"You two are so calm," commented Kelly as they walked through the airport.
"Abject fear seems to have the same affect on Grace as it does me, which is the outward appearance of complete calm," replied Kassidy.
"I would expect Grace to be nervous, but why are you Kassidy?"
"Let's see. I'm getting ready to spend the next two plus weeks with a bunch of what are essentially strangers. Be in close quarters with said people 24/7. I'm responsible for Grace. Her mother will literally kill me if anything happens to her. She’s a nurse, so she could make it happen without anyone being the wiser. I also happen to be meeting a group that I like a lot. I think that sums it up nicely. Grace did I leave anything out?"
"Well you didn't say anything about being anal retentive or obsessive/compulsive, but you got everything else."
"Thanks. Add those to the list, too," said Kassidy with a smile.
Kelly looked at Grace and asked, "OK what about you?"
"Me? Everything she said, plus I have to write something interesting. Oh and one thing is different. If anything happens to me and I live, then I will have to live with the fact that I caused Kassidy's death and my mom's prison term."
"That's right, cause you know I would haunt you," stated Kassidy.
Kelly was still laughing as she walked through the door of a private lounge area with two guards standing outside, causing everyone to look up. Kassidy and Grace exchanged glances.
"Well so much for a quiet entrance," laughed Kassidy.
"Yep," replied Grace.
Kelly turned to say, "It's the moment you've both been dreading."
"How are you guys," asked AJ walking over to them.
"It's morning," replied Kassidy with a smirk.
"Not a morning person I take it. Well Grace how are you?"
"I'm ok."
"Good. Now come with me."
Before Grace could say anything else AJ pulled her away. Kelly and Kassidy were laughing when Kassidy got bumped from behind. Before she fell over she felt an arm go around her waist.
"Oops. I'm sorry," said the deep voice behind her.
"No problem. I'm short you probably didn't me see me down here," joked Kassidy as she looked over her shoulder.
"That must be it," he said with a chuckle.
"By the way I'm Kassidy Rivers, the chaperone for the ‘Backstreet Boys’ contest winner."
"I'm Kevin Richardson, one of the Backstreet Boys," replied Kevin while shaking the hand offered him.
"Oh no you're not one of them," teased Kassidy.
"Fraid so. So where is our contest winner?"
"AJ absconded with her."
"Oh no Bone has struck. Let's find her before anything drastic happens."
"You don't mean…. tattooing?"
"Possibly."
"We must save Grace," exclaimed Kassidy in an overly dramatic way as she pretended to run over to the group standing at the other end of the lounge area with Kevin and Kelly following.
All three were laughing as they joined the group. Grace was in the center with AJ. She was smiling and seemed more relaxed.
"And here is the other one," said AJ pointing to Kassidy.
As everyone turned to look at Kassidy, she heard Nick whisper, "She looks older. Hope she doesn't scream either."
Kassidy stated, "I am the other one. How is everyone?"
After greetings were exchanged, Kassidy looked at Nick and said, "So you were needing a scream to get your morning going?"
"What? No. Well ya see. I just."
"No it's OK. I haven't really warmed up yet this morning but let me see what I can do."
With that Kassidy drew in a deep breath and looked like she was about let loose with the mother of all screams. Instead she just let the air out saying, "Nope. I just don't have it in me. Now if you were a really great kitchen or bathroom then I could scream. If your were a baby or a cute animal I could even do a squeal, but, well...sorry."
Nick stared at her and she merely smiled at him. The quiet was broken by Kevin's laughter, which was soon followed by others. Nick's face got red and he stomped over to a group of seats.
"Something I said?"
"Kassidy don't worry about it. Nick ain't a morning person either," replied AJ.
"I didn't mean to make him mad. I was only teasing. Maybe I should go apologize."
Kevin interrupted, "Kassidy that's not a good idea right now. Let him cool down."
"OK. So I've just made a dandy first impression," sighed Kassidy.
"You have on us," replied Kevin then turned to Grace. "So you are our contest winner. I'm Kevin and it's nice to meet you."
