No one knew about it. We had decided to keep it a secret for the sake of everyone. If someone had found out, everything would be a mess. But, they would have to know before we went on tour.
I couldn't believe what I was doing when I did it. But it made everything seem right after that. My fears and confused thoughts were instantly gone and I felt in total comfort. He came over to my house everyday and we did things together as usual, only this time, the love wasn't trying to be ignored. It was out in the open. It felt a little awkward at first, believe me it was awkward, but I began to realize that hey! He was only the guy I know inside and out. 16 long years of knowing him only made the relationship twice as fun.
Yes. Howie and I had become an item.
"Hey guys! What's up? We missed ya Steph!" Nick called as he came over to give me a hug.
It was my first day back to the studio after being gone for half a month. I was finally given a walking cast, so I could do some stuff with the dancers. AJ walked over and gave me another hug. Then Brock and Kev walked over, followed by all the girls, and they wrapped their arms around me. It was a nice welcome. Fatima wasn't around today, so they had needed me to be there to be the nit-picker. Amanda, Amy, Danielle, and Emily had all shown up, so they sat down on the couch with me.
"Hey Steph! Long time no see! How's your leg?" Emily asked me in a tone of voice that told me she had been around AJ far too long because she had begun to pick up on his habits. Her own hair was a really pretty red.
When I asked her, she told me, "AJ dyed it this morning. His hair is green. We're complementary colors I guess!"
"Hey J! Watch out! You'll have no hair by the time you're 40 if you keep messing with it like that!" I yelled at him. He looked back at me and laughed. Tae rounded everyone up and turned on the music. When Fatima wasn't around, I had the best time critiquing the boys. 'Manda, Amy, Em, Dani, and I all sat on the couch and yelled at them during the practices.
"Hey Brian! Nice butt ya got there!" Amanda cried when they bent over for some move. Emily howled like a wolf a few times. Amy whistled at Nick.
Kevin screwed up on a move and Danielle hollered, "You just keep up with screwin' up there Kev! No one will ever know you have two left feet!" This only made poor Train mess up some more. Then we all broke out into the chorus for "Hot Stuff," doing pelvic thrusts, just like the guys in that movie. They all stopped and watched us, laughing uncontrollably. Then they came over and began to sing and dance with us. Nef got Fatima's videocamera and began to videotape us, singing in a line, doing pelvic thrusts.
"Yes Fatima. This is how hard we worked today. It was tough, but the guys finally got in synch with the girls and now we've perfected it. How does is look?" Nef narrated while we performed. When we were finished, she cried, "Okay now. Bow for the camera, guys!" We all took our bows and she said, "Case closed" and turned off the videocamera.
Each of the guys gave us girls a hug and we decided to take a break. All 20 of us left the studio and headed on our daily trip to the smoothie place.
The boys bought us our drinks and we sat down on the grassy hill outside the place to drink them. The guys all sat up while we girls lay down on our stomachs and backs, and basked in the warm shade. Many people walked by, staring at us as if we were some type of display. Many girls watched in awe for nearly 20 minutes, before their mothers pulled them away from their favorite group. They were all too nervous to walk up and get autographs.
"Wow. Aren't we in the perfect sight-seeing spot today?" Niki remarked. "No one will say anything, but they'll gladly stand and stare at us like we're plastic on display." She sighed and took a long drink from her smoothie. Suddenly, I spotted a familiar face among a small crowd of people looking on.
"LISA!" I cried. I jumped up from my spot next to Howie and Kristin. I galloped down the small hill and met her halfway to the crowd. We wrapped our arms around each other.
"Hey Brighty! What's up?"
"Nothin' much Gilli. How are you doing?" Lisa asked. Then she looked down at my left foot and gasped. "What happened?"
"I was doing a jump in dance and landed on it wrong. A hairline fracture. But it's healing well enough so that I can go on tour soon. How was your trip to New York? I haven't seen you in forever!" I explained.
"Oh it was fun. Tons of people. I really don't know why I love it so much, but sometimes I can't stand the stench of car exhaust! Especially not now," Lisa told me. I laughed. Then I realized she had never actually met the guys.
