Malia finished up her final rehearsal and soundcheck and went to go change into something to go get something to eat with Kristy. Kristy waited in her dressing room as Malia threw off her sweaty clothes and changed into khaki shorts and a tank top, pulled on some sandals and threw her hair up in a ponytail. She sighed and grabbed her purse, "I'm ready."
Kristy laughed, "Could you of changed a little quicker?"
Malia finally smiled, "Well, I could of."
"Come on and let's get you out of here and get you in the real world girlfriend."
Malia followed her out the door and they made a run for Kristy's car. "Did you tell Jeff you were going?," Kristy asked as she pulled out of the parking lot.
"I did, and he said be careful."
"Sounds like him."
"Yep..did you watch the soundcheck?"
"I did and you looked good girl."
"Thanks..I can't wait for tonight."
Kristy smiled, "I bet..I can't wait to see you all up on that stage."
Malia nodded and smiled, "Soo, where are we going?"
"Wendy's, of course."
"Oooh gour-met Kristy!"
Kristy laughed, "I thought so...so what is up with you?"
"What do you mean?," Malia asked shooting her a look.
Kristy shrugged as she parked and the two of them got out. "I mean...that you've been very, very quiet today."
"I haven't been quiet Kris. Just..alot is going through my mind with tonight, the whole tour...and now...Nick."
"Nick?"
"Hold on and I'll tell you..," She said as she stepped forward to order her food.
They ordered, got their food, and found an empty spot in the back of the restaurant. "Well?," Kristy persisted.
"Well....he kissed me last night."
"WHAT?!," Kristy exclaimed.
"Kristy!"
"Sorry..he did?!"
"Yeah..."
Kristy grinned, "Sooo? How was it?"
"He's a pretty darn good kisser I must say."
Kristy's grin widened, "Woooow...damnit, I knew it!"
Malia laughed, "I need to talk to him..but I haven't seen him.."
"You need to talk to him."
Malia sighed, "I know..but today's just been so hectic and he was gone by the time I woke up. I don't think I'll even get a chance to say more than 'hi' before the end of the show."
"Well..tonight at the after-party."
"Yeah..I'll have to."
"Do you like him Lia?"
Malia nodded almost meekly, "Yeah..I do."
"Well hot damn it is ABOUT friggen time!"
"Kristy!!"
Kristy laughed, "I know, I know. Sorry. He likes you too Malia..and you two better talk tonight or I'll do the talking for both of you."
"I know you will Kristy...and that's the scary thing about it."
Nick followed the rest of the guys out of the hotel conference room where they had just finished their interview with a local Orlando newspaper. If he got the "so are you and Malia Jackson dating?" question one more time he would scream. He'd smiled, shake his head and say no. But he really wanted to say 'yes' to that question once and for all. They had finally kissed, and now what? He hadn't seen her that morning as he had to hurry to Orlando and he knew he wouldn't see her til at least after the concert. He piled into the van with everyone else and closed his eyes; he was already worn out and the concert hadn't even started yet.
He smiled inwardly as he remembered Malia after they had kissed. She had no clue what to say to him; well..neither did he, really. It wasn't every day a guy kissed his best girl friend.
He didn't know what Malia felt or thought after they had kissed, he didn't know what was running through her mind right at that moment. He sighed and rested his head on his arm, this relationship stuff sure was complicated.
As they walked back into the Orlando Arena, he dialed her cell phone number and hoped she hadn't turned it off yet. "Speak to me.," Kristy's voice said after the second ring.
"Hey Kristy, it's me..is Malia around?"
"Nope, she just headed off for hair and make-up."
"Dude, what time is it?"
"5 o'clock. Then she's going to go eat..then wardrobe, then the show. I should really be her secretary or something. So how are ya Nickers?"
"I'm doin' alright Kris, how about yourself?"
"I am good but no where near as good as you, apparently."
"She told you?!," He exclaimed.
Kristy laughed, "Of course she told me you dork!"
Nick went into his dressing room and shut the door behind him, "So..what'd she say?"
