“Rock your body right, Backstreet’s back alright!” Trevor sang and danced around, outside Lyndsey’s house. Trevor pulled Lyndsey up from where she was sitting on Jacob’s lap, “Come on, dance!” He said, and he started twirling her around. Jacob just grinned and laughed.
Trevor Penick was Lyndsey’s best friend. They had everything in common. They were too much alike to even think about dating. Jacob Underwood was also Lyndsey’s best friend, but that’s because he is her boyfriend. They were friends before they started dating five months back. Jacob stood up and took her hand and twirled her in. He then gave her a quick peck on the lips. Jacob grabbed his blue baseball cap and put it on.
“You’d make a good performer,” Jacob said to Trevor.
“Really? You’ve been performing all your life. That means a lot coming from you,”
Answered Trevor, as they went inside to watch TV. Trevor was clicking through the channels. “Wait Trevor go back,” Jacob said.
“Isn’t that Lou Pearlman?” Asked Lyndsey, as they all listened. Jacob and Trevor’s jaw dropped.
“Lou Pearlman is holding an audition to find five guys to be in a group,” Jacob said, shocked.
“That’s perfect for you guys!” Lyndsey exclaimed.
Trevor high-fived Jacob, “This is a chance. A small one, but at least it’s a chance,” Trevor said.
A week later Trevor and Jacob drove out to the audition with Lyndsey there as support. A man named Jay came out and introduced himself and explained that the guys chosen would work with him.
“Out of everyone here, twenty-five will be chosen to fly down to Florida where you will sing and dance your way to the top eight. Today you will meet Lou and sing for him,” Jay explained.
Jacob’s turn soon came and he was asked to sing ‘Tearin’ Up My Heart’ but he didn’t know the song. They let him go listen while another guy came in.
“Hi, I’m Lou,” Lou Pearlman introduced himself to an 18 year old named Ashley Parker Angel.
He walked in front of Lou and a board of judges. Ashley sang ‘Tearin’ Up My Heart’ beautifully.
“You traveled a lot?” Lou asked.
“Yeah, I’ve traveled,” Responded the gorgeous blue-eyed Ashley.
“Have you ever been to Florida?” Asked Lou.
“Yeah, when I was younger,” He answered.
“Well you’re going again,” Lou announced.
“Oh my God! I can’t believe this!” He exclaimed as he went and hugged his girlfriend Shelli.
Afterwards Jacob came back in and performed ‘Tearin'’ Up My Heart’. Lyndsey waited in the back and watched.
“Are you his girlfriend?” Lou asked her.
“Yes,” Lyndsey said softly, stepping forward.
“Your boyfriend is extremely talented. Congratulations Jacob, you’re going to Florida,” Lou announced.
Jacob hugged Lyndsey and gave her a long kiss and then left to call his parents, where he met Ashley. They talked and got to know each other.
After two hours Trevor caught up with them and said, “Well…I made it!” He hugged Jacob and then Lyndsey. By the end of the day the twenty-five were chosen to be flown to Florida in two days.
Lyndsey sat in the back of the auditorium with Shelli and Lou went through their singing and dancing. Ashley came out first, followed by Jacob.
“Wow, Ashley is really good!” Commented Lyndsey.
“So is Jacob!” Shelli replied, smiling.
Shelli seemed really nice and so did Ashley. It would be great if Ashley were to make the band. They’d become good friends already. When Trevor came out to dance, he wowed everyone. His talent relied on his dancing. Lou spent two days watching every guy dance and sing twice. The huge group of guys gathered in the auditorium the second day.
“First I want to say that you are all very talented, but I have to choose only eight of you. I won’t let the suspense kill you,” Lou said. Lyndsey mouthed the words ‘Good Luck’ and then when Jacob turned around she did the same but also mouthed ‘I Love You’ and smiled. He did the same.
“The top eight are…” Lou announced, “Erik Michael Estrada.” Erik who was twenty from New York, hugged the other guys who he had become friends with and made his way to the stage.
“The next…Bryan Chan,” Lou said. The twenty-five year old made his way up.
“The next…”Lou said, “Mike Miller.” The young man smiled as he got on stage and hugged the others.
“Jacob Underwood,” Lou announced. Jacob stood there shocked as the other guys hugged him and he joined the other three on stage.
“Ashley Parker-Angel,” Lou said. Ashley smiled at Shelli and got on stage and hugged the guys.
“Number six is Paul Martin,” Said Loud as Paul made his way up.
“Next is Ikaika Kahoano,” Announced Lou, as the twenty-one year old Hawaiian blew a kiss to his girlfriend Malia in the back and went on stage.
