We rode around for about an hour before I found the perfect dress. it was black and came down in the front and my shoulders were exposed. The lining came down on my arm far enough to hide my tattoo. Matching shoes, purse, and earring came with the outfit. I nearly feel over when I saw the price of the dress: $375. But AJ took care of it. I told him I could fix my hair and makeup, so some money was saved.
Around 4pm, I began to get ready. I thought the guys were going to be in for a shock because they had never seen me in a dress before. I was in AJ's room because he had gone to the airport to pick up his girlfriend and I was getting ready. As I was rolling my hair in hot curlers, there was a knock at the door. "Are you descent?" the person yelled. "Yeah Kevin I am wearing a bathrobe." Kevin came in and saw my hair and laughed. "AJ just called and asked me to come and check on you. You need anything?" I shook my head. "I'm okay. In another hour I should be ready. Unless something happens, I won't be. Then I will be running on Backstreet time won't I?" Kevin smiled. "You know, I am surprised that you didn't go with Nick." I looked over at Kevin. "What do you mean by that?" "Well, I mean the way you and Nick act around each other. I mean a few weeks around the two of you hung out all day long playing N64 and stuff. And him giving you that piggyback ride after AJ stopped." I sat and looked at Kevin. "Kevin, I like Nick as a friend only. He is a fun guy and I mean he is around my age. Nothing against you, Bri, Howie, and AJ but I need to hang out with someone my own age every now and then." "I understand." Kevin got up to leave. As Kevin was leaving, AJ and his girlfriend came in. "Sis, you are still getting ready?!" I was applying my mascara and turned around. "Yes. Someone among the gang has to run on time. Hey Trelyn." Trelyn smiled and said hey back. Trelyn had been good to me since I met her. She had been with AJ for about a year and a half. "The poor gal," I once said to Brian right in front of AJ. Brian got a good laugh and AJ had this weird look on his face. But anyway I only had a little while to get ready. As I was taking the rollers out of my hair AJ sat and watched me because Trelyn was getting ready herself. "You know, if I didn't know any better I would say that my lil sis had a crush on my best friend." Now AJ was joking but I didn't know it. "AJ! I DO NOT!" AJ just smiled. "Hey when Tre comes out tell her I went to Howie's room to change into my suit. I think you two ladies should have your own room." "Okay." I looked at the clock. 5:25pm. AJ left and a few minutes later Trelyn came out. "Where is AJ?" I told her and she smiled. "WOW! You look great so far!" "thanks you do too. Hey, can you help me get my dress on?" "Sure can. You know, I didn't expect you to go with Howie to this, I was expecting Nick." I laughed. "Nick is just a friend, that is all." "Well, that is how it starts out girl. Then before you know it, BOOM! Love hits ya." I laughed. Now my dress was on. "So how do I look now?" "Well, the cameras will be all on you. Hey, what is wrong now?" Trelyn asked. "I am so nervous. I mean my prom was nothing like this. This is high society at its best." Trelyn laughed. "Autumn, you are going to be fine. Just roll with it." I really laughed now. "Listen, we better get to the lobby to meet the guys." Trelyn looked. "Yeah. The guys want to get there on time." I laughed really loud. "Like THAT will happen!" We got in the elevator and went down to the lobby. When we got to the lobby, we heard Kevin, Nick, and Brian. "Autumn, your mascra has smeared some," Tre said. "Damn. Be right back." I went into the bathroom and fixed my mascra. Before I looked, I caught a quick glimse of myself in a full-length mirror and I looked amazing in the dress. As I went out, I was ready to see the look on the guys faces. Just as I was about to turn the corner, I heard AJ and Howie. "Autumn is in the bathroom fixing her makeup," Trelyn said. I walked around the corner Brian looked at me, then did a double take. "Hey guys," I said. I looked at the guys faces and yes, they were shocked. "Are you sure you are my sis?" AJ joked. Trelyn lightly smacked AJ's arm. "I'm surprised she claims you at times." "Well, I think Autumn looks fantastic," Nick said. I looked over at Howie and he was staring at me. "So, Howie we ready to go?" AJ asked because everyone else was heading to the door. "What? yeah." We were soon in the limo on our way and when we arrived, we were soon having our pictures taken. "Autumn, just smile and ignore all questions," Howie said. We went in and the place was huge! Bad thing, though, was the food. it was the high society food, and the only thing I really ate were the strawberries. Soon, the guys got on stage and sung the songs I suggested while Trelyn and I watched them and sung along silently.
