I slowly walked down the hallway, clutching the letter that I had received two days ago. Explaining that I had been accepted as an intern for my senior year. But the one thing the letter did not explain was what I would be doing for the year. My heart was pounding with every step I took. I finally reached his office and entered. His secretary jumped up. "Mr. Pearlman has been expecting you. Right this way." I enter the small office. A man was sitting behind a high desk working on some paper work and looked up when the door opened. "Janice?" "Yes." "I am Lou Pearlman, I will be in charge of getting the paperwork to the school while you are here with us. Your field supervisor will be in charge of making sure that all your duties are completed." He got up from behind his desk and walked towards where I was standing. "If you will follow me I will take you to your supervisor and the person who you will be working with while you are here with us."
We walked down the corridor to the elevator and went the seventh floor. We got off and walked down the hall. All the rooms on the floor were recording studios. We went into recording studio 5A. Upon entering we were hit with this soulful music that was being played back. A man and a woman were sitting at the control table. When we entered the woman came towards. Just then the music ended. "Janice, I would like you to meet Denise. Denise, this is Janice. She will be working with you this summer while the group is on tour." "Nice to meet you Janice." "The pleasure is all mine." Denise walked back toward the board and turned on the mic so the people in the recording studio could hear her: "Guys, come out and meet the PR intern."
With that the door swung open and in walked Brian, Nick, Kevin, Howie, and AJ. My jaw hit the floor. "We knew how much you liked them, so here is your project." I was just standing there gawking over them, then I suddenly asked, "Do you know who you are?" The guys just laughed. "Your Brian, Nick, Kevin, Howie, and AJ. I am working for the Backstreet Boys. Catch me I'm going to faint." The guys laughed. "Well, I guess we don't have to introduce ourselves," laughed Brian. "But you can still hug me if you want," I said. And with that they all stepped forward and hugged me. "Well, I'll leave the eight of you alone to get to know each other. Janice, have a good time and don't work too hard." With that Mr. Pearlman left.
The man from behind the contrl board stood up adn introduced himself. "Hi, I'm Max Martin." "Max Martin? Wow, it's a pleassure to meet you." "Really?" "Yeah, if it wasn't for you who knows where these guys would be." "Well, I'm glad someone APPRECIATES my work," shooting a look at AJ. "What?" The others laughed. "So what are we going to do?" asked Kevin. "How about lunch? I'm famished," suggested AJ. "When aren't you hungry?" retorted Nick. We laughed. "Does anyone know a good place to eat?" asked Denise. "Preferablly a small place, so we don't get mobbed," said Howie. "I worked around here at a little deli. Why don't we go there it's called Mrs. Marty's Deli." I said "Sounds good to me," said AJ. "Let's go," said Brian. We left the studio and piled into a van that took us to the deli. The windows on the van were tinted so you couldn't see in. When we pulled in front of the deli the guys put on these huge pair of shades and baseball caps that came down to their noses.
We entered the deli and took a table to the back. "So Janice, what do you do for fun?" asked Kevin. "Bowling, shopping, talking on the phone, normal stuff," I said. "Well, that answered my nest question," said Nick. "What's that?" I asked. "What we are going to do tonight. Bowling it is. One of our last free nights we have till next Novemeber." "But it's August. That's 15 months away." "Welcome to our world," remarked AJ with a smile. We got our food and eat and talked about the day that we had so far. I learned that the guys were so down to earth and so easy to talk to. I had a feeling that the 15 months would pass by before I knew it. We left for the studio. It was Monday and we would be leaving Wednesday for the tour. 15 straight months of living on a bus and hotel rooms. This was going to be the best time of my life. Now that I knew my assignment I went home to finish packing.
