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Nick awoke disorientated and confused. After glancing around for a minute he realized he was at Brian's. Groaning, he plopped his head back down on the pillow. Brian had barely left him alone since Sam left. Nick knew Brian was only looking out for him......but it was getting annoying. Last night was the perfect example. Nick was ready to go home and just be alone......but Brian wouldn't let him. He practically dragged him out of his house and brought him to his place. After a few hours of video games and pizza, Brian finally went off to sleep, leaving Nick alone. Nick continued to lay there and ponder over the past few days when he heard Brian come out of his room. He continued to listen as Brian tiptoed past him, trying to be quiet.
"Good Morning Brian."
Brian must have jumped a good 5 feet in the air, throwing his hand up to his chest, "Jesus Nick!! You scrared the living daylights out of me!!"
Nick tried to look like he felt bad, but he just ended up cracking up with laughter.
"Gee thanks.....glad to know you care so much!!"
"I'm.......sorry Bri.......but the look......on your .........face..........was........hilarious!" Nick spit out between laughs.
Before Brian could respond the phone rang. While Nick tried to control his laughter, Brian picked it up.
"Good morning, you have reached the mentally psychotic home of Brian, how may I help you become mental quicker?"
Nick began laughing even harder when he heard this. He quickly shut up when he saw Brian's face change.
"You're kidding?? Oh my.....really??!! Of course....we'll be there right away!! Thanks!!!"
Brian hung up the phone with his mouth hanging open.
"What is it Bri?"
"We've gotta go meet Ms. Miles at......"
"AT?? At where??!!!"
"At JIVE studios......"
"Jive?? HUH? You lost me Bri......speak in full sentences!!"
"Ms. Miles just called.......she said that representatives from JIVE records was at the charity concert......they want us to perform for them to make sure we aren't just a fluke......and if they like what they hear......they're gonna sign us to their label!!!"
Nick just stared at Brian with a look of shock on his face, "You're kidding??!"
"NO!! Come on, we gotta get ready. We're meeting everyone there. Ms. Miles was on her way and was calling everyone."
Nick and Brian proceded to get dressed in record time and rush out the door. They were both nervous and giddy as they drove towards Jive studios.
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Sam found herself staring at a girl with long dirty blonde hair, blue eyes, and a friendly smile.
"Hi!! You must be Sam......I'm Jordan," the girl said walking up to Sam and sticking her hand out.
"Hi...." Sam said shaking her hand.
"Sorry I wasn't here when you arrived.....I had to go home....emergency!"
"Oh, that's okay, really. Why were you hear anyway? I thought everyone showed up this past weekend?"
"Well, 90% of the students move in then.....but I missed the rush and came about 2 weeks ago.....so I could get settled an all."
"Oh......cool....."
Sam and Jordan just kind of sat there, each not knowing what to say.
"So, where's your schedule? Maybe we have some classes together."
Sam handed Jordan her schedule and watched her as she looked over it.
"Hey! We've got Music Production and Theatre together! What are you majoring in?"
"I'm not sure yet......either music or theatre.....I can't decide."
"Oh man, me too!! I want to teach drama....or music....."
"I want to either produce plays or movies.....or I wanna become a manager for musicians......I think....."
"Well.......what do you enjoy more? Being around music.....or the stage?"
"I guess music.......I couldn't live without my radio or cd player......"
"Then go for the music major."
Sam just nodded her head, "Thanks....."
"No problem.......we have music production in about an hour......wanna go get some lunch?"
"Um......no.....thanks.....I'm not hungry.....I'll just see you in class....."
Jordan gave her a skeptical look before shrugging her shoulders, grabbing her bag and with a quick good-bye, walking out the door.
Sam slowly sat on her bed. Her roommate was nice and everything......but Sam just wanted to be left alone.
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Brian and Nick looked at each other apprehensively as they entered the building. They spotted the other guys right away and walked over. AJ and Howie were practically jumping up and down from excitement.
"Hey guys......" Brian said nervously.
"Hey!! Are you two ready?? We should warm up...oh god, I hope they like us, wait, how could they not?!" Howie said spitting the words out so fast the others just stared at him, "What? Sorry.....I talk fast when I'm nervous."
The others just nodded. To ease the tension and nervousness, they began a few simple warm ups to losen the vocal cords. After a few minutes of that, Ms. Miles showed up.
"So, you all ready to wow them?"
Everyone nodded nervously while staring at each other.
"Okay, great!! Lets go!"
All the guys followed behind her as she led the way to the elevator. No one said a word during the ride up. The silence continued as Ms. Miles announced to the receptionist that they were there. After yet more tense waiting, they were led into a room with eight chairs. Looking around, they each grabbed a seat and waited some more. Finally two exuctive looking guys came in. After all the handshakes, everyone resumed sitting.
"Well, we'd like to hear you guys sing. We enjoyed what we heard at the concert and we want to make sure you all sound like that all the time...."
Looking at each other, the guys stood up and went to stand together. Kevin counted them off and they began singing "End of The Road" by Boyz II Men. Soon they forgot all about the executives and just concentrated on their harmonies. Once they were finished, they saw Ms. Miles grinning widely and the executives nodding their heads appreciatively.
"Wow.....you guys definitely have some talent. How would you all like to be a part of the JIVE family?"