"Are you here with anyone, or did you come by yourself?" I wanted to know.
"Oh I'm just shopping by myself. My cousins decided they wanted to go somewhere else and split with me. What are you doing?" Lisa replied.
"Just hangin' out. Wanna come meet the boys?" I knew this would thrill her.
"REALLY? You're gunna let me meet the Backstreet Boys?" she cried with excitement.
"Well why wouldn't I? Friends of mine should all know each other, shouldn't they? Besides, you've been dying to meet them forever and I have been too busy when you're home. Come with me Lise. And remember. They're just guys. Don't freak out. And Nick has a girlfriend, so don't get mad at her. All their girlfriends are up there so despite how jealous you may feel, they're all really sweet and extremely nice girls and I guarantee you'll love 'em," I warned her. Lisa had been known to carry slight grudges against Nick's girlfriends because she loved him soo much and wished she could be in their position. And it would be hard because she was only 16 and he was 20. Ok. So she was going to be 17, but I told Lisa maybe she would have hope in the future.
We walked up the hill and finally got to the top. Lisa's face was red and she was practically shaking, even though I had my arm in hers.
"Guys, this is my friend Lisa. Lisa, you know Brian and Kevin and Howie and AJ and Nick. This is Amy, that's Amanda, that's Danielle, and that's Emily. And that's Tae, and Nef, and Kristin, and Niki," I introduced everyone. They all waved and the guys got up to shake her hand. When Nick got up to stand next to Lisa, she was frozen and hot as ever. He gave her a warm smile and shook her hand. I told my friend to sit down and get comfortable.
"So Lisa. I heard you were in New York City for awhile? How's the Big Apple doing without us?" Brian asked her.
"It's still the same ol' stinky, crowded place it's always been. With a few less girls. But they're all hyped over dumb *N SYNC's performance. They were having a concert there the day I left and girls were outside the MTV building with signs and shirts and writing all over their bodies," Lisa informed them.
"You hate *N SYNC? Ahh..Lisa. Ya gotta like them somewhat. They're nice boys...well. I still can't believe that Chris guy is my age. He sure doesn't act it..." Kevin mumbled. Danielle hit Kevin playfully and told him to shut up. He pretended to be in pain and tickled her to get revenge.
"What were you in NYC for anyways, if you don't mind my asking," AJ wanted to know.
"Basketball tournament," Lisa stated, knowing Nick and Brian would perk up and become totally interested.
"You a B-Ball girl?" Brock asked excitedly.
"I love it! I've been playing since I was 12. I was voted MVP of my team up in New York. That was a real surprise," she answered. I was shocked. "I didn't even know how many points I had actually scored each game until they announced it. Apparently, I have a record breaking scoring at each game." I reached over and high-fived my good friend.
"That's my Brighty!" I cried. Everyone gave me a weird look. Lisa and I busted up. "Well, see. That nickname was derived from about 7th grade, when we met. Her hair was always a variety of colors from brown to blonde to green to red and I started calling her Rainbow Bright. Then I got to calling her Brighty for short," I explained.
"Ya know, Steph. I can't believe I've known you for so long and I'm just NOW finally meeting these guys!" Lisa suddenly burst out. I looked over at her, making sure she wasn't mad at me.
"Well, ya just gotta wait for the right moment. If I tell you ahead of time, it wouldn't be the same and you'd be all impersonal. If you come as you are right now, you're not prepared and you get to see them as the real people that they are. It's all for the better," I told her.
"Believe me. It works. Look at all of us. None of us knew ahead of time that we were going to meet the guys and now we're going out. It helps the relationship build stronger, Lisa. It's all good girl," Amy spoke up.
"Girl, you have been hangin around Nicky waaaaayyy too long," Nef told her, once Amy blurted out Nick's fave line. Amy and Nick laughed. I could tell Lisa was a little hurt, but she was doing well and ignoring it. I handed her my smoothie and told her to have some. She took a long sip and handed it back to me.
"We'll have to call you up sometime if we need an extra b-ball player," Brian said.