After the guys finsihed, the band began to play some slow music. We were all sitting around. "AJ?" Kevin said. "Yeah?" Both I and AJ said. I still wasn't use to being the only AJ around. "Autumn, would you care to dance with me?" Howie asked. "Sure," I said. As we were dancing, howie and I made chit-chat. "So, you having fun?" I frowned. "I am starving and they have nothing I actually like. I am so craving Chinese food or even McDonald's!" Howie grinned. "So you wanna bail out for some real food? I mean, they don't really need us around anymore." I looked at him. "Are you sure? I mean, maybe I should tell AJ first." I looked over at him and he and Tre were dancing close and kissing. Why should I break them up when they were so close together? "Howie, let's roll!" I went over to Kevin and told him when he saw AJ to tell him that Howie and I had left to have some fun. At the time, I didn't think about how I said that, all I know is I wanted to leave the boring benefit. Howie hailed a taxi and we went back to the hotel, back to my room and ordered some Chinese food. I was wanting to change out of my dress and into something relaxing. As I came out in some shorts and a jersey that read "Hornets" on the back, the delievery man had already arrived, so our food was waiting. I sat down and began to eat a real meal. "So, AJ....what do you think about being the sister of someone famous?" Howie asked. I smiled because I was actually called AJ by someone and they meant me. "Well, it is weird. I mean it would have been okay had Aj not drug me on TRL and introduced me." Howie looked at me. "He meant nothing by it. To him, he was doing something right. He wants you to know what he sees and lives." "but Howie, I HAVE seen it. I was in germany and saw what you guys endured. Hell, i was even at a concert. AJ gave me his sunglasses. I saw girls faint at the sight of you guys. All the girls talked about was you guys. I really felt sorry for all of you because you had no privacy anymore. I mean, in the army I was the same way. I was general's daughter and was constantly bothered. I know AJ meant well but I wish..." I stopped and looked at Howie for the words. "You wish he had let you live a private life of sorts?" I nodded. "Autumn....it doesn't work that way with us. With the fans, they know who you are close to. take for instance my sister Polly. She has had times where she can't go out without someone asking if she is my sister. So at times, she has no private life. I think it would be the same way with you. If you do change your last name to McLean, be ready." I smiled at Howie. "Thanks Howie. I can see why you and my bro are good friends." "Anytime Autumn." Howie and I were looking right at each other when suddenly the phone rang. "Excuse me Howie." I went over to the phone. "Hello?" "Autumn? Where are you?" "AJ, i am in my room." "Okay. Are you alone?" I look over at Howie. "Nooo I am not." "Howie there with you?" "Yes." AJ was quiet. "Well may i talk to him?" I looked over at Howie. Howie got up and took the phone. "Yeah. No. NO. We just...AJ. No we came back here to eat. Okay. Yeah." Howie gave the phone back to me. "I am on my way back and then tomorrow we leave out all toghether. Gotta go." he hung up. I looked at Howie. "Okay, what was that about?" Howie sighed and closed his eyes. "He was checking to make sure you wasn't in the bed." "WHAT! He thought that we left to...." "Yep." "MAN! That is the last thing I need, him running my life. Howie, I know he loves me but I mean if I want to do something he can't stop me."
We went back to Florida and took a little break, something the guys were wanting for a month before they began touring again. By now Aj had talked me into moving in with him and Trelyn. He said he didn't lack space and he wasn't kidding! He also talked me into changing my last name to McLean, which I did. So now there were 2 AJ McLeans around, and it stayed complicated for a while.
