Chapter Four
Hopes ran high as the plane left the ground at the Toronto airport. Chloe could sense her heart beating faster, and she was even shaking. She reached to her lap to assure herself that she was buckled in, just in case. She closed her eyes, and spoke to herself silently, trying to convince her rattled mind that she would be OK. Her breathing eased off a bit and she relaxed, her shoulders less rigid against the uncomfortable cloth of the seat.
"Clo, you OK?" Shanna asked. Her friend was seated beside her, completely at ease. She’d slumped down, and her knees were propped up against the back of the seat in front of her. She chewed aimlessly on a piece of fruit leather.Chloe opened her eyes and turned her head to the left. She forced
herself to grin. "I’m fine," she whispered, knowing that she didn’t sound convincing.
"No, that’s not what I meant."
Chloe knew that. She knew that Shanna wasn’t asking if she was OK to fly. She was asking if Chloe was OK, period. She’d thrown a huge fit when she’d seen Chloe in the bathing suit the day before, screaming at her that if she didn’t gain some reasonable weight, she would drop dead from malnutrition. Chloe had blown her off, and had run home, with the weak excuse that she had to pack her own bags for LA. Shanna hadn’t left her alone since. She hadn’t brought it up in the airport, much to Chloe’s relief, because she didn’t want to cause a big scene. But here in the airplane, there was nowhere for Chloe to run. "I’m fine," Chloe repeated, more forcefully. She didn’t want to get into this. Not right now.
"Are you sick? Like…not eating enough?"
Chloe’s ears began to hurt as the plane ascended. She felt her face contort in discomfort. "No," she managed to say, a hint of annoyance in her hoarse voice. Her throat was hurting now too, ironically unaccustomed to this much strain. Chloe swallowed hard.
Shanna sat up and buckled her seat belt, moving her jaw back and forth to ease the change in air pressure. "Are you sure? I mean…if you’re sick, you’re definitely not up to this audition."
"I’m fine," Chloe repeated once more through clenched teeth. Shanna was starting to get on her nerves. Why couldn’t she just accept that there was no way Chloe would talk about her problem? No one knew. No one but her Nick. Chloe felt tears spring to her eyes, remembering how she’d
told her baby about being anorexic, and he’d drew her in close, and said it didn’t matter, and he still loved her. Oh, how she wanted him right then.
Shanna gasped. "Clo, I’m sorry. Don’t cry." She slung her arm around Chloe’s trembling shoulders. "Maybe I’m just jealous. You’re so naturally skinny, it’s not fair. I’ll lay off, OK?"
Chloe, her hands shaking, knew this was her way out. She could just nod her head, and Shanna would never know, she’d just leave her alone. She wanted to tell her friend…she wanted help. But she couldn’t reach out, not just yet. Weakly, she nodded. "Thanks, Shan," she whispered. "I promise, I’m not sick."
Shanna nodded and smiled. "I believe you," she said. She took back her arm and leaned down to open her carry-on backpack. When she sat back up, she held a small green envelope in her hand. She handed it to Chloe, a devilish grin on her pretty face.
Confused, Chloe took the envelope. "What’s this?" she asked, turning it over in her hands.
"Open it, you’ll see."
Chloe shrugged, and ripped open the paper. Inside was a computer printed picture of the Backstreet Boys. Chloe felt her heart leap into her throat, and she turned to Shanna, her eyes wide. A squeal escaped her lips.
"We’re going to meet the Backstreet Boys!" Shanna screeched. She paid no attention to the half dozen people that pivoted in their seats, asking her impatiently to quiet down. "We’re going to our dream state to meet our dream men!" She laughed.
Chloe bit her bottom lip, and her hands shook with more intensity. "I’m going to meet my baby," she said slowly, only now grasping of the true reality of her words. She cupped her hand over her mouth to suppress a scream. "I can’t do this!"
Shanna’s grinned. "No turning back now," she informed her friend playfully. "We’re kind of a few hundred thousand feet up in the air."