"No way! That'd be sooo fun!" Lisa cried. She was in shock that a BACKSTREET BOY was asking to play her favorite game with him.
"Give me your number and I'll give you a call sometime, okay?" Brian offered. I patted Lisa on the back and thought her open jaw would pop off.
"Oh Bri! Stop teasin the girl! She's gunna have a heart attack right now, if you don't stop playing with her!" Amanda warned her boyfriend. She playfully smacked his arm. Lisa's cheeks flushed. Brock pulled out a pen and his napkin and handed them to my very shy, yet excited friend. Lisa gladly put her phone number and address on the napkin and handed it back to Brian. He took a glance at it, then folded it up and stuck it in his wallet.
"Thanks Lisa! I'll be givin' you a call one of these days," Bri promised her.
"Wow. Thanks...Brian," Lisa managed to get out between gasps. She was absolutely stunned that she had just given her phone number to a Backstreet Boy. Her dream was coming true.
"Yeah Lisa. You, me, and B-Rok. Out on the court. We'll have tons of fun!" Nick added. Lisa looked over at him with a huge smile on her face. I was lying down beside Howie and I reached over and patted her knee. She smiled at me, gratefully. It was the least I could do for such a great friend.
"So Lisa, what's your favorite song?" AJ wanted to know, changing the subject.
"I love them all, but if I had to pick, I'd say 'That's What She Said,' " Lisa informed the boys. J nodded his head.
"So, how did you guys become such good friends with Stephanie? I mean, how did you meet her?" Lisa was interested in knowing. "I mean, she's never really told me that part of the story."
All the boys pointed to Howie.
"Steph and I have been best friends since we were kids. When I became part of this group, Steph was the first of my friends to be introduced to them and see us perform. She's basically our little personal cheerleader, I guess. If it weren't for Gilli, we probably wouldn't be the same. Steph has really helped us stay level-headed. She, Nick, and AJ all missed a lot of school, but they graduated and are striving from being on tours with us. Besides our moms, she's our number one fan," D explained.
"Wow. Steph, you are so incredibly cool," Lise whispered under her breath. I gave her a warm smile.
"It it weren't for these guys, I most definitely wouldn't be who I am today. My missing out on high school and junior high a lot may have affected my college status, but I don't regret missing all those dumb fights, teachers, and friends who eventually would ditch me because of my not being there. Having less, yet more caring friends is certainly tons better than having more, fake personality friends, let me tell ya. And it always helps when your friends are famous and give you a job you've always dreamed of having...let me tell ya!" I said. Howie kissed my head. In reaction, I placed my hand on his knee. Then I took it off. Whoa. What if we were too obvious? Naahhh...I placed my hand back where it was.
"So, how many concerts have you been to?" AJ asked.
"J! Stop asking her that stuff! NO ONE CARES! Stop trying to brag your high status all the time! If girls notice you, they notice you! But STOP using your popularity as an excuse!" I suddenly yelled at him. He looked at me over his sunglasses. I apologized and said it just annoyed me so much and I wished he wouldn't do it all the time because he DID have a girlfriend.
"Well, I better go. I'll give you a call one day, okay Steph?" Lisa spoke up. I could tell she wasn't quite comfortable enough to hang out with her poster boys. I didn't worry though, because she would be one day.
"I'll call you! I promise!" Brian called as Lisa made her way downhill after saying bye to all of us.
"She seems pretty cool," Howie said after my friend left.
"Yeah I know. She's a lot of fun to be around," I told me secret boyfriend.
"But don't get your hopes up, B-ROK! You and Nicky already have girlfriends!" Tae pointed out.
"Who said we were going steady?" Frick and Frack remarked, perfectly in synch. Amy and Amanda soon followed with loud 'heys.' we all laughed.
Nef looked at her watch. "We've been out here for an hour, guys. Think it's time we go back in?" she mentioned to us. We gathered ourselves and walked back to the studio.
Halfway to the studio, D suddenly swept me up in his arms and carried me.
"Howie D, she's not helpless!" Danielle cried once she caught a glimpse of us.
"SOMEBODY'S gotten a little buff in the past month," Niki commented.
