Deciding what to wear to anything always killed me. I had hated prom dress shopping and now that I had to figure out what to wear to an awards show, I thought I was in personal hell. Krystal and I went shopping together, trying to figure out what to wear. I mean, what were the two of us supposed to wear to the MTV Video Music Awards? Joan and Melissa Rivers weren't going to be there asking who's name we were wearing. And on top of that, did we go for dresses, skirts, slacks, suits, what? Krystal ultimately decided on sequins for her. Leave it to her to go flashy. It was this beautiful sequined gown that hung to the floor. It was green and had tiny spaghetti straps to hold it up. After hours of searching and seeking I finally decided on a barely-there gown. Krystal had to persuade me heavily to get it. It was in two pieces where the top, which was a navy blue lamé, criss-crossed down my back. The skirt was also navy blue but satin and hung to my ankles with slits up to my mid-thigh on each side.
We weren't leaving for the show until about five-thirty, but for some reason, Krystal wanted me to meet her in her room at five. I didn't know why, but got dressed and headed down the hall. When I knocked on her door, she invited me in by saying, "Come in." When I stepped into the chamber, I found the entire room lit by candlelight. There were candles on every flat surface in the room. There was Krystal sitting at a baby grand piano with roses. I knew there was a reason why she had gotten a suite. Very slowly I walked into the room and sat down on an ottoman near the piano. "Becca," she said to me from behind the keys, "you know I love you. And I'm so glad that you've decided to come with me tonight. But I asked you here early because I wanted to do something special for you." She then started playing. I didn't recognize the melody, but it didn't matter; I was already hypnotized by her playing. Softly she started singing:
By the time she finished, I had tears in my eyes. Thank God for waterproof mascara. I got up and hugged her, kissing her cheek. "Thank you, K-girl."
"Oh, I'm not done," she whispered. Reaching up onto the piano, she pulled down a violet tropical flower. Placing in my long dark hair behind my ear, she said, "There, though you are so much prettier than that little flower." I blushed at her comment. I took her hands in mine and kissed her squarely on the lips, not caring about our lipstick at that point. I knew then that no matter what anyone said, I would always have Krystal's heart.
We were still kissing when there was a knock at the door. "Come in," Krystal repeated pulling away from me momentarily.
The door opened slowly and AJ was on the other side. "Hey Krystal, we...whoa!" He had noticed all the lit candles. He then saw us there by the piano kissing. We looked at him. "Well, that answers that question," he commented, "but it poses another. I take it someone was going overboard again, huh?" We both giggled at his comment. "Well come on, let's go."
Krystal glanced around the room and said, "Uh, a little help her please?" AJ called the rest of the Backstreet Boys into the room and we all started blowing out candles all over the room. Howie went to move some of the candles, but Krystal stopped him. "Don't move them. That's for later." She winked at me. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach at that point.
We left for Radio City Music Hall, and I became more terrified on the ride over there. I think I was more terrified about walking down the red carpet than anything else. Sitting in the audience you could blend into the crowd. You couldn't do that out there on the carpet. Krystal looped her arm through mine and took my hand kissing the back of my knuckles. "Don't worry. You'll be fine," she whispered.
When we arrived, we allowed the Boys to get out first with Krystal stepping out and grabbing my hand. I tried my best to smile and not show the fear that I was feeling. Krystal and I walked hand in hand together behind the Backstreet Boys and their wives stopping every so often for pictures and the like. Leave it to John Norris to stop us and want to chat. I wanted to get away, but Krystal held fast.
"So Krystal," John started, "your first VMA nomination. How's it feel?"
Krystal grinned and tightened her grip on my hand before answering. "It feels great. I never thought I'd be here."
"So who'd you bring with you?" Inwardly I groaned. Couldn't I just be invisible?
"This is my girlfriend, Becca," Krystal replied. Oh God, she used the G-word.
This statement obviously took John by surprise. "Girlfriend?" he asked simply.
"Yeah," Krystal blushed. "We've been together for a while now. I wanted her to share in my joy tonight." She then did something that made me blush beet red. She leaned over and kissed my cheek. When she said her goodbye to the MTV newsman, and we continued on our way inside, I buried my head in her shoulder.