Chloe’s breathing grew rapid and her face turned red. "Nick Carter," she managed to breathe. "I’m going to meet Nick Carter tomorrow." She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the back of the seat, feeling faint.
Giggling, Shanna slumped back down in the seat. "I’m going to meet Brian!"
Chloe opened her eyes and turned to her friend. "Excuse me?" According to her knowledge, Shanna liked Nick the best. "Brian?"
Shanna’s eyes sparkled mischievously, and she wrung her hands together. "Brian Littrell," she repeated slowly, the name rolling off her tongue. "I love him."
Chloe almost choked on her own oxygen. "Since when?" she gasped, completely forgetting her own nervousness about meeting Nick.
"Since…I dunno, since right now."
Chloe began to laugh uncontrollably.
"Well, look at him in the picture!" Shanna retorted in her own defense, pointing at the print-out in Chloe’s hands. "Isn’t he gorgeous?"
Chloe glanced down. She had to admit that Brian, in his little white toque, innocent smile, and bright blue eyes did look rather appealing.
"Well, with your looks, you’ll probably get him too!" she exclaimed.
Shanna raised her eyebrows suggestively. She was a beautiful girl, though she often denied it. "Let’s hope!" she said. "7 years age difference isn’t that much!"
"Not at all," Chloe assured her friend. "You, me, Brian, and Nick can double-date!"
**********************************************************************
"Clo, omigod, wake up! We’re landing!"
Chloe opened her eyes groggily, and shifted her shoulders. They were sore, and she wrinkled her forehead in pain. Shanna’s voice in the distance annoyed her, as she tried to fall back asleep. "Go away," she mumbled.
Shanna shook her friend’s arm impatiently. "We’re in LA!" she was screeching. "Wake up already!"
Chloe allowed her eyes a moment to adjust to the lighting of the plane. She didn’t remember falling asleep. "LA…" she repeated slowly. Then she remembered. Her eyes flew open wider, and she sat up straighter.
"Omigod, we’re here."
Shanna was bopping up and down in her seat, clapping her hands like a seal. "Gonna meet my Bri-babe," she chanted.
Chloe grinned, and leaned down to pick up the backpack at her feet. Immediately, the changing air pressure in the plane’s cabin struck her ears, and she winced in pain. The plane eased onto the runway in LA’s international airport a few minutes later. All around Shanna and Chloe, passengers shuffled to get their carry-on luggage out of the overhead compartments and from underneath their seats. Chloe sat rigid in her seat, her breathing fast. She couldn’t move.
"Clo, c’mon, we gotta get off the plane!"
Chloe’s eyes darted back and forth between the closed window to her right and Shanna to her left. "Um…oh yeah." Hastily, she stood up and slung her backpack across her shoulder. Nerves ran through her, and she nearly collapsed.
Shanna began to make her way out into the aisle of the plane, and dragged Chloe along by her wrist. "We’re here!" she kept screeching.
Chloe tried to share in her friend’s excitement, but found it hard. In less than 24 hours, she would be meeting Nick Carter. Even the thought made her feel weak in the knees. She grabbed onto Shanna’s backpack to support herself as they shuffled down the aisle and out of the plane.
"Omigod…" Shanna breathed as they entered the terminal. She was staring out the window, where the sun shone brightly in the sky and beautiful palm trees swayed in the surrounding grassy areas. Chloe spun around on her heel, surveying her surroundings. "We’re in LA," she breathed, in awe. "We’re actually here." She felt Shanna grab her arm and pull her forward. "What are you doing?"Shanna grinned and looked back. "I’m thirsty!" she said. "I want my first drink in LA to be a pina colada!" She was heading in the direction of a drink stand, a few yards away.
Chloe laughed, despite her nervousness. "Isn’t that Hawaiian, Shan?" she teased. "We’re in California!"
Shanna stopped, and bit her lip in confusion. "Oh yeah," she mumbled after a minute. "OK, well, now I want one anyway!" She grinned again and pulled Chloe forward. "I’d like a medium pina colada, please?" she asked the young man standing behind the stand, trying hard to sound like a local. Chloe giggled.The man smiled. "Canadian?" he asked as he blended her drink.Shanna’s mouth dropped open. "How’d you know?"
