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Chapter 3: Kate
Something is fishy here. We have been taping for five months together now and the cast all of a sudden just became closed mouthed about what we are going to Florida for. Yes, I know it is for the show but for how many days and what is going on, I don't know. Oh well, guess I just go with the flow here. These past months have been wonderful. I get such a thrill from performing in front of the live audience and still know that it is okay to mess up. Ryder, Danielle, and Ben are so wonderful. The four of us kick it together so much that I can't recall what life was like before Boy Meets World.
"Morning!" Danielle greets me as she sits down in the seat next to me in our first class seats of the plane we are using to fly there and get some footage for the show.
"Umm, hi. What's with you today?" I ask.
"Oh, nothing."
"Right. You all are ganging up on me on this. It so isn't fair!"
"Don't worry. You'll love the surprise. I know I will!"
"I can tell."
As the plane takes off, I settle back into my seat and close my eyes. Next thing I know, I am waking up to a song that is being played over the intercom. How weird, they usually don't play music like that. What is it anyway? I listen in to the words and hear, "...thinking of you. Made a mistake when I let you go baby..." It's 'NSync! I instantly start singing along with it, not knowing that the camera is actually filming me for part of the show with Danielle slipping into her character.
"You really love those five guys huh?" she asks.
"Of course! I know you do!" I answer.
"Duh. Can you believe how gorgeous they are? Oh god! Those eyes of Lance's are just too irresistible!"
"Hey! What is the big deal talking about other guys while your boyfriends sit across from you?" Ben asks, also in character.
"Huh?" I ask.
"You know we just like admiring. You are the only one for me."
Okay, something is definitely up. Are they filming already? I look up and see the camera trained on all four of us. Yup, I guess so! The four of us continue having improv conversation until the camera is taken off of us.
"Why didn't you tell me the camera was rolling?" I ask.
"The look of surprise on your face was too good to miss!" Danielle answers.
"Figures. We're almost there, huh?"
"Another half an hour and we will be landing. Are you excited?"
"In your words, duh!"
We joke around until we touch down and then gather our stuff to head off the plane. We walk to the baggage claim and get stopped a few times by fans to sign autographs but aren't mobbed at all. I suppose it is because the two guys are wearing hats and sunglasses. From there, we jump into a rented car and drive off with Ben driving to our hotel in Orlando, The Beach Resort, right outside Epcot.
Once we are all checked in, Danielle and I head up to our room that we will be sharing together for the next two weeks as Ryder and Ben get settled into their room, right next door. Just as I stretch out on my new bed, the phone rings.
"Hello?" I answer.
"Hi. Kate? This is Lance. How did you enjoy your flight here?"
"It was pretty uneventful. "Driving Myself Crazy" was played over the intercom which was weird but that was all. Want me to get Danielle?"
"Yes please."
"Danielle! Your lover boy is on the phone!" I yell, placing the phone down on the table.
She comes bouncing in from the bathroom and instantly falls into a comfortable conversation with Lance. I get up to go freshen up from the airplane ride and am interrupted by a knock coming from the connecting room. I open the door and find Ryder standing there, looking at me.
"Wow! Who is the lucky guy?" he asks.
"What are you talking about?"
"You just look really good. Too good to just be sitting around here."
I laugh and say, "Thanks but this is just a sundress that I brought to keep me cool in all this humidity. What's up?"
"We have been royally invited to go attend the first part of shooting at Epcot tonight. Ben and I are getting ready to leave now. Do you think you and Danielle could be ready soon?"
I look over at Danielle and see that she is still giggling on the phone with Lance. "If you can get her off the phone, then yes."
"Piece of cake!" he says, winking at me before turning his attention on her. "Hey Danielle! Your boyfriend is on the phone in here! He wants to know what you are doing right now."
"What? No, there is no one else... Really. Ryder is just being stupid... Okay, I'll see you soon then... Bye," Danielle says before hanging up. "What was that for?"
"To get your attention. We have to head over to Epcot now. The van outside will take us to the place that they have roped off for the scene. Let's go!"
"All right! Let me get my stuff."
"Girls, I swear they are the slowest things on earth sometimes," he mutters, going back into his room, leaving me to close the door behind him.
"So, are you going to see Lance tonight?" I ask, grabbing my purse and walking towards the door.