Grace shook his hand and said, "Yes. I'm Grace. It's nice to meet you."
Kevin asked, "Are you ready to come hang out with this bunch?"
"Sure."
"Good."
"Where are the two contest people," asked a man walking up to the group.
"Right here," answered Kassidy.
"Hi. I'm James Michaelson. I'm the tour manager."
"Nice to meet you, James. I'm Kassidy Rivers and this is your contest winner, Grace Johnson."
"Hi," said Grace.
"Hi. We are ready to board the plane. When you get on the plane just grab a couple of seats."
"Will do," replied Kassidy.
"Alrighty then let's go."
"Come on Grace, grab your stuff."
"OK," said Grace as she followed the older women over to where they had dropped their carry-ons when they came in.
"See you guys on the plane," called AJ before ducking out the door with his bodyguard, Marcus.
Grace said, "I don't know why they didn't have us meet them there."
"Because Denise wanted to meet you first," replied Kelly.
"Oh," replied Kassidy and Grace in unison.
Kelly led the way to the gate. Coming in they hadn't paid attention to the girls in a roped off area next to the gate. AJ was signing autographs with Howie. Some of the girls squealed when they saw the lounge door open, but then just stared at the three women. The fans were trying to figure out who they were.
As they passed AJ, Grace said, "I guess we will see you when you get on the plane."
AJ just smiled and winked.
"Kelly you going with us?"
"Hey Dennis. No, Denise and I will be up on Wednesday. Have you met the two new people who will be sharing a bus with you?"
"Not yet" replied, keyboard player, Tommy Smith.
"Well then meet Grace Johnson and Kassidy Rivers. Grace will being writing the article for Teen People."
"Hello ladies and remember this is my good side," teased Dennis Gallo, another member of the BSB Band.
"Hey," said Tommy.
"Will you guys help them get settled on the plane," asked Kelly.
"Why certainly," replied Dennis, with a bow.
"Do you have Guido with you," asked Grace.
"Yes I do. So you know Guido."
"I know about him. I go into the band chatroom."
"You do," interrupted Tommy, he also ran the BSB Band website. "What is your handle?"
"SavingGrace. Kassidy goes in too. She's AngelLight."
"I remember you guys. Cool."
"Ladies shall we," asked Dennis.
They said goodbye to Kelly and followed Dennis down the jettison. Putting their stuff in the overhead compartment they settled into their seat. They watched everyone file on. Nick was the last to board. He had to take the seats in front of them. He frowned at Kassidy. She chuckled. She hated to admit it, but the boy was cute even when he was being a wanker.
The plane took off. Grace pulled out her Discman and listened to her CD's. Kassidy pulled out a book and began reading. The flight was short. Soon they were touching down in Fort Lauderdale. Kassidy stood up and opened the compartment above their seats. As she did Grace's small purse dropped out. On instinct, Kassidy put her hand on the top of Nick's head. The purse bounced off her hand onto the seat beside him.
He pulled his headphones off and snapped, "What the hell are you doing?"
"I was trying to keep you from getting smacked in the head. Next time I'll let it happen."
"Do that."
"Fine I will. Now please hand me that purse," ordered Kassidy.
Nick grabbed the purse and started to toss it to her, but thought better of his when he locked eyes with her.
"Here!"
"Thank you very much."
Grace's eyes were wide as she watched the two of them. Kassidy pulled their stuff out of the overhead. James, the manager, instructed them to wait by the gate. He said they would be moving quickly to a private exit and to keep up. Someone would take care of the luggage.
Thirty minutes later they were in the lobby of the hotel which would be home for the next three days. It was Sunday. Rehearsals were taking place for the next two days and the first show of the spring leg of the tour was happening Wednesday. James was getting everyone registered. Security was holding back a few girls who had managed to get inside. Kassidy watched the bellhops walk in pushing carts with tons of luggage. The band and dancers were sorting through it to get their own. When everything was sorted, the Bodyguards walked back out with the bellhops. They returned with five more carts full of luggage. Kassidy walked over and looked at the carts.
