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Chapter 8
As the big day, 9-9-99, drew near she became very nervous. She was going as Howie's date, and was wary about the reaction from the public. He had asked her over the phone, he would have done it in person, but he was trapped in Florida, and she was in New York, she could not wait to see everyone again. Everything was falling into place that day, Anne had her wardrobe, the hair and makeup people would be over at 4:30, nothing could bring her down today. In her apartment, she turned on MTV, and watched TRL just for the heck of it. Dave Holmes, was at the MET, he had cornered Fatima, and was talking to her. Anne listened in, she had always liked Fatima, and was interested in what she had to say. Howie all of a sudden walked into the frame.
"Baby, what are you doing on my tv?" Anne asked the television, almost expecting an answer. "He's at a rehearsal, genius," her brain silently answered. "Ooh, I like the hair, it's different." She was dressed, and ready for her hair and makeup to be done by the time TRL was over. Prada was her choice of designer, when she saw this outfit the week before she knew it would be perfect. She wore a black leather skirt, the slanted hem line went from half way up her right thigh to half way up her left calf. Her top was a black spaghetti strap tank top, trimmed with white rhinestones, also she had some 'killer' heels, if she ever tried to dance in them she would surely kill herself, or at least twist her ankle. In a hang-up bag draped over the chair, was her other outfit, for the after party, a similarly styled top, but this time red knit, and with thicker straps, Anne had learned early in her life, that if she wanted to dance and have fun at a party, she would need more 'support' than strapless undergarments offered. At times like that she cursed the genes for a curvy figure she was born with. She also had black leather pants, they were fun to wear, she had never had a pair before, and they took some getting used to. After she was all 'done,' and her 'helpers' had left, the limo came and picked her up, it had started to drizzle, "Perfect," she thought, rolling her eyes. The limo dropped her off that the guys' hotel, and she met them in the lobby.
"Baby, you look fabulous," a familiar voice said from behind her. She turned around to see the whole Backstreet crew, standing behind her. Brian, Leighanne, A.J., Amanda, Nick, his girlfriend, Mandy, Kevin, and his girlfriend, Kristin. Although she had never met her until now, Anne had never heard a bad thing said about her, and she seemed quite nice. Anne took Howie's arm and everyone piled into a limo and they were off to the MET.
"Anne, where'd you get the clothes from?" A.J. asked.
"These are
Prada, what about you guys? Did you go with Versace again this
year?"
"No, D & G," he replied.
"Nice, they do good work."
Upon arrival, Nick
and Mandy got out first, followed by Brian and
Leighanne. A.J. and Amanda, climbed out next, Howie and Anne followed them,
and Kevin and Kristin were last. The guys went over to be interviewed by Serena
Alchul, while Anne, or Rose rather, tonight Anne did not exist, was to be interviewed
by John Norris.
"I'm standing here with The Rose, how are you doing this evening?" John asked.
"I'm fine, I'm just glad the rain is holding off for now."
"I think we all are. Now this is your first trip to the VMA's isn't it?"
"Yep, last
year at this time I was just an ordinary person sitting at home
watching on tv like everybody else, wishing I could be here."
"And here you are," John chuckled. "So Rose, you have a new single out, Why, and the video is fairing pretty well on TRL, when is the album coming out, and how does it compare to your last record?"
"My album Crossroads, comes out next Tuesday, please go check it out. It's similar to my other album, but a little darker in subject matter, and there is a little more rock in a few of the songs, but in general has a bit more pop sound than the last album."
"One more quick thing, noticed you getting out of a pretty packed limo back there, would you mind telling everyone who you came with."
Anne swallowed the lump in her throat, she knew this question was going to come up sooner or later. She and Howie decided if the question came up tonight, they would just come out with the truth. They were in the public eye, and they were not going to get any peace by avoiding the question. "I came with the Backstreet Boys."
"Any Backstreet Boy in particular?"