“And the final person is…” Lou began, “Trevor Penick.” Trevor jumped up and down and went on stage and gave Jacob a huge hug.
Lou thanked everyone for trying out and told the eight to pack up, because they’re moving to Florida. Malia flew back to Hawaii and Shelli stayed back home. Lyndsey flew out with Jacob and Trevor. Lyndsey had saved up money, which she would use to rent an apartment. It was a sunny Friday morning when all right arrived at a beach house in Florida. Within the first day everyone became friends. Ikaika was the outcast who spent most of his time talking on the phone with Malia. The guys got un-packed and Lyndsey arrived and Jacob introduced them to her. Everyone got along with everyone for the most part.
Jacob wrapped his arms around her waist and said, “Thanks for being so understanding.”
“Awe, you don’t have to thank me. I love you,” She said, as she kissed him.
Trevor walked up behind her and said, “Hey my little Backstreet buddy,” and hugged her.
“I take it you like Backstreet Boys?” Erik asked.
“Yeah. I got teased in high school but I don’t care. They’re my favourite,” Admitted Trevor.
“No man, that’s cool,” Erik smiled.
“We’re going to be working with the choreographers tomorrow, are you coming?” Paul asked, being friendly.
“Yup,” Replied Lyndsey.
“Great,” Bryan said.
“It’s great that you came down to support Jacob,” Mike said.
“And Trevor,” Jacob said.
Lyndsey smiled, “Well Trevor is my best friend and I love Jacob,” She said.
For the next couple of weeks they worked with the dance choreographers and vocal coaches. Then it came time where Ashley flew Shelli in. He met her at the airport and got everyone to yell, “Hi Shelli!” when she came in. He gave her an ET doll and hugged her. He brought her back to the studios so she could see what they were doing. Ashley gave her a soft kiss then said, “How good that did that feel!” Shelli sat beside Lyndsey as they watched the guys dance. You could tell Ashley and Shelli were in love, just like Lyndsey and Jacob.
Ashley and Shelli spent some time together before she had to fly back home. Two weeks later Lou presented the guys with contracts to look over. Trevor, Jacob and Ashley went over their contracts together. Erik, Bryan, Paul and Mike were going over theirs. Ikaika felt like he wasn’t fitting in, deciding to go home to look over the contract with his brother.
That night Paul told Trevor he had to tell him something. “This isn’t working out for me,” Paul said, packing his stuff.
“What do you mean?” He asked surprised.
“I just think it’s not going to turn out. I feel like I’d be better back home,” Paul said, not explaining anything. The guys were all shocked to see him go, but Paul left the next day after talking to Lou.
“Are you happy with the contract?” Lyndsey asked, as she leaned her chin on Jacob’s shoulder.
“Yeah, it’s great. I’d just be happy to perform,” He replied.
“Same here man,” Trevor said.
(LATER THAT NIGHT)
“The girls from Herizon are going to get belly button rings, I think I’m gonna get a new earring, wanna come?” Jacob asked.
Jacob, Lyndsey, Trevor, Erik, Ashley and the girls of Herizon went down to the Tattoo and Piercing Parlour at 11:30pm. The Herizon girls came out with their piercings and Jacob was about to go in when one of the guys they work with, Mark, called Erik’s cell phone and demanded that Jacob be put on the phone.
“Hello?” Jacob said.
“What the hell are you doing?” Mark demanded.
“I’m getting my new earrings,” He said.
“No you’re not. Get rid of the girls and get home, NOW,” Mark exclaimed.
They dropped the Herizon girls home and took Lyndsey back. They came back and Jacob was smiling at Mark, but Mark was angry. That night, Jacob called up Lyndsey.
“Are you in trouble?” She asked.
“Mark’s mad,” He said, “It’ll be ok though.”
“So I’d better let you get some sleep. You have another long day ahead,” Lyndsey said.
“Ok, I love you,” Jacob said.
“I love you too. Bye.”
“Bye.”
The six guys continued to work hard all week. Lou brought them altogether to talk. “I have some bad news and some good news,” He said, “Bad news is that the contracts can’t be finalized because of the holidays. The good news is that you’re all invited to the big New Year’s bash at Planet Hollywood.”
All the guys thanked him and couldn’t wait. For the big night Ashley flew in Shelli and Mike was taking one of the Herizon girls. After Lyndsey came over, Jay and Mark explained to the guys that they had to be self-conscious and be behaved. They all drove to the Planet Hollywood and the press took tons of pictures. Ashley held Shelli’s hand and Jacob was holding Lyndsey’s as the flashes went off. Inside, everyone danced until the countdown to the millennium came and at midnight Jacob gave Lyndsey a long passionate kiss. Trevor, Mike and Jacob began to stage dive off the stage. At 1am Jay told them they had to go home.
