"So what are you plans for tonight? Wanna go to the movies and check out the ushers?" Kat asked. Chris shook her head.

"You know I'd love to, but I'm going to that concert tonight to hear Kevin and the band."
"Oh yeah! I totally forgot. Are you excited? This will be the first time you've ever heard them play." Kat smiled. "Any chance you can get an extra ticket or backstage pass for your best friend?"

"No, sorry. Not this time. Kevin had to scrounge around for my ticket. And I'm a relative." Chris said, with a tone of irritation in her voice. "But I promise to tell you how it goes and how the other guys are like. Promise."

"That's cool. I understand how those big stars are."
"They're not that big," said Chris.

Kat laughed. "You really aren't in touch with reality, are you? They've been at the number one spot for the past three months. They've had four successful records released, two of them imports, and another one on the way. And you say the Backstreet Boys 'aren't that big'? You must be nuts."

Chris blushed. "Actually, I really knew that."
"Yeah right. Anyway. I have to go. What time are you leaving?"

Chris looked at her watch. "Probably within the next hour. Kevin said it's going to be difficult trying to get a parking space. And I want to meet the rest of the group before the show."

Kat smiled and gave Chris a pat on the shoulder. "Well have loads of fun. And if you meet anyone, ask him if he has a friend for your friend." She walked toward the door, opened it, and turned around. "If I were you, I'd try and get my hands on one of the group members."

"You are so bad!" cried Chris, picking up a pillow and threatening Kat with it.

"Okay, I'm going. Have fun and I want details." Kat turned toward the door and left, pulling it shut behind her.

After Kat had left, Chris went up to her bedroom and sat at her dressing table, facing her room. There were posters of the Backstreet Boys everywhere, memorabilia all over the place. They had been gifts from her cousins Kevin and Brian. She was lucky to have an "in" with one of the most popular bands in the entire world. And tonight she was finally going to see them in concert. She gave a little squeal and drummed her feet on the floor. It was so exciting to be going, and it was all new to her. Chris had never been able to, or lucky enough to, get tickets to any concert. Now she not only had front row seats, in the center section, but backstage passes as well.

Her eyes wandered to the outfit which was hanging on her closet door. White silk pants with a matching jacket, a long-sleeved yellow silk shirt, and a funny white hat with a black band running around it. With her white boots and yellow socks, she thought she was going to look great. Besides, she had seen an outfit like it on one of their videos, and she fell in love with it.

She stood up and walked to the opposite wall. Turning the stereo on, Chris opened the CD drawer and placed the new CD Millennium into the carousel. She skipped ahead to track number nine, then went to the closet and took down the outfit. The lyrics to "Back to Your Heart" floated through the air, and Chris began to sing, softly, because in her mind she wasn't very good.

After Chris put on her outfit, minus the hat, she picked up her hairbrush and began to smooth out the slight frizziness which the humidity had brought. Her shoulder-length, dark-brown hair was one length, and somehow complemented her shirt, although she could never figure out how she managed to wear yellow without looking yellow herself. Chris's eyes were darker than her hair, making them almost black. "Spanish eyes," Kevin had said one time. She found it ironic that one of their songs was entitled Spanish Eyes, but then told herself that it was just coincidence.

Putting the brush aside, she reached for her earrings and threaded them through her ears. Then she placed the hat on top of her head and positioned it precisely the way she wanted. Glancing at herself in her full-length mirror, she smiled.

"I think I look okay. Not great, and not pretty, but definitely stylish."

With that, she grabbed her keys and purse from off of her desk, walked down the stairs, and out toward her car. Chris was glad she didn't live with anyone else except her cousins, and they weren't even around much, so she pretty much lived alone. "Which is just fine with me," she said to herself, and she meant it. "It is so irritating to have to always tell someone where you're going and what you're going to do. I like to live by myself and do my own things." She got in and started the car. With her stereo blasting, she turned on her turn signal and headed to the highway which would take her and thirty thousand others to one of the biggest events in Orlando.

