****
“No really! I swear! Chris isn’t his real name and he’s not of this planet,” Mel insisted to the pair of wide-eyed girls that were sitting in front of her in the hotel lobby in New York. “His name is King Fuman and he’s from the planet Skeetonian.”
“Yeah right, you just pulled that from his clothing line Fuman Skeeto,” the young blonde said.
“Did I? Or is that where Chris got it from?” Mel asked, a completely serious look on her face. “Come on, think about it, what better way to honor your homeland?”
“Do you really expect us to believe you? We’re not that stupid,” the other girl said rolling her eyes.
“Okay fine, be a non-believer. Some people just can’t handle the truth,” the brunette said shaking her head sadly. “But I’m telling you it all adds up, the braids, the funny little dogs, why he has such an oddly high voice, they’re all customary on his planet.”
The girls dismissed Mel’s comments as they began talking amongst themselves.
“I hope they get here soon. My mom said we could only wait for them for a little while longer.”
“Me too! And I hope the security guards will let us take pictures this time.”
“They should be here any minute and they won’t be stopping for pictures or autographs, they have a very early morning,” Mel informed.
“How do you know?” the blonde huffed.
“How many times do I have to tell you? I’m psychic, I have visions, I know these things. Geesh,” she finished with a yawn to illustrate her boredom.
Just then a familiar looking woman walked into the hotel and went straight to the front desk. Mel figured out at the same time as the girls that the woman was Melinda, a longtime crewmember of the guys’.
“OH MY GOD! THEY’RE HERE!” the girls screeched in unison as they stood and waited in anticipation.
Melinda walked back outside and returned a few minutes later, now a very large entourage following her. The guys were somewhere in there, sandwiched in between their large staff of bodyguards. Mel could see Jen, Sam and Dani also.
“Oh look, Dani is with Chris,” one of the girls cooed. “They’re so cute together.”
“King Fuman,” Mel corrected.
The girls paid no attention to her now as they fixated on their objects of affection, unable to move. “It is true, Lance IS dating that girl. I heard her name is Jen,” the blonde girl said as she noticed Lance and Sam walking together as they made their way to the elevators.
“Her name is Jen? The short one?” Mel asked suppressing a laugh.
“Yes, the one Lance is holding hands with. Her name is Jen, she is from Missouri and Lance met her because she was working as an assistant for Sisqo,” the girl answered as if every word she was saying was the gospel.
Mel decided to continue her fun with the young girls. “Well her name is Jen now, she changed it after the operation.”
“What operation?”
“I can’t say, I’ve said too much already,” she replied, placing a dramatic hand over her mouth.
“Oh come on,” the girls pleaded. “We won’t tell anyone, we swear.”
“She used to be a man,” Mel whispered. “BTC, before the change, she was Samuel.”
“No way,” the blonde girl said shaking her head and dismissing Mel’s confession.
“Why do you ask for the truth if you’re not gonna believe? You gotta believe!” Mel shouted. “What if I gave you proof?” she asked raising an eyebrow.
“What kind of proof?” the red head asked curiously.
“Well, just watch,” Mel said as she stood for the first time and began to walk towards the guys and their large group.
“Is she crazy? There’s no way she’s gonna get anywhere near them.”
“SAM!” Mel screamed rushing towards her.
Sam was startled at first but her face lit with excitement and she pushed her way past the bodyguards as she rushed towards her friend. “MEL! What are you doing here?” she asked giving the tall woman a big hug as the two young fans looked on with amazement in their eyes.
“Well, I was getting bored up in my room so I decided to come down here and amuse myself.”
“That’s nice but I meant what are you doing in New York? I just talked to you earlier today and you said nothing about it.”
“Yes I know, you can thank your boyfriend for that, he insisted that it be a surprise,” Mel explained as she greeted Jen, Joey, and JC with hugs before introducing herself to Chris, Dani, Justin, and Lance in the same manner.
“Let the birthday fun begin,” Lance said smiling at Sam who thanked him with a hug of her own as the group separated into two smaller groups and filed into the waiting elevators, Mel waving at the two young fans she left behind as the doors shut.
“Wow, so do you think everything else she told us was true?” the young blonde asked as her mother began escorting them out.
“It couldn’t be, could it?” the girl mumbled as she walked backward out of the lobby in total disbelief.
****
“So how is life in the world of secret romances?” Mel asked as she and Jen sat talking on the sofa in their hotel suite.
