Yvonne was on the phone outside in front of a tour bus. She looked at us as we made our way out the
rear hotel door. “No nevermind, they’re
here.” She said into her phone, then closed it. “I have a good mind to wring that kids neck before this tour is
over.” She said.
Lina and I both laughed knowing she was talking about AJ.
“I called him back. I
though you two got lost.” She said.
“Oh, well, we had to make a quick stop to the ladies room.” Lina told her.
Yvonne nodded, and then took Lina by the arm. “So Angelina, what do you think?” She said as she led her to the front of the
tour bus.
The tour bus from the outside looked gigantic. It looked like one and a half Grey Hound
buses set together. It was a blue bus,
with tinted windows all around, and the lower half wrapped in silver platinum
metal.
Lina looked it up and down; you could see a look of disappointment
in her eyes. But before she could
answer her, Yvonne led her inside. “Come on Isabelle.” Yvonne
called out to me. “This is going to be
your home too for the next eight months.”
I obediently followed them into the bus. Inside, the gigantic perspective shrunk to a diminishing
level. Once you were in, you
immediately came across the drivers tan, leather chair. There was a small,
heavy curtain that divided the driving space from the rest of the bus. Behind it, was another driver looking chair,
but on the passenger side. Across from
it was a corner stand that reached the top of the bus. It held a black, built
in toaster oven, and below that was a black refrigerator, that came up a bit
past my waist. On one side of the bus,
was a long wooden kitchen counter with a small sink, a microwave, and a
two-heater stove. There were two rows
of cabinets on the lower part of the counter.
On the other side of the bus, was a small, wood gloss finish, dinette
table, with two small, dark red, long leather booth seats on each side. Then there is a thin, wooden door that leads
to the rest of the bus.
Behind the door, in rows of three, there were sets of so-called
coffin beds, six on one side, three on the other; nine all together. They’re called coffin beds because they
resemble the small tight space of one.
They are each around seven feet long, and four feet wide and closed off
by a small, dark blue heavy curtain.
Across from the side of the six bunks, there was another thin, wooden
door with a tiny bathroom behind it. It
was lined with wall-to-wall mirrors a small sink in the corner, a shower stand,
and a toilet on the other corner.
Past the room where the bunks are, besides the bathroom door,
there is yet another wooden door this time leading to a small room lined with
black leather couches on three sides, and an entertainment stand on the
corner. The stand held a thirty-two
inch TV with a built in VCR/DVD and a mini digital audio system.
“So what do you think?”
Yvonne asked Lina when we got back to the kitchen section of what was to
be our temporary home.
Lina looked around one more time then she looked at me, then at
Yvonne. The disappointed look, still on
her face. “Um, well isn’t it kinda
small?” She asked.
Yvonne smiled, as if she had been expecting that reaction from
Angelina. “Small? Really? Well, what exactly were you expecting?”
“I don’t know, something with some more um…space maybe.” Lina said.
“Oh, you mean you always pictured it bigger? Well, this is as big as they come
sweetie. If you want something bigger
you must go get it made. And now I know
you are smarter than to waste a couple of million dollars, which by the way you
don’t have…yet, on customizing a bigger tour bus, which you will just have to
send to the garage when you are done with it anyways.” She said.
Then added, “What do you think Isabelle?”
I looked at her. “Well, I
guess it’s livable.” I didn’t want to
disagree with her. Though it was true
that the smallness didn’t bother me, there was just not a warm homie feeling to
it. Then again, it was a bus.
Yvonne smiled again, and looked at her watch. Then with a bit of haste she said. “Sit down, there are a few things I need to
go over with you.”
Lina and I took a seat on each side of the booth table, while
Yvonne leaned against the counter.
“Well girls, like I said this will be your home for the next eight
months. You will be spending most of
your time here. In my opinion, you two
have it made. Imagine having to share
this same kind of bus with three other people.” She said referring to the Backstreet Boys. “The only difference their bus has, is that
it has a second bathroom, but it’s just as small. Also,” she added.
“Contrary to popular belief, you will not be spending much time in hotel
rooms unless need be, for example in New York.
But, for the most part, you will be dorming on this bus. Any questions?”
Lina and I looked at each other, and then at Yvonne while shaking
our heads no.
“Good, now that that’s covered.”
She said becoming serious.