Packing everything, I could possibly need for 15 months. Around 6:00 my phone rang. "Hello?" "Hi, is Janice there?" "Speaking." "Sup? This is AJ." "Hey, AJ. What's up?" "Just lettin' you know me and the fellas are on our way to pick you up for bowling. Kay?" "Okay." "C-ya." "Later." I hung up the phone and finished packing my carry-on bag for the bus full of books, CDs, walkman, discman, and my journal, camera and tons of film. By the time I finished I heard a honking. I ran down the stairs, grabbing my wallet on the way. I opened the door, to see Brian's deep forest green jeep sitting in my driveway with the top down and four guys hanging out with "Let's Have A Party" blaring. I hopped into the front seat. "Ready?" asked Brian. "Let's go." "Alright. Will you guys sit down before someone sees us?" "Don't worry. No one in this neighborhood knows who you are. So you are pretty safe." "Sit down anyway. I can't see through you." The guys sat down and we pulled out and left for the bowling alley.
"So, your fan, right?" asked Howie. "You betcha! I have all your albums and still trying to get more." "Did you have a favorite?" inquired Nick. "Yeah," I said uneasily. Looking cautiously at Brian as he drove. "Well?" asked Kevin. "Are you going to tell us or are we going to have to tickle it out of you." "Do I have to?" I pleaded. "Well, we'll let you go this time. But you'll have to tell us sooner or later," said Howie. The four in the back started talking about the new show and the pyrotechnics involved. So I turned myself back around in my seat to look at the road. Brian leaned over and turned the knob to play the music in the back. "So, are you excited?" he asked. "Excited isn't the word." "Okay," he said laughing. "Listen, don't let the guys hassle you over things like that. They mean well but sometimes their hormones think for their heads." I started laughing. "So, where you from originally?" "Pennsylvania. Philly. I'm in my senior year at Mansfield University. But when I receivd the letter from Lou about the internship I moved down here." "Who you living with?" "Erika Terrosa." "Cool, we all know ET." "From the radio contest, right?" "Hey guys, Janice is living with ET." "That was ET's house?" asked Howie. "Yeah, I moved in with her when I found out about the internship. She still doesn't know I'm working for you guys."
We pulled into the bowling alley parking lot. There wasn't a lot if cars in the parking lot so the guys took a sigh of relief. We went up and asked for two lanes all the way at the end. The guy must of recognized them and placed us at the end and promised no one would bother us. We got our shoes and balls and went to our lanes. It was Brian, Kevin, and me VS. AJ, Nick, and Howie. Half-way through the first frame Howie confessed that he had never been bowling before. And his teamates weren't too thrilled to hear that. All they did was groan. "Strike!" I cheered. I ran back towards Brian who was keeping score. "That's your second one, this game," he said. "You guys are toast," Kevin said to the others. "No fair, we want her," complained Nick. "Yeah, all we have is rubber arm," said AJ. "Hey, who you callin' rubber arm?" whined Howie. "Guys chill! Just roll the ball and knock some pins down. It's not that hard," I said. "Losers pay for dinner," Nick said. "That's good Kaos, WE are losing!" said AJ. We laughed. "Can we say blonde?" Brian laughed.
We finished up the game, which I'm proud to say we won, we paid for the game. And piled back into Brian's jeep and decided to Chinese for dinner. We pulled into the parking lot. Since the lot was full the guys pulled out their disguises. We went into the restaurant and asked for a table. I guess AJ knew the hostess, because she nodded and took us to a corner table away from everyone else in the restaurant. "What's good here?" I asked. "What made you think we come here alot?" said AJ. "I saw the way the hostess looked at you when we came in. So I just assumed you guys come here often." "Man, she's got us figured out," said Brian. "Yeah, she's real good," agreed Nick. "I'm good at researching. In, fact that's how I got Brian, Nick and Howie's......um never mind." "Our what?" asked Howie. "You AOL screen names," I said. "How did you do that?" Brian asked. "We just looked up your name under people search and, bang, they just poped up. And Nick there is a way to make a map to your house." I said. "Who's we?" asked Howie. "My friend Angie Kelly from Cincinnati. But, don't worry we didn't give them to anyone." "What's your screen name?" Brian asked. I froze, if I told him the answer Brian would know that I liked him. I thought it thorugh ."FricksGrrl," I answered. Brian froze and looked up from his soda. A smile broke from his face. "So, that was you?" Brian asked. "Yup." "Will someone kindly fill in the other four that don't have a clue to what you are talking about," said Kevin. "A couple of years ago I went on line to check my mail. And this person, FricksGrrl, IMed me. I knew from the name it was a fan, so checked my mail..." said Brian. "And left without saying two words to me." I finished.
