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"It's not really a concert, so much as an interview," explained Kevin, after Lauren had arrived at the building where this all was to take place, "we may sing, but it's far from a real performance."
Lauren nodded, gazing at all the media persons buzzing around. Everyone seemed to be there, from big companies such as MTV, to smaller radio stations. All in all, the place looked like a media zoo.
"So, do you guys ever do real concerts?" she asked, still in awe of all that was around her. Nick and Howie were backstage, and she stood with Kevin, AJ and Brian.
"Sure we do," answered Brian, "actually, we have a concert in a couple days in Tampa....we were all wondering if you'd like to come?"
Lauren jerked her head back into the conversation. "I'd love to come!" she exclaimed, "but isn't Tampa like a three-hour drive from here? And I don't have a car or anything, so it may be hard for me to get there....."
"You'd ride in our bus," answered AJ, "we wouldn't make you get there by yourself! You'd come with us, and we'd give you great tickets to the concert!"
Lauren's eyes widened as she thought of her getting to see them perform. "Sounds great!" she blurted out, and AJ said, "Good....cuz you know it just wouldn't be the same without you," as he winked at her. She smiled as she felt her face flush.
Her thoughts were immediately interrupted by an announcement made by someone with a microphone. "We gotta get backstage," said Brian apologetically, "we'll see you after!"
"Good luck!" she called after them, as they made their way through the huge crowd. She took a seat with what seemed like a million reporters and the same guy with the microphone introduced them all. They came out in a single file line, and the cameras began flashing. 'This is a huge deal!' thought Lauren to herself, as they took their seats.
"Hi, Mark Glazebrook of the Orlando Post.....what are your guys' perception on your album coming out next week? Do you find there's now a competition with the Canadian market?" a young reporter asked, as he stood up.
"Well," answered Howie, "as you all may or may not know, we've had our album out in Canada for a while now, but we just hope that the US release will open up our American market and start a whole new branch of fans."
Lauren looked around confusedly, as more and more questions began to fly. 'I need to get my hands on a copy of this album!' she thought to herself, as she made a mental note to get one. The reporter next to her caught her attention, as she stood up and began to speak.
"Hi, Linda Rochester from Entertainment Weekly.....I know you guys portray the image of 'clean-cut, wholesome young Christian boys', but do you think that some of your current situations may start to send the wrong message to young children?" she said loudly.
"I'm sorry....I'm not quite sure what you mean," replied Kevin, squinting his eyes in confusion. "What I'm saying is," Linda answered, "do you think some of your family situations and conditions may damage the adolescent point of view? I mean, just in terms of the 'nuclear family'....do you think the lack of this stereotype will cause differentiating views?"
Lauren drew in an astute breath and glanced sharply at the table in which the boys were sitting. She saw the guys glance quickly at AJ, and he fidgeted with his microphone. "Um," he said, "well, I guess I can answer this question....I assume you're talking about my family....well all I know is the fact that I don't communicate as often as I'd like to with my father shouldn't have an impact on our music in any aspect. We don't in any way think we are perfect, and we hope that we don't give that impression....all we want is to make music and make people happy."
Lauren bit her lip as she glanced at Linda beside her. 'Bitch,' she thought, as she gave her an evil eye. She knew that topic was very touchy, considering AJ had looked very uncomfortable answering her.....she also felt a wave of guilt flood over her.
At long last, the conference was over, and Lauren went to meet the guys backstage. "Hey guys...that was really great," she said, as she greeted them all, and gave a half-sympathetic look to AJ. "Geez, what a bitch that woman was!" complained Nick, as he kneeled down and tied his shoe, "I can't believe she actually asked that!"
"Yeah, it must have been awkward for you guys," she answered, not wanting to bring up the subject more. "Don't worry about it Nick," she added, placing a friendly hand on his shoulder, "I'm sure the girls still love you all!"
Nick cheeks flushed as he smiled, but just as he did that she glanced at a window on the side of the conference building that showed a view of the downtown street. Standing at that window and trying to look in, were two girls who looked about 14 years old.
Lauren wasn't sure if they could actually see in, but she could have sworn they looked her straight in the eye and gave her an evil look.
She talked to the guys for a while more, then left. She walked out the door past the security men, and took a couple steps down the sidewalk. All of a sudden, she heard a noise from behind her. She spun around, and came face to face with those same two girls who were standing at the window. And the looks on their faces were not pleasant either.
She turned back around and continued to walk forward, until she heard one of the girls behind her say, "Yes, that's for sure the one."
"Can I help you?" she asked, turning around again. "Yes, actually you can," said one of the girls, giving a snooty look, "the thing is, we want you to stay away from the Backstreet Boys."
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