"Got everything you need," asked Kassidy.

"Think so," replied Grace. "Let's go."

The two friends walked out of the hotel room and headed for the elevators. They were left alone the previous night and spent the time talking. They had talked almost daily for over a year, but never face to face. They got online for awhile to check in with their friends before going to sleep.

Today they were watching dress rehearsal. Backstreet had been rehearsing for the past three weeks in Orlando. This was the last two days to get everything set. Rounding the corner they spotted Nick and Billy waiting at the elevators. Grace and Kassidy exchanged a glance.

"Morning gentlemen," said Kassidy just before they reached the two men.

"Morning Kassidy," greeted Billy with a smile.

"Yeah morning," said Nick not turning around.

Kassidy said, "Nick we were not properly introduced yesterday, I'm Kassidy Rivers."

The hand suddenly appearing over his left shoulder surprised Nick. It took him a minute to realize this woman wanted to shake his hand. He turned to face her. He noted her firm grip. He also realized how small her hand Was in his. He looked into her eyes and saw friendliness. Despite his best intentions, he found himself speaking.

"I know who you are."

"Well good. It can't always be fun having everyone know your name and you have no clue who they are. I take it you met Grace yesterday."

"Yeah. Hi Grace."

"Hi Nick. Hi Billy."

"Morning Grace," replied Billy as the elevator doors opened. "Here we go folks."

Nick didn't even realize he was still holding Kassidy's hand until that moment. He quickly dropped it and stepped inside the elevator. As the doors were starting to close they heard a yell from down the hall. Kevin and his bodyguard, Carlos, ran into the elevator.

"Thanks man," said Carlos.

"Morning everyone," greeted Kevin.

"Morning," said Kassidy and the rest.

"Kassidy and Grace have you met my bodyguard, Carlos?"

"We have now," replied Kassidy with a smile. "Hey Carlos."

"Hey Kassidy, Grace."

"Hi," said Grace.

"Grace and Kassidy when the doors open walk straight to the van," said Carlos. "We will get the guys there after they sign some autographs."

"Got it," replied Kassidy.

The doors opened to screams. Grace and Kassidy hesitated for a moment, but felt hands on their backs giving them each a gentle push. They started walking. Kassidy glanced back at the entrance to see the four men stopped. Kevin and Nick were signing autographs. Grace and Kassidy walked out the door and started to get in the van, but were stopped when an unpleasant man grabbed Grace from behind.

"I don't think so" he growled, pushing Grace.

"We are suppose to get into this van," said a startled Grace.

"Yeah right," he said, again pushing her.

Kassidy stepped around her and said, "touch her again buddy and I will hurt you. Who are you anyway?"

"I'm the guy who is going to have you arrested."

"I don't think so."

"Hey what's holding us up," asked Kevin as he stepped out of the hotel with Nick, Billy, and Carlos right behind him.

"These two were trying to sneak into the van," replied the guy as he pushed Kassidy and Grace aside to make room for Kevin and Nick to get in the van.

"Carlos and Billy get these two out of here."

Billy said, "They are with us for the next two weeks. Now can everyone move into the van so we can get out of here?"

Kassidy shoved Tom's hand away from her. Grabbing Grace's hand she climbed into the van. The others moved past a stunned Tom and climbed inside. Tom recovered when Billy pulled the door shut. He got in the front with the driver.

As the van began to move, Kevin explained, "Tom, this is Grace Johnson and Kassidy Rivers. Grace is the contest winner and Kassidy is her chaperone. They are with us for the next two weeks. Since you flew up here yesterday to check out security you didn't meet them."

"No I didn't. And they weren't wearing their laminates," replied Tom.

"Trust me it will never happen again," said a still seething Kassidy.

"Good," replied Tom without looking back.

"Well isn't this fun," said Grace attempting to lighten the mood.

"Grace how did you win the contest," asked Kevin.

"Kassidy entered me."

"She did," replied Kevin.

"Yep. She submitted an article I had written for my school paper."

"So how long have you two known each other," asked Carlos.

"It's been just over a year. Right Grace?"

"Yeah. We met in Tommy's chatroom."

"When did you meet in person," asked Carlos.

"On Saturday when I flew to Springfield to meet Grace and her parents."

"You didn't know each other before this trip," asked Nick.

"We hadn't met face to face, but we talked online almost daily. She's like a little sister even though she's almost young enough to be my daughter."

"Wait how old are you," asked Kevin.

"I'm 30."

"Woah you don't look it," said Nick.

Kassidy laughed and said, "Thanks, I get that a lot."

"Grace how old are you," inquired Kevin.

"I'm 17."

"If you had waited another week she would have been 18 and not needed a chaperone."

"Your birthday is next week," asked Billy.

"Yes."

"This means we need to do something special for you," said Kevin.

"No you don't have to," interrupted Grace.

"Well we will see what's going on next week," said Kevin.

Before the discussion could continue the van pulled into the loading docks and everyone got out. Kassidy made a show of giving Grace her laminated and putting hers on as well. Tom scowled and led the way to the dressing rooms. AJ, Howie, and Brian had left in the first van and were already in the dressing room.

After the morning greetings the girls finally met Howie, who had flown in separately the day before. Everyone headed for the craft services room to get some breakfast. Grace and Kassidy met Fatima Robinson, the BSB choreographer, the dancers and the rest of the band at breakfast. They were all very nice. AJ invited Kassidy and Grace to use the Boys dressing room whenever they needed a break. For the time being, they followed everyone out into the arena to watch the first run through.

Grace and Kassidy both found it fun to watch them go through everything. First the guys warmed up and sang a couple of songs to work on the harmonies. Fatima was working with the dancers on another section of the five-sided stage. Finally they were ready to run through the show. The guys headed to a huge box at one end of the arena.

"I so want to do that," Kassidy whispered.

"What?"

"To fly."

"Insane," laughed Grace.

The entire run through was done with the house lights up. They stopped frequently to correct things. Finally they broke for lunch, and then it was an afternoon of dance and vocal rehearsals. Dinner was served then an actual full dress rehearsal took place. Fatima sat with Kassidy and Grace during this run through. She took notes to go over with the guys later. Everyone piled into the vans at 11:30 and headed back to the hotel. The first full day with Backstreet was over.