The parking lot was steadily filling up with cars from all over the country. As Chris followed the line of traffic into the lot, she noticed license plates from as far away as Nebraska. She even saw one from California.

"I guess they just couldn't wait to see them. I know for a fact that last week they performed in San Francisco," she said as she drove slowly toward the security guard. He motioned her to the left, and she pulled into the empty space.

Exiting her car, Chris made sure she had her purse and her keys. She locked and closed the door, then headed back to the arena where the concert would take place. The white boots made a slight clicking sound on the asphalt, and she chuckled. It was annoying her that she had to make a scene wherever she went, and to already be stared at by strangers, well, it made her uncomfortable.

It took her five minutes to get inside the door. After showing he backstage pass, identification, and the letter from Kevin to the first usher, Chris was shown to the dressing room. She adjusted her hat and made sure that her clothes were hanging straight and neatly. Raising her hand to knock on the door, Chris noticed that it shook with nervousness.

"I have nothing to be afraid of," she said to herself, as if giving a pep talk. "Kevin and Brian are my cousins. They're expecting me. And, as usual, I'm right on time."

Chris knocked lightly on the door and waited. A few seconds went by, and she knocked again, thie time a little louder because she heard voices and music on the other side of the door. She was about to try again, and jsut as her fist made contact with the door, it opened and she smiled. Howie had answered and he had no idea who she was.

"Can I help you?" Howie asked, mesmerized by the beautiful woman standing in front of him.

"Yes, thank you." Chris smiled. "My name is Chris Richardson, and I'm here to see Kevin and Brian."

"I'd like to see some ID, first." Chris reached intot her purse and pulled out her driver's license, her front-row ticket, and her backstage pass, as well as the letter from Kevin.

"Is that good enough?" she asked.

Howie was studying the photo on the license. "Uh huh. Come on in." He opened the door just wide enough so she could get in, and Chris hurried through because she heard shrieks coming from around the corner. If they were crazed fans, she didn't want to be caught in the stampede. Howie closed the door and locked it, then handed back the items to Chris, who put them back into her white leather purse. Then he held out his hand and Chris took it.

"Hi, I'm Howie Dorough," he said, shaking her hand.

Chris smiled again, and replied, "I'm Chris. Nice to meet you at last."

"Both Kevin and Brian have talked a lot about you. It's great you were able to come to the show."

"It's great that who could come to the show?" asked a deep, familiar voice with a slight southern drawl. Chris peered over Howie's shoulder and squealed. Dropping Howie's hand, she raced around him and jumped into the arms of the owner of the voice. Kevin picked her up and swung her around.

"Hey, gorgeous! How've you been?" he asked after he put her back on the ground. Chris pulled away and laughed. "Same to you and never beetter. God, it's been so long since I've seen you."

"You look fabulous. I don't think I remember you ever looking this good," Kevin said, giving her a hug.

"Are you saying I was ugly?" Chris asked, with a questioning look on her face.

"No, no. Of course not," he replied.

"Oh, okay. Just as long as you weren't implying anything."

They both laughed. Just then, Brian came out of the bathroom, wearing a terry cloth robe and carrying a towel. Chris started to blush. It was awkward for her to look at someone who was only wearing a robe and not wonder about certain things, even if it was her cousin.

Spottine her beside Kevin and Howie, Brian broke into a grin. "Hey, babe!" He put down his towel and opened his arms for a hug. Chris walked into them and embraced him. After a few moments, Brian pulled back and gave her a once-over.

"Golly, Chris. You look sensational."

"Yeah, well, a lot has happened in the past six months. But thanks. You, on the other hand..." she laughed.

"I know, I know. I still look the same. But at least you know who I am."

Chris nodded. "And so do about fifty million other girls. Are you ready for the show?"

All three guys nodded. Howie gave an enthusiastic two-thumbs-up.

"Are you ready?" asked Kevin.