"Actually, yes I am. We better hurry. Ryder will leave without us!" Danielle exclaims, exiting the room before me.
We jump into the van outside and then enjoy the back roads into Epcot. Once at the area that we are going to be shooting at, we are ushered out of the van and are put through wardrobe and make-up. Ryder and Ben are just there to watch this scene. Maybe they don't know this mystery music group either. All I know is that I am supposed to act totally into them and have fun. I just hope that it isn't a metal group or something that would be hard to do that to. I'm not that good of an actress. Danielle and I both look like two teenage girls going to a concert when we are done, the perfect look.
"Are you two ready to scream?" asks one of the assistants.
"Sure are!" Danielle answers for the both of us as we make our way to the front of the group of extras up and bouncing around. All of a sudden, I get really nervous. So nervous that I don't even take in my surroundings. We are placed in the front row, center, and have two cameras in our faces, and a few others shooting the stage and the entire picture.
"Okay, are you two girls ready to have some fun?" Kevin asks.
"Yeah!" Danielle and I scream, getting into the spirit of things.
"All right! ACTION!"
A woman comes onto stage with a microphone and says, "Well, the time you have all waited for has finally come. Those five handsome and fun loving guys who originated right here in Orlando, Florida are actually here and ready to perform for you all. Put your hands together and make some noise!"
I scream my head off even though I don't know who the band is. Well, there are a couple of Orlando bands with guys, LFO, C-Note, Backstreet Boys, and 'NSync. I guess I'll just have to wait and see!
Just then, a cute little dog runs across the stage and a voice calls out, "Busta! Come back here!" followed by a guy with braids coming onto the stage, chasing the dog. Busta... Why does that name sound familiar? Oh my God! It's 'NSync! I turn to Danielle for confirmation but she's too busy laughing so I look around and finally take in all of the 'NSync signs that fans are holding up. How could I have missed those?
Soon, the guy, who I am assuming is Chris, comes running back across the stage carrying Busta, who is currently busy licking Chris's arm. Soon, the first notes of "Tearin' Up My Heart" are played and on come all five guys: Chris, Joey, Lance, Justin, and finally JC. They immediately launch into their dance routine and I find that I don't have to force myself to scream along with the crowd. They are hot! JC comes right over to Danielle and me and sings to us for a bit before getting up and dancing away onto the other side of the stage. He is definitely the cutest one, I have to say.
"Cut!" Kevin yells. "That was great! Kate, you should have seen your face! It was classic when you finally figured out that it was indeed 'NSync. I suppose I could fill you in on the rest of the plot now that you know who is here to perform for the show's special. Better yet, get Danielle to. We are going to take a thirty-minute break to review the footage we just got to see what more we need for this scene. Extras, you did great. You can go hang out at the area you first met today for right now. I promise, the guys won't be going anywhere."
I see Lance gesture to Danielle to go up on the stage with him and she does as he beckons, but pulls me up along with her. "Hey guys! This is Kate!" she greets them.
"Hi," I utter.
"Hey Kate!" all five shout in some way or another.
Danielle instantly goes to Lance after that and falls into his arms. They are so close that anyone that didn't know that they were in love had to be blind. Aww... True love.
"So, this is the infamous Kate. I'm glad to meet you. I'm curious though. Do you know our names?" Justin asks.
"Well, through the stories Danielle tells me about Lance and his friends, I think I do. Obviously, the guy holding her right now is Lance. Since you look like the mischievous little boy that could pull numerous pranks, I'd say that you are Justin, and the guy with the braids is the owner of Busta, who is named Chris. Then of course there is Joey, who I believe Rosie called the guy who looks like every guy she went to high school with, and finally, JC, the serious, good looking father of the group," I answer.
"Wow. I didn't know you were a fan of ours. I'm flattered."
"Don't be. Who said that I really was? I mean, there are so many great bands out there and they are all so gosh darn competitive."
"Wait! You mean you are a fan of Backstreet Boys? Oh no! We should have let them claim this spot then! Oh well, too late. I guess you'll just have to deal with us for the next two weeks."
"So why'd you choose them over us?" Chris inquires.
I can't help but laugh at how far this has gone. "Who said I did? I simply said that you guys shouldn't assume that everyone is a fan."
