OF ALL THE CAMPSITES, IN ALL THE WORLD

Chapter 7 

From that day on Kevin and I were inseparable. For that matter all of us were. Brian and Leighanne were busy planning their wedding, with Brian on the road for most of it. AJ had proposed to Ally, but they were waiting until things were a little calmer before they started anything. Howie had found a wonderful girl named Chloe and they quickly fell in love. Hani and Nick were the happiest people that I had ever known. They glowed with the love that they felt for one another.

Things were pretty hectic for awhile. With the guys touring, a new album being planned and Brian and Leighanne’s wedding. I don’t know how we made it through everything, but we all did. When Brian and Leighanne were on their honeymoon, the guys had a brief vacation. I had been approached by the guys to organize a few things as far as charity events and some small concerts. They were impressed with the ideas that I had told them about. I had searched the internet and found out what the fans really wanted. A one on one interview with them. I had run a contest on the guys’ site and had picked thirty fans from around the world that were going to be flown to Orlando. They were told to have five questions written down to be reviewed. I was a mess by the time that interview came. I had cars pick up all the winners, taken to the best hotel in Orlando and then had them brought to the offices that the guys ran their fan club from. There was a huge meeting room there, it would be perfect for the event. My idea was to video tape this to be released on video for all the other fans that couldn’t be there.

I stood in front of thirty some fans, some with chaperones, Hani, Ally, Leighanne and AJ’s mom Denise sitting to the side. They had all helped me get this together.

“All right ladies and gentleman.” I started. “First of all thank you all for coming, I am sure that you are anxious to get this event under way. However, the questions need to be collected and reviewed before we can start. Today is just a preliminary meeting to let you know what is expected of you.” I turned to Hani, Ally and Leighanne, “These three ladies will be collecting your questions, please make sure that your name is on the paper so that we can give it back to the right person.”

A hand raised slowly from the middle of the room, “Yes?”

“Uhm ... are the guys going to be here today?” A young girl asked.

I smiled at her eagerness, “No, I am sorry they won’t be. They are in the studio today doing some work on a project.” I explained. “Now, the questions will be reviewed today and tomorrow is when we will have the guys here for you to answer your questions. Since we are making a video out of this, there will be a few simple ground rules. Please don’t yell out the guys’ names to get their attention. This is a small group and you will all get your questions answered. Not all of them will make it to the video, but most of them will. If you have a question on your sheet that is marked out, do not ask it. It is either on someone else’s sheet or not appropriate. It will be up to us five as to what is appropriate.” I gestured to the others and then turned back to the crowd. “The guys will pose with pictures for you as a group. Each one of you will get one picture taken with the five of them. When they are developed they will be mailed out to you. If you have your own camera with you and you can get someone to take a picture for you that is fine. But we will not be taking other pictures. Are there any other questions?”

When no one raised their hands I smiled again, “All right then, you each were given an envelope when you came in. There are several things in there. The first is my business card, if you have any questions or concerns, please call me. The second is passes to Disney World. They are good for the few days that you are here. The third thing you will find is a schedule, this tells you what time to be here tomorrow, please don’t be late. It also tells you what number you are, when you will be asking your questions. That’s everything, we will see you all again tomorrow.” I finished and went over to the others to get things started.

It took us all afternoon to go through the questions. The guys found us still pouring over them when they finished with their studio work. “So, how do things look for tomorrow?” Kevin asked as he came up behind me.

“Very interesting. You guys better get lots of sleep and put your thinking caps on tomorrow.” Ally answered.

“Let’s take a look.” Brian said as he reached for the pile of papers that were marked finished.

“NO!” We all screamed as Denise grabbed the pile away from him.

The guys jumped back in surprise, “You don’t get to see the questions, that would ruin it for tomorrow.” Hani pointed out.

“That’s it last one. Let’s go for dinner.” I announced. I stood up and picked up all the papers and put them in my briefcase. I snapped it shut and spun the dials on combination lock.

“You really don’t want us to see those do you?” Kevin asked.

“Nope. What is on those papers, is on a need to know basis and you don’t need to know.” I stated as I tried to keep from laughing.

Kevin looked at me and then at the other guys, “Guys.” Was all he said as they all pounced on me at once. I held my briefcase tightly and ran around the room. It didn’t work as there were five of them and only one of me. The others were staying out of it.

“Sydney, just let us take a peek, just so that we aren’t surprised.” Nick urged.

I shook my head. “That will make this all the more better.” I said.

“But Sydney, what if we can’t answer it?” Howie threw in.

“Trust me Howie, there is not a question in there that can’t be answered.” I assured him.

“What if don’t want to answer it? What if it is too embarrassing?” AJ challenged.

“Too bad. You have to answer it. And there are not too many that are embarrassing. That is why we went through them all.” I explained.

“But Sydney...” Kevin started as he reached over to take me in his arms. I ducked under them and ran away from the guys.

“Too bad, you guys will have to wait until tomorrow.” I started to laugh, “Now suck it up and be good little boys and take us women to dinner!”