“It’s good, I guess,” Jen shrugged.
“That doesn’t sound too convincing.”
“It’s just,” Jen paused. “Never mind,” she sighed.
“I don’t see that happening. What’s going on?” Mel questioned. “Did JC do something? If so I’m fully prepared to kick his ass, but could it at least wait ‘til morning, I’m so tired.”
“No, he didn’t do anything,” Jen laughed. “And if he did it’d have to wait until morning because I’m sure he’s fast asleep by now.”
“Well then what’s bothering you?”
“I really like him.”
“I should hope so,” Mel scoffed.
“No, I mean I REALLY like him, and…” Jen stalled.
“And what?”
“I want more and I’m afraid he doesn’t. I don’t think he wants to deal with the whole relationship thing right now,” she confessed.
“Have you talked to him about it?”
“No, I don’t want to scare him off.”
“JC doesn’t seem to be the type that scares easily,” Mel countered.
“Yeah but when it’s not something they’re not ready for, commitment can turn the strongest of men into whimpering babies,” Jen joked as she reached for the ringing telephone next to her.
“Hey beautiful,” JC replied suavely to her greeting.
“Hey!” she said surprised, the bright smile on her face revealing to Mel who the caller was. “What are you doing still awake?”
“I’m in bed right now actually. I just wanted to hear your voice before I feel asleep,” he said as he settled himself under the covers.
“Aww, I wish I was there with you,” Jen cooed, her cheeks turning a crimson red as Mel giggled at her.
“I wish you were too but it wouldn’t be very hospitable of you to leave Mel alone her first night here, not to mention we both need our rest tonight and you know we wouldn’t exactly bet getting a lot of that if you came down here,” JC kidded.
“Damn this pop star life,” she grumbled playfully.
JC chuckled. “So are you and Mel doing the whole late night girl-talk thing?”
“Of course.”
“About me?” he asked curiously.
“Your name may have come up,” Jen said coyly.
“It was all good stuff right?”
“Naturally,” Jen agreed laughing.
“Well I won’t keep you from further singing my praises,” he said through a yawn. “I just wanted to say goodnight and tell you I was thinking of you.”
“I’m glad you called.”
“Me too. Goodnight.”
“Sweet dreams, I’ll see you in the morning,” Jen said as she placed the phone on the receiver.
“Did I just overhear a booty call?” Mel teased.
“NO!” Jen said throwing one of the decorative pillows at her friend. “He just wanted to hear my voice before he went to bed,” she smiled.
“That is not something a man who was just after an occasional roll in the hay would do,” Mel pointed out.
“Ya think?” Jen asked tilting her head in thought.
“Absolutely not. I think that the two of you are most likely wanting the same things right now but you’re both too afraid to admit it to each other.”
“Hmm, maybe. But enough about JC and me, let’s talk about your secret relationship.”
“Oh don’t even, there’s no way Joey and I even remotely compare to your sordid affair,” Mel huffed. “It’s nothing like that at all.”
“Then what exactly is it?’ Jen prodded.
“Would you look at the time?” Mel said glancing at her bare wrist. “We should get to sleep, you have to be up in a few hours. Goodnight,” she said with a crooked grin as she scampered off to her room in the suite.
****
“Hello,” Sam mumbled into the phone, her voice heavy with sleep.
“This is your wake-up call,” Jen stated.
“Isn’t that supposed to be friendly wake-up call?” Sam asked as she rubbed her eyes.
“How long have you known me? Do friendly, morning, and myself belong in the same thought?”
“Good point. I’m awake.”
“Good, now wake up the albino next to you and get your asses ready,” Jen instructed before abruptly hanging up.
“My goodness, she’s definitely not a morning person,” Sam said to herself as she turned on her side. “Lance,” she said stirring him.
“I heard,” he said slowly opening his eyes.
“I’m gonna go shower,” Sam said getting out of the bed.
“Oh that’s right, today is the big day. No wonder you’re all up and at ‘em, you’re gonna get to meet your boy Carson,” Lance teased.
“Yeah,” she said solemnly.
“Hey, come here,” he said grabbing her hand as she passed him on the way to the bathroom. “I was only joking.”
“I know,” Sam sighed as she stood next to the bed.
“Are you okay? It’s seems like you’ve been a little down the past couple of days.”
“We don’t have time for this now Lance.”