One day the guys decided to write up on some lyrics for the new album and met at, what Nick refered to as "the House of AJs". Trelyn was in the kitchen and so where the guys, all raiding the fridge. "So, where are the two AJs?" Nick asked. Trelyn laughed. "Dying their hair. Autumn is on one side of the house and AJ is on the other." "Oh great, what colors they going for Tre?" Brian inquired. "That I do not know." I came down the steps and went into the kitchen. "Hey guys." Trelyn looked at me. "Wow, you went for red! Cool!" I smiled. "Yeah but it will wash right out tonight. I want to be a red head for a few hours. Tre? have you checked the mail?" She shook her head no. "Okay, be right back guys." "Okay," they said together. "I wish Aj would hurry up," Nick said. "Well nice to see that everyone is eating up the host's food," AJ said now joining us. Kevin looked up and did a double take. Kevin was now staring at AJ. "What?" AJ said. "Guys look at him." AJ stood before them with his now red hair. "You have seen my hair red before. Why the sudden shock?" I came into the kitchen and threw the mail on the counter and looked up. Not only were we now red heads, but we were also wearing the exact same clothes: a white t-shirt and blue jeans. "Okay now THAT is scary," Trelyn remarked. "Sis, did you spy on me?" "No. You spied on ME!" Anger soon left as we were both laughing so hard we couldn't breathe. "Why don't Trelyn and I leave while you guys write? We can walk the dogs." Trelyn looked over at me and rolled her eyes. I grinned because I knew she hated walking the dogs because once they got outside half the time, they didn't want to go back in. "Okay, I'll take them by myself." Nick jumped up and said he would help me. "Nick, we got to write these lyrics," AJ said. "Man, you guys can write one song without me. Autumn doesn't need to be walking those dogs all by herself." Nick got up and walked out. "Yeah AJ," Trelyn said. "Let Autumn spend some time with her boyfriend." "He is NOT my Boyfriend! I can do wayyyy better than Nick. I mean he is sweet, but I can do better." Trelyn was laughing at me. I swear, she was always going on about him being my boyfriend. Next time she does it, I thought while getting Jack ready, I will throw a pillow at her. That will shut her up. I went out and Nick was waiting for me. We walked in silence for a while before Nick said something. "Autumn, you going to be busy tonight?" "I don't think so. Why?" I turned and looked at Nick. "Well, because we are all going to Tabu and Tre has to work so why should you just sit around and not join us?" He had a good point. "All of you are going to be there?" "Yeah," Nick said. "Well, sure. Why not?" We continued to walk. Meanwhile, back at the house AJ was checking his mail while the guys wrote and Trelyn washed the dishes. "Alright!" AJ yelled. "Autumn's favorite movie just came in on DVD," he said while holding it up. "What movie would that be?" Howie asked while he sat writting. "Gone with the Wind. Maybe we can watch it tonight while everyone else is out. I really do need to spend time with my sister. Maybe I can actually sit and get into this movie. I have never seen it. I can sit through a couple hours, no problem." Kevin laughed. "AJ, that movie is like 6 hours!" "WHAT! You mean like it was with Titanic?" The guys were laughing at him now. "Well, I don't care. I am gonna watch this with Autumn." Brian loooked over at AJ. "Bone, how much time do you two spend together hanging out?" AJ sat and thought. "I dunno man. Not enough." "Not enough what?" Nick said as he came back into the kitchen. "Where is Autumn?" AJ asked. "Uh, I think she is watching tv..no she went and sat down by the pool to relax." AJ went out and headed towards the pool. I sat with my Walkman on listening to Elvis Presley sing "Devil in Disguise". I was really getting into the song and singing when I looked up and saw AJ. I took the headphones off. AJ was laughing. "Maybe Jive should sign you on." I smiled. "Nope. What's up?" Aj sat down by me on the patio. "I thought we could watch your favorite movie tonight. I got it for you on DVD. What do you say?" I frowned. "Sorry AJ. I am going to Tabu with the guys tonight. I thought you were going?" "Well, I cancelled to hang out with you, but I guess I can still hang out with you at the club. So who asked you out there? Howie?" "Nope. Nick." Aj