Chris smiled. "You bet. I was so excited when I got your letter and the ticket and the pass in the mail. I figured that since I hadn't heard from either of you," she looked at Kevin and Brian, " in the past six months, you probably forgot about me. But then I got the envelope. I realized that either you still loved me, or you wanted to make sure you had a place to stay when your tour ended."

Brian nodded solemnly. "You're absolutely correct. We wanted to butter you up so that you would agree to have the rest of the guys live with us."

Chris swatted him with her purse. He laughed and truned away to get dressed in the next room. Kevin took her one arm, and Howie took the other,and they proceeded to lead her to the drink table.

"Want anything?" asked Hosie. "There's water, juice, coffee, tea, soda." Chris reached for a bottle of Mistic lemonade Kevin took it from her and opened it.

"Thanks, but I could have done that." she said, feeling uncomfortable. Howie noticed the sudden tension between Chris and Kevin. He took the leomade from Kevin and handed it to Chris.
"Thank you, Howie," she said.

"No prob. Listen, it was nice meeting you," he said as he shook her hand again. "I have to go get dressed. Hope you enjoy the show." He gave Kevin a look, and then headed toward the actual dressing area.

Kevin and Chris watched Howie leave, and then Kevin turned to Chris. "I'm sorry about that. I do stuff like that all the time for a lot of people."

Chris nodded. " I know. I'm sorry I got all weird on you. I've just been used to doing things for myself lately. It's hard to adjust."
"I forgot about your independence. I'll try and be better. Promise." Kevin said. Chris looked him in the eye.
"Was Bri serious about having the rest of the guys stay with us?"
"No. Brian is staying with Nick and Howie is staying with his mom. Both places are just a few minutes away from our place, but since ours is the biggest, be prepared to see a lot of them."

"What about AJ? Where does he go?" Chris asked.

Kevin gave a weak smile. "His place is being redone, and his mom moved to the mountains. Pennsylvania, I think. I sorta told him he could stay with us."

Chris nodded. "Hopefully in the spare bedroom. I wouldn't want to think of the two of you sharing a room."
He laughed. "No, I don't think so. Anyway. After the show, there's a party and then we're all coming back to our house so no one's on the road. Then tomorrow everyone will clear out. Sound good?"
"Sure. So I can come back after the show?"
"Duh." Kevin said. "Of course you can. You are my guest, and you go can go wherever I go."

Chris gave him a hug. "You'd better go and get warmed up. I should probably go and make sure I have my seat. Good lucj and tell the others I said 'hi', 'bye', and 'good luck'."
"Will do," said Kevin. Then he walked Chris to the door and let her out, without letting anyone else in. She turned toward the right and fought her way through the crowds. Finally making it to the entrance of the performing area, Chris flashed her pass to the usher, who accompanied her to her seat in the front row.

It was unreal how loud and crazed the crowd was. The screams seemed to intensify as the starting time drew closer. Chris smiled as she realized the screaming and excitement was for her cousins. A wave of happiness surged through her and, just for the fun of it, she let herself scream.

Looking around at the other screaming people, Chris realized that no one could hear her anyway. Suddenly, there was a loud drumming, and the lights went out. Chris began to feel excited again. It was the first time in a long time she had felt this good.

The first song was absolutely electrifying. With a pulsing beat, lasers, and the five boys flying through the air on what looked like surfboards, Larger Than Life found Chris beside herself with excitement. She clapped, yelled, and screamed for her cousins as if she were one of those crazed fans which surrounded her on either side. But she didn't care, because no one else did.

Each song that followed seemed better than the last, as if that's possible, thought Chris. Soon, each member of the group came out to sing a solo. First was Howie, who, when he spotted Chris, gave her a big smile and wink. Kevin foloowed with a more upbeat tune, and he,too, smiled at Chris. She waved and smiled, all the while becoming more and more aware of the remarks circling through the crowd around her. Jealous of me!! I can't believe it!! Chris thought. For once in her life, people were jealous of her.