By this time our food arrived and they started talking about a new song that Brian and Nick had written. At that point in time was when a piece of my chicken flew acros the table and hit Kevin in the nose. Westarted laughing. "May I have a fork, please?" I asked the waitress, as we cleaned up Kevin's face. The rest of dinner went uneventful. After dinner we piled back into Brian's jeep and headed home. When we pulled up to my house Erika's car was in the driveway. "Do you guys wanna come in and sy hi?" I asked. "We don't want to intrude," said Howie. "Intrude? You're all she taslks about day in and day out. Drawings from when she was on tour with you guys are hanging on every wall in the house." "Ok," they said. We walked up the walkway and on the porch.
I opened the door and went inside. "Hey ET! I have some friends that want to meet you." "Who is it? I don't feel good." "Some old friends of yours." "Ask them to come back." "They leave Wednesday for their tour." "Tell them,...TOUR!" Footsteps are heard coming down the hall and down the stairs. ET met by six sets of eyes. "Oh, my God! How are you guys? Why are you here?" "ET, meet my intern project." "This is your intern project? Oh, my gosh! I haven't seen you guys in ages, or heard from you." "Well, I gotta go to bed. Early morning tomorrow. I'll see you guys at the studio." "See ya, Janice," yelled Howie up the stairs. "Well, we better be doing the same, long day tomorrow. We're recording our new album," said Kevin. "Well, it was great seeing you. Write me sometime will ya? It's get lonely around here and now since Janice is with you guys for who knows how long. I'll be bored. She's a nice girl. Don't mess her up." she said laughing. "Yes, Mom," said Nick. "Night," they said as they shut the door behind them.
"Good morning Orlando, this is Kid Cruz with your morning line-up." I flopped over in my bed. The clock read 6am. I still had an hour before I had to be to the studio. I pushed back my covers and started packing some more stuff into my suitcases since I leave tomorrow. I changed and washed up. I opened the balconey doors to let the warm Florida sun hit my face. My radio was still playing and the next song that came on was by the Boys, "As Long As You Love Me", an old time favorite of mine. I went back to my room and finished packing some things and went downstairs to get something to eat before I left. I went into the kitchen where I found Erika finishing up her breakfast before she left for school. "So how long you gone for?" she asked. "15 months as of right now," I said getting some coffee from the pot. "Cool. Don't forget to call. When do you leave tomorrow, anyway?" she asked putting her dishes in the dishwasher. "I don't know. I guess I have to talk to Denise today." "Well, I gotta go. Early class today. I'll be home early. If you guys go out tonight let me know, kay?" "Kay. See ya." "Later," she left the kitchen.
I finished my breakfast and cleaned up the kitchen and picked up my bag that had a notebook and some stuff to use during the day. I hopped into my car and opened the envelope that Lou had given me during the meeting, inside I found a parking permit, a work badge, and a tour itneary plus some other paper work. I put the envelope back down and hung the permit from my rear-view mirror and left. I pulled into the studio at 6:45 the itneary said there would be a short meeting on the 8th floor. I gathered my things and place my working badge on my shirt and entered the building. I took the elevator to the 8th floor and found the meeting room. I entered the room to find the five guys and Denise sitting around at a long table, half-asleep.
"Good morning, Janice," said Denise. "Morning. I see we are not morning people." They grumbled. The door opened and in walked Lou followed by two people that I didn't know. "Janice, I would like you to meet Donna and Johnny Wright, they are the guys' managers." "Hi, nice to meet you. You own Wright Stuff Productions?" "I see someone has done their homework." "They call me the walking Backstreet Boys Dictionary. I know tons of stuff on the guys." They all laughed. "Well, let's get down to busniess," said Lou placing his folders on the table. "Does everyone have thier itnearies with them?" We all nodded. "Are there any questions?" No answer. "Well, since everyone has been properly introduced. That's everything, let's have a good tour. Fellas, don't forget about the meeting you have with the crew later this morning." The guys nodded. "That's all I have, thanks." We all left the room.