"It's a pain in the ass, but someone's gotta do it!" Howie joked. We all laughed as I playfully swatted at him. "It's a pain in the BACK, too!"
"Oh shut up ya big weenie," I snapped.
"Oh yeah? Who's the one that complained for a week and a half that she couldn't walk cuz it hurt too much, huh? HUH?" Howie shot back.
"Britney Spears," I mumbled. "No. Wait. No. She didn't complain, she just spent her free time getting a boob job!" Everyone cracked up. We reached the studio doors and Kevin and AJ held them open while everyone else sauntered into them. It was nearly 5:45pm and none of us were in the mood to do any dancing. So we closed up and called it a day. After a little talking, Amanda and Brian, AJ and Emily, and Tae, Nef, and Kristin all decided to come over to my house with me and Howie and hang out for a while. Danielle and Kevin were going out for dinner because it was her birthday and he wanted to do something special. Nick and Amy and Niki were going back to Nick's place for a little Nintendo.
* * *
"Where's the cake? Get the cake out idiot!" Tae whispered. She hit AJ on the head.
"OW! What'dja do that for Tae?" J cried, rubbing his head. He reached into the fridge to get the cake out. I threw Chachi in my bathroom, so there was bunch of yipping coming from the master bedroom. Amy was putting the ingredients away as quickly as she could, Nick helping her. I ran a wet rag across the counter tops and told Kristin where the candles and matches were. She found them and stuck them in the cake in Bone's hand. For such a small kitchen, there was so much commotion going on.
"EVERYONE SHUT UP!" Brian suddenly yelled at the top of his lungs. Even the yipping stopped. "They'll be here in five minutes so we gotta get this ready. Where are the gifts? In the garage? Okay. Why don't you guys all go in the garage and Steph and D and Nef and Amanda can answer the door. Then they'll lead them into the garage, where we'll all scream 'SURPRISE' at the top of our lungs and give her the cake? Okay?" We okayed the plan and everyone hustled into the garage. Amanda and I swept the floor and Howie and Nef finished cleaning off the counters. We were just getting ready to sit down when Nef spotted the lights of Kev's 4-Runner pulling alongside the curb.
"They're here!" she whispered. Then, Amanda quickly walked into the garage and warned everyone. They got ready. Right as Amanda got back into the living room, the doorbell rang. All four of us answered it.
"Hey! What's up guys? How was dinner?" Howie asked.
"It was great D. Where is everyone? I thought they were all coming over afterwards," Kevin wanted to know. Even he didn't know about the surprise.
"They're in the garage. We moved the pool table back in and we're having a real tight game of pool in there. It's gotten down to me, Howie, Tae, and AJ," I said. They followed us as we all walked over to the garage door. Then, I opened it. The second Danielle stepped into the light that was flowing into the kitchen, everyone yelled surprise and the cameras started flashing. Nick had the videocamera. Danielle and Kevin were truly shocked. They couldn't believe what had happened.
"Thanks you guys! SOOOO MUCH!" Danielle cried. Everyone enveloped her in hugs.
"I can't believe you didn't even tell me!" Kevin replied. We laughed. (Did I mention that our little Backstreet Gang was always full of non-stop laughs....24/7?) Then AJ pulled out the cake and we sang Happy Birthday....New Kids style. (Hey! Gotta bring those NKOTB back every so often!!! LoL.) When Danielle was fully flushed from the singing and the candle blowing, we handed her presents. She got everything from nice jewelry from Kev to a wacky hat from AJ. (AJ had started a tradition where every person he gives presents to gets a hat for his/her birthday. His goal was to get everyone going on a Wacky-Hats-From-Bone collection.)
We played pool, danced, talked, danced, talked, hung out, goofed off, played Twister, played more Twister, and then played pool again.
The party lasted until about 2 in the morning. Danielle was exhausted. In the three months that she and Amy and Amanda knew all of us, they had grown to be such an important part of the Backstreet Family that none of us knew what would've happened if we didn't have them. The three girls were truly a blessing and perfect add-on to our forever growing family of close-knit friends.