The next few days went by pretty quick. Ashley, Drew, and I were still staying at Nick’s house. He hadn’t been around much during the days because he and the rest of the Boys’ were rehearsing for their Homecoming Concert down in Orlando, that was to be held on New Years Eve. Drew finally figured out who they were. I thought he would kill us but the fact that Nick was a Backstreet Boy didn’t change Drew’s opinion about him. He still thought that he and the rest of the guys (at least Brian and AJ since those were the only ones we had met so far) were pretty cool.
It was New Years’ Eve. Nick had said that he could get us VIP passes to their concert if we had wanted them but that he would understand if we didn’t want to spend our New Years’ Eve at a Backstreet Boys’ concert. Drew agreed to go, since Ashley and I weren’t 21 yet and couldn’t go to bars. She also threatened to break up with him if he didn’t let her go to a BSB concert. Everyone involved was having a party after the show at the Orlando Marriott, so we could still have fun ringing in the New Year.
Nick left at around noon because they had to do some press releases and their sound check. He had a limo pick us up around 4:30 and drive us down to the Orlando Arena. When we got there, I was so surprised at the amount of screaming 13 year old girls that were there. They were everywhere!!!
A couple of body guards came up to the limo and ushered us inside since there were so many fans outside. The three of us were in awe. I mean, I knew the Backstreet Boys were popular but I never expected this. We were lead into the green room where the Boys hung out before their show. No one was in there when we got there. All of the sudden, a miniature version of Nick came bounding in the room:
“Hi!! Who are you guys?” He couldn’t have been more than 11 years old. Before any of us could answer, a blond, teenage girl came running in, her hair soaking wet:
“Aaron! I’m gonna freakin’ kill you!!!! You’re dead!!!” Aaron started laughing uncontrollably:
“What’d you do Beej? Fall in the toilet?” The girl charged after him and grabbed his arms:
“Apologize!”
“No!”
“Do it! Say the words, ‘I’m sorry, BJ. I kiss the ground that you walk on.’” BJ then realized that there were other people in the room because the three of us busted out laughing:
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know anyone was here. Who are you guys?” I controlled my laughter:
“I’m Katelin. And this is Ashley and Drew. We’re—“ BJ cut me off:
“You’re friends with Nick. He told us earlier. I’m his sister, BJ, and this little thing here is our youngest brother Aaron.” Aaron was finally able to break out of BJ’s grasp:
“Hi!” I smiled at him:
“So how old are you guys?”
“I’m 11 and BJ’s 16.” Just then 2 other girls came running in the room. The taller one was also soaking wet:
“Aaron!!! Don’t go to sleep tonight. You might not ever wake up!” Aaron’s expression changed:
“Uh-oh! Gotta go! Nice meeting you guys!” With that, he ran out of the room. BJ introduced us to Nick’s other sisters. Leslie, 14 and Angel, Aaron’s twin. About five minutes later, we heard Aaron screaming out in the hall:
“Nick! Put me down!!! I didn’t mean to.” BJ started giggling:
“Uh-oh. Someone’s gonna be pissed!” Nick walked in, his face and shirt soaking wet, and Aaron thrown over his shoulder:
“Apologize to your sisters.” Aaron looked at BJ and Leslie:
“You can’t make me.” Nick walked over to a trashcan and threatened to throw him in:
“Oh yeah?” Aaron started kicking:
“Nick?! Don’t! I’m sorry guys. I’ll never do it again.” Nick put him down:
“What about me?” Aaron thought for a second:
“Yeah. You are sorry.” He ran out of the room again. Nick was about to run out again but then he noticed us sitting on the couch:
“Hey guys! Sorry about that.” The three of us responded by laughing. Everyone else joined in. Just then the rest of the guys walked in. Nick introduced us:
“Katelin, Ashley, Drew: This is Howie and Kevin, and you already know Brian and AJ.” We all exchanged hellos and hung out for a little bit. Brian’s girlfriend, Leighanne, was there along with everyone’s parents and a few friends of AJ’s.
At around 6:30, Angie, their make up and wardrobe lady, came in and ushered the guys and Aaron (since he was their opening act) to go and get ready. Nick’s sisters, Leighanne, and AJ’s friends hung out with us for a little before we had to get to our seats.
We were all talking and laughing when, all of the sudden, a girl about Nick’s age, came running in the room, blond hair flying behind her. BJ started scowling:
“What’s she doing here?” The girl spoke:
“Hey guys! Where’s Nick?” BJ put her hands on her hips:
“Obviously not in here.” The girl looked at the 3 of us that she didn’t recognize:
“Hi! I’m Mandy. Nick’s girlfriend. Who are you?” My eyes widened:
'Nick has a girlfriend?! Why didn’t he tell me about her?'
“Uh…I’m Katelin. That’s Ashley and Drew.” BJ smirked:
“Yeah. They’re here with Nick. I thought you were in New York and couldn’t make it here tonight?” Mandy rolled her eyes:
“Well, BJ, I came back just to see my baby’s show.” This time, Leslie rolled her eyes:
“He’s not your baby. And he’s already in make up getting ready for the show.” Mandy turned around and ran out of the room:
“Nice meeting you!” I turned to BJ:
“You guys obviously don’t like her. Why not? She seemed nice.” BJ made gagging noises:
“She sucks. Plain and simple. She’s using Nick. None of us can stand her. Not even my parents. For some reason, Nick doesn’t see it.”
*Meanwhile*
“Nick! Oh my god! I missed you so much!” Nick turned around in surprise as Mandy came bounding into wardrobe and jumped on him:
“Mandy?! What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t getting back for another two weeks?” Mandy answered in between kisses:
“I (kiss) wanted (kiss) to surprise (kiss) you! I have to be back tomorrow. I just wanted to be here for your show.” Nick pried her off of him:
“Mandy, I have to tell you something.” Mandy reluctantly jumped down:
“Who were those people that were with you? Trying to replace me Nicky?” Nick grimaced. He hated when people called him “Nicky.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” He went on to explain to her the whole story of what happened. Mandy got more pissed by the second. Finally she jumped up:
“What?! You just picked some random girl up off the beach?! Why would you do that, Nick?! I thought you loved me.” Nick grabbed her hands:
“I do love you, Man. This has nothing to do with that. She needed help and I happened to be there. I couldn’t just leave her there. Come on, Man. I thought you’d be more understanding.” Mandy scowled:
“I don’t like her. She’s using you Nick. Because your famous.”
“She didn’t even know who I was, Man.” She kept frowning:
“That was just an act. Everyone knows who Nick Carter is. She’s playing you. She just wants your money, Nick. Don’t let her do this. I don’t want her to steal you away from me. I couldn’t stand to lose you.” Nick jumped up:
“Shut up, Mandy! You’re being ridiculous. She was being sincere. She had no idea who I was. She’s not looking to steal you from me. She just needs help. I can’t believe you would even say that to me. Just trust my judgment. Please?” Mandy didn’t say anything. Nick grabbed her hands:
“Please baby? For me? God, my mom understood. Why can’t you?” Mandy looked him in the eye:
“I guess so. But I’m not going to like it one bit. I just don’t want to lose you. I love you, Nicky.” Nick ignored the “Nicky” and drew her into a tight hug and kissed her forehead:
“I love you too. I gotta go. I’ll see you after the show?” Mandy smiled and kissed his nose:
“Of course.” Nick ran out of the room. Mandy stood there for a minute or two before smiling to herself:
'I’m not going to let her take you from me, Nicky. Your mine and you always will be.'