Denise and I went to her office to clear some things up about the tour and things I would need on tour. Her office was small and was covered with pics of AJ and the guys. I found a chair buried under some paperwork. We got settled in and worked out the details for the next day. Since I would not be payed for this internship, Jive Records would be paying for many of my expenses. I would be given a cell phone for calling home and my advisor, a laptop computer for school work and personal use, and a credit card for clothes and anything that I may need.
I signed some papers and followed her to the studio where the guys were. The guys were recording and there was a few people sitting around the control board. The music stopped and the guys came into the control room. "Janice, I would like you to meet Denniz Pop, Nina Bueti, Tim Berkebile, and Nicole Peltz. Denniz as you may know is the producer of some of the guys' songs. Nina is their tour manager. Tim is their musical director and drummer. And Nicole is their office manager, she holds down the fort while we are away. And you already meet Max yesterday." "Nice to meet you." "Well, I'm hungry. I don't know about the rest of you guys, but I'm ready for some lunch," said AJ. "Any surprise?" asked Denise. We laughed. "Dang, the day has just flown by. I can't believe that it's already lunch time," I said. "How about some pizza?" suggested Nick. "Sound good to me," said Brian. So we left the studio.
We raced to the elevators and raced to the van. Next we argued over who was going to drive. Brian and I both said that we wouldn't want to drive and Nick didn't like driving vans, leaving the other three to scruff it up over who was going to drive. "Alright, we'll solve this the way we do at the day camp I use to work for." "How's that?" asked Kevin. "Paper, rock, scissors." "That's kiddish," retorted Howie. "And fighting over it isn't?" "She's got a point," said AJ. "Paper, rock, scissors, shoot. Kevin's out. Sorry, Kev. Paper, rock, scissors, shoot. Howie won. You drive there and AJ you drive back." "You're great with kids," said Brian with a laugh. "And I thought 9, 10, and 11 year olds were tough," I said laughing. "Can we go? I'm starving here," complained Nick. We hopped into the van. "Anyone got any tunes?" asked AJ. "I do, but they are in my car on the second level," I said. "We'll stop. All this van gets is static." We left and pulled behind my car. I hopped out and grabbed the mix tapes from my car. "Whatcha got?" "Only the greatest group in the world." "Who's that?" Kevin asked. "Please, tell me it's Journey," said Nick. "Well, let's see: Backstreet Boys Live!, Backstreet Boys Interviews and MTV Countdown, and Backstreet Boys Album and singles and Fanatic.: "Let's do the live one," said Kevin. "Cool," said Howie. "I taped the Live In Concert Video, so when I was in school I could listen to the songs. It has everything." Since Kevin was riding shotgun he popped the tape in. I sat in the front bench next to Brian with AJ and Nick in the back bench.
After we started driving we decided to go to a pizza place outside of Orlando. It wasn't until we started traveling that I realized how tired I was. The next thing I knew, we had stopped at a pizzeria and I was waking up in Brian's arms. "Man, I must have been exhausted." "You zonked out about twenty minutes ago. Well, the guys just went in. And I decided to wait until you woke up. Actually, I had no choice since you fell asleep on me," he laughed. "Did anyone ever yell you, you look cute when you sleep?" there was an uncomfortable silence, "Ummmmmm... Are you hungry?" "Yeah, let's go." We hopped out of the van, we shut the door and started walking across the gravel parking lot and Brian put his arm across my shoulder. We found the other four at a table. "Awww, don't they look cute?" cooed AJ. Brian and I blushed. He pulled out my chair and the other guys stood up and I sat down and so did they. Brian sat next to me.
"So, what did y'all order?" I asked. "Five pizzas," said Nick. "Five?!?!?" "We are growing boys. We need our food," said AJ. I started shivering. "Are you cold?" asked Brian. "I'm freezing," I chattered. "Here is my sweatshirt," he handed me his University of Kentucky sweatshirt. I pulled it over my head. "What size is this?" "Triple X." "Dang, I'm swimming in this thing." "I like my clothes big. And I like it when a girl I like wears my clothes." I froze for a second, then looked at his face. He had this shy little grin on his face. I smiled back. We just gazed at each other. "So, the first stop is in Tallahassee, Thursday night. I heard it's a sell out," said Kevin, breaking the uncomfortable silence at the table. "Yeah, I heard that, too," I said.
