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Author's Chapter Notes:

I really wish this was my sweet 16 party! Although I did have a Masquerade based on BSB's song, which I love! 

Chapter 27 Surprise!

“So when’s this gig?” Nick asked the night of the party, “Of course I forgot what you told me.”

“It starts with dinner at 6 but the music doesn’t start until 7. Kate’s going to do that “special persons” dance like I did for my sweet 16. I promised I would be there early but I figured I would stash you and the guys in one of the unoccupied rooms until I give you the go ahead to hit the stage. I’ll even score you some food before you go on.”

“Won’t Kate be suspicious when she sees you running food back and forth?”

“I told her that I hired BSB impersonators. She doesn’t know the real thing will be hiding away. She won’t suspect it either.”

“If you say so Kayl. When are you leaving?”

“As soon as I get myself dressed I’m going to call Kasey to pick me up. Just be there by 6 so you’re not late for dinner.”

“Alright I will.”

“Oh call me when you guys get to the hall so I can show you where to go and give you the masks.”

I ran upstairs, threw on my dress and shoes, grabbed my make up kit, fixed my hair then dialed Kasey’s number.

Katie greeted me, Kasey and Trish with excited hugs and a huge smile. She showed us to our table then I followed her into the bathroom to do her hair and makeup. My aunt Jewels, Kaite’s mom, followed us with the camera. She wanted to document every second of this party it seemed.

When I was all finished Katie looked into the big mirror and exclaimed, “Kalie I love what you did! This looks perfect! Thank you so much!”

“You’re welcome sweetie. You look so beautiful! No one can top your beauty tonight girl!”

“Your cousin’s right. No one could steal your spotlight,” her mom kissed her forehead then exited the bathroom.

“Hopefully Spencer will notice me tonight.”

“Spencer? Isn’t he your best friend?”

“No. Roger’s my best friend. Spencer is my crush.”

Spencer and Roger were both in my dance class along with Katie and I had noticed that she was crushing pretty hard on Spencer but I noticed Roger definitely had feelings for her and she was starting to feel the same way. She denied having feelings for her best friend but I could see something was there between them and it was more than friendship.

“That Spencer still hasn’t asked you out?”

“Nope. Maybe if he sees me like this he will.”

“Girl don’t make yourself crazy over a guy. I did the same thing for Ryan and look where it got me. Just have a really good time tonight and if he does ask you out or not don’t worry about it because there are plenty of boys out there. And one guy will be the one for you someday.”

She hugged me and said, “Thanks cousin. And there’s a guy out there for you too just keep looking.”

“Awe thanks Kate but I’ve decided against getting married. I don’t need to be married to be happy.”

The guests started showing up in droves and I played photographer because Katie wanted pictures with each of her guests when they arrived. A long line was forming but everyone was excited for the party.

At exactly 6 Nick called me.

“We’re all here where are you?”

“I’m taking pictures for Kate but I’ll be right out. Stay in the car.”

I handed the camera over to my twin and ran outside.

I sneaked BSB into an unoccupied room and promised I’d be back with food.

The sight of me making up six plates of food and hustling five of them out of the room must have been comical and suspicious.

“Kalie… what are you doing?” Katie asked.

“Don’t worry about it. Just go back to your friends.”

She stood with her hands on her hips giving me that “tell me look” on her face.

“Git! Go back to your friends. You can’t know what’s in this room until after your special persons dance.”

“Fine,” she walked away and I made sure she wasn’t watching when I delivered the food. At 5 minutes to 7 I slipped back into the waiting room and brought the Boys their masks.

“Don’t take these off until I tell Katie the real surprise. And you guys know the line up right?”

“Masquerade then you’re going to reveal us then we bring Kev out and sing Hey Mr. DJ then a few more songs and then the DJ takes over from there right?” AJ asked.

“Correct! You guys ready?”

“Yes we are,” Kevin said, “Just one question. What is the birthday girl wearing?”

“You can’t miss her she’s the only one wearing all purple.”

“I’m guessing it’s her favorite color?”

I nodded my head.

“That would explain the purple ties. Good idea,” Brian said.

“Thanks again for doing this you guys.”

“It’s no problem Kalie. I have a feeling this will be fun,” Kevin said.

“Alright Boys. Follow me and let’s get on with the show.”

The Boys lined up behind the small stage and I gave a thumbs up to the DJ and he announced, “At this time may all of Katie’s dancers and back up dancers please grab a mask and take your places on the dance floor. It’s time to start this party!”

