Vanessa shook off Howie’s arm and continued to walk to the door. “I think I really like you Vanessa. Hailie was right in doing this.” Vanessa stopped and looked at Howie. “You cant like me all right. I’m so not worth it. You are a Backstreet Boy, you should be dating a supermodel, not some stupid ugly college student who just happens to be tutoring your best friends daughter.” Howie looked at Vanessa in shock. “You are not ugly.” Vanessa snorted. “Yeah sure I believe you.” Howie turned her around to look at him again. “Can’t you at least give me a chance? I would like to take you out to dinner. Not a dinner set up by a seven year old with plastic food. There was a connection between us even that first day we met back in December. I know I need to get to know you better.” Vanessa could feel tears coming to her eyes. “Fine whatever, you can take me out to dinner, but nothing fancy. I don’t want to be wined and dined. If we go out it will be as friends, nothing more.” With that she turned and walked out the door. Howie ran to the door. “I will come by and pick you up at seven tomorrow night!” He yelled. “Sure whatever!” She yelled back trying to hide the fact that she was now crying uncontrollably. She was so torn between not wanting to get herself hurt like she had been in the past, and finally maybe meeting the guy of her dreams. *@* Once at home she realized that she hadn’t gotten to Hailie’s book report. “Oh this is great, now I have to call over there.” Sighing she got out her phone book and dialed the Mathers’ phone number. It had almost rang five times before Howie picked up the phone. //”Hello?”// She sighed. “Howie, it’s Vanessa, I just noticed I left without helping Hailie with her report.” //”I know, I’ve got her sitting down working on it right now.”// She let out a breath she didn’t even know she was holding. “Thanks.” She was about to hang up when Howie spoke again. //”I just noticed I don’t even have you’re address, I’m sure I can get it from Marshall, but since I’m talking to you again…”// “Howie, how about I meet you at Jake’s dinner tomorrow night at seven. Remember I’m just a friend, and I don’t think having you pick me up for dinner would be that good of an idea.” //It was Howie’s turn to sigh. He thought he had finally gotten through to her. “All right, Jake’s at seven.”// “Bye Howie.” She sat back on her couch and looked up at the ceiling. It was times like this she wished she her Uncle John and Aunt Sandy hadn’t decided to move to Quebec. She missed her cousin to death. Even though Stephanie is only eighteen and still in high school, they had always been really close. Having her in a different country is hard. And it just occurred to her that she hadn’t spoken to her for months. ‘Maybe she’s online.’ She thought to herself as she walked over and sat down at her computer. Logging on she opened up her messenger. Sure enough Stephanie was on. AUTHORS NOTE: Ok, before you go into this section of the chapter I want to make something really clear. You probably recognize the names Stephanie and Vanessa with myself and my writing partner for Drowning. I would like to make sure you guys know that yes the names and their mannerisms may be close to real, their lives are not. Vanessa doesn’t know the BSB or any other of the famous people in this story, and either do I. Yeah, the people in this story speak of writing fan fiction but like I said this is not real! Ok, now I’m going to get off my soapbox and let you finish reading the chapter. VLovesBSB: Hey Steph. Eminemsfreaktoy: Vanessa omg it’s been forever. VLovesBSB: Yeah, things have been pretty crazy here. Eminemsfreaktoy: We haven’t talked since before Christmas Vanessa. If I hadn’t heard from your mom and said you were still alive I would have thought you had died on me. VLovesBSB: I think I have died in a way. Died and gone to heaven. (I’ve met the two people we’ve dreamed about for years, Steph. She thought to herself.) Eminemsfreakytoy: I’ve wanted to talk to you. I mean did you hear about AJ and Eminem…I mean god who would have thought. And the baby stuff OMG! Wait…have you seen them? I mean they are in Detroit, and you live in Detroit. VLovesBSB: Whoa, calm down Steph, Just because I live in Detroit doesn’t mean I have met anybody. Eminemsfreakytoy: What did you mean by you feel you have died and gone to heaven? Did you meet a guy? (Have I met a guy, oh god have I…he’s so great but I cant date him…it wouldn’t work. Sighing she typed her next message. Going into this chat she was going to tell her younger cousin and best friend, but now she wasn’t so sure.) VLovesBSB: sighs you could say that Eminemsfreakytoy: You have so gota spill girl. You never get this way about guys; you’re 21 and have never actually dated before. If you are dating now I so gota know about it. VLovesBSB: I’m not dating anybody. Eminemsfreakytoy: Ok, fine I can tell when you aren’t going to give in. So lets change the subject. Have you seen the multitude of Slash stories in the groups these days? My god everybody has been in a writing frenzy. I guess finding out some of the stuff is true has given people inspiration. Are you ever going to write again? I’ve been waiting to hear what happens between Jane and Kevin. Maybe you should get into writing the whole slash thing too. I mean it sure is in high demand right now. (She hadn’t even thought about writing fan fiction since she moved to Detroit. For some reason she hadn’t been able to get into it. Maybe some of it had to do with the fact that she was now sitting in the middle of something that should be in a story…not real life, and writing slash, no way to close to home.) VLovesBSB: I’ve had enough stuff to do with school; I’ve been helping out in a privet school here in Detroit. It’s been great. Eminemsfreakytoy: What’s the name of the school? (She wasn’t sure what the point of this question was, but answered it anyway.) VLovesBSB: Garrett Elementary Eminemsfreakytoy: OH MY GOD! (Ok what did I say? She thought before typing) VLovesBSB: What’s all that for? Eminemsfreakytoy: You work at the same school Hailie Jade goes to…OMG (‘Fudge Muffins, I should have known she would know about that.’ Her mind screamed. Stephanie knew everything there was to know about Eminem. Now there was no escaping, she had to tell her the truth.) VLovesBSB: Yeah I know. Eminemsfreakytoy: How can you be so calm about that? Marshall Mathers has set foot in the same building you have. You might have sat at a table where he as. OMG (Vanessa couldn’t help but laugh. Her cousin cracked her up.) VLovesBSB: You are going to be even more shocked when I tell you everything else I’ve been doing *@* It was almost midnight by the time Vanessa got off line with Stephanie. Stephanie had wanted every little bit of information she could get about Marshall and the Backstreet Boys. If she had to hear one more time how dumb she was for putting off dating Howie for so long she would go crazy. The even crazier part was Stephanie was coming down for the end of her Spring Break. So, it was going to be Vanessa’s job to show her around town and of course meet her friends. By the time she was done she was physically and emotionally drained. She fell asleep even before her head hit the pillow. *@* “God, D where is your head today?” Exclaimed Brian looking at Howie’s dazed face in disbelief. Howie shook out of his thoughts and looked at the rest of his friends looking at him. “Huh? What?” “We’ve been here for almost half the day and you haven’t said more then three words when you aren’t singing. You better spill whatever it is that’s bothering you.” Said Nick who was trying to rub the kinks out of Justin’s lower back. Howie sighed. “I’ve got a date with Vanessa tonight.” There was five different whistles and a lot of ‘Go D’s” but when they noticed the look on Howie’s face they stopped. “Why do I have a feeling this isn’t a good thing.” Said Kevin. “Its not that is a bad thing.” Howie tried to explain. “Its just I don’t think she wants to go on a date with me.” “She wouldn’t have said yes if she didn’t want to go, Howie.” Said Justin, who had came along with Nick for the day. They had plans with their wedding planner after their time in the studio so Justin just came along. “I think she did it just to get me off her back.” AJ shook his head. “She likes you D, I know she does.” “I’m not so sure about that anymore. I thought she did too when we first met, but now I don’t know.” Said Howie sadly. “She’s scared.” Howie turned to look at Marshall (who had also come along just to chill out with AJ) “Why would she be scared. Have I done anything to make he scared. I haven’t really even said much of anything to her.” “I didn’t mean she was scared that you would physically hurt her. I mean emotionally hurt her. Ever since I met Vanessa I’ve seen her open up a lot around AJ, and me but still there is this huge mask covering her. I think she has a lot of trust issues, or something that makes it hard for her to rely on somebody else or love another person. Also, you know from last night she’s a fan, I’m sure you guys have a lot of different kids of fans just like I do.” He paused and saw the other boys nod. “I think she’s one of those fans that would love more then anything to get to date the one person she dreams of, but would never do it if she got the chance. Because she knows that she’s too normal.” Howie looked right at Marshall and sighed. “She said something like that yesterday.” “What did she say?” Asked Justin “She said something about me not wanting to date her because I was this big Backstreet Boy and I should be dating a supermodel, not somebody like her.” AJ laughed. “She’s a very beautiful girl. I don’t know where she got that from.” “She’s a woman AJ, they never think they are good enough for anybody.” Said Marshall. “Now I see why I’m gay…Woman don’t make any sense, might as well marry somebody I at least understand how he works.” Everybody even Howie laughed at AJ’s comment. “Just don’t worry about it, D. Go out and have a good time. I have a feeling she will let her guard down soon enough.” Said Kevin. *@*** Kevin’s comment was playing through his mind as he waited for her to arrive that night. Thankfully she had picked a place where the group loved to go. It wasn’t odd for members of Backstreet Or Nsync to show up there when they were in town. He sat sipping his Coke as he watched the doors, it was already almost 7:30 and she hadn’t shown up yet. He was about to give up and go home when she walked through the door. She was so beautiful. Her dark brown eyes met with his and he smiled slightly trying to reassure her. Vanessa walked to the booth Howie was sitting at and sat down. “I’m sorry I’m late, I had some things I needed to take care of.” Ok, yeah that was a lie; again she had spent the last half an hour sitting in the parking lot trying to will herself to not throw up and to get on with her life. Something Stephanie had said the night before was sticking in her head. “You’re not getting any older Vessa, you need to get out there. This is the greatest opportunity. I’m not a major religious person but I have a feeling God brought you into Hailie’s life for more then the reason to help the little girl with reading. There is fate when it comes to you and Howie, so you better not blow this. He’s not going to stay around forever.” Said Stephanie Now here she sat in front of the most beautiful man in the world, and he wanted to be there with her. Taking a deep breath she finally let herself relax and smile. Seeing her smile brought a smile to his face. From that smile he knew everything was going to be ok. He had a feeling this was the woman he was going to spend the rest of his life with. Yeah, they were sitting across from each other as friends, but there was more to it then that. Elton John’s ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’ was playing softly in the background of the dinner, and Howie had to admit he could feel the love.