"Guys is there more luggage?"
"Nope. This is everything. Why?"
"Because our luggage is missing."
"Oops," said a bellhop.
"Oops isn't a word I want to here," said Kassidy. She sat down and waited for James to finish.
"Ok Grace, Kassidy here are your keys."
"James we have a problem."
"What?"
"Our luggage is missing," stated Kassidy.
Laughter came from behind her, and a voice said, "They lost their luggage."
Kassidy turned to see Nick leaning on his bodyguard and laughing. Kassidy studied Nick, then his bodyguard. The bodyguard wouldn't look her in the eye and he shifted his weight. Kassidy played on a hunch.
"It's not a huge problem, but it is a problem."
"I will call the airline and we will see about taking you guys shopping. You will need things until you bags arrive."
"I will give you the information for the airlines. However, it won't be necessary to take us shopping."
"What," asked both James and Nick.
"Grace and I have the basics in our duffel bags." Looking right at Nick she continued, "I learned awhile back to either take everything with me in a carryon or make sure I had the basics in my carryon if my other baggage was lost. I made Grace do the same."
"What did you bring," asked one of the dancers who had been listening.
"The basics. You know all the stuff you need including a couple of changes of clothes. Of course, my laptop goes everywhere with me."
"Smart," said James. "Well get that information to me."
Kassidy looked at Nick, who was now quiet, and said, "James I'm going out and check the vans myself."
"If you think it will do any good."
"It can't hurt. Grace go on up."
"Alright."
Kassidy linked arms with Nick's bodyguard and said, "Hi. You're Billy right?"
"Yes."
"Will you come help me look? I'm sure Nick won't mind."
"Fine go with her," said Nick.
They walked out to the vans.
"I'm Kassidy. Thanks for coming out here with me Billy. Can you show me where Nick had you hide our luggage?"
Billy laughed and said, "Sure. It's just in the back of the very last van.
How did you know?"
"First there was absolutely no reason for him to be listening to the conversation. Second you wouldn't look me in the eye. Third he was having way too much fun. Tell the truth, do you think I will ever win him over?"
"It will be hard, but hang in there and you just might."
Billy pulled the bags out of the van. Once back inside he put them on the cart with Nick's and told the bellhop he would bring the cart back. Kassidy followed him to Nick's room. Nick was surprised to see Kassidy with Billy. She thanked him for taking such good care of their bags. After Billy unloaded the cart, Nick scowled, but still watched her go down the hall and around the corner to her room. Kassidy unlocked the door and pushed the cart inside.
"You found our stuff."
"Yep. Billy knew right were it was. Nick the prankster strikes."
"Boy he was mad you figured it out?"
"I bet he was. Come on lets take this back downstairs."
They pushed the cart out into the hallway. Grace jumped on it as joke, but Kassidy started pushing before she could get off. They laughed as they passed Nick's room. He opened the door and watched them move toward the elevator. Grace kept putting her hands out to keep Kassidy from crashing the cart into a wall. They waited for the elevator, never realizing Nick was watching. The doors opened to reveal Kevin and Brian.
"Watch out, incoming," called Kassidy.
"Woah," said Kevin as they pushed the cart in and the doors shut.
"Did you want to get off," asked Kassidy looking innocent.
"Guess not," laughed Kevin. "You guys haven't met Brian yet. Brian this is Grace Johnson, she's the one doing the article for Teen People and Kassidy Rivers, her chaperone."
"Hello," said Brian in typical Brian fashion.
"Hello," mimicked Kassidy and Grace.
The elevator dinged and the doors opened. Kassidy pulled the cart out of the elevator and swung it around, causing Grace to yelp. A bellhop came over and Grace hoped off the cart. Kassidy thanked him and they got back on elevator. She thanked Kevin for holding the elevator for them. Once reaching the floor, they said goodbye to the guys and went to their room.
"I can't believe we just did that," exclaimed Grace once in the room.
"I know, but it was fun. Besides the looks on Brian's and Kevin's faces were so worth it."
"True. This is going to be a very interesting two weeks."