BSB took their places in front of the DJ and I took mine next to Mark who was my partner for the Masquerade video. Katie took her place in the center of the dance floor in the middle of all her friends and cousins. She looked at the Boys still not knowing it was them and smiled at me.

“You’re right Kay. They do look really good!”

If only you knew!” I thought to myself.

Katie gave a signal and the over head lights were replaced with the colored lights the DJ supplied and the music started.

Once Nick started singing the opening verse of Masquerade Katie and her dancers, including Kasey, Trish, Mark and myself, started our routine and my uncle Keith got everything on video. Kalie’s friends were having a blast watching the dancers and Katie was already having the time of her life dancing with Roger.

When the song ended I went up to the stage and Nick handed me a microphone.

“How’s everybody doing tonight?” The room became filled with shouts and clapping, “Sounds like everyone’s doing well and is ready to party hardy Smith style in honor of our birthday girl Katie! Cousin I have something to tell you. These guys up here aren’t BSB impersonators,” the guys removed their masks and I continued, “They’re the real thing!”

Katie was frozen with surprise.

“What?!” she squeaked out.

“Surprise Katie!” I said and smiled at her.

“This can’t be real! The Backstreet Boys can’t be at my sweet 16!”

“It’s real cousin! Tell her boys.”

“It’s really us Katie,” Brian said, “Your cousin here has done us many favors and we had to return them. She told us how big of a fan you are and we jumped at the chance to surprise you.”

“Also this is our way of thanking you for being such a big fan,” Howie added.

“So thanks for keeping the Backstreet Pride alive Katie and happy sweet 16!” the four said in unison.

Katie started jumping around with her best friend Shannon and they started chanting, “Ohmygod BSB is here! Ohmygod BSB is here!

“Now before you get too excited Katie we have one more surprise for you,” Nick said.

“We have a feeling you know who this is but let’s bring him out anyway,” AJ added.

Kevin walked on stage with his mask on and when he removed it Katie let out a loud, ecstatic scream!

“Holy crap it’s Kevin!”

“Hi Katie,” Kevin waved at her and she stared at him and waved back.

“When Kalie told me it was your sweet 16 and that you were one of my biggest fans I figured I would return the favor and thank you for being my fan by showing up tonight! But also I heard that you want to make your own music video for Hey Mr. DJ so,” he turned to the DJ and asked, “Hey Mr. DJ, would you please play that song for Katie?”

Katie snapped out of the shocked state she was in just in time to take her spot next to me and Roger so she could perform the routine for Hey Mr. DJ. Nick took his place as my partner when Mark joined his girlfriend Lacey.

***Nick’s Point of View***

Hey Mr. DJ was the 1st song that made me think Kalie was having feelings for me. She was dancing so close to me and looked at me with this indescribable look in her eyes. Grant it all the couples who knew the choreography were dancing closely but Kalie had never danced like that with me before. As I sang the chorus of the song I wished it to be true. I really wanted to go up to the DJ and tell him to keep playing this song over and over for me because she was in my arms. Maybe tonight will be the night to tell her.

***Kalie’s Point of View***

I had to laugh when Kevin moved closer to Katie then actually cut in between her and Roger so he could dance with the birthday girl. I don’t think her smile could’ve gotten any bigger. She continued to wear that smile when Roger picked up the choreography with her again. I was so happy for her and still so amazed that BSB did this for my cousin.

The Boys surprised me by performing the entire set of the This Is Us tour for Katie. The entire set was composed of her favorite songs and she was being serenaded and danced with her favorite band of all time on her sweet 16! She was so lucky!

This Is Us Concert Set List                  

Backstreet’s Back (with Kevin)

We’ve Got It Going On (with Kevin)

PDA

Quit Playing Games With My Heart (with Kevin)

As Long As You Love Me (with Kevin)

This Is Us

Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely (with Kevin)

All I Have To Give (with Kevin)

She’s A Dream

A medley of The Call and The One (with Kevin)

Bigger

Shape of My Heart (with Kevin)

I Want it That Way (with Kevin)

More Than That (with Kevin)

Undone

Incomplete (with Kevin)

All Of Your Life

Larger Than Life (with Kevin)

Bye Bye Love

Straight Through My Heart

After they performed Straight Through My Heart they turned the party over to the DJ to complete the rest of Katie’s play list.