"You’re said please!"
Chloe, unable to contain herself, burst out laughing. "Good job, Shan!" she teased.
Shanna shot her a look as she fumbled for some American money in her wallet. Then she grinned at the server, and took her drink. "Thank you kindly," she said sweetly, playing up the Canadian stereotype for effect. "You’re doing a wonderful job, keep up the good work!"
The man tipped his hat playfully and turned his back.Shanna couldn’t help laughing along with Chloe as the two girls walked away. "Our first confrontation with an American, and he picked us out right away!" she complained jokingly.
Chloe grinned. "Let’s just hope our Boys don’t figure it out too!"
"Excuse me, are you Chloe Woodward?"
Chloe turned her head in the direction of the male voice that had just called her name. An extremely good looking guy was staring at her, a question in his eyes. Chloe smiled, and turned her body around to face him. "Yes, that’s me," she replied.
The boy smiled back, flashing straight white teeth, and stuck out his hand to shake. "Hi, I’m Chris Nielson," he said. "I’m Terry’s son."Chloe’s eyes widened in recognition of the modeling scout’s name. "Oh, YOU’RE the one that saw me in the show that night!" she exclaimed, a bit embarrassed. She was remembering her seductive appearance up on the runway and almost blushed.
Chris laughed. "Uh huh," he replied. "I was the one who got you down here!"
Chloe was so drawn to Chris’s appearance that she nearly forgot to introduce Shanna. He was tall, nearly six feet, with sandy blonde hair and aqua marine colored eyes. He had the traditional surfer look, with a deep bronze tan and a patterned Hawaiian shirt. The shirt was unbuttoned at the top, revealing the chain to a silver dog tag. Yellow tinted
sunglasses perched on his head. Dark jeans rested on his hips and flip flop Adidas sandals graced his feet. He was smiling so wide that Chloe nearly forgot where she was. She felt a nudge in her side, Shanna’s demand to introduce her.
"Uh…uh…." Chloe stuttered. "This is my friend, Shanna."
Shanna grinned, and stuck out her hand to shake. "Hey," she said enthusiastically. "Nice to meet you!" She leaned over and tossed her empty pina colada into the trash can beside them.
Chris smiled back. "Y’all are so polite," he remarked, a slight southern twang to his voice. "Oh, look, here comes my dad." He pointed down the crowded airport to a suited man who was making his way toward him. Terry Nielson was a bit chubby, and Chloe couldn’t help giggling, thinking how he looked a little like Lou Pearlman. He was wearing dark
sunglasses, and carried a very expensive looking briefcase. He nodded in greeting to his son, and briefly introduced himself to Chloe and Shanna.
"I have to get going," he concluded in a very deep, assertive sounding voice. "Sorry for the short introduction, but I have a meeting to attend to. I brought Chris with me so he could show you girls the city, and take you over to your hotel later on. I’ll be meeting with you again at the audition. Good luck, by the way."
Chloe nodded her thanks, and shook Terry’s hand before he walked away. Left alone again with Chris, she smiled nervously.
"Well, let’s jet!" he suggested, gesturing towards an outside door to his left. "My car’s parked just outside."
"Sounds great!" Shanna said, putting her backpack down at her feet and rotating her stiff shoulders. "But what about our luggage?"
Chris grinned. "The beauty of being a model," he said, glancing sidelong at Chloe. "We have cabbies to get the luggage for you, they’ll deliver it to the hotel."
Chloe laughed. "Wow, I feel like a super model!" she commented, feeling a bit more comfortable now.