Nick's solo was next, but he was too far up on the stage for her to get a good look at him. He had never seen her before, so she was relieved that he acknowledged some other girl, who practically fainted. Her cousin Brian was next, and he sang a song that he had written when he was in the ending stages of a relationship. Chris was happy for Brian; he was engaged to a really nice woman. But right now, Chris couldn't remember her name. It didn't matter at this point, but if she was going to be related to the woman, she had better get to know her. Note to self: meet and greet Bri's financée, thought Chris.

After Brian's solo, AJ came out. Chris had never met AJ before, but the minute she saw him in person, something happened inside of her. There was a quickening of her heartbeat, and she began to shake. She tried to avoid making eye contact with him, but couldn't help it. And when he looked at her, he seemed to see straight into her soul, at least that's what Chris thought. Apparently, so did the girl standing behind her because she started to scream, "I love you AJ!!"

Chris wasn't sure if he was able to hear over all of the noise, but he smiled and nodded. The girl squealed and shrieked, " Oh, my God! He looked at me! He saw me! I think I'm going to faint!"

"If you do, at least you'll be quiet," muttered Chris to herself. She focused her attention to the man on the stage. He was moving across the stage, toward her. AJ stopped and looked right at Chris. She couldn't tell what was going to happen, but the only thing that did was that he finished his solo and took a bow. Chris applauded along with the rest of the crowd, and AJ left the stage.

There was a five-minute intermission of sorts, and Chris stretched. As she did, she noticed one of the security guards coming directly to her.
"May I see you identification?" he asked.

"Sure," Chris said, handing her driver's license to him. He studied it, and then gave it back to her.

"Come with me, please."

"Why? What did I do?" Chris ducked under the rope which the guard held up for her. Several other fans tried to get under with her, but more security came and pushed them back. The first security guard took Chris's arm and began to lead her to the steps which led up to the stage.

"Where are we going?" asked Chris, beginning to feel a little nervous.

"Kevin said for me to find you and bring you here. I honestly have no idea what he has planned," he smiled, " but I'm supposed to wait with you until that time. You can stil see the stage. A little better, even."

They reached the stairs, and Chris began to feel self-conscious. The lights went out again, and there was a loud scream from the crowd. She began to laugh. Then the music started, and the familiar bars of her favorite song, I'll Never Break Your Heart, began to play.

There were stools in the center of the stage, and each of the boys walked out single-file, and stood by their seats. Chris noticed that there was an extra stool placed in the middle of a semi-circle, which was formed by the five original stools.

"Oh, no," said Chris slowly. "I can't believe this..."
Brian picked up the microphone which was on his stool and began to speak. "How y'all tonight?" The crowd went crazy. He laughed.

"I think we're gonna slow it down a bit. For this next number, I need a little help." He walked toward the steps and glanced down to Chris. " How about you? Wanna help us?"

Chris nodded and began to climb up the steps. Brian held his hand out, and Chris took it. As she stepped on stage, the spotlight hit her and the fans went wild. There was so much noise; she had never heard anything like this before. Brian, still holding her hand, guided her across the stage and said, " Why don't you have a seat here?" he motioned to the stool. She looked at it and noticed there was a microphone on it.
With a question in her eyes, she looked at Brian, who nodded and said," Would you help us on this song?"

Her eyes teared up and she nodded. The audience screamed, whether in jealous rages or awe, Chris didn't know. All she knew was that she was going to sing--in public, with no preparation whatsoever. She began to shake, but picked up the microphone and sat down. Brian sat down beside her.

As the music began again, Chris glanced around her circle. To her far left was Nick, next to her was Kevin. On her right, closest to her was Brian, then AJ, then Howie. She could see all of the clearly, and she knew they could see her. Chris adjusted her jacket and hat. While she was doing that, AJ snuck a glance at her. Actually it was more than a glance, but Chris hardly noticed.