***Nick’s Point of View***

Katie’s friends knew how to party. They stayed on the dance floor throughout our entire set and when the DJ took over to finish the party they continued to dance right up to the last song. It looked like all of the guests were having a genuine good time and I knew I was having a ball being Kalie’s date.

Toward the middle of the night I stepped outside onto the terrace while Kalie helped touch up Katie’s hair and makeup. Shannon and Roger were standing out on the terrace talking.

I started listening to the conversation when I heard Roger say, “I think Kate and I would be the perfect couple and I know I have feelings for her but I don’t know if she feels the same about me. I don’t get why she keeps falling for that jerk Spencer when all he is is a dirty lying cheat! I could be such a better boyfriend. I would never hurt Katie but yet she’s my best friend and I can’t risk losing her because we didn’t work out as a couple.”

“You won’t ever lose Katie,” Shannon said. “She needs you in her life and she would never let anything ruin your friendship. I think she has the same feelings for you but she’s just not showing them. Besides Spencer didn’t even show up tonight even though he promised. Plus he’s dating that slut Shelly so he’s probably getting it every time he sees her and is satisfied with her right now. You know how innocent Kate is and you know how sexual Spencer is, it would never work anyway.”

“But I don’t know if I should tell her or not. I…I just don’t know,” Roger confessed.

“Tell her,” I interjected.

Roger and Shannon looked at me and I continued, “You should tell her how you’re feeling. And make it soon before she slips out of your reach. I never told the girl I had strong feelings for and I lost her. It tore my heart because she was stolen from me by a jerk who just wrecked her mentally and physically. I still regret not telling her. Besides Katie’s feelings might not be showing just yet but who knows maybe if u tell her she’ll open up to you and soon feel the same way about you.”

“He’s right Rog,” Shannon said, “Tell Kate.”

“Alright then I’ll tell her… tonight.”

We saw Kalie and Katie returning from the bathroom and the three of us headed back into the party.

Kalie and I had taken a break from dancing to talk to a few of her cousins. Then You and Me by Lifehouse came on.

“May I have this dance?” I asked extending my hand to my best friend.

“You are my date, I guess so,” she joked and took my hand. We settled close to Katie and Roger and started to slow dance.

“Look at them!” Kalie said to me, “They look so happy together! Awe I really hope they start dating soon. They would be such a cute couple.”

“I hope we start dating soon,” I thought to myself. “She does seem happy with him,” I said aloud.

“Nick you’re not even looking at them. You’re like staring me down.”

“Sorry. I guess I’m just… caught by how good you look in this dress.”

She blushed a little, “Oh stop sweet talker.”

“It’s true Kay. You look smoking.”

“Thanks Kaos…” she changed the subject, “I haven’t heard this song in a while.”

“Me neither. But it’s a good song.”

I looked into her deep brown eyes and started singing the lyrics to her hoping that something would connect, “One of the things that I wanna say just aren’t coming out right.

I spun her at, “True thing I know, you’ve got my head spinning. I don’t know where to go from here.”

She spun back to me and I sang the rest of the song with passion and emotion when she stared at me with those gorgeous brown eyes, “Cause it's you and me and all other people with nothing to do, nothing to prove. And it's you and me and all other people and I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you. There's something about you now. I can't quite figure out
everything she does is beautiful, everything she does is right. You and me and all other people
with nothing to do, nothing to lose. And it's you and me and all other people and I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you and me and all other people with nothing to do
nothing to prove and it's you and me and all of the people and I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you. What day is it? And in what month this clock never seemed so alive.”

I really couldn’t keep my eyes off of her and she was so beautiful and perfect. I felt like we were the only two in the room yet I knew about the other guests at the party.

The song ended and Kalie hugged me, well more like squeezed me.

She looked up at me and smiled.

“What was that for?” I asked.

She shrugged, “I just wanted to hug my best friend that’s all.”

I smiled at her then the DJ played Down by Jay Sean featuring Lil Wayne and everyone hit the dance floor hard.

“I love this song!” Kalie exclaimed. Again we danced closely grinding together. We were both having a great time and she was exciting me. She was getting low while I was getting high from her moves and beauty. I have never seen her have so much fun and such a bright smile.

That’s it,” I thought to myself, “I’m going to tell her right after this song.”

Down ended and I grabbed Kalie’s hand and asked, “Can I talk to you out on the terrace real quick?”

“Sure.”

Once I closed the terrace door behind me I spoke up, “Kalie I need to tell you something.”