“Why? This is the millennium! We can’t leave now,” Trevor said, vocally expressing his opinion.
Jay ignored him, “We’re going home.”
“Why won’t you listen?” Trevor asked.
“We’re leaving,” Jay stated.
The girls were sent home in a separate car. The car that the guys were in was silent. When they got home Jay gave them a long lecture, on how disappointed he was.
In private, Mark had a discussion with Jacob. “I’m not condoning what we did but they feel a certain way that I don’t,” Jacob said.
“What you need to realize is that you’re not a star. You know what you are? You’re a lab rat. You’re not a star,” Mark said.
“Yet,” Jacob finished.
“You’re not a star,” He repeated.
“Yet, I am not a star, yet,” Jacob said.
A week later Ikaika returned and he joined the others in the studios where they were recording their first song, ‘All For Love’.
When Ikaika was not in the room Jacob said, “I do not feel Ikaika as part of this group. We’ve been working our butts off while he’s been at home relaxing.”
“I think he’s singing my part today,” Trevor said.
“That’s not fair,” Said Jacob.
Everyone agreed that Ikaika wasn’t a part of the group. They all got together with Lou that night.
“I don’t see Ikaika as part of this group,” Jacob said.
“I didn’t practice the songs because I felt I knew them,” Ikaika insisted.
“We can’t leave here until things are resolved,” Said Lou.
“You wanna go? Brah, I’ll go wit you,” Ikaika said to Jacob.
Jacob laughed, “See, now you’re losing it man.”
“Look. You guys needs to forgive and forget. Put things in the past. Think about what you’re here for. Come on,” Lou said.
Jacob stood first, followed by Ikaika, and they hugged.
During the next week the guys went into the studios to practice their dancing. Ikaika didn’t know any of the moves. By working hard with everyone, at the end of the day he could do it as good as the others. Jacob and Ikaika had resolved their differences and had now become friends. Lyndsey came over that night and was cuddling on the couch with Jacob. Ashley was on the phone with Shelli. Shelli felt like they were growing apart. She said she felt she was being put second to the group. When Ashley got off the phone he went and sat down on the other couch.
“What’s wrong Ash?” Jacob said.
“Shelli feels like she’s being put second,” He answered.
“Awe, man I’m sorry. Just don’t forget that this is a big opportunity,” Jacob said.
“I won’t, thanks man,” Ashley said, getting up and leaving.
“Well I’d better get to sleep. I gotta keep working hard,” Jacob said.
He gave her a kiss and said goodbye. Lyndsey paused, then turned and left.
(TWO DAYS LATER)
“Well guys tomorrow you will get to sign your contracts and the final five will be chosen,” Lou told them.
“Tomorrow will be the best day for five of us, and the saddest for two of us,” Trevor said to Ashley.
“I don’t think there’s anyway that nobody could shed tears tomorrow.”
They hugged and wished each other good luck. The next day they all sat around a big table and signed their contracts. Excited, everyone moved into the living room. Lyndsey sat between Jacob and Trevor. Everyone clutched hands as Lou began to speak.
“This was hard because you’re all so talented,” He said, “But the first name is…Ikaika.” Ikaika stood to hug Lou and then hugged everyone else.
“The next,” Lou said, “Jacob.” Jacob leaned over, then turned and hugged Lyndsey and gave her a kiss. A tear rolled down her cheek. He shook Lou’s hand and hugged everyone.
“Next name on the list…Ashley.” Ashley hugged everyone and began to cry a bit, out of happiness. Lou went into another speech of how hard this was.
“The next name…Erik.” Erik hugged them all and was crying. Everyone sat down and clutched hands.
“The final name,” Lou paused, “Trevor.” Trevor leaned over and they hugged each other. Everyone in the room hugged each other.
“Congratulations!” Lyndsey exclaimed, hugging Trevor.
“Congratulations, I love you,” She said to Jacob.
“I love you too baby,” Jacob said and he gave her a kiss.
The next day they said goodbye to Mike and Bryan before they left for their flight home. Jacob walked into the kitchen to see a sad looking Ashley.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” He asked.
“Shelli and I broke up,” Ashley said.. Jacob put a hand on his shoulder, “I’m so sorry man.”
“Yeah. I need time but I just gotta focus on our music,” Ashley said.