Just then two girls that were about 12 years old, ran up to the guys asking for thier autographs. The one girl looked at me. "Are you Brian's girlfriend?" she asked. I froze, I didn't know what to say. I looked over at Brian who was holding my hand. "Yes, yes she is," Brian answered. "Oh," she said and left. "I am?" "If that is okay with you," he said. "Okay? Of course it's okay." He picked up my hand and kissed it. "So, now it's official," said Nick. "Thank God!" said AJ. "What?" I asked. "Since last night you are all Brian has talked about. Janice this and Janice that. He wasn't sure how to ask you out," said Howie. The pizza arrived and the guys devoured every slice, even the slice I couldn't finish. We paid for the meal and got back in the van. On the way back to the studio I snuggled next to Brian, who sang all the songs to me.
We got back to the studio and headed for Denise's office. "Janice, your parents called here while you were at lunch," said Denise. "Thanks, I guess I'll call them when I get home. I still haven't told them what is going on. They must have just gottin home from vacation." "Tomorrow, you don't have to be here until 10am. And bring all your luggage. You can leave your car here in the garage or we can have someone take it back home for you. Also, tomorrow you'll meet Randy Jones, who is in charge of the guys' security. You will also meet your personal guard, Tim. And, also the guys have a press conference and you are in it." "But, I don't have anything to wear." "That has been taken care of. You will also have a closet on the bus with outfits like the guys and to put your own clothes in while we travel." "Okay, is that everything?" "Oh, and the guys told me to invite you and Erika to the family dinner tonight." "Family dinner?" "Yeah, it's a big dinner party at the Carter's we have one before they leave for a tour. All their parents come in for one last good-bye." "Cool, ok, we'll be there. I better be going I have to finish packing. See ya tonight. Oh, by the way do you have Brian's home phone number?" "Yeah, it's 555-4308."
I pulled in, shut off the car and walked inside. "Janice, some guy just called and left his number. It's on the pad on the fridge," yelled Erika from the living room. I looked at the number, 555-4308. It was Brian's. I picked up the phone and dialed. "Hello?" "Hey, stranger." "Janice, I thought it was you." "What's up?" "I was wondering if I could offer my services to my girl and her friend and offer them a ride to the Carter residence this evening." "Well, I was going to call about us a ride." "Okay, I'll see you in a few." "Bye." "Bye." I hung up the phone. "Well?" asked Erika from the doorway. "Well, what?" "Who's the mystery man?" "I don't know what you are talking about. Oh, that was Brian, we're going to the Carter's for a big get together." "Kay, so you and Brian are an item?" "Just go get ready," I laughed. I picked up the phone and dialed home. "Hey mom. Good, yeah I went. That's why I called. No, nothing is wrong, but I will be away for 15 months. Touring with the Backstreet Boys. Yes, them," as I was talking I heard Brian's jeep pull up. "I better get going. Brian's here to take me and Erika to Nick's. I'll call you tomorrow from Tallahassee. Bye."
The doorbell rang. "I got it!" yelled Erika running down the stairs. "Hi Brian, you here to pick us up?" "Yeah, where is Janice?" "In the kitchen, through the hallway hang a left, can't miss it." "Thanks." I was grabbing a soda from the fridge when he walked in. I had my back to him and didn't hear him come in the kitchen. But then I felt his hands wrap around my waist and his head come over my shoulder and he kissed my neck. I looked him in the eye and kissed him. "Are we leaving or what?" asked Erika from the doorway. "That's one way to kill a romantic moment," whispered Brian in my ear. "Are you ready?" he aske me. I nodded. "Well, let's go." We walked out of the kitchen. I grabbed his sweatshirt and tied it around my waist and we walked out the door. He put his arm around me and we walked to his jeep. We hopped in and pulled out of the driveway. "So, who all is going to be there, tonight?" "My parents, Kevin's mom, Howie's parents, AJ's mom and the Carter clan. The five of us, you guys. And I think some of the tour staff is coming over, too. Hey, this is a good time for you to meet my folks." "Cool," I was nervous. What was I going to say to his parents? I smiled nervously at him. He grabbed my hand and kissed it. "Everything is going to be fine. My parents are cool. They will love you." His reassurances didn't calm my nerves the least bit.