“What is it Nick?”

“I feel like we only have tonight, I mean I only have tonight to say this to you…”

“Nick, what?”

“Kalie, you outta know that tonight is the night to let it go and put on a show because I want to see how you lose control. So leave it behind as we have a night to get away. So come on and fly with me as we make our great escape.”

Kalie giggled, “Nick, you brought me out here to recite lyrics to me?”

“No I… I actually brought you out here to ask if you would like to go out on a date with me.”

She was shocked, “What?”

“I mean an actual date Kalie. Just you and me on a traditional date.”

“Nick I can’t.”

My heart dropped, “Why not?”

“You’re my best friend Nick. I don’t want our friendship to be ruined by us dating and breaking up. You know I haven’t had the best luck with boyfriends lately. I don’t want to chance it. If I was having better luck I…I…never mind. I’m sorry Nick. I just really don’t want to chance it.”

She realized how disappointed I was, “Oh Nick. I’m sorry. Do you hate me? I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings like that.”

“I don’t hate you. But you’re right… I don’t want our friendship to be ruined either.”

“Are you sure you’re not mad at me?”

“I’m sure I’m not. Let’s go back inside. I think they’re bringing out the cake.”

BSB started singing Happy Birthday to Katie and everyone joined in. The birthday girl blew out her candles and was handed a microphone.

“I just wanted to thank all of you for coming and making my night so special. First I would like to thank the Backstreet Boys for surprising me on my sweet 16. You guys are awesome! You really are the absolute best! To all of my friends who actually showed up thank you so much for having a good time tonight. It wouldn’t have been a party without all of you. I love all of you guys so much! I have a feeling the music videos will be amazing and thanks for dancing to BSB with me. I also wanted to say that I have the best family a girl like me could ever wish for. Thanks so much for supporting me in everything I have done, did and will do. I love you all very much. And speaking of family I’d really like to single out my cousin Kalie. She was the one who got BSB to perform for me. Kayl that was the best surprise ever and you’re the best cousin ever! Today is not only my birthday but it’s also Kalie’s. So Kalie come over here we have a cake for you too! Surprise!”

“Awe! Thanks Katie!” Kalie exclaimed.

“Let’s sing happy birthday to Kalie!” Katie suggested.

BSB once again started the song and all the guests joined in.

After cake Katie was presented with a few presents.

Shannon and Rodger came up to their best friend and handed her an envelope.

“I hope you like it Kate,” Roger said.

Katie opened the envelope and exclaimed, “It’s a ticket for a BSB concert! Holy crap!”

“And you’re not going alone! Rog and I are going too!” Shannon added.

Katie screamed then hugged her best friends, “Thanks you guys! I love you both!”

Next her parents stepped up with another envelope.

“This is from the entire Smith family,” her dad informed.

Katie was speechless as she looked at the contents of the package but answered excitedly when someone asked what the gift was, “They’re VIP tickets to the same BSB concert!  Holy shit! Thank you so much! This is the best night of my life!”

She hugged each of her guests as they left and soon the only ones left were a few family members and her two best friends.

BSB and I were helping clean up when Katie came up to us and said, “Excuse me Backstreet?”

We turned around and smiled at her.

“Hey birthday girl!” AJ said, “Did you enjoy your birthday tonight?”

“It was by far one of the best nights of my life! I just wanted to thank you so, so much for making it this special.”

“It was our pleasure,” Brian said.

“I also wanted to thank you guys for being who you are and for making such amazing music. I also wanted to thank you guys, especially Kevin, for writing and singing Never Gone. That song got my entire family through a very tough time and we are all greatly thankful for that special song. It means a lot to the Smith family.”

“You’re welcome Katie. I’m glad our music gave you and your family some relief in tough times,” Kevin replied.

Before we left, we each gave Katie a hug and kiss and said our last Happy Birthdays to her. Then we took a picture with her, Shannon and Roger. Then we signed the poster her uncle made.

Kalie came up to us after the picture and said, “Thank you so much Backstreet! You have made my cousin so happy! I don’t think she’ll ever stop smiling!”

“Like Bri said before it was our pleasure,” said Howie.

“Besides we owed you a favor because you’re such a good friend to us,” AJ said.

“Well thanks again. I couldn’t thank you enough!”

“You could thank us by letting us crash at your place tonight,” I suggested.

“You have yourselves a place to crash. Let me help clean up and we’ll hit the road.”