Howie went in his car to get Chloe and said that he would meet us at the restaurant. Denise opted to leave us be and went home. Kevin helped me into his 4-Runner, while Nick and Hani crawled in the back. Brian and Leighanne took Ally and AJ in their jeep. We all made it to the restaurant at the same time and quickly settled into an area big enough for the ten of us. Throughout the whole meal, the guys never let up on trying to see the questions.

I finally decided to make them understand how serious I was. I put my fork down and looked at all five of them. “If you guys don’t leave it alone, Kevin gets no sex for the rest of his life.” I warned.

Kevin dropped his fork and looked at me in shock. Then he turned to the guys, “That’s enough. We can wait till tomorrow.” He announced with a worried look. Everyone laughed, but the guys left it alone.

The next morning I was up at the crack of dawn and back at the offices. I was sitting at my desk when the first girl arrived. I had told the front desk where to show them to go and if they wanted to speak with me they could. It was still early, I hadn’t noticed her standing there at my door. It wasn’t until I heard her sneeze that I looked up.

“Yes?” I said. She looked terrified. I thought that she would come and sit down, but she didn’t move from her spot in my doorway. I stared at her for a minute and then got up and went to her. I saw huge tears threatening to spill over. I put my arm around her shoulder and lead her to the chair in front of my desk. “Is there something that I can help you with sweetheart?” She couldn’t have been more than 8 or 10.

“I am supposed to go first today. There was a number one in my envelope.” She whispered.

I smiled, “Lucky you. You get it out of the way and then you can enjoy the rest of the show.”

“I can’t go first. I am scared.” She managed to get out.

I put my pen down and looked at her. “Why, there is nothing to be scared about?”

“What if they don’t like me and my questions?” She whispered.

I stood up and went over to kneel in front of her. “You have nothing to worry about. The guys are great. And I am not just saying that. They really care about their fans. And I went through all the questions yesterday, there are no stupid questions.” I looked her in the eyes and saw that she was still terrified. “Tell you what, is your mom or Dad here?”

“Yeah, my mom is outside, in the room where we were yesterday.” She answered.

I stood up and reached out my hand for her, “Let’s go find your mom.” She slowly rose from the chair and took my hand, together we walked out into the conference room and found her mom there. No one else had arrived yet. “Hi, I’m Sydney.”

“Hi, I’m Veronica Bennett.” She shook my hand and then looked down at her daughter. “Everything okay here, Jordan?”

Jordan sat down on the chair her mother had just vacated, I smiled at her and then looked back at her mother. “Jordan is a little scared about meeting the guys. I was wondering if you wanted to leave her with me for the day. The conference doesn’t start until much later, I was going to work here for awhile and then go meet up with the guys. She is welcome to come with me if she wants. It may help to make it easier for her to go first.” I explained.

Veronica looked at Jordan and smiled, “Would you like that honey?” Jordan seemed to hesitate for a bit and then nodded her head slowly. Veronica turned back to me, “Well, I guess, it will be okay. She has been such a big fan for so long.”

“You are welcome to come along.” I said.

She laughed and threw her head back, “I don’t think so. I will just go shopping until the conference is supposed to start. How will I be able to get a hold of you?” Veronica asked.

“My numbers are on the business card that was in the envelope. There is the number here, my cell, and my pager. You can reach me whenever. We will be here for a couple of hours and then I will be going home. We are all meeting at the house and then coming here together. We will probably be back here at around 2 o’clock.” I told her mother.

She nodded her acceptance, her and Jordan had a few words and then her mother left. Jordan followed me back to my office and sat down quietly. I worked for awhile and then looked at Jordan. “Jordan, who is your favorite Backstreet Boy?”

“Nick.” She replied with a smile.

“Well, why don’t you come with me then.” I forwarded my phone and grabbed my things. I lead her around, showed her the offices and after finding out that she wasn’t a member of the fan club, I quickly signed her up and conveniently forgot about the fee. I put a little note of the papers that if there was a problem to see me. I went to the room where we stored all the merchandise that the guys went through. There were tons of things. Everything from comic books to clothes. There was pile of things that the guys had all ready approved and things that had come in from orders.

“Why don’t you pick something that you like.” I told her.

Jordan stood in the middle of the room and looked around, she walked from one side to the other, always coming back to the new jacket that the guys had okayed. It was a black bomber jacket, with the new album’s name on the front left lapel. The back was a huge embroidered picture of the guys with their name. It was a great looking jacket. I could tell that she would love to have the jacket. I knew that there was one in her size in the shipment that we had just got. I quietly slipped out of the room and found just the right one.

When I went back to find her, I saw her looking through a book of pictures that the guys were thinking about putting out. “Here, try this on for size.” I said. Her eyes grew as big as saucers as she I held out the jacket for her. She slipped it on, it was a tiny bit too big, but she would grow into it. “Perfect, it’s yours.” I announced.

She quickly shook her head, “Oh no, I couldn’t take this. It is much too expensive.” She whispered.