AJ was close enough to her to see that her hands were shaking uncontrollably. He had no idea what she was nervous about; he didn't even know why she should even be nervous. The performer inside of him told AJ that she was a natural. A natural performer, a natural beauty, what? he thought. I'll have to get to know her after the show.

Brian nudged him, and AJ returned to earth and realized that Kevin was almost finished with his speaking part and it was time for the song to start. Glancing once at the audience, AJ turned his attention to Chris, who was watching him with the darkest eyes he had ever seen. it almost made him lose his concentration, but he looked back at the audience and finished his phrase. Kevin and Brian looked at each other and smiled.

As Brian began the second phrase, Chris realized that soon she would have to add her extra harmony line. Sure enough, he looked at her and winked. Softly, and with an involuntary passion which came from deep within her, she added her lines. With her eyes closed and her body leaning slightly forward in her performance position, Chris was unaware of the glances that were being passed amongst the group. Then came the chorus, to which Chris contributed her additional harmony that Brian and Kevin had written for her only a few years ago. She had wanted so much to sing with them and go on tour, that they had written her her own special line. Chris had practiced it every night since then in case of a moment like this.

As the song continued, AJ couldn't help but keep his eyes on Chris. Occasionally, he looked at the audience, but only occasionally. Nick and Howie were as impressed as the rest of the audience, but Brian and Kevin just exchanged knowing looks.

When it was time for the bridge, Howie stood up from his stool and walked over to Chris. Taking her hand, he led her to the front of the stage, turned to face her, and got down on his knee. The others followed suit, and soon Chris was standing up on stage surrounded by the Backstreet Boys, who were serenading her in front of thousands of people. When the final chorus approached, the Boys stood up and faced the audience. Chris continued to sing, and at the very end, Howie, Nick, and AJ dropped out, leavin her to finish the song with her two cousins.
As their voices faded, the audience went wild. Applause and screams could be heard for the longest time, and suddenly Chris was able to see how many people had listened to her. There was a sharp pain in her head, and her hand flew up to try and relieve it. Brian put the microphone to his mouth and said, " Let's hear it for our special guest."

Chris smiled in spite of the pounding in her head and took a bow. she then handed the microphone to Brian and turned toward the opposite end of the stage where the staris were. As she walked, AJ jogged over and escorted her to the stairs. The security guard took her hand, and Chris turned toward AJ and smiled her thanks. AJ was stopped in his tracks. Wow! Not only does she have the darkest eyes this side of the Atlantis, she has the most beautiful smile I've ever seen, he thought, watching her go back to her seat.
"Excuse me, AJ," said Nick from his place on the stage, " but I think you're going the wrong way." The audience laughed, as well as the rest of the group.
"Well, Nick, you can't expect me to go everywhere for you," he replied.

Nick gave AJ a look of admiration. "But I'd go anywhere for you..." The audience began to scream, and the beginning of their next number sounded through the air.

Chris was still reeling from the experience which she had just had when she reached her seat. The people by whom she was sitting gave her jealous looks, but she ignored them, again, and fixed her attention to the stage. The rest of the concert flew by, but Chris enjoyed every minute of it, smiling in spite of the headache which had grown worse throughout the evening. It had been an experience she would never forget. How Chris wished she had had someone there to take a picture. Kat was never going to believe this.

The last of the three encores finally ended, and the concert was over. Before everyone started to exit the building, an older woman came out onstage and made the announcement that there was not going to be a mee-and-greet this time. There was a chorus of moans, and wails of despair rose above the exiting fans. Chris didn't move from her seat until everyone was at the back of the arena, like Kevin's letter had instructed. It said that someone would come and find her, and sure enought, Kevin himself snuck out from behind the stage. He was still in his performace clothes, but he had a baseball cap on and a pair on sunglasses. Not the most effective disguise, and Kevin knew it as he jumped off the stage in front of Chris, who was resting her eyes.

"Holy cow!" she cried, as she snapped open her eyes. Seeing Kevin standing in front of her, she pointed a finger at him and said, " Why you little..."