"Howie," she reluctantly said, in her mind she could hear Lindsay shriek.
"That's nice,"
John said, changing the subject. "So is there anyone you are
really looking forward to seeing tonight?" John asked.
"Oh wow, everyone, Kid Rock, I heard Nine Inch Nails are performing, that should be cool, uh, BSB, TLC, I love that song, definitely Lauryn Hill, her CD is amazing. Everyone should be great."
"Well have fun and we'll see you at the after party."
"Yes, you
will. Thank you," Rose said, and when the camera shut off she
took Howie's arm and walked in with the rest of the Backstreet clan.
"I just think that with the limited seating this year the MTV people were like 'All right, we can kill two birds with one stone. Put her in the Backstreet camp, well that's two less seats we have to worry about,'."
"You lost me back there."
"I'd have
to be here anyway, because of the new album, and well, one seat
for whoever your date would have been, and then one for my date."
"Oh yeah, it's all the flashbulbs, they do something to my brain."
They took their seats and waited for the show to begin.
"...His name is Chris Rock!"
"This is going
to rule, I can't believe how close I am," Anne thought to
herself.
Chris Rock came up through the stage and began his rather humorous monolog. Throughout his rant Anne reflected on some of his comments, and the thoughts generated by her rather random mind.
" ...'N SYNC, or as I like to call them, The Spice Boys..." Anne whipped to see their reaction, "Ouch, that hurt. Ooh, they're buried, sucks to be them, I bet they're going home empty handed." "...Who'd wanna be a Backstreet Boy, didn't you see New Kids on the Block, don't you know how this movie is gonna end? Who's gonna be the bad Backstreet Boy and get Brittany Spears pregnant?" Anne bust out laughing, she could not hold it in. Without thinking she looked at A.J., just to see his reaction, but was distracted by Brian, who looked to be mouthing into the camera, 'Not me.' "Brian, you're damn right it'd better not be you. Keep saying that, especially with Leighanne sitting right there, otherwise you'd be dead where you sit. Besides, Chris, you've got the wrong group, talk to Justin Timber-dork back there. Oh wow that was mean. Ha ha, I think you mean Blair Shit Project, God that movie was terrible." "...Puerto Ricans everywhere..." Anne smiled at Howie, he grabbed her hand and held it, Chris had finished his little rant and Anne whispered in Howie's ear, "Whew, I'm off the hook, I thought he'd make some smart ass comment about me being here with all of you."
"He took the high ground, he probably couldn't think of anything 'bad,' to say about you," Howie whispered back. Throughout the awards her mind continued to observe the strange goings on.
"Eew, Praise You, cool song, but that video scared me, I would have put my money on Korn, God, that guy is weird," she thought as the man from the Torrence Community Dance Group was accepting his award. When Kid Rock performed, she had to fight to stay in her seat, Bawitdaba, was still one of her favorite songs, and the performance was even cooler with the addition of Run-DMC, Steven Tyler, and Joe Perry from Aerosmith. "I wish I could have been in that pit," Anne whispered, to Howie.
"You're not the only one," he replied indicating Nick and A.J. who were really getting into the song.
"Well I guess DMX can't take Kid Rock's woman," Chris Rock reflected after Kid had left the stage.