"We usually don't," Joey explains. "I guess Justin is just being a bit out of character tonight. Must be all those close-ups that the crew got of him. Made his head too big."
"Hey!" Justin protests.
"Actually, I am a fan of yours. I love all types of music, and almost every group out there. It takes a lot of talent and dedication to get where you are now and I admire you for it," I say.
"Thanks," JC says, drawing my attention from the other three guys. "Sorry for Justin. He's just a bit competitive right now. After all, it is rumored all over the internet that his girlfriend Britney dumped him for Nick Carter."
"As if she would! Obviously no one has heard her real thoughts except for me," Justin argues.
"I said rumor, not fact."
"Hey, it's okay Justin. I'm sure that she never would leave you for another guy. You are just too unique to give up like that," I say.
"Thanks, I think," Justin says.
"Anytime!" I say with a smile.
"Justin, Chris, Joey! We need you over here to retouch your makeup. You three are shining from all of these lights!" one of the assistants calls.
"Well, pardon us Kate. Seems that our shining star status has to be dimmed down some more," Justin jokes before following the other two to the makeup trailer.
"So, Kate, what's it like working with Danielle, Ryder, and Ben all of the time?" JC asks me.
"It's fun. What is it like working with Lance, Justin, Chris, and Joey?" I ask.
"Ditto. They are such clowns though, I swear! Touring is a great experience though. There is nothing like the thrill of hearing one's fans call out your name."
"I'm sure there isn't."
"You haven't experienced that?"
"Well, taping a live show with a live audience is much different from performing live on a stage for a concert. There's a huge difference!"
"Come to think of it, you're right. I remember what it was like on the Mickey Mouse Club. I think that the major difference is that during a concert, the audience is loud throughout almost all of it while on a show, they have to be quiet."
"That could be it."
"Listen, I was wondering, would you-"
"JC! Kate! Get over to your spots! We are going to do that whole scene over. That last one was great but this is just for insurance," Kevin yells.
What was JC going to ask me? Oh well, guess I'll find out later. I jump down from the stage and walk to my spot next to Danielle who is beaming from ear to ear. "You really are happy being with Lance again, huh?"
"Isn't he wonderful Kate?" Danielle asks.
I laugh and say, "Obviously, since he has you smitten!"
"Oh shut up. I could see a little something happening between you and JC."
"Yeah right! You were too busy looking at Lance."
"I did too! Who knows, maybe your secret love for him will come out within these next two weeks."
"Get a life Danielle!"
"Enough chitchat! Let's roll it!" Kevin yells, as the cameras begin recording. Three hours later and many different angles after, we finish. The guys of 'NSync get mobbed so Danielle and I decide to head into the trailer to change into our regular clothes. I go into the bathroom and wash all of the makeup off of my face and apply a bit of lip-gloss on. When I get out, Lance and Danielle are waiting for me outside.
"Ready to go?" I ask.
"Actually, I was going to go out with Lance tonight. Want us to drop you off at the hotel first though?" Danielle answers.
"Naw, it's okay. I'm a big girl and can handle myself."
"Sure. I'll see you later. Don't wait up!" she yells as she and Lance exit the trailer.
"If I did, I wouldn't get any sleep!" I mumble with a smile. I get out of the trailer and laugh as I see some of the extras still lingering around the trailer in which the guys must be in.
"Kate!"
I turn around to search out who said my name and find myself facing Justin. "Hey Justin. What's up?"
"Listen, I was wondering, do you want to go out with me tonight?"
"Tonight? To where?"
"We could just hang out at my house or take a walk around the less populated areas of Orlando. What do you say?"
"Sure, I have nothing better to do."
"Great! I'm going to go get something out of the trailer and be back. Don't go anywhere."
"Don't worry, I won't."
I watch Justin jog off and spot JC coming towards me. "Hi JC."
"Kate, I was wondering..."
"Yes?"
"Would you-"
"Kate! Let's get going before the fans come back!" Justin yells, running back towards me.
"Sure Justin. Sorry JC, what were you saying?"
"Nothing. I guess I'll see you tomorrow," JC mumbles before turning around and heading off towards the trailer. I wonder what that was about.
"Ready to have some fun?" Justin asks, pulling my attention away from JC.
"Definitely!"
"All right then. Let's go!"