had this look on his face. "Ah, okay. Well maybe we can watch it tomorrow?" "Yeah. No wait....Howie and I are going to some clubs. Howie is wanting to show me around. As I looked at AJ, I could see some hurt in his face. "Well, I do want you to hang with the guys. So it is cool." We got up and were standing by the pool. "Sis?" I turned around. "Yeah?" He looked at the pool. "You ever wanting to go for a dip in the pool?" I looked at Aj and thought that was a stupid question. "Yeah, why?" "I think...I think that there is something in the bottom but I can't see. Would you come over here and look with me?" I walked towards him with my Walkman in hand. "Put down your Walkman. If you drop it in the water, you will cuss me." I laughed. I walked over and looked. "AJ I don't see..." SPLASH! I had been pushed into the pool. I looked up and AJ was laughing. I stood in the water and stared at AJ. "Well, can you at least help me out?" AJ looked at me and I acted like I was about to cry. "Yeah," he said. "Gimme your hand." I extended my hand to AJ and then...SPLASH! I swam back and laughed. Aj emerged and looked at me. "Oh that was good." I got out and stood laughing at him and told him I wasn't helping him out. He got out on his own and we stood laughing. "Three second head start for you sis." Uh-oh..I thought. "One...." I was already gone. By the time I got to the kitchen, not only was there a track of water but I had almost slipped four times. As AJ came chasing me, Tre began to throw a fit. "HEY! You two are tracking up the clean floor!" I ran from the kitchen up to my room and heard AJ behind me. I slammed the door shut and fell to the ground, laughing. I heard AJ outside doing the same thing. "Sis? If you are going to Tabu, you best be getting ready." I opened the door and looked at AJ. "We're all good, aren't we?" AJ smiled. "Yeah." We hugged each other and as I was about to shut the door, AJ told me he would take my wet clothes to the laundry room. Luckily, in my room was a scarlet bathrobe. I put it on and went over to the door and gave my clothes to AJ. "We'll meet you at the club. I think all the guys are about to head out. Later Autumn." Before I jumped into the shower, I decided I need to go on and pick out my outfit I was wearing. After thirty five minutes (yes...35 minutes.), I decided on my outfit and just prayed AJ wasn't wearing anything of the same color. Right as I was heading to the shower, my stomach began to rumble. I headed back to the kitcen to grab something to eat. As I steped into the kitchen, I saw Howie. Suddenly, my hunger transformed into bad nerves. I wasn't hungry after all. I turned around, hoping he wouldn't see me in the bathrobe but too late. "Autumn, hey." I turned around. "I thought everyone had left?" "Well they did but I asked AJ if I could hang around and finish a song I was writing." "Ah," I said. "So where is my beloved brother?" Howie got a good laugh out of that. "He and Tre went upstaira a few minutes ago." I frowned. "Oh great..now I have a very bad visual in my mind. Thanks D! Well anyway, I better get back up to take my shower." Howie sat back down. "Okay Autumn. See ya. And Autumn, when you come to Tabu, make sure your face isn't as red as your robe." Well, I guess that answered my burning question of being embarassed. As Howie sat down, I stood and watched him. "Geez, why is it he always have to look so damn hot? He is always a sweetie. I'd give anything just for a date with him," I thought to myself before heading back up the steps. I took a quick shower and got ready. Before going down I looked out and saw Howie's corvette gone. I raced downstairs and noticed a note on the table. A smile came over my face because AJ had told me to take my pick of which car I wanted to drive for the night. That reminded me of the night my dad told me I could either drive the jeep or the Cougar. Too bad I wrecked the jeep. Oh well, AJ's fault. Suddenly, a knock at the door. It was Nick. "Autumn, you look, whoa!" I smiled. "Thanks. Was you wanting something important?" "Yeah, well kinda. I was wanting to know if you wanted to ride to the club with me. I hate riding alone. So what do you say?" I was about to say no, but damn those blue eyes of his. "Why not," I said. I locked the door and got in the car with Nick and we sped off to Tabu. After about ten minutes, we were finally there.
