The limo pulled up in front of the Red Carpet and the guys got out. As each of them walked out I gave them a kiss on the cheek. I waited inside the limo for a few minutes with one of the members of security before getting out to go inside the building.
I walked down the Red Carpet and down the long aisle to my seat. It would be a while before the guys made it to their seats because they would have to stop for photos and interviews. I looked through the pamphlet while I waited to see who else was performing.
I looked up suddenly to see Britney Spears standing by the aisle. My stomach turned and I felt nauseous at the site of her.
"Why hello Lucy how are you?" She asked cheerfully. Almost to cheerfully. "I haven't seen you in so long!"
"I'm doing good. How are you?" I asked being about as cheerful as I could. She was so fake that it made me sick to look at her. Justin and her used to go out and both still liked each other. I predicted that they would be going out again in the near future, in fact so did everyone else.
"I'm just great!" She squealed. "I can't wait to see Justin and the guys perform tonight. I've heard so many good things about it! Have you seen any of there rehearsals?"
"I've seen a few parts of their rehearsals, but not the whole thing. But from what I saw it's going to be amazing!" I replied as the guys walked up and sat down. Justin gave Britney a kiss on the cheek and continued to stand and talk to her. Lance sat down next to me and got comfortable.
"You put me through that kind of hell again and I'm gonna kill you!" I whispered into his ear.
"You wouldn't kill me." He replied chuckling.
"Oh really says who?" I asked.
"Me." He replied in all seriousness. "You wouldn't kill me because who else would put up with you?"
I smacked his arm playfully. "I could think of a lot of guys who would put up with me." I teased in reply.
"I'd put up with you Lucy." J.C. said sweetly. I felt a blush cover my face.
"See I told you Lance!" I exclaimed.
"Yeah, I see." He replied, and his attitude changed. He started flipping through the pamphlet on his lap.
"Lance are you ok?" I asked, concerned for his sudden attitude change.
"Yeah. I'm fine. I'm just nervous about the performance." He lied.
It wasn't really her fault he liked her, but he couldn't help but get upset he thought as he flipped through the pamphlet numbly. He couldn't help it especially when she had blushed. She was so cute when she blushed.
Lucy couldn't help but wonder why Lance's attitude had changed so suddenly. He said it was because he was nervous but she had known him forever and she didn't believe that excuse for more then a second. She took Lance's hand in hers and kissed him on the cheek quickly.
"Don't be nervous. I saw your practices. You're going to do fine." She assured him.
The kiss on the cheek she had given him wasn't expected and he was startled for a second. He looked down at his hand inside of her much smaller one. It was meant to give him a sense of assurance, but it had made him sadder knowing that was the only reason she had done it. He watched as her petite thumb rubbed over his much larger one. It was a thing she had been doing for years but this time it affected him more.
"Thanks." He replied giving her hand a slight squeeze.
After a while the lights went dim and the awards started. As it got closer and closer to their performance time the got more and more restless. She could tell just by looking at them how nervous they were. It amazed her that after so many performances they still got the jitters and became nervous.
"Do you think we'll ever make it big?" A sixteen-year-old Lance had asked her as they got ready for their first performance. This show wasn't only a performance though, they were making there demo tape with the help of one of the cameramen from the MMC.
"I don't know." She answered honestly. "I hope so."
"Do you think they'll like us?" He asked releasing another fear out into the open for her to comfort.
"They'd be crazy not to." She answered. "Five good looking guys who can sing and dance. Who could ask for more than that?" She began to wave her hand by her face for affect as Joey walked by without a shirt on. "Is it hot in here or is it just me?"
Lance laughed and Joey turned around quickly. He obviously hadn't noticed her in there.
"Oh my God!" He exclaimed. "I didn't know you were in here!"
"Obviously!" She replied just as loud.
"Oh my gosh!" He exclaimed grabbing is shirt off of the wardrobe rack and walking back into the dressing room. "You guys Lance let Lucy in here so don't walk out there with no pants on or anything!" She couldn't help but laugh at his comment, neither could Lance.
"I hope I don't trip or anything." Lance said after a while.
"You won't. Don't worry." She said just as the rest of the guys walked out. "You all look nice." She complimented them.
"I think I'm gonna throw up!" Chris said sitting down.
"Dude, not on me." J.C. said moving away from him.
"Lucy have you seen my mom?" Justin asked, his fourteen- year old face looking at her questioningly.
"Yeah, she's outside talking to Lou about where she should set up the autograph session and T-shirt stand." She answered.
"Oh ok." He answered.
"Do you want me to get her for you?" She asked.
"Do you mind?" He asked.
"No." I replied heading towards the door.
I walked out into the hall and saw Justin's mom talking to Lou. I waited for a break in the conversation before interrupting.
"Mrs. Harless, I think Justin's a little nervous and he was asking for you." She interrupted.
"Ok hun, thanks." She said saying good-bye to Lou, before walking away with me. "Hun, you don't have to call me Mrs. Harless. You can call me Lynn."
"Ok, Mrs., Lynn." I agreed.
"Not Mrs. Lynn, just Lynn." She said.
"Ok, Lynn."
We walked back into the room where everyone was waiting.
I spent that night calming nerves, and everything turned out for the best. My thoughts were broken as a runner came to tell the guys to go get ready. I gave them all a quick kiss on the cheek as they walked by.
"Good luck." I whispered.
"Thanks." Lance and J.C. whispered back as they walked away.
I waited impatiently for their performance.
As they were announced the place went up in girlish shrieks and claps.
The stage was deserted with the exception of five giant puppets. A clip from the song "There are No Strings on me" began to play and the puppets fluttered their hands up and down with the help of strings. As the guy's voices rang out singing "No Strings Attached" the giant puppets fell to the ground and five male background dancers walked onto the stage. The background dancers had harnesses attached and strings tied to their arms and legs.
The introduction music to their new song, "Bye, Bye, Bye" the guys appeared by rising out of the stage. Then they walked to their positions and started their dance routine. As J.C. sang out the beginning lyrics the five dancers were lifted up into the air behind them. As the guys started to dance and sing in harmony two big hands appeared on a large screen in the background. The hands to appeared to be puppetering the background dancers.
To most of the people in the audience I'm sure this just appeared to be another performance but it was much more for me, and much more for them.
This performance was a representation of what had happened in the past few years. The performance as a whole told people that the guys were finally free, and had "no strings attached". Everyone who has controlled them in the past are represented by the hands in the background, and the background dancers represent their former selves, the ones that were being controlled. They themselves represented their new selves and new found freedom.
I just hoped everyone got the point they were trying to make. I hoped everyone got that they were saying "bye bye bye" to Lou Pearlman. I especially hoped Lou got that point.
My attention during their performance darted between Lance and J.C. I couldn't help it. J.C. had been looking very good lately and his voice was just mesmerizing.
Their performance ended and I went back stage to congratulate them.
"You guys did great!" I exclaimed. "I've seen about a billion of your performances and I think this was your best one ever! The dancing was great, the song was great, and the concept of the performance was out standing! Some big bad executives should be talking by morning!"
I gave them each a hug and waited for them to change, then we all went back to our seats. Once the show was over we headed to the after party. Everyone was excited and couldn't wait to get their groove on!