"Nick! That's private girl stuff!"
"Kristy! Come on..I gotta know if I even have a slim chance in hell with her."
"You've got a way bigger chance than that buddy, I'll tell you that much."
Nick smiled, "Really?"
"Yep..is that all?"
"Well..I really wanted to talk to her but I guess it's too late.."
"Talk to her at the after-party dude. You are going, right?"
"I was planning on it..you goin'?"
"Of course..by the way, have you seen Trace, Mike, and Matt yet?"
"Not yet, they said they wouldn't be here till about 7.."
"Oh great so I'll be by myself till then? Ugh..."
"Sorry Kris..you can come hang out with us if you want.."
"Nah, that's okay. Malia said I could go to dinner with her so I guess that's what I'll do."
"Okay, well I better get off here...talk to you later.."
"Alrighty Nick."
"Tell her I said hi and good luck, ok?"
"Will do, bye Nick."
"Bye Kris."
Malia finished putting on her outfit and waited for Kristy to make some smart-ass remark about it. She turned to see Kristy's jaw dropped, "Day-UM!"
"What???"
"You look completely transformed, come here!"
She walked over to the mirror and looked at herself. It was true, Malia didn't look like Malia again; she was now Malia: Pop Star. Her curly hair was pulled up into a tight ponytail, her make-up was dark but not too over the top where it looked weird. Her costume consisted of ALOT of leather. Tight, black leather pants, a dark blue leather corset-type top. Glitter covered her body, and her new tattoo was evident on her lower back. "Does it look bad?"
"Hell no! You look good Malia! Does your mother know you have a tight stomach like that? Geez!"
"It's not too much or anything?"
"No, it looks good! What's the other outfits?"
Malia showed Kristy quickly as she hooked her microphone to the back of her pants and wired herself up. A stagehand poked her head in, "Five minutes Malia, five minutes."
"Thanks, I'll be right out."
Kristy smiled, "You okay?"
"Yep."
"You feel good?"
"I feel...like I'm going to throw up."
Kristy rolled her eyes, "You say that all the time and it never happens. You know and I know that you'll be fine."
"Yes..I know. You better get to your seat."
"I will..we'll all be cheerin' for ya."
They hugged quickly and Malia followed Kristy out the door. A security guy followed Kristy to make sure she got to her seats okay. Jeff followed her to her group of dancers and they all said a quick prayer before heading up the first steps to the stage.
It was dark as Jenna, Jason, and the other dancers made their way to their spots. A few white lights flickered on and the crowd seemed only to get louder. Malia took her spot, looked up to the ceiling in a silent prayer, and her heart jumped as the bass started up loud and clear.
Throughout "Stronger" Malia made her way from one end of the stage to the other. She spotted Kristy, Trace, Mike, and Matt all in their front row seats. When she was on their side, the guys held up a sign that read: "We Want To Have Your Baby". Malia about lost it at that point but decided she'd embarrass them in a minute once the song ended.
As the last chord played out, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. Malia smiled and waved out into the crowd, "How's Orlando doing tonight???"
She was met with more cheers and screams. "I am so happy to be in my home state and what probably should be my hometown! It's so nice to see so many friends and all my family. But there are some special people I have to say hello to tonight. First to my mom and my brother; I love you both and I'm so happy you all came to see me. Some of my best friends up here in the front row! I love that sign guys but umm no. Anyways, I want to thank you all for coming out to the show and for not practically booing me off the stage!," She said with a smile, "It's so great to start off this tour in our homestate, so what do you all say we get this party started?!"
The crowd, once more, erupted into cheers and Malia smiled and got back into her place as the music started once again.
Nick watched from stage left as Malia sang and danced her way around the stage. He smiled as she waved at a few little girls in the audience and reached out to shake a few people's hands. It was amazing how those little gestures made someone's life.
Geez, she was beautiful. And sotalented.
He knew that already, but tonight made him realize so much more. He really, really, really needed to talk to her at the afterparty.
Back to the All Of You Page
To Chapter 14
Back to the Main Page