When lunch was over we didn't bother to go back to the van. We just started walking around and going into any shop that took someone's fancy. They finally laid off the clothes now shopping mostly for shoes and stuff.Everybody bought something to match somebody elses. Nick and me got these matching sneakers in Foot Locker, and AJ and Jacinth bought matching sneakers too. Aarona nd Mindi discovered some really cool jerseys,while Nick and Jacinth found some Metallica t-shirts.I bought a t-shirt with the Backstreet Boys logo on it, The guy in the store said that all the one with their pictures on had already been sold.I would almost swear I heard Nick give a sigh of relief when he said that but I couldn't be sure.
The best steal of the day was when we stopped in this lettle store where silver jewellry was handmade by the owner.Everybody bought a silvr chain with an inital pendant and we all left the store wearing them, although I knew I'd have to take mine off before I got back to the office.With that thought in mind, I looked at my watch, shocked to discover we only had 10 minutes to get back on time.We all rushed to the van and soon we were on our way back.
"Operator to Sash5. Operator to Sash5. Over." the previously silent CB gave off static as we reached the highway that was the last stretch.I picked up the handset. "Sash5 to operator. How's it going Kimmy?"
"Pretty good at my end, but not so good on yours. First you're late and Hades is going to chew you out when you get back.Then, MiMi's sister called. Her Mom had a seizure and she's headed out there pronto. With your van so that pretty much leaves you stranded. Unless you want to hop a ride with me but i'm on till six.Over."
"We'll give you a ride if you don't mind." whispered Howie over my shoulder while I debated what to tell Kimmy.I smiled in response and turned back to the set."Thanks, Kimmy. I have a ride so don't worry.Be there in about a minute. Over.Sash5 out."
"Great.Operator out."Kimmy hung up and the CB returned to it's neutral noise."Is Sash5 your call sign?" Aaron who'd seemed interested in the exchange asked the question."Not really,"I answered. "This van is known as Sash5 so while I'm driving it, I'm Sash5. See?" I told him as we pulled in. Mr. Hall or Hades as we called him was at the door waiting.We got out and he said nothing to us, not even "Please see me in my office." Now that scared me more than he did. But I accepted my good luck and took the van back.
when I came back around, I found myself confronted with a bus at the door. I was even more surprised when Jacinth leaned out the door and said this was our ride. I didn't know what to think so I got on and was confronted not with just a bus but absolute luxury. There were plush sofas and a mini kitchen in the back, the works.There was even a bathroom.I plopped down on the seat next to Nick who grinned at me and turned his attention back to the video game he was playing.
When they dropped us off the guys asked us to dinner.I was laughing at some jokes Brian was telling when Howie asked us and I stopped mid-laugh almost choking in the process.Once I recovered, we accepted and decided we would go for formal dinner at their hotel.
When we got inside, we turned on the radio in time to catch the end of our favorite song, I Want It That Way.We'd never seen the BSBs which in itself was a miracle but then again, we never bought magazines and MTV was not one of our cable channels.So we were more than shocked when at the end of the song the DJ announced, "There they are the Backstreet Boys, Nick Carter. AJ Mclean, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson."
I think we were both in a daze after that. I know I was. I got dressed before I realised that I had to snap out of it.So I sat on the porch until I was able to deal with reality. The same guys I'd just spent the day with and was going to have dinner with were some of the biggest stars in the US and I never recognised them.Funny.
Kevin came to pick us up in a limo. That was definitely a surprise.We managed to look graceful and elegant getting in for the benefit of the neighbours but once we were in we relaxed and chatted about the day leaving out what we had just discovered. When we got to the hotel Kevin deposited us on the arms of Nick and Howie and excused himself since they were our escorts for the evening.The four of us had a good time at dinner and while we were sipping our coffee afterwards, I decided it was time to pop the question.
"why didn't you say anything?" That definitely got them. Howie explained,"We figured it would be easier for us to get through the day if we didn't tell you.When did you figure out?"
"Soon after we got home. It would have been nice to know why everyone was so interested in us the whole day."Jacinth rose to leave. "We have to go." Everyone got up and soon we were on our way home.
When we got out of the car, Nick pulled on my hand and when I turned around he kissed me. I heard a whoop from the annoying Farmer kids who were obviously spying but for once I didn't care."See you tomorrow." he whispered before getiing back into the car. I wathched it pull away and when they turned the corner I turned and slowly walked inside wonderign what he meant.
The next morning, Jacinth woke me up when she jumpded on my bed screaming,"We have backstage passes!We have backstage passes!They dropped four backstage passes in the mailbox this morning!"
I looked at her jumping all over the room and thought of Nick. I smiled and got up.