Chris smiled at her again, lighting up his whole face. "You’re fit to be one." He picked up Chloe and Shanna’s backpack, slung them over his shoulder, and started walking towards the door. Chloe blushed, and started to follow Chris out of the airport. He was awfully good looking. She was aware of Shanna smiling knowingly at her out of the corner of her eye, but she refused to meet her friend’s gaze. A warm breeze enveloped Chloe as she stepped outside into the beautiful Californian September weather. She felt out of place carrying her heavy jacket, and dressed in a sweater and khakis, especially seeing the hundreds of locals milling around outside the airport in shorts and tank tops. A brand new silver, sporty Mercedes was parked just outside the door, gleaming in the warm sunlight. It was a 2-door convertible with white leather interior. Chloe’s mouth fell open, and she threw Shanna a look of amazement.
"My car," Chris presented, sounding very proud of himself. He took a ring of keys out of his pocket and unlocked the trunk. Tossing the girls’ backpacks into the small space, he commented, "My dad bought this for me."
"Wow," Chloe replied, unsure of what else to say. "This is really nice! Traveling in style, huh!"
Chris wiggled his eyebrows. "You bet! Climb in!" He ran around the
passenger side and opened the door, pushing back the seat so Shanna
could get in the back. Chloe folded her long legs into the front seat,
and Chris shut them inside. Running back around to the driver’s side, he
jumped in, put the roof down and started the ignition. Glancing in the
rear view mirror at Shanna, and then over at Chloe, he smiled
brilliantly and shouted, "Welcome to LA, ladies!"
**********************************************************************
"Chris likes you!"
Chloe spun around to face Shanna’s comment. "He does not!" she shot
back playfully, smiling at the mention of his name. The girls had just
arrived at their hotel and Chris had let them alone for the night, after
a short goodbye. He’d kissed Chloe on the cheek before departing. They
were standing just inside the doorway to their room now, hanging up
their coats in the closet.
Shanna burst out laughing. "You are so naïve, girl!" she exclaimed. "He
kissed you, for God’s sake! And didn’t you see the way he was looking at
you all day? He’s got it bad for the cute Canadian girl!"
Chloe felt herself blushing again. She had caught Chris’s looks at her
every so often during their LA city tour, but she wasn’t about to admit
it. "I bet that’s just what all Californian guys do," she replied,
trying hard to sound nonchalant. "’Member, this isn’t Canada!"
"It’s an international thing, Clo. Guys don’t kiss girls they don’t
like." Shanna shook her head. "I can’t believe you! We’re in LA for like
five minutes, and you’ve already got a local after you."
Chloe wagged her finger at her friend, a smile playing on her lips. "He
doesn’t like me," she insisted. "And besides…I’m after Nick." She
grinned, surprised at her own words. She’d hardly thought about Nick all
day.
"Then can I have Chris?" Shanna dropped to her knees, pleading. "Ohhhh,
he’s so hot!"
Chloe laughed and swatted at Shanna’s head. "You’ll break Brian’s
heart," she teased, and turned into the hotel. "Oh wow…"
"What, what?" Shanna scrambled off her knees and trotted after Chloe
into the room. "Oh wow…"
The hotel was beautiful. Plush cream carpeting cushioned their stocking
feet, and a modest chandelier hung on the ceiling. The walls were a
light beige, with a flower pattern gracing the center border. A large
oak cupboard in front of two queen sized beds held a big-screen TV, and
a matching desk displayed a bouquet of fresh flowers. Yet another
matching dresser was set up against the far wall for the girls’ clothes.
A CD player and mini-fridge sat in the corner.
"Is that a card in the flowers?" Chloe asked suddenly, breaking the
awed silence in the room.
Shanna stepped forward to the desk. "Yup," she replied a second later,
lifting the tiny enveloped card out of its holder. "It’s addressed to
you."
Chloe reached out her hand and took the card. Lifting open the tiny
envelope, a look of confusion crossed her face. "Who would send me a
card in a hotel?"
Shanna pounced forward to Chloe’s side. "Read it!" she prompted.
"Quick!"
Chloe grinned up at her friend, and took the card out of its envelope.
She read the handwritten message aloud :
Chloe,
Good luck at the audition tomorrow. We’ll be watching for you.
Love,
The Backstreet Boys
Nick, B-Rok, AJ, Kev, and Howie D.
"Omigod!!!! The Backstreet Boys wrote me a good luck card!"