“There is one last thing I need to tell you. You two girls are allowed to do whatever you want. You are both eighteen, and I’m sure you know
very well how to behave yourselves. I
am especially sure you don’t need a mother type figure telling you what to do,
where to go, and particularly what’s right and what’s wrong. In all actuality, I don’t care what you do
or whom you do it with as long as I don’t find out, and neither does the
world. Is that understood?”
Lina and I looked at each other again, a bit of apprehension in
both our eyes, but still we looked at Yvonne while shaking our heads yes.
“Enjoy the experience, Isabelle.”
She said turning to me. “Very
few get a chance like this.”
“I will.” Was all I could
say.
Then she said to Lina, “Enjoy the experience Lina…if that’s all
you are planning to get out of this.
It’s up to you.”
Lina just looked her straight in the eyes. She seemed afraid to even dare lose eye
contact. Then she nodded in
understanding.
Yvonne smiled and walked towards the exit of the bus. She stepped down, but before she exited she
said. “Ladies…the story begins…now.”
“Oookkk.” Lina said
getting up from the booth. “That was
weird.”
I didn’t say anything, just thought about what had just
happened. Weird was right.
“So what do you really think of my tour bus?” Lina asked me, making me forget my
thoughts. But before I could honestly
answer, she began, “Oh my God, did you
hear what I just said. My Tour
Bus!” She squealed with
excitement. “Ok, how many people do you
know, have their own tour bus.” Once
again her childish excitement took over. And she began to explore the bus.
“Honestly, not many.” I
said.
“Yeah, like you would be able to name at least one.” She said looking inside the cabinets.
“Actually, I can name at least five.” I joked.
“Haha.” Name someone
you’ve known for at least seventy-two hours.
“Oooh, that’s cutting it kinda close, but in that case. Nope can’t
say I know anyone, except for you of course.”
She was now looking in the fridge. “Oh yes, me have munchies.”
She yelled. “Ugh I can’t wait
for my family to see this. They are
never going to believe it.”
I smiled at her over gleefulness as she ran to the back of the
bus. I followed as she entered the last
room.
“Oh my God, look at this.” She said pointing to a lower compartment on the stand that carried
videotapes and DVD’s. “We’ve got like
every damn movie known to man.
AHHHH!” She yelled again. “Look at this CD collection. We even have the latest copy of N’sync’s new
CD. It hasn’t even been released.” She said taking the “No Strings Attached” CD
out of the casing and placing it in the player.
“BYE, BYE, BYE” went the speakers which were set up all around the
bus.
“Yo, check this out.” She
said to yet another CD. It wasn’t in
any casing, but in a small carton slit top envelop. She lifted it up so that I could see it. Her face was on the envelope. It was her CD. Well, at least the single, “Into an Endless Love.” She
immediately took the current CD out, stopping Nsync in the middle and replacing
it with hers. As her sweet, sweet voice
filled the bus, she sat down and closed her eyes. I stood by the door, and watched her. She really had a beautiful voice. Tears began to run down to her cheek. I was about to go and just hug her, when I thought of something
that would be better. I quietly left
the room, and closed the door. I went
and sat down back in the miniature kitchen.
I could hear her singing along with the record.
The tour bus door opened,
and our driver came in. He looked over
at me and smiled. “Hello there, Miss
Isabelle.” He said as he walked up the
three steps.
I smiled back. “Hi, Mr.
Williams.”
He came in and took his seat.
He grunted a bit as he did so, his old bones causing him pain. I got up and sat down on the passengers seat
behind the curtain, which was pulled open.
“It’s just Isabelle.” I
said with another warm smile that was greeted by his.
“Just John.” He said back
to me. “Beautiful voice.” He said gesturing to the end of the bus.
“Yeah, she does have a beautiful voice.” I said as her record came to an end. I was expecting for Angelina to emerge from the room, but she
didn’t.
John Williams put the key in the ignition, and started up the bus.
“Are we going to the venue already?” I asked as the tour bus pulled away from the hotel.
“Yes. They asked me to
drive you girls over there so Miss Mayfield can get set up.”
“Oh ok,” I said getting up.
I staggered a little, since the bus was in motion. Wow I thought, this was going to take some
getting use to. John must have been thinking the same thing, because he was
watching me from the rear view mirrors, and laughed.
“Do you know how they say to landlubber they need to gain their
sea legs, when they are out at sea?” He
asked.