“We’ll make time,” he asserted, pulling her down beside him. “Now please tell me what is wrong,” he said staring into her dark eyes with concern.
“Are we totally delusional?” she asked furrowing her brow. “Can we really be together and not have to hide it? I mean seriously, look at how well it went over with Johnny.”
“That’s what’s bothering you? The whole thing with your sister and Johnny’s reaction to it?”
“Yes. Wasn’t it just perfect timing for my mother to call telling me that Stefanie got into a fight with some stranger in the mall because she was talking trash about me and Stef felt the need to defend my honor? Johnny was real excited to hear that, especially right after hearing that you didn’t want to lie about being in a relationship.”
“Okay, calm down,” Lance said sitting up in the bed. “Johnny was just worried about the bad press that it might cause. He wasn’t mad at you, or your sister, and he wasn’t mad because I want to tell the truth. He adores you Sam, and I know he’s happy for us,” he comforted her. “His job is to think of the business stuff, that’s what we pay him for.”
“Why do you think he mentioned that it might be a good idea for you to hire a new assistant then?”
“Because he wants to make sure that our working relationship doesn’t get in the way of our personal relationship. I think he realizes it hasn’t exactly been a smooth road to where we are now and he was just looking out for us.”
“Do you think he’s right?” Sam questioned.
“Do you like me?” he fired back.
“That’s a little obvious. Of course I do stupid.”
“And you like your job?”
“I love my job,” she replied.
“Oh, you call me stupid but you love your job, I see how you are,” he pouted.
“I love my job because it gives me an excuse to be with you.”
“You never need an excuse for that. So to answer your question, no, I don’t think I should hire another assistant. I can’t do this without you.”
“I’m sure you could,” Sam argued.
“I doubt it, but even if by some small chance that I could, even more important is the fact that I don’t WANT to,” Lance said pulling her into a hug. “You’re a part of the dream now. FreeLance wouldn’t be the same without you.”
“Did you go to a special charm school or something?”
“Why?”
“I’m just wondering where you learned how to always know the right things to say to a girl,” she smiled widely.
“I’ve never had the ability before you,” he explained.
“Are you saying I’m gullible?” Sam asked with an accusing tone.
“No, I just meant that we understand each other,” Lance laughed. “I swear.”
“That better be what you meant or I’ll have Stefanie beat YOU up.”
“Has your sister always been partial to physical violence as a problem solver?” Lance asked playfully.
“Well, it’s not really her fault. Stacy and I beat her up a lot when she was a kid, so she grew up tough,” Sam justified. “You gotta give the girl credit though, she was smart enough not to tell the girl in the mall that she was my sister, that way there’s no way it can turn into a scandal,” she reasoned.
“That’s true, but she still shouldn’t make it a regular thing.”
“I know that, I’ve already talked to her, and my whole family actually about not paying attention to anything they might hear or read. To just remember that they know who I really am and that’s all that matters.”
“Are you listening to your own advice?” Lance asked raising an eyebrow.
“Slowly but surely, yes. I know that the only thing that really matters in this scenario is you and I, but sometimes it’s a little difficult to remember that when you throw everything else into the mix,” Sam said tucking a piece of her brown hair behind her ear.
“That’s why I want you to talk to me when something is bothering you. I can’t make it better if you don’t give me the chance.”
“Okay, I promise, I’m gonna try not to be such a big baby anymore and if I do, I’ll tell you about it. But we really should get ready to leave,” she said standing up.
“Not yet,” he said pulling her back down. “First of all, you’re not a baby. Second, I have a question for you.”
“What’s that?”
“I was just wondering why a shirt that is made for a man looks so much better on you?” Lance asked, his green eyes smiling as he stared at her dressed in only his T-shirt.
“Umm, because most men don’t usually have the body to fill it out like I do?” she offered grinning.
“You’ve certainly got plenty of that to spare,” he agreed.
“That was a compliment right?”
“Absolutely. I love your…curves,” he said staring at her chest.
“Thank you, you pig,” Sam joked as she guided his chin up to meet her gaze with the tips of her fingers.
“What can I say?” Lance shrugged before leaping forward at her. “When it comes to your love, I’ll be a hungry pig,” he snorted, sending Sam into a fit of laughter as he pretended to nibble on her neck.
“Lance,” she cried through her laughter. “The phone is ringing.”
“Hello,” he answered out of breath as he dragged the phone across the bed with him and back over to Sam.
