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Howie carefully opened the bus’s door, and crept inside. He’d gotten detained in the venue, and it was now well after midnight. He stubbed his toe on the corner of a chair, and gasped in pain. He grasped his foot, bit his lip, and tried not to make any further noise. The soft snores which came from the other bunks, told him that he was the last one in. The light by Nick’s bunk still shone, as he had fallen asleep while doodling a comic. Howie gently removed the sketch pad from his limp hands, and turned to shut off the small light, when he noticed it reflecting off of something in the bottom bunk across from Nick’s. Howie knelt beside the bunk. Mackenzie lay on top of her covers in plaid pajama bottoms and a white tee-shirt. Her nutmeg waves cascaded over the pillow, and fell onto her shoulder. Long eyelashes swept across her cheeks, and Howie felt something indiscernible well up his heart. Quietly, gently, he reached his trembling fingers out, and softly stoked her cheek. She leaned into his touch in her sleep. Howie’s breath caught in his throat. Mackenzie clutched a small framed picture. The light from Nick’s bunk had been reflecting off of it’s frame. Stealthily, Howie removed the picture from her clasp. A smiling younger version of Mackenzie stood with her arms around two middle aged, equally happy people. Her parents? Her hair had been shorter then, her cheeks weren’t hollow as they were now, and her eyes radiated warmth. Howie was desperately attracted to this girl. He wanted to know her. He wanted to elicit her laughter, her smile. Just then Mackenzie shifted in her sleep and a soft moan escaped her lips. She nestled her head into her pillow, and it was then that Howie noticed the stuffed rabbit. Silently, he rose from her side and retrieved an extra blanket, which he tucked around her. The picture, he placed on the tiny shelf built into the headboard of her bunk. Turning, he shut off Nick’s lamp, and moved to his own bed across from Mackenzie’s and below Nick’s. He dragged his shirt off over his shoulders, and climbed into bed, still wearing his jeans. Howie settled on his side, and lay awake, watching Mackenzie sleep.
*****
Mackenzie peeked around the large box that she carried. She cursed softly, unable to see.
“My, my! Such dirty words from such a pretty girl!” a voice teased. Mackenzie craned her neck around to see the person that the voice belonged to.
“Here, let me.” The heavy box was removed from her command and Brian stood smirking at her.
“You shouldn’t be lifting such heavy loads.” he admonished. She smiled sheepishly.
“Everyone else is busy.” Mackenzie offered by way of explanation. “Well....why don’t you take a break? Come play some B-Ball with me.” he said.
“I’d love to, but I have to finish unloading this merchandise first.” she negated.
“Ok, I’ll help you, then you can come with me, and we’ll have a good game!” he beamed.
“You must really be hard up for someone to play with.” He laughed, and in answer, picked up the large box, and led the way to the souvenir booth. Brian set the box down and Mackenzie cut it open.
“Does it ever get unnerving to see your face on a tee-shirt? Or your name on a sign?” she asked. He paused for a moment, in thought.
“Yes and no. I mean, it’s flattering and all that....but sometimes I think I’d like to live a normal life, you know?” Mackenzie nodded. Brian sniggered and Mackenzie looked at him questioningly.
“I’ll never forget the time, we were doing a concert in Germany, and this girl in the fifth row holds up a sign that says “I’ve been here”. The sign had a picture of Nick’s house on it! We were all laughing so hard, we missed a whole verse of the song we were singing!”
“I don’t think I grasp how famous you guys are yet. I know I’ll understand a lot better after the concert.”
“Have you been living in a cave, or something?” he asked curiously. She looked at him sharply. He held up his hands and added,
“It’s just that it’s been so long since we’ve encountered someone who DOESN’T have posters of us up in their room.” She relaxed and muttered,
“I might as well have been living in a cave.” Brian glanced at her shrewdly, and continued to unload the box.
“Did you know that it’s illegal to cross the state lines in Indiana with a duck on your head?”
“What?!”