We pulled into a driveway and drove down towards the water, there was a big tent with tiki lights going around it. "Well, we're here." He jumped out of his seat and ran around to my side to let me and Erika out. He shut the door and grabbed my hand. He took my chin in his other hand, "Everything will be fine, just relax. Ok?" with that he kissed me. I pulled back. Why did I pull away from him? Am I nuts? "What's wrong?" "Nothing, I'm sorry. Can we just go, please?" "Sure, everyone is probably waiting for us anyhow." As we were walking down the path towards the tent. I noticed for the first time what Brian was wearing. He had on a pair of khaki shorts on, with a blue Nike windbreaker, and his blue University of Kentucky aht on. On the way I also put on his sweatshirt because of the breeze coming off the water.
We entered the tent and saw the guys talking in the corner. "Aww, look they're matching," cooed AJ. At this point is when I put my arm around his back and put my head on his shoulder. He smiled at me and kissed my forehead. "Hey, Erika. What's up?" asked Howie. "Nothing much. Just had to ride with Romeo and Juliet here," laughed Erika. "Hey, my parents are here. Guys, I'll talk to you in a bit. Come on," he said pulling me along behind him. "Mom and Dad. I would like you to meet my girlfriend, Janice." "Janice, it's so nice to meet you. You are all Brian talks about," said his mom. "Thank you, Mrs. Littrell." "Please call me Jackie. And the next time you are in Lexington give us a call. Take care of my little boy while you are on tour." "I will." "Moooom, come on I think I hear someone calling me," we walked back over to the gang.
"Hey, maybe we should get the DJ to play some real music," suggested Nick. He walked up and the DJ pulled off the song he was playing and put on a fast dance song. The seven of us started dancing. The next song was a slow song. Brian and I started dancing as the song started he put his head against mine and whispered, I love you, in my ear. I held him tighter and melted in his arms. After a few more songs I met the other guys's parents. We ate a little and had a ton of fun goofing off.
"So, what do you want to do?" Brian asked me. "Well, it's only 7:30, why don't we walk down towards the water to watch the sunset." "Sounds good to me." We left the party and walked down towards the water. "Are you Ok?" "Me? I'm fine. Why?" "Well, earlier when I kissed you, you pulled away and I thought I did something wrong." "No, it wasn't you. It was me, and to tell you the truth, I don't even know why I pulled away, cause I loved it and I love you." "I love you, too." He smiled and I giggled. "What?" he asked laughing. "Your accent." "What about it?" "It's so cute." "Is that all you like about me?" he asked jokingly. "No, your eyes, your sense of humor, your personality, and your wonderful voice. What about me?" "Your eyes, your attitude towards others, your sense of humor, and your awesome taste in music." By this time we had reache the beach and sat down. Brian sat down with his knees up and his arms around his knees and I stuck my arm through the gap in his arm and held his hand and laid my head on his shoulder. The sun slowly sank into the horizion. I lifted my head off his shoulder. "What's wrong?" he asked looking at me. "Nothing, I just wanted to gaze into your eyes." I leaned forward and kissed him. "That's to make up for earlier." "We better be getting back before everyone starts worrying about us."
We started back towards the tent, hand in hand. After we got back we danced and talked. Around ten o'clock Brian, Erika, and I decided to head home to rest up for the long trip ahead of us. I said goodnight and walked back to the jeep. We got in and left. We pulled in front of the house and Erika jumped out. "I'll head inside, so you guys can be alone," she said running towards the house. "I had a great time tonight." "Your saying that like we'll never see each other ever again. Trust me, we'll be together alot in the upcoming months." "I know. It's just that I hope we can last the 15 months on the road....." "Do you love me?" "Yes, I do." "That's all the hope that you will need. I would never dream of hurting someone that I loved. Ok?" "Ok, well I better get going. I need to sleep. Do you want your sweatshirt back?" "Nah, I told you I like it when a girl I like wears my clothes. Keep it. Trust me I have like five more just like it." "Ok, goodnight. I love you." I leaned over the center section and gave him a kiss.