“I knew it,” Jen said.
“You knew what?”
“That you two would still be in bed. You are aren’t you?”
“I’m looking at her right now,” Lance confirmed, staring down at Sam from his position atop her.
“Get out of the bed! We have to leave in 20 minutes,” Jen ordered loud enough for Sam to hear through the phone.
“Jen, you really should be in a better mood, this can’t be good for your heart being all stressed out like this.”
“Lance if Sami has told you anything about me, I’m sure it was to not mess with me in the morning. I’m not a morning person by any means.”
“You’re kidding? I never would’ve guessed that about you,” he cracked.
“UGH! Please don’t make me come down there and interrupt whatever it is that you two are doing to get you out of bed,” Jen pleaded.
“Don’t worry, we’ll be ready. See you in a few,” Lance said cheerfully as he hung up.
“You heard the woman. Get up,” Sam said patting his chest.
“Can’t we just fool around for a couple minutes?” he whined.
“Honey we don’t have time.”
“Remember how we talked about making time for us? I think this is another one of those times,” Lance reasoned.
“Fine, but only for a few minutes,” Sam said pulling him into a kiss. “I have to get ready for Carson remember.”
“I’m not in the mood anymore,” he said moving away, a pitiful look on his face.
“Oh come here, I was only playing,” she said grabbing him by the elastic band of his boxer-briefs. “You’re the only pig for me.”
“I’m too easy,” he smiled as he snaked his arms around her.
****
“Is that a new outfit Sami?” Jen asked as they walked into the MTV building.
Sam was wearing a pale green, cotton tank dress with small rows of clear rhinestones along the collar and hem of the dress. “Yeah, I stole it from one of the Innosense girls. I think Trace made it for her,” she quipped as the guys looked at her strangely. “I’m only kidding. I bought it somewhere along this tour I just never wore it before now.”
“You’re wearing makeup too aren’t you?” Chris asked squinting his eyes at her.
“Nope, none at all,” Sam answered sarcastically as she pulled out a compact and reapplied her lipstick before checking her hair. Her shoulder length, brown layers were down and styled neatly. “I wear makeup all the time when we go out.”
“This isn’t going out, this is work,” Chris said. “Oh wait a minute, now I see the whole picture. Carson is gonna be here, that’s what’s going on.”
“Shut up Chris,” Sam said as they walked into the studio where the boys would be making the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards announcements.
“Ooh, this is gonna be more fun than I thought,” he said giddily.
Sam, Jen, Mel, and Dani sat in the greenroom with Johnny and the bodyguards watching the boys make the announcements with Carson Daly, and Shawn and Marlon Wayans, the hosts of the show this year. They all cheered happily each time one of the guys’ six nominations were announced. After they were finished the boys made their way back to the greenroom, along with Carson and the Wayans. Sam was a little suspicious as Chris and Carson began making their way towards her.
“Carson, I’d like you to meet Samantha, she’s a BIG fan of yours,” Chris stressed as Sam blushed.
“It’s nice to meet you Samantha,” Carson said with a laugh as he shook her hand. “So I don’t believe I’ve seen you around these dorks before. Are you new to the entourage?”
“Oh yes,” Chris answered before Sam could. “She’s Lance’s personal assistant, his VERY personal assistant. EX-TREME-LY PER-SON-AL.”
“Thanks Chris, I think I understand. And I’m sure Samantha would appreciate it if you let her talk for herself.”
“Oh I’m used to him by now,” Sam laughed. “And it’s nice to meet you too.”
“So who are these other new faces?” he asked looking towards Jen and Mel.
Sam introduced her two friends to Carson and explained that Jen worked for Johnny and traveled with her and the guys also.
“Yeah but this Mel person just sorta showed up here in New York and followed us here from the hotel,” Joey cracked as he popped into the conversation. JC, Lance, and Justin were talking with Johnny and the Wayans on the other side of the room.
“I’m visiting my girls. Tomorrow is Sami’s birthday,” Mel mentioned.
“Oh really? Well Happy Birthday in advance,” Carson said. “What do you have planned?”
“I have no idea, Lance won’t tell me,” Sam pouted.
“Well, it’ll be more fun that way. If I know these guys, it’ll be one hell of a party,” he laughed.
“Chris, Joey, Jen, I need you guys over here for a minute,” Johnny called out to them as he assembled his group to go over some plans for the rest of the day.