“Did you know that-”
“I heard you, I just wasn’t sure you actually said that. You’re nuts!” Brian grinned at her, which only made her laugh harder.
“Ready for that game of B-Ball now?” he asked.
“I don’t play very well.” she warned. Brian shrugged and spotted AJ out of the corner of his eye. He said slyly,
“That’s ok. You can’t be any worse than AJ.” He glanced at AJ’s shocked expression, and let out a loud roar, just as AJ set out on his tail.
“What did you say about me?” he cried, “Brian! I’m going to kick your butt!” Mackenzie stood still for a moment, then took off after them.
*****
Howie strolled out the back of the venue, and leaned against the wall, watching the wild game underway. Brian currently had the ball, and passed it to Tim, who passed it to..... Mackenzie? She bent her knees, and took her shot just as Nick grabbed her around her waist, and swirled her around to face the other direction. The ball made a swishing sound, as it glided cleanly through the hoop.
“Three points!” Brian cried, dancing over to Mackenzie giving her a high five. She grinned.
“Nick! Weren’t you supposed to be guarding her?!” exclaimed Obie.
“Dude! I was!” Nick cried defensively. “She’s just so small! I didn’t wanna run over her!” The guys laughed and ruffled his hair while he blushed.
“Next time, You’re on our team, Mackenzie!” Obie called. Just then, Brian noticed Howie.
“Hey, D.! What’s up? You wanna play?” he called. Howie came closer.
“No, that’s ok, man. Looks like you have enough.”
“Actually, I have to go back, so you can have my spot.” Mackenzie spoke up, smiling at Howie. He took in her radiant face. Her cheeks were flushed, and tiny beads of perspiration lined her forehead. Her Tee shirt was slightly wet around her neck, the tell-tale sign of a hard game.
“Howie?” she asked.
“What? Oh! Yeah, all right. I’ll take your place.” The guys groaned. Mackenzie nodded and turned to the boys.
“Now, now. I’ll play again some other time, ok?” Her team mates cheered, and Tim rushed her, lifting her up on his shoulder. She laughed and pounded on his arm, begging to be let down. Tim obliged.
“Hey, Micki!” Brian called, and tossed her a bottled water. She looked up, surprised and pleased. She caught the bottle and raised her hand in the air, thanking him for it. Howie turned to Brian.
“Micki?” he questioned.
“Yeah, Denise told me that’s what her dad used to call her.”
“Oh.”
“Hey!” Nick shouted. “Are we gonna get this game movin’, or what?”
“Hey, you’re the ones who should be glad we haven’t started kicking your butts again!” Tim cried.
“We’ll see about that!” Obie said, and grabbed to ball, passing it to Nick. The game continued.
*****
Meanwhile, Mackenzie reached for a towel off of the shelf and sopped up the moisture from her forehead. She wet a corner of the towel, and pressed it against the back of her neck. She longed for a shower, but there wasn’t time. She was expected back at the stage in another ten minutes. Glancing around, making sure no one else was on the bus, she pulled her sweaty shirt off, over her head. She slipped into a clean one, and sat on the edge of her bed. Mackenzie sighed and smiled to herself. Playing ball with those guys had been so much fun.
Her black duffle bag caught her eye, from it’s position beneath her bed. It’s handle stuck out into the walkway. Her hands, with a mind of their own, picked up the duffle, and settled it on her bed. She removed the small wooden jewelry box and set it in her lap. Mackenzie carefully lifted the lid. Inside, she pulled the mirror from the lid, revealing a shallow compartment. Mackenzie took a slip of paper from the compartment and unfolded it. She starred at the seven numbers scribbled there. “I must not forget.” Mackenzie whispered into the empty bus. She glanced at the paper once more, and shoved it into her pocket. Quickly, she replaced the lid and settled the jewelry box into her duffle.
*****
The hookups were tangled. They had been set up properly just minutes ago, but someone had tampered with them, and now they were making the whole lighting set malfunction.
“We’ve got a show to light, and it has to be done in 10 minutes!” Steve said anxiously over her shoulder.