I brushed the thought off with my hand. “Consider it a gift from the guys.” I looked at my watch, “Speaking of which, we need to get going.”

We left the building and headed over to my truck, Hani, Ally and I had gone back to Leduc after I arrived permanently and brought my truck down. It was a great trip for the three of us. A little wild at times, but we had a blast driving across the country. I got Jordan to open up a little more and relax. By the time that we got to the house she was even laughing. The guys were all sitting in the back yard, just taking it easy.

“Hey guys. How’s it going?” I asked as we walked through the patio doors.

“Hey hon, I was wondering when you were gonna make it home.” Kevin said as he got up to kiss me lightly. “Who’s your friend?”

“Everyone this is Jordan Bennett. Jordan this is everyone.” I gestured to the group. “Jordan came to visit me this morning. She is a little nervous about today. She got number one in her envelope so she will be going first. I thought that if she could meet you first, that would help.” I explained to them as we sat down. Jordan stuck by me, a little star struck.

“You took her shopping, too.” Howie pointed out. “Hi Jordan, I’m Howie D. There is nothing to be nervous about, we are all pretty harmless.”

Jordan just nodded her head. Brian, who was now sitting beside her, reached his hand over to shake it. “Hi Jordan, I’m Brian. But you can all me B’Rok. I’ll make sure that these guys are nice to you.” He chuckled.

Jordan smiled a little as Kevin reached across me for her hand, “Jordan. It’s nice to meet you. Hope you are enjoying your time in Florida.”

She again nodded her head and smiled. AJ greeted her from across the patio, “Jordan, we will make things as easy for you as possible.”

Nick was the last one, he was beside Kevin, so, he leaned forward in his chair and reached out his hand. Jordan slowly reached her own hand over and took Nick’s, I could see how nervous she was. “It’s nice to meet you Jordan. What kind questions do you have for us?”

Just as Jordan was about to answer, I put my hand up to stop her. “No, Jordan don’t answer that. Nick you sneak, I told you what would happen if you didn’t leave it alone.” I warned as I shook my finger at him.

“Can’t blame a guy for trying.” He replied as he sat back in his chair and laughed.

We spent the next couple of hours just talking. The guys would fire questions at Jordan every once in a while. It was obvious that she was getting comfortable with guys, I was glad that I had suggested that she spend the time with them. By the time that we had to get back to the offices, she was laughing. We all piled into a couple of vehicles, Jordan with Kevin and me. There was back door parking at the offices, so the guys were able to get in with no problems. While I took Jordan to the conference room, the guys went to their own offices to get things together.

Jordan ran over to her mom. “How was your day sweetheart?” She asked.

“It was wonderful.” She looked around her and then whispered to her mom, “I got to meet them all. Mom, they are so cool.”

“That’s wonderful, honey. Where did you get the jacket?” Veronica questioned.

I stepped in, “From me, consider it a gift from the guys. No one else has it yet.” I said.

“Thank you very much. I really appreciate what you did today. Ever since her father died, she has been really quiet and more than a bit shy.” Veronica confessed.

“Well,” I saw that Denise was motioning for me, “Look, I have to get things underway, but I am glad that we could help. Keep my card and leave your number with my secretary, if you ever need anything, just call. The guys love Jordan, they would be happy to help. And if we are ever in your neck of the woods, we will make sure that you and Jordan get the best seats in the house.” I finished. With one last wave to Jordan, I turned to Denise.

“Let’s get things underway.” She said.

I stood up in front of everyone and got them to quiet down. “All right everyone, the moment that you have been waiting for. The guys are going to come out and then we will get things started. Please stay quiet so that the questions can be heard as well as the answers. Are you guys ready?” I said knowingly.

“YEAH!” They all screamed back at me.

I turned over my shoulder, “Howie D? Are you ready?”

“Sweet D is always ready!” He answered from behind me without coming out yet.

“Bone, you ready?”

“AJ is readieee!” He called back.

“Kev baby, you ready?”

“You know it babe!”

“Brian, are you ready?”

“Ready and willing.” He laughed.

“Nick are you ready?” I called.

“Like always!”

I turned back to the fans, “All right then, here they are, the Backstreet Boys!”

A person would think that with as many times that I had been with Kevin at the shows that I would be used to the noise. But it always took me by surprise. The guys walked in and took their seats. They greeted everyone and then looked to Jordan to get things started. I was standing to the side, she looked over at me and smiled and then turned to the guys.

She was perfect. She had nothing to worry about, her questions were awesome and the guys answered them with perfection. The whole event was great. All the fans got their questions answered and the guys had no problems with them. They were a little taken aback with some questions, how mature and adult they sounded, but they handled it with ease.

When everyone was done, the guys came down front and posed for the pictures. I held Jordan back and told her that she could have individual ones if she wanted, her face lit up like a Christmas tree. Once everyone else was gone, I gathered the guys around for Jordan.

“Guys, I know that I said no one would get individual pictures, but do you think that we could make an exception for Jordan?” I asked.

“Absolutely.” They all said.

--> chapter 8 

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