"Well I could have told you that," Anne thought. "Kid may look like a dirt ball, but he can put on quite a show, damn, where did I put that lighter?" Anne clapped for everyone. "Oh my God, it's Prince, he's weird as hell, but I respect the guy, he's a brilliant musician." She loved TLC's performance, and was on her feet when they were done. "That's right Will, you'd better apologize for that comment about the jacket, quick. It gets pretty cold in the doghouse this time of year," she thought as Will Smith was accepting an award. Anne was completely star stuck, "David Bowie, man that guy has been singing longer than I've been alive, I wish I could last half that long...aw yeah, here's the money shot, Lauryn Hill." The guys went backstage to get changed for their performance, it felt odd to have the seat next to her deserted. Will Smith introduced the 'first mother's' of rap, and Anne was on her feet clapping, she had an incredible amount of respect for these two women, the mothers of the late Tupac Shakur, and Christopher Wallace. They had been to Hell and back with the murders of their sons and yet were standing up on the stage now. Eventually Carson Daly and Pamela Lee introduced the guys. They had not told her any details about their performance, she was in the dark, just like everyone else. "Hmm, long black coats, I sense some stripping coming on," she thought. Sure enough, they cut I Want It That Way, short, and jumped right into Larger Than Life, and ditched the coats in the process. "Hello?" Anne thought as she saw the costumes. "Nice shirt there A.J., well that's going on the burn pile." The 'burn pile' was an ongoing joke, it was created because of the several fashion faux pas' that she and the Boys had accumulated over the summer.
"Woah they got tougher, they should change their name to C.W.A. Crackers With Attitudes," Chris cracked as MTV cut to commercial.
"They aim to please, Chris," Anne silently remarked. The Boys came back. "That was amazing," Anne told Howie when he sat down. "But you could have warned me about that choreography, it was...interesting."
"Sorry about that, but I'm glad you liked it," he replied, he kissed her, and put his arm around her.
The Torrence Community Dance Group came back out and danced an interesting version of Praise You. "Exactly what was that?" Brian leaned over and asked.
"You got me?" Howie replied.
"Oh holy Hell,
what is she wearing? Or I mean not wearing? Kim, please,
cover yourself up, if she walks outside she can get arrested for wearing something
like that," she quietly observed as Lil' Kim and Mary J. Blige, went out
to present an award, Howie nodded in agreement. "Kick ass, Diana Ross,"
she thought to herself. The Beastie Boys picked up that award, and along with
the rest of the assembly she applauded their speech, she had a lot of respect
for the Beasties, especially in recent years.
Later Brittany Spears came on, and it was obvious 'N SYNC was on stage also. Joey Fatone's fire engine red hair was pretty hard to miss, after he was spotted, it made the other members pretty easy to find, mostly because they did not match Brittany's dancers. Brittany did a nice job, and Anne applauded, even though 'Miss Spears' was not very high on her list. Thankfully for Anne she had been able to escape ninety- five percent of the 'teen pop' debate, despite her Backstreet connections, also the fact that she was not blond seemed to help. 'N SYNC came on next.
"Jumping off desks, that's a broken ankle waiting to happen. I'll say one thing for them, they can dance. But what do the other three guys sound like? That is the one thing I like about you guys, all of you get to sing lead once in a while," she said to Howie, he smiled.
"Check that little guy out," he said, pointing to a boy dancing.
"Oh wow, he's
amazing. He can't be more than thirteen, I might try and
steal him when he's legal."
"It's gonna be a while," Howie replied.
"Oh well.
I can't believe it, he's making the rest of the guys look bad, I
gotta try and steal him," she chuckled. "Oh my Lord, Eminem won,"
Anne thought later. "Sara must be loving this."
The guys picked up their sole Moon Man, for Viewers Choice, which although she would never admit to anyone Anne had voted online for them, twice.
A series of faux
Madonna's, several men in drag, followed this award, when the real thing came
out the entire audience was on their feet. Anne loved the whole thing. "Oh
my God, Paul McCartney, that is so cool," she thought as one of her idols
walked on stage. They presented Lauryn Hill with Video of the Year, the show
was over and people dispersed, the Backstreet entourage was headed to the first
of several after parties.
In the wee hours of the morning Anne, who was now herself again, arrived back
in her apartment. She crashed, and woke up the next morning in time to meet
Howie for lunch at a local Chinese restaurant. They had ordered and were now
enjoying their lunch.
"Last night made me realize something," Anne said.
"What was it? Nothing bad I hope."
"Not really. Promise me one thing."
