Howie called A.J. the next day.
"You told her, didn't you."
"Howie, I…uh…I'm sorry, I didn't mean…"
"Hey, it's ok. I would have liked to tell her myself, but… Well, whatever you said, thanks. It didn't scare her off. She called me today. She said she'd like to continue seeing me and find out more of my secrets…"
"Ooooh, looks like Howie's got a girlfriend!"
"I hope so! It's been so long."
"I know what you mean…boy, do I!"
"Don't worry, you'll find someone. Everyone has a perfect mate, somewhere in this world."
"You're too optimistic, D."
"I try to be! Listen, I'm going over to the studio, today. I've kind of been slacking off on the song writing…"
"Hey, can I come? I've got a few ideas I'd like you to hear."
"I don't care. Come if you want. As long as both of us are going, do you think we should invite Nick? I'd feel bad leaving him out of it."
"Blonde Boy has to come, too?! Oh, fine…I'll call him."
"K."
"Hey, Howie, I need some advice, or rather assurance."
"About?"
"Ok…have you ever thought about how your life would've been like, if you didn't join the BSB?"
"Yeah, that thought crossed my mind a lot of times…and sometimes I even had doubts. But when I get on stage, and see all those fans' faces, and the music starts, and I get all hyped up…I know that I had made the right choice."
"Oh…I wish I was as sure as you."
"Why? What's going on?"
"I don't know…something happened to me yesterday, when I went to the Sun Tavern with Elena…the singer for the band didn't show, so they would have been screwed. I was feeling all depressed, don't ask me why, and I thought maybe if I sang to a bunch of people who had never heard of me, I would really evaluate my worth…not as this month's "hottie" or a passing craze, but as a real artist and feel better. I did. I wonder if my life would've been better if I didn't join the group. I wouldn't have to worry about my appearance as much, I could go anywhere without the fear of being recognized, much less pressure and stress, a lot more privacy…"
"Sounds like you've thought a lot about this."
"I have, but I'm like confused."
"Are you happy being a Backstreet Boy?"
"Yeah, but…I don't know."
"I'd hate to see you leave. And I'm sure the rest of the guys wouldn't want you to go either, but we can't force you to stay. Do whatever will make you happy, A.J."
There was a long pause. A.J. thought long and hard about what would make him happy. He finally broke the silence.
"You know what would make me happy?"
"What?"
"Going to the studio and recording some songs. Even if they don't make the album, I'd like to keep them for myself."
"Ok. See ya later then. Bye."
"Howie?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"No prob.
"Bye."
A.J. hung up the phone and proceeded to call Nick. Nick answered.
"Hey, Nick, wassup?"
"Hola! I was just surfing the Net. I checked out some Anti-BSB websites. Shit! I didn't know that many people hated us! My gosh, you should see what they're saying about us! And those pictures!"
"I'd rather not. I'd like to keep my dignity. Anyway, I wanna know if you'd like to go down to the recording studio with D and me and hear out some songs."
"Yeah, sure. I've got a few ideas, too. Oh, hey! Brian called."
"What did he say?"
"He's coming down with his whole family. He's not sure when, but he'll call to let us know."
"Cool. C-ya!"
"Bye, dude."
The three friends met up and arrived at the studio twenty minutes later. It was a tall white building with windows surrounding it. The boys walked into a fairly large room and were greeted by the guy who works the buttons and switches, Max.
"Hey! I wasn't expecting you," said Max, smiling.
"Well, I spontaneously decided to come and these losers tagged along," informed Howie, pointing to A.J. and Nick.
"Don't make me go over there," threatened A.J., joking.
"I'm sooo scared!" He rolled his eyes sarcastically.
"Guys, are we going to sing or what?!" whined Nick.
"Chill, boy! We're on vacation! We don't have to rush anymore!" exclaimed A.J.
Just then, the phone rang. Howie answered it.
"Hello?"
Silence.
"Hello?!"
A shaky voice finally answered.
"Howie?"
It was a man's voice. It sounded familiar.
"Lou?"
"Y-yeah…come back!"
"Excuse me?"
"Come back, please! We promise never to steal from you guys again!"
"Lou, you know we can't do that. Everything's been settled. We have a new label and manager…"
"You guys were more than just my business. I practically raised you! I spent millions making you what you are today!"
"We'll always be grateful for what you did for us, but you need to let go, we need to let go. It wasn't just about the money."
"I'm truly sorry about that! Why can't you guys "grow" with us?!"
"Lou, no. If you really care as much as you always said you did, then let us be."
"I'm not giving up!"
"Good bye, Lou." He hung up.
It hurt Howie hearing Lou beg like that. He would never beg unless things were REALLY bad. But there was nothing he could do. There was no way in heaven or hell that they would go back to Jive or Lou. He knew what the guys would say if he even suggested it. Lucky for him, Nick and A.J. didn't hear the conversation. They already started with the recording. He walked over to them.
"So, D, who was it?" asked A.J.
"It was…uh…my mother," he lied.
"What did she want?"
"She needed something from the store."
"Oh." That was lame, but he didn't want to tell them the truth. It could
create tension and more legal problems. Nothing was going to stop them
from
enjoying their vacation. And certainly not from proving to the world
that
they didn't need people writing songs for them and controlling their
every
move. The Backstreet Boys were for real and here to stay.
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