“That’s good. Our music is our number one priority,” Jacob said, as they left the room. As they left, Lyndsey turned the corner. She had heard their conversation.
‘What if Jacob means that? What if we break up like Ashley and Shelli? I don’t want that to happen. I love Jacob,’ Lyndsey thought.
The next day the guys went into the studios to work on performing and getting the moves down at the same time.
“Good job Trevor,” Tyjuan, their choreographer said, “Just keep working on your vocals.”
Trevor nodded and went and sat next to Lyndsey, as a break for some water.
“This is so exciting. I’m living my dream,” Commented Trevor.
“And you’re doing a great job,” Replied Lyndsey.
“Thanks, it’s great having my best bud here,” Said Trevor, “But I gotta go practice.”
Trevor got up and continued to practice with the others. Jacob ran over to get some water.
“Doing great,” Lyndsey said to him.
“Thanks,” He mumbled, walking away.
Lyndsey huddled in a ball with her chin on her knees, as she watched them. After they practiced, Tyjuan called them together.
“You guys have been working hard so I guess there’s a reward for you. Tomorrow we’ll be going into the recording studios so you can listen to your first single before we send it off to the radio stations,” He announced.
“Alright!” Erik said excited, high-fiving Ikaika. The guys were excited. Back at the house Lyndsey said to Jacob, “Tomorrow is going to be exciting for you. Do you want me to come?”
“No that’s ok,” Jacob replied, not paying attention, and then going off to practice vocals with Ashley.
Trevor heard and walked up behind her, “Will you come so you can be the first to hear it with me?” He asked.
Lyndsey turned and smiled, “Sure.” She then gave him a hug, “Thanks,” She said.
Trevor clicked on his stereo and grabbed Lyndsey’s hand and twirled her in and started fast dancing with her.
“Mambo!” Trevor teased, as Lyndsey couldn’t stop laughing.
Jacob came in and was smiled. Lyndsey was laughing too hard. “Breathe,” Jacob joked, as he walked towards her and kissed her cheek. Jacob walked
Lyndsey outside and gave her a hug and started kissing her. The other guys came and started making kissy faces through the window. Lyndsey turned around and caught Trevor mid way through a kissy face.
“Goodnight,” Jacob said giving her a tender kiss on the lips, and left Lyndsey to drive back to her place.
The next morning Lyndsey was waiting inside with a coffee when the guys arrived. “What are you doing here?” Jacob asked.
Before Lyndsey could answer Trevor replied, “I asked her to come.” “Ok,” Jacob smiled at her.
Tyjuan announced, “Well here it is, your first single.”
He held up a tape and put it in the tape deck, and began to play it. The guys listened to the single and when it finished they cheered. Lyndsey put her hand on Jacob’s shoulder, but he got up to shake Tyjuan’s hand. Lyndsey looked down until she felt arms around her. They were Trevor’s, giving her a big hug.
“Our first single. This is so exciting,” He said.
“Yeah it is, but I gotta go,” Lyndsey said. She then got up quickly and left.
“Where’d Lyndsey go?” Jacob asked.
“I dunno,” Trevor said, “Are things ok with you? I mean they seemed ok last night,” Trevor nudged him.
“Yeah, everything’s fine. I just want to focus on my career. It’s everything to me,” Jacob said, sternly.
Trevor put up his hands in a sign of ‘Ok, I’m backing off.’ Lyndsey didn’t go back to the house until the next day. She kissed Jacob as he held her.
“Yeah, same,” He answered, going over to turn the stereo on to practice some moves. Lyndsey went in the other room, and a tear rolled down her cheek. Trevor walked in the room.
“Hey Lynds, whassup?” He said, before noticing her crying, “Hey what’s wrong?” She wiped the tears away and shrugged her shoulders. He gave her a huge hug and held her so she could get her emotions out, before moving back.
“I feel like he’s putting me after his career. I don’t want to break up like Ashley and Shelli. I don’t even think he loves me anymore,” She cried. She then stood up and ran out of the house, and bumped into Ashley knocking a bunch of things out of his arms.
“I’m sorry,” She said, helping him pick things up.
“It’s – ok?” Ashley answered noticing her tear-stained face, “Are you alright?” He placed his things down on the ground and gave her a hug.
“No, I’m not,” She confessed, “I don’t want Jacob Jacob and I to break up. I feel the way Shelli did except more. Jacob doesn’t even want me around. I, I,” She mumbled.
“Awe, I’m sorry, but Jacob does love you. I’ve never admitted it but I guess Shelli and I couldn’t have made it in a long-distance relationship. But you’re here and Jacob loves you,” Said Ashley.