I stopped walking to concentrate on his question. “Yes, I do,” I said with a half smile knowing
what was coming up.
“Well Miss.” He said. I could tell he wouldn’t be calling me
Isabelle. “You need to gain your bus
legs.” He said, laughing loud and
hard. “Don’t worry Miss, you’ll get use
to it.”
I sighed and continued my crooked way back to where Lina was. I opened the door, and found that Angelina
had fallen asleep on the sofa. She must
have still been worn out from last night.
But the venue was only about a minute and a half away, if even
that. I looked out the window, and yes
in fact we were already there. John was
making his way through the parking lot, and to the backstage area. I sat down next to her, and shook her
gently.
“Lina, wake up. We’re
here.” She stirred and I thought she
wasn’t going to get up, but she did.
She looked at me as if she’d never seen me before. “Lina, we’re here.” I said again.
“Where is here?” She
asked.
“We’re at the venue. C’mon,”
I said getting her to her feet as the bus came to a halt. “You need to shower.” She walked on her own to the bathroom, and I
went and searched for her towel in one of her bags. When I found it she was already in the shower, so I just laid it
on the towel rack, placing her toothbrush in the little holder as well.
I heard the bus door open and Yvonne calling for Lina. “She’s in the shower.” I told her.
“Ok, good. Tell her as
soon as she’s done, to get dressed and meet me back stage. The make-up girl isn’t here, but the
hairdresser can get started on her as soon as he is done with the Kevin and AJ.
“Ok.” I said.
“Thanks Isabelle.” She
said as she walked out of the bus.
“You’re welcome.” I said
practically to myself.
I did as Yvonne told me, and as soon as Lina got out of the
bathroom she went directly to the dressing room to prepare for tonight. I stayed behind, and took a shower. As I took off my red sweater and jeans, I
wondered where we were suppose to put our dirty laundry, and how would they get
washed. But I quickly answered my own
question, when I saw a clothes hamper behind the door, we would probably take
them to a laundry mat ourselves. I stuffed
my clothes in there, and stepped in the shower. When I got out, I got dressed in a pair of gray pinstriped pants
that had a fitted look, and a low waist, with a slim fitting dark blue
turtleneck. I looked at my watch, and I
waited for about half an hour before heading backstage. I didn’t want to be in the way like I was
yesterday.
When the time came, I went directly to the small door that led to
the dressing room. There was a crowd of girls who were anticipating on getting
in. I was greeted at the door by a
security guard that looked like he could bench press twice his weight.
“I’ll need to see your pass Ma’am.” He said in an Australian accent.
I unbuttoned my Gap, gray pea coat, and flashed him the backstage
pass that hung around my neck.
“Ok you can go through.”
He said.
I also heard some girls yell, “Hey girl, can you get us in.” Or
“Could you get Nick to sign my CD.”
I turned around, and shrugged mouthing them a sorry, which thankfully,
they took into contemplation.
“What’s your name?” One of
the girls said.
Not seeing any harm in it, I told them. But immediately, a millions of questions popped up. “Are you a dancer?” “Do you date one of the Backstreet
Boys?” “Are you related to anyone of
them?” “Are you someone famous?” I laughed to myself, and the security guard
did so too, as I meekly waved, and went in.
I went to Lina’s dressing room, but she wasn’t there. So I started to search for her, I felt lost
and out of place with out her there. In
my search, I bumped into Howie.
“Hey,” I said. “You’ve
seen Angelina?” I asked. It was close to her opening time, and she
wasn’t anywhere near the stage entrance.
“Yeah, we’re in the big room.
We were waiting for you.” He
said as he grabbed my hand, and led me through the crowd of people. When we got to the room, I saw Lina
immediately. She was in the corner
leaning on AJ as she talked to him.
“Ok, so now where’s Nick?”
Yvonne said. As she made her way
to the center of the room, everyone followed.
Howie took my hand again, and Kevin took my other one. I smiled up at him. Nick came running into the room, buckling
his belt, and taking Brian’s hand into his, and then Kevin’s.
“Brian, go ahead.” Kevin
told him. As everyone bowed their
heads, and some closed their eyes.
Brian began with a small prayer, and then counted our blessings.