Kevin put a finger to his lips and motioned to the back of the arena. Chris looked and saw the cluster of girls who had gathered at the exits to watch and see if any of the Backstreet Boys were going to appear. Suddenly, one of them yelled," Look!! There's Kevin!!" The girls started to run down toward the front, and Kevin yanked Chris out of her seat and practically dragged her to the secret door under the stage which led to the dressing room.
Groping around in the darkness, Kevin finally found the hidden door and pushed it open. Pulling Chris inside, he turned around and closed and locked the door just as the fans reached the front of the arena.
"We're safe," said Kevin, panting slightly.

Chris grimaced. "If that's what you have to put up with when you're famous, then count me out." Kevin smiled and started down the hallway toward the dressing room.
"And," Chris continued, " why did you guys pull a stunt like that?" She trotted along beside him. "You know I don't like surprises like that."
"Trust me," Kevin said. "You'll thank me later." They reached yet another door, which Kevin opened. This one opened up to the dressing room, and all Chris could see was the guys' concert outfits.
Chris wrinkled her nose and Kevin chuckled. "Aren't you glad to have us home again?" he asked. She gave him an evil look.
"Oh, yes," she said sarcastically. "I love cleaning up after you two. And even though it's going to be AJ instead of Brian this time, it's still going to be two messy boys."
"You know I always do my share," Kevin said.

"Yes, but I always do mine and Bri's," Chris replied, heading toward a chair which was not buried under wet clother. She sat down and looked around the room. "This is awful. Why doesn't someone clean up?"

Kevin put his arm around her and very seriously said," That's your job."

"Why you!" she said and then laughed. Suddenly the door to the back dressing room burst open and the rest of the Backstreet Boys filed out, showered and changed from the last performance of the tour. The room was then filled with laughter, smiles, and the lovely smell of several males' cologne. Chris inhaled silently, but deeply, and Kevin looked down at her and smiled.
"Boy it sure smells good in here," Chris said aloud.
"What does?" asked Nick, looking around the room. The others pretended to sniff at each other, trying to depict the good-smelling scent.
"You," said Chris, pointing at Nick.
"Me?" Nick asked, pointing at himself, then turning to the other guys with a miscevious, smug smile on his face.
"No, not you," she shook her head. " I don't think it's you I smell."
Nick's smile faded and he looked around. The others were trying not to laugh, Kevin included.

"Well, I know for a fact it's not me," said Kevin. "I haven't showered yet."

Chris wrinkled her nose at him. "Yes, dear cousin, I know that it isn't you." Brian chuckled and Chris winked at him. "Looks like I have to do an inspection to see which one of you is out to drive me crazy with that fantastic cologne."

Walking over to Nick, she stepped close and breathed in his cologne. "Mmm. Gravity. One of my favorites, but that's not the one I smell."

Nick nodded solemnly. "One of your favorites, huh? I guess I should wear it all the time."

"You do that. Maybe it'll be you who I smell next." She moved to the right and ran right into Brian.

"Oops, sorry Bri. Didn't mean to run into you like that," she said, noting that he smelled like her cousin. "Sorry again, Bri. I don't think it's you. I know your smell."
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" said Brian, trying to keep a straight face.

"Depends on what mood I'm in," Chris replied, smiling. Howie was next in the row, anxiously wringing his hands and shaking his head.
"It's not me," he said. "Nope, no way."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because I have my cologne at home. I smell like soap."
Chris leaned over to sniff. "Yes, you do. But soap is good. It shows that you stay clean."

At that comment, all five of the Backstreet Boys started to laugh. Howie's face turned red, and even though he was still laughing, his embarrassment was obviuos. She patted him on the arm.

"Don't worry about it. I like clean men." Chris smiled suggestively. Howie nodded and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a key and put it in her hand.

"Just in case you want to--," But Howie didn't get to finish his sentence before Brian reached over and snatched it out of her hand. He put it in his pocket and gave Howie an adoring look.