“I’m starting to doubt that,” Lyndsey replied, as she left. Ashley picked up his things and went inside.
“What’s going on with you and Lyndsey man?” He said to Jacob.
“Nothing, everything’s fine. Why do people think something’s wrong?” He asked, unsure.
“Well I think when your girl is outside crying her heart out to me and you’re in here, there’s something wrong,” Ashley said.
“But I just saw her and she was fine,” Answered Jacob.
“No she wasn’t,” Trevor said, walking in the room, “I saw her crying. I tried to talk to her but she left really upset.”
“And ran into me outside,” Ashley continued.
“I’ve gotta call her,” Jacob said.
“Maybe we should explain,” Trevor said, and then explained the whole story.
Jacob turned pale and went into his room to call Lyndsey but he couldn’t get an answer. “I’m going over to Lyndsey’s,” Jacob said.
“But we have to go to the studios,” Erik said.
“Sorry, I’m going to Lyndsey’s,” Jacob said, leaving. Jacob drove down to Lyndsey’s place and knocked on the door.
“Lyndsey? It’s Jacob. Please answer the door,” He said.
“Why?” Lyndsey called out.
“I need to talk to you,” He replied.
“Shouldn’t you be in the studios?” Lyndsey asked.
“Yeah, but this is more important,” He said, “Please open the door.”
Lyndsey thought for a moment, ‘He ditched the band for me?’ She opened the door and let him in. He looked at her teary eyes.
“Lyndsey I’m so sorry!” He exclaimed, “You know what my music means to me. But that’s no excuse, you’re the most important thing in my life.”
Lyndsey hugged him as she cried, “I thought I’d lose you. I didn’t want us to break up like Ashley and Shelli. You’d ignore me and I thought you didn’t love me.”
Jacob stroked her hair as he held her tight, “I know. I’m so sorry,” He said, “But I do love you. I care about you so much. I love you,” He repeated.
“I know that now. You missed the studios, which proves it to me, but I really thought-“ Lyndsey began until Jacob cut her off.
“Don’t think about it anymore. I love you and nothing will change that.”
Lyndsey looked into Jacob’s blue eyes, and he looked into hers, before sharing a long kiss. Jacob wiped her tears away and took her hand and they left for the studios to record their first album.
After a month of recording, the guys were sitting down writing their thank you’s. “Can I see?” Lyndsey asked, leaning over Jacob’s shoulder.
Jacob quickly picked it up and replied, “No, wait until the album comes out.”
Shocked, Lyndsey left the room. Jacob followed and whispered in her ear, “It’s a surprise,” kissed her forehead, and went back in the other room. Lyndsey went over and watched Trevor write his.
“To my best buddy Lyndsey, who’s always been there for me. I love you, keep groovin’ to BSB and don’t forget to Mambo!” Lyndsey read aloud, “Awe, thanks Trev,” She hugged him.
A week later the guys were scheduled to perform their first performance. In front of hundreds of musicians and screaming girls they took the stage.
“Our album will be in stores next month. Here’s out first single, ‘All For Love’,” Jacob announced.
The music started and the guys wowed the crowd with their moves and their angelic voices. When they were finished the host said, “O-Town everybody! Give them a big applause, they were great.”
As they were leaving the stage, Jacob blew Lyndsey, who sat in the crowd, a kiss. The next month Trevor came rushing in the house and yelled, “Our CD!” He gave a copy to everyone, including Lyndsey who was cuddling on the couch with Jacob.
Lyndsey opened up the jacket cover and turned to Jacob’s thank you’s. It read:
‘First I want to thank God for the talent he had given me. Next, to my family and friends, thanks for your support and love. I miss you! Erik, Trevor, Ashley, Ikaika and the crew, it’s an honour working with you all. YOU ROCK! Most importantly, I want to thank Lyndsey. What can I say? Lyndsey, for you I’d give up the world. This group means nothing to me without you by my side. You’ve been with me through it all and all I can say is thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you now and always.
Love
~Jacob~
Lyndsey’s whole body filled with happiness. She turned to him, but didn’t speak. She put her arms around him and hugged his as tight as she possible could, and said, “I love you too. Now and forever.”
Then they slowly began to kiss each other softly, until Trevor came in the room and cleared his throat and said, “We’re going out to celebrate, coming?” Jacob nodded and stood up. Lyndsey stood there smiling as she watched him leave the room. She then followed him and took his hand and smiled again as they all left the house to go celebrate.
TO BE CONTINUED…..