Mel excused herself to use the restroom which left Sam and Carson alone to talk, a fact that wasn’t lost on Lance as he struggled to pay attention to Johnny as he watched the two of them. As soon as their makeshift meeting was through he made his way over to that side of the room, unseen by Sam who had her back turned to him.
“Incoming,” Carson warned as a pair of hands covered her eyes.
“Go ahead and say what you did the last time I did this,” Lance teased.
“Very funny,” she said elbowing him in the stomach as he removed his hands and wrapped his arms around her from behind.
“I see you’ve met my Sam,” he said to Carson as Sam twisted her head sideways at him with a quizzical look on her face.
“Yes I have and you’re a very lucky man,” Carson smiled. “But unfortunately I have to get going now. Good luck with everything this week,” he said to Lance. “It was nice meeting you Samantha. I’m sure I’ll see you Friday at the show.”
“I’ll be there,” Sam confirmed as Carson said good-bye to the other guys and left the room.
“My Sam?” she asked raising an eyebrow as she turned around to face Lance. “If I didn’t know better I’d say you were maybe a little jealous Mr. Bass? Staking your claim are you?”
“I’m not usually the jealous type, but I have to admit you make it a little difficult not to be. The way you talk about him all the time. Not to mention the new dress and getting all done up.”
“Okay first of all, I was only teasing with the whole thing. He has a girlfriend, and even if he didn’t, I have you and you’re who I want. I’m sorry if my joking around bothered you. I won’t mention him ever again.”
“You don’t have to go to that extreme,” Lance said as he tightened his grip around her waist. “I was only half-serious.”
“Good, because I didn’t get all dressed up for him either. I did it for you, and for myself. It feels good to look nice every once and awhile,” Sam explained as she locked her hands behind his neck. “I can’t have you walking around New York with a slob on your arm.”
“You don’t have to dress up for me. You could wear the shirt you had on earlier, and leave your hair in those sloppy ponytails that you’re so fond of, not have a drop of makeup on and still be more beautiful than any woman in the city,” he said kissing her forehead.
“You’re doing it again. You must have studied this somewhere,” she kidded.
“Do I get a reward for my hard work?”
“So you DID take a class on the art of saying the right thing.”
“No, but if it’s going to get me something, why not milk it?” he shrugged.
“Well, I do believe a congratulatory kiss could be allowed for the nominations,” Sam offered.
“I’ll settle for that,” Lance smiled as he leaned down to accept her embrace.
“ICK!” JC shouted playfully, covering his eyes and flailing about like a grossed-out child. “They’re at it again. Somebody make them stop!”
“Come on you two little exhibitionists, it’s time to head to the next location,” Jen said as they all shuffled out of the room.
****
After the press conference for the release of the guys marionettes, the large group of friends were now headed to Madison Square Garden to shoot the footage that would be used as a part of the pre-show for the live concert that would air on HBO Thursday night. The girls stood behind the cameras and watched as they filmed the interview portion, they were walking down the hall afterwards on the way to the meet and greet when a thought crossed Sam’s mind.
“Hey Justin, that thing you said earlier in the interview about you not being Samantha, you were talking about the character on “Sex and the City” right?”
“Why do you ask?” he said with a mischievous grin. “Does somebody worry about being thought of as dirty-minded?”
“I didn’t say that,” Sam said defensively. “I was just wondering because you smiled that shit-eating smile of yours at me when you said it. And I don’t have a dirty mind,” she protested, trying not to smile as the rest of the group choked on their laughter.
“Well, it works out well because the rest of the world will think that I was talking about the character on the show, but you will have to suffer with wondering if that’s who I was really talking about,” he taunted. “And you’re right, you don’t have a dirty mind, you have a nasty mind. I think you’re worse than a guy sometimes,” he laughed.
“Uh! Are you gonna let him say those things about me?” Sam whined to Lance.
“I don’t know what you expect me to do when the man speaks the truth sweetie,” he shrugged as the rest of the guys agreed.
“Jen?”
“Yeah right Sami, you’re the one that corrupted me remember?” she smiled.
“Fine, I give up,” Sam said folding her arms across her chest, but her whimsical smile showed her true emotion.
“It’s like I’ve always told you Sami,” Mel said throwing her arm around Sam’s shoulders. “You have to embrace the dark side and use it. The world is a much happier place when you do.”