"Are you serious?" Kevin sputtered after a moment.
"Yes, very serious. We'd like to sign you guys to our label. What do you say?"
Kevin looked to the others who were all nodding their heads yes before turning back to the executives, "We'd love to!"
"Great! We'll get our lawyers to set up a contract and have you all look over it and hopefully sign it. We should be able to get back to you by the end of the week, how does that sound?"
"Great!" they unanimously agreed.
After shaking hands and thanking everyone, the guys slowly filtered out of the room and down to the entrance of the building. They were all a little dazed.
"Can you believe this guys?" Howie asked softly.
"I know......we're gonna be......famous!!!" AJ burst out.
Everyone laughed as he began jumping up and down like a little kid.
"This calls for a celebration guys.....how about a little party guys?"
Everyone nodded their heads and decided to meet up later to discuss details. For now, they had people to tell. Everyone went their separate ways.......all of them on cloud nine.
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Sam tried to listen as the teacher droned on. She was finally at her last period of the day and she already had a major headache. As soon as the bell rang, she litterally jumped out of her seat and raced out the door. Sam didn't stop until she reached her room. Opening the door she saw that it was empty. Heaving a sigh of relief, Sam stretched out on her bed and closed her eyes. Her relief was short lived. Not five minutes later Jordan walked in.
"Hey Sam.........are you ok?"
Sam didn't reponded, just grunted an answer.
"What's wrong? Tough classes?"
"No."
Jordan stood there for a minute, unsure of what to do. She'd been trying all day to get this girl to open up to her but without much luck. It looked as though Jordan was going to be stuck with a very moody roommate.
"Look, no offense Sam.....but what is your problem? I've been trying all day to be nice and all you do is ignore me. Now, we're stuck sharing this dorm room for at least a semester so we may as well get along."
Sam looked at the back of her eye lids and sighed. Jordan was right.
"Look Jordan....it's nothing personal. I'm just going through some stuff right now and I just want to be alone."
"We're all going through things......college is pretty different from high school, you just gotta accept it."
"I wasn't talking about college......I've just got some personal issues to work out......"
"Fine.......well, if you ever need to talk, I'm willing to listen."
"Thanks."
Jordan took one last look at Sam before turning and walking out the door. Sam laid there in her bed, exhausted. Finally, she fell into a dreamless sleep.
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Brian noticed that Nick was especially quiet during the drive to the Carters.
"So what's wrong Nick?"
"Nothing."
"Yea sure! Nothings wrong? Then I must be scooby doo......now come on, what's bugging you?"
"It's just ironic....."
Brian burst into his rendition of "Ironic" by Alanis Morrisette for a few lines before abruptly stopping and looking at Nick.
"Okay......what's ironic?"
"Well......it's ironic that you haven't been sent to the pyscho ward yet......but I just meant that it's weird......I have this great news and the one person I want to tell, I can't."
"Why not?"
"Um...hello Bri!!! I have no way to get ahold of her! Remember?!"
Brian smiled slyly, "Who say's you have no way to reach her?"
"Brian......what are you getting at?"
"Well, I managed to get Sera to give me Sam's address......."
"WHAT!!? When?? Why didn't you tell me?"
"She gave me her address......the day we went to see her and I didn't tell you yet, because I knew if you knew before the concert you'd drive up to see her. And I refused to let you miss that opportunity......and now aren't you glad I didn't give it to you? You wouldn't be getting a record deal then."
"Well where is it now?"
"In my wallet."
"Give it to me!!"
"On one condition."
"Oh and what's that?"
"You cannot go see her! Write her a letter first......prepare her a little bit. Don't just rush up there......it might mess things up."
Nick thought about it for a few minutes before finally nodding. Seeing this, Brian fished his wallet out and tossed it to Nick. Directing his eyes back to the road, Brian watched out of the corner of his eye as Nick pulled out the peace of paper and carefully unfolded it like it was going to break. Nick softly ran his fingers over her handwriting before folding it back up and placing it in his pocket. Moments later they pulled up at the Carters household and not too long after that, chaos broke out. All that could be heard was a bunch of squeeling, screaming and a few shrieks of congratulations here and there. All in all, it was a long day. After Brian had left, Nick made his way up to his room and sat at his desk. Pulling out a piece of paper and a pen, Nick began writing.
Dear Sam,
Well, if you're reading this then you know I've got your address. Don't get mad at anyone......it's not their fault. Well......I, for once, have no idea what to say to you. I never thought I'd ever say that. I guess I just don't understand. Why? Why couldn't you at least tell me you were leaving. Do you have any idea what this is doing to me?? I don't think you do. If you did, then you'd at least have the common sense to call me and let me know you're okay. I don't even know that.......all I do know is that the girl I love left.........and broke my heart. When I sat down to write this, I had some things I wanted to say......but that just doesn't seem important anymore. And I'm too angry right now to say those things. Yes, I am mad at you. I'm so mad I can't even think straight anymore.......but then the confusion sets in......and I begin to wonder why. What did I do to drive you away? I have the right to know that much. After 17 years of friendship, you owe me that much.
Love,
Nick
Nick folded the letter, placed it in an envelope and addressed it. He would mail it tomorrow with the hope that she reads it.