I looked around the circle, as Brian did this. Howie was holding on to me, and Yvonne to
him, Lina to her, and AJ to Lina, Leighanne to AJ, and Brian to her, Nick to
Brian, and Kevin to Nick, and I to Kevin.
My hand felt so in place in his.
I didn’t notice this till then, but my pulse was racing, and my hand
must have been shaking because he cupped it even tighter in his. His large hand engulfed my small one. I looked at him as he stood there, eyes
closed, mouth moving to a silent personal prayer. Then my attention was led towards Brian, who had been staring at
me as he led us. I smiled at him, but
he didn’t smile back. It must have been
because he was deep in prayer. I closed
my eyes, and lowered my head as he finished with an Amen.
Then Madd Dogg began chanting, and everyone joined in… B to the A
to the C to the K to the S to the T R E E T. That’s BACKSTREET, That’s
BACKSTREET. They did that over and over
as they got themselves pumped for their performance.
Quickly Yvonne took a hold of Angelina’s arm, and led her towards
the stage entrance.
“Kick Ass, Baby!” AJ called after her.
“Yeah good luck Lina” Nick said.
“Break a leg.”
“Isabelle, come.” Lina
called out as Yvonne dragged her along.
“Stay with me. Go sit down in
the arena. I want you to be
there.” She said.
“Ok, no problem.” I told
her.
She smiled.
Once again Lina was great, and the audience was taking it all
in. They loved her, for the most
part. Of course there were the few, but
Angelina Mayfield couldn’t hear the handful of boo’s trying to surface from an
overly excited cheering crowd. She took
her bows on each side of the stage, and then went back over to the stage
platform, where she was lowered properly.
A couple of minutes later, she was at my side. The teenage girls around us were asking her
for an autograph and Angelina was more than pleased to give it to them.
Then all of a sudden, a huge explosion came from one side of the
arena, as smoke materialize from the ground.
For one second, and one second only, the crowd went completely
silent. A pin could have been heard if
dropped. Then the crowd started up
again as pyro’s and a light show began and the Backstreet Boys were elevated above
their fans.
Angelina and I, as well as the rest of the arena stared in awe, as
Brian, Howie, Kevin, Nick and AJ surfed over our heads and onto the stage. They went around the stage, giving the crowd
their approval, and that’s when AJ hit the spot!!!
“YEEEEEAAAAAHAHAHAHA!
WOO!” He went as the music
began.
“I may run and hide when you’re screamin’ my name, alright.” Brian said.
Getting the crowd to sing along.
“But let me tell you now there are prices to fame, alright.” Nick added making the girls go incredibly
crazy as they all cried out for him.
“All of our time spent in flashes of lieieieight.” AJ shouted.
In unison with their dancers they sang “All you people can’t you see, can’t you see. How your love’s affecting our reality. Every time we’re down, you can make it
right. And that makes you larger than
life.”
The screams continued as Nick said, “Looking at the crowd and I see your body sway, c’mon.
Then much to my surprise, Brian came around to our side, and
looking directly at me sang. “Wishin’ I
could thank you in a different way c’mon.”
I smiled, and waved up at him.
I could feel Lina’s eyes on me.
Her’s weren’t the only ones.
Brian smiled back at me, and he broke his promise. He didn’t wave, but instead blew me a kiss
from his spotlight. I have to admit,
for a moment, my heart skipped a beat, as the screams from the teeny boppers
behind me grew immensely loud. They all
thought Brian’s sweet gesture was meant for them, but I knew different. So did Lina.
“Ahem…” Lina interject, looking at me with a smirk.
I just smiled. I was
trying to contain my excitement inside.
I looked around, looking for someone in particular. I saw a pair of dull, cold-blue spikes
looking back at me. Leighanne. I sighed.
Yes she had seen. I turned my
attention back to the concert. It was
rockin’.
Not for a minute did the screaming subside, from beginning to end,
it was a non-stop adrenaline rush. But
before it came to a complete end, Madd Dogg came out from his well hidden
place, where he had been keeping an eye on Angelina, and told us we needed to
get back to the tour bus. As soon as
the boys took their bows, they would run to their bus and we would take off.
Lina and I did as we were told.
We were in our bus looking out the window, as we saw the Backstreet Boys
run out of the backstage exit, waving to whatever fans had ran from their seats
to the parking lot. They mounted their
bus, and we drove way. We were on our
way to Philadelphia, PA.