𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 ─ new kids on the block

𝒙𝒙𝒙𝒗.

DECEMBER 6, 1990
→ T I N N I E

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WE WERE NOW nearing the end of 1990, which seemed insane—how had this year passed us by so quickly? What seemed even crazier though was how the year had turned out to be something completely unexpected.

I mean, who would've thought that Emily and I would befriend New Kids on the Block by accident after going to the Arsenio Hall show, and then find our soulmates in two of them? And, on top of that, we would tour America with them! It all seemed so dream-like. The first year of this decade was truly one for the books, an unforgettable year.

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The New Kids had just put out a remix album titled No More Games and shot a video for their newest single, Games, which both Emily and I were asked to be a part of by the guys. However, that did not work out for one reason—Mr. Scott, the New Kids' manager, thought it was 'too soon' for us to show our faces to the public. Of course, we understood that completely.

Had we been a part of their music video, the Blockheads and tabloids would have most likely lost their minds and questioned who we were, creating even more buzz about the guys' love lives than they already were. It made total sense for us to hide from the fans, at least for a little while longer. Hopefully soon, we could hang out with them as 'friends' in public, and go to events and places that weren't so exclusive.

Apart from the new album, the guys had also had their hands full with shooting a Disney special called Wildest Dreams which was to be aired in the beginning of next year. Joey wanted me to portray his romantic interest and dance partner for his segment on the special but they decided to go with a professional dancer instead. The girl's name was Andrea and though she seemed nice and was a pretty good dancer, I sure did wish Joey would've had more say in that. But I guess that was just the way these things ran in the show business.

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Tonight, the New Kids would be performing a concert in Rhode Island which had been very highly promoted for over a month now. As always, Emily and I were very excited for the show. However, tonight's show was going to be very special for the guys because not only were we going to be in the front row but all of their families would be there as well.

The energy backstage was through the roof just minutes before the show. The guys' dressing room was full of family members and their closest friends, and everybody was having a good time.

"I think it's time you guys get out there," Donnie said to us all backstage as he rapidly brushed his teeth, "make sure you get your seats."

Biscuit led our whole 'crew'—me, Emily, Joey's brother, Donnie's mother and cousins, Jordan's little cousin et cetera—to the front row. Emily and I got the best places, right in the center of the stage, as we did each night. The crowd was already filled with excitement. There was screaming and cheering coming from both ends of the arena, most of which belonged to the younger Blockheads.

And just like that, the lights went down and a male voice spoke over the speakers: "Can you feel it? Can you feel it now? It's showtime! Get ready for Donnie! Are you ready for Joe? Joooordaaan! Ready for Danny? The time has arrived for Jon!"

Emily and I looked at each other and then joined in on the loud screaming that came from the girls all around us. It was always fun to pretend to be 'just fans' amongst the other Blockheads in the crowd. What was even more fun was that nobody had any idea who we really were.