"Autumn, you will love it!" Nick said as we were going in. Inside it was dark and I couldn't see any of the guys or Trelyn for that matter. Nick took my hand and lead me to a table and the first person I noticed was Trelyn. "Hey girl! Wow! you look good tonight. I think you'll have tons of guys hitting on you." I laughed. "Yeah until they met the big bro. You staying bust tonight?" Tre shot me this look. "You know it. If you think tonight is bad, you should have been here last night! OHHH the guys are over there," she said pointing to a certain area. "So which car did you drive?" I laughed. "Well, Nick picked me up." "I see. So you rode with your boyfriend. How sweet." Tre laughed because I was giving her this look and she knew what I was about to say. "Well, I'll be over that way later. Later," She said before she walked over to a table and got the orders of the people. I watched Trelyn and laughed because she had the best job in the world. "Hey Autumn." I spun round and saw Howie. "Nice to see that shade of red gone." I laughed. "Hey Howie. I was about to go over and join the guys. You heading that way?" "Yes I am. Would you like an escort Miss McLean?" I smiled. "Thank you D." When we reached the table, I noticed that Nick had beat me to the table. "Nicky I see you left me high and dry over there. Shame on you." "Naw, I saw you talking to Trelyn then bumped into Howie and he said he could help you over here." AJ made Kevin scoot down so i could sit by him. When I sat down, Trelyn brought drinks over. AJ looked at Telyn and smiled. "I hope you don't mind that another sexy woman is sitting by me." Trelyn sighed teasingly. "Well, I can let it slide this time as long as you don't bring her home with you." AJ smiled more. " Uh-oh..but I promise I will take good care of her." We all busted out laughing and Howie told Tre that the bartender was wanting her. She wasn't gone too long. AJ had to excuse himself because his cell began to ring and he had to go where there was some silence. "Well Trelyn I knew you loved me but a free drink! That is too kind," Howie joked. "This is for Autumn. A secret crush sent it to her and I know which guy it was." I looked at her and my face said it all. "He is right there", she said pointing at this guy who was just beyond words. "Guys, I'll be right back." I got up and walked over to the bar. When I got over to him, I could have sworn I was looking at a Roman god. "Excuse me? I was told you sent me that drink?" I flashed my brightest smile and tossed my hair around. AJ by this time was back at the table ans saw the guys watching me. "She sure is flirting with that guy," Kevin said. "Yeah, I think she should be careful," Brian said. I glanced over and saw all the guys, even AJ watching me. "You seem distracted. Oh and by the way, my name is Jacob. I have never seen you in here before." Okay that was a corny pick-up line, yet I found myself gazing deeper into his eyes. "Well thanks for the, uh, what type of drink was that?" Jacob smiled. "A Blue Bombshell. I thought I'd send one to you since you are a blonde bombshell yourself." I began to grin. "By the way my name is Autumn. I'll be around if you want to dance or something." I turned around and felt a smile on my face. I went back to the table and Trelyn ran up behind me. "A Jade, was you just flirting with that guy?" I turned and looked at her. "I guess I was." We walked over to the table. "Hey Howie, we are having some problems with some guys. Want to help us out with it?" Trelyn asked. Howie sighed and stated he would return. Brian looked at trelyn. "You on break?" She nodded. AJ was really staring at me and I felt the questions about to come. "Sis, did you know that guy?" Well duh, I wanted to say. "No, why?" "Well, you don't even know the guy and yet you act like you slept with him or something." "What did you just say? I was just flirting with him. I mean, what am I suppose to do to a guy who buys me a drink? Walk up to them, slap them and then tell them to fuck off?" "No. I didn't say that. I meant...." I was mad. "You meant what?" Aj was getting mad and so was I. "I am just saying you shouldn't flirt with people you don't know all that great." Right about this time, a fan happened to walk by and see AJ. Man, I swear she freaked out big time. yet the only thing she could say "Hi AJ." AJ looks at her, flashes that grin all the girls loves, that flirty smile and lowers his glasses down and says "Hey sweetheart, how are you?" The girl was speechless and looked like she was going to faint. I sat and watched AJ and was mad. Not only was he doing what he lectured me about, but his own girlfriend was in front of him! "So, can I buy you a drink or even dance with you?" "Well sweetie, you can buy me a drink if you want." Within a second, the girl had raced over to the bar and ordered him a Barry White. When the girl brings the drink back over, AJ gets out of his seat and kisses the girl's hand then cheek. After she leaves, Trelyn looked at me and could tell I was about to say something, so she acted before me and slapped AJ on the back of the head as hard as she could. "Alexander James McLean what the hell do you think your doing?! I can't believe you! You turn around and do all the things you didn't want your own sister to do! And second you do all of that right in front of me. That is so unfair. I think Autumn should get up and flirt with whichever guy she wants to flirt with. For you to come out and critize her for what she done, she should critize you back!" Boy was she mad! She took off to go back to work. AJ kept saying "It.it..it wasn't that way at all." He looked over at the guys and he knew that they were gonna side with me. "Autumn, go on. have fun." I smile.