“I know that, just give me some time!” Sweat formed rivulets down her face, as she worked. Nina, the tour manager kept pacing, just a few feet away, and Denise’s shouts could be heard in the distance. The crowd was getting hyped, they were chanting. “I need some cutters.” Mackenzie said briskly. Luke handed them to her. Steve leaned farther over her shoulder. Quickly, Mackenzie cut several of the wires, amid curses from Steve. She wound the ends of some together. “Electrical tape.” This too, was handed over. “Ok,” She said, dusting her hands off. “That’ll get us through the show. I can take a longer look at it later, make a list of replacement parts, and fix everything permanently. If you’d used a higher grade of components, it would be much easier to repair.” Steve nodded, offered her a huge grin, and patted her back.
“We’re in business!” he yelled. The backstage hands cheered, and they quickly ran a spot check on the lights. All of the patterns checked out, and Mackenzie sighed with relief. She turned, and headed down the main backstage corridor. Just then, wardrobe’s door opened, and Cheryl’s frantic voice could be heard.
“Shorten it! His heel will get caught!” Mackenzie entered the room. Kevin stood on a small platform, while Cheryl squatted at his feet, frantically trying to use sewing tape to shorten his pant leg. Kevin caught sight of Mackenzie.
“Typical day at work.” he joked. “The seam broke. Did you get the lights fixed?”
“Yes. Everything’s ready to go.” Mackenzie replied. Brian, AJ, Howie, and Nick walked into the room.
“Micki!” Brian squealed. He leapt at her, and gave her a huge bear hug. She giggled and the other occupants of the room laughed. “You’ll be on the court tomorrow, right?” he asked excitedly.
“You’re forgetting one major thing, B-rok.” AJ said.
“What?”
“We’re pulling out tonight. Tomorrow we’ll be at a new venue-”
“And we’ll all have our work cut out for us.” Mackenzie finished with a smile. Brian pouted, and Nick slung his arm around Mackenzie’s shoulder.
“Besides....she’s on our team next time, remember?”
“Five minutes, everyone!” a voice called down the hall. The noise from the fans was escalating.
“Finished!” Cheryl cried. The guys cheered, and filed out the door. Howie hung back until they’d all moved into the hallway. He stood looking at Mackenzie.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I asked Randy to save you a seat in the front row......you know, since you’ve never seen or heard us perform before.” he said shyly.
She smiled and responded softly, “I’ll like seeing you, very much.” Howie grinned, and held her eyes with his own. He wanted to reach out and hug her, but something held him back.
“Two minutes!” came the call. “Time for the group prayer!”
“Come on!” Howie exclaimed, grabbing her hand in his. Mackenzie felt her heart flutter, feeling his larger hand clasp her smaller one. They raced to the right wing, where almost everyone was gathered. They all stood in a circle, and Howie kept hold of her hand. Everyone bowed their heads as Brian began to pray.
*****
Mackenzie loaded the luggage into the bottom compartment of their bus, in a daze. The concert had been wonderful, every moment of it. The guys had so much energy and talent. They established a rapport with their audience right away. During the performance, each of the guys had come to stand in front of her in the first row. They sang to her, and each gave her a sign. Kevin and AJ winked at her, Nick pointed, Brian stuck his tongue out, and Howie looked her straight in the eye. Shouts of “Here they are!” brought her out of her trance, and she and Luke quickly loaded the last few parcels. It was well after midnight, and most of the gear had been stowed. All that remained of the Backstreet Boys at the venue, were the largest sections of the stage. Mackenzie heard Denise’s voice.
“All aboard! Come on everyone! If you’re traveling on a bus, board now!” Mackenzie did as she was told. She sat down hesitantly, next to Kevin. He smiled tiredly at her.
“What about the stage?” she asked. He yawned, shook himself and replied,
“A few of the grips stay back and load it onto the 18 wheeler. They’ll catch up to us in no time. John, the driver, started up the engine, and they pulled away from the venue. Mackenzie watched it recede into the distance.
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