"Thank you so much for this key, Howard. I'll be over lated, okay?" he said in a high voice, mimicking a woman. He ran his fingers through his hair and pretended to flip it over his shoulder. Everyone started laughing, Chris included. When she recovered, she moved down to AJ, who was last in the row.

AJ started to get a nervous feeling inside. Chris seemed to come closer to him in slow motion. When she finally reached him, he thought he was going to pass out. She stood directly in front of him and looked him squarely in the eyes. As she leaned forward to smel his cologne, he caught a whiff of her own perfume. Mmm, he thought. Chanel. Very sexy.

Chris pulled away from him and turned around to face the others who were watching with anticipation. She smiled and took AJ's arm, pulling him out toward the center of the room.

"May I present the winner of the male cologne contest, Mr. AJ McLean! Wearing the finest cologne that a man can wear, CK 1." she said, raising his arm in the air as if he were the winner of a boxing match. The others looked at each other, then began to applaud and whistle. Kevin and Brian exchanged knowing looks as they clapped.
"Whay does the winner get?" asked AJ. "Yeah! What does Bone get?" yelled Nick. AJ gave Nick a look.

Chris pretended to think. "Um, well, you're richer than I, so that leaves a money prize out. You already have a car, so I don't think you'd want my old junker of a Volvo. I guess the only thing I can give you is..." She brightened. "How about a homecooked dinner and a night out?"

Kevin moaned. "Don't take it, Bone. She can't cook. You'll never be able to put up with any kind of food again after you've eaten her cooking."

"Shut up, Kevin." said Chris. "If I recall correctly, you were the one who taught me how to cook in the first place."

"Ooooh," chorused Nick and Howie. Brian just shook his head and smiled.
"Yes, but Brian," said Kevin, pointing, "showed me how to cook what I taught you."
"That's right!" exclaimed Chris, lowering AJ's arm, but not releasing it. "And now the only things we can make are mixed drinks, which I'm not even old enough to drink."

Brian pretended to duck into the back dressing room. Before another work could be said, the security guard who had escorted Chris to the stage came in.
"Hey boys!" he said as he walked in.
"Hey! Whay's shakin'?" said Howie.
"Not much, Howie. But I have some bad news to tell you."
"What's that?" asked Kevin.

"The post-concert party has to be moved. They're getting the place ready for some sort of athletic thing tomorrow and y'all gotta be out now."
"Then where's the party?" asked AJ, still aware of Chris holding his arm.
Kevin raised his hand. "I vote for our place. We can head over right away."
"ALL RIGHT!!" yelled Nick, jumping up and down. "I love your place."
Brian had come out of the dressing room and was standing by Kevin. "I second the notion."

"Here, here!" said Howie and AJ, raising his other hand.

The security guard nodded. "Then it's settled. You guys wanna take the bus or what?"
Chris shyly raised her hand. "Y'all can ride with me in the Volvo, if you like. There's room for six."

Nick raced over to Chris and picked her up. "Now this is the 'perfect fan'." He put her back down. "Let's go!"

"Okay, okay." said Kevin. "Let's grab our stuff and get outta here."
Chris felt like kicking herself. I'm not like that. I never offer stuff like that. But AJ was going to be with her, in her car, maybe even next to her. Which is why I shouldn't have offered. I don't want to make a fool of myself. And what does he think of me after I did that whole cologne thing? I feel like such a fool.

After a few minutes, she realized that it was quiet in the room and all five on the boys were standing silently in a line, waiting for her to lead them to her car. "Oops, " she said, smiling. "I guess I kinda spazzed out."
Kevin took her arm. "It's okay. Trust me. We know how it is."

The others nodded. They looked so drained and tired, but from what Chris knew, all five of them relish the night life. They'd all come back to life as soon as her car pulled into the driveway.

Chris picked up her purse from the floor, checked for her keys and opened the door. "Get ready for a rocky ride," she said. Then she walked out of the backstage dressing room and out toward the parking lot, unaware of the pair of eyes that followed her every move....