After that I had tons of fun dancing with hot looking guys and getting free drinks. But the bad thing was I had TOO many drinks. I made my way back over to the table once, trying to play it cool. By that time Tre and AJ had made up and was so close you couldn't slide a piece of paper between them. Brian had already left and it was about 1 am. As I was sitting there, the DJ played 'Who Let the Dogs Out?' and everytime they done the dogs barking I done that and AJ gave me the weirdest looks. "Sis, you okay?" I started laughing. "Yes AJ I am. Just having FUN!" Time went by quickly again and at around 3, the place was almost empty. I sat alone on the dance floor, unable to get up under my own power. Howie, Kevin, and Nick were in the back office kidding around. AJ and Trelyn had left about an hour earlier. There was a knock on the door. "Howie, we have a drunk woman out here. You want to see if she is alright?" "Yeah. Guys, you want to come with me?" Kevin and Nick said yes and they came out. They were shocked to see it was me. "KEVVIN! NNNNNIIICK! HHHOWIEE!" I screamed. "What is she still doing here! I thought AJ got her and took her back with him!" Kevin said in disbelief. "Well, AJ couldn't find her before he and Trelyn left. He said that if we found her to take her home." Nick replied. Howie looked upset. "Damn AJ." I turned and looked at him. "What'd I dooo?" I was still sitting on the floor. "Autumn, you didn't do anything sweetie." Howie replied. I nodded and laughed. "let me go try to get ahold of AJ so I can tell him she is okay and that we are bringing her home." They picked me up and took me over to a chair so I could sit down. "I can walk allllll alone you know!" I tried to walk but almost stumbbled. They sat me down and Howie told the rest of the staff they could head out. He went to the back and tried about 6 times to get ahold of AJ but had no luck. He came back out and as soon as he did, 'Everybody' began to play. Appantely, the staff forgot to turn the radio off and it played. I tried singing to it and could not recall the lyrics, well just one part. "AM I sexual?" I said and laughed. I happened to look right at Howie and say that part. Nick answered for me. "HELL YEAH!" Kevin shot a glare at Nick. "Man, don't encourage her." "guys, why don't you take her to my car and I'll take her with me. That way, if I can get ahold of AJ he will know she is okay." Kevin and Nick helped me up. "Autumn, how many drinks did you have?" Nick asked. "I had this many," I said holding up five fingers, then seven, then laughing. Kevin and Nick held on to me out by Howie's corvette until he came out. He opened the door and put me in. "Howie, be careful." Kevin said as he backed away. "HEY! Wheereee are we goingggg withOUT Kev and Nicky nack paddy whack?" Kevin laughed at that. "Autumn, I'm taking you to my house for the night." I smiled then frowned. "Howie, you are sweet and all, but if AJ finds out he will be mad." "Autumn, I don't think he will." "Yeah huh. He will be upset about that." I was thinking that Howie was taking me to his house for another reason. "Guys, we'll see you later. And if AJ calls, tell him she is with me." "BUT HOWIE, I said if AJ findddsss outth, we will be in TROUUBLE." Howie started the car and Nick looked at me. "Bye Bye Guys." I said before we were gone. We arrived at Howie's house after a quick coffee stop and I was now a little more sober and Howie had given up all hope of getting a hold of AJ. We both sat on the couch and I looked at Howie and tell that he was upset. "Howie? I am soooo sorry. I had so many drinks.." Howie looked at me. "Autumn, it wasn't your fault. It was AJ's. I mean, he should have looked for you insted of leting his damn hormones take over. So don't think it is your fault." Howie turned his back to me and I was barely awake. I looked at the clock and it read 3:25. "I..I..had 8 drinks Howie. That was wrong of me." I felt ashamed of myself and looked down. Howie turned around and took a seat in the chair. "Autumn, if you had fun that is all that matters. it isn't like you ran off with a stranger and slept with him. You are in good hands." I nodded, and there was silence. Howie was about to say something to me, but looked over and saw I had passed out. He sat and watched me for a while, making sure I didn't get sick or anything before he fell asleep himself.
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