"Anything," Howie replied.
"I am so worried
about you guys, the five of you are on top of the world.
And as hard as it is to get to the top, it's even harder to stay there. Promise
me you'll be careful, up on your pedestal. People will be chucking little stones
at you, waiting for you to teeter and fall. Please be careful and bring your
armor, I don't want anything to happen to any of you. I don't know what I would
do without you."
Howie reflected momentarily, on this surprisingly profound statement. "I will."
The bell on the door clanged as the restaurant door swung open, Anne instantly looked in the direction of the sound. "Well I'll be damned," she said. The new person, a man, saw her and instantly made a way to their table. "Jacob, fancy meeting you here."
"What do you expect, Rose? This place has the best lo mein in Manhattan," he said, then cleared his throat.
"Oh, yes. Jake, this is Howie, Howie, Jake, my manager."
"It's nice
to meet you," Jacob said, less than thrilled to meet the newest
man in Rose's life.
"Likewise," Howie replied as he extended his hand, when their hands met they engaged in a 'death grip' hand shake. It was clear neither man cared for the other. "You have quite a hand shake there, Jacob."
"As do you, Howard." He wrenched free of Howie's grip, although he tried to hide it, he was obviously in pain. "Well, I gotta go, my carry out is ready," Jacob said. "Oh I have good news, Rose. I got more promotion work for you to do before you leave. If you play your cards right, this album will be huge."
"But Jake-" she started. Jacob looked at her, his arms were crossed in front of his chest. "Yes, Jake," Anne said instantly, she sank back in her chair, and quickly lowered her eyes. Jacob collected his food and walked out the door.
"Jerk," Howie muttered under his breath, while shaking the blood back into his hand.
"You didn't have to go and break his hand," Anne said.
"Well he started it," Howie retorted.
"I know, he starts everything."
The Boys departed
for Florida, and Anne stayed in New York, it was a short
goodbye, she accompanied them to the airport. She and Howie sat off by themselves
a little, Anne wished she could go with them, she would gladly blow off Jacob
and leave New York, but she dared not make him mad.
"I've been meaning to give this back to you," Howie said, as he took Anne's ring out of his jacket pocket. He quickly kissed it and then slipped it on her finger. The sliver band felt different, she quickly removed it and examined the shape.
"You fixed my ring," she said. "It isn't bent anymore, and it's all polished. It hasn't looked this good in years. You didn't have to do that."
"It was no trouble, I was walking by a jewelry store back home and the idea just hit me."
"Well thank
you, I appreciate it." The guys had to go board their plane.
"Have a good trip, I will talk to you tomorrow."
"I'll count the days until I see you," Howie said as he kissed her goodbye, he walked down the ramp to the plane. As the plane took off Anne's heart sank, it was going to be a very long four days.
"So how are things going down there?" Anne asked over the phone.
"They've been better," Howie answered.
"Trouble in paradise?"
"Uh huh, it
looks like A.J. and Amanda are history, and I mean it might be
for good this time."
"So when should I come down there? It's getting close to the show days and I'm finally done with my stuff here."
"No, don't. I think you'd better stay up there, this storm is huge, and it's going to hit us pretty hard," Howie said, they each were watching the Weather Channel on tv.
"Are you sure?" Anne asked.
"Yes, unless something drastic happens in the next twenty-four hours we're going to cancel the concerts."
"You are?"
"It would
just be too dangerous to have them it's too close to when the
storm is supposed to hit. The first show will probably be the one in Charlotte."
"Well thanks for telling met. So I guess I'll see all of you in Charlotte then."
"More than likely."
"Be careful, do you have all your hurricane stuff ready?" Anne asked.
"You bet, we're all old pros at this," Howie said.
"Well take care, I miss you."
"I miss you too, Baby."
"Bye."
"Bye," Howie said, he and Anne each turned off their phones, he was sad he was not going to see her, but it was better to be safe than sorry.
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