An Unexpected Assignment: Part 03
"So you got to shadow Nick Carter's mom and you went out with him?" Kim asked, when I called to tell her the next morning.
"Uh, yeah," I said.
"And I can't believe you didn't tell me yesterday," said Kim. She yelled at me for a while more about not calling her and telling her. Then we both had to get off.
I was sitting in my room, thinking of what I could wear to the concert when the phone rang. I reached over and picked it up.
"Hello?" I asked.
"Hi," came Nick's voice, "Bad time?"
"No," I smiled, "I was just thinking."
"About me?" Nick joked.
"Actually," I said, "Yes."
"I was just joking about that," said Nick.
"I wasn't," I said, "I was thinking about what I could wear to the concert."
"Something comfortable," Nick said, "Like what you wore last night."
"That's an idea," I said.
"Yeah," said Nick.
"Okay," I said, "Thanks."
"Glad to be of assistance," Nick said, "Now, onto why I called. Are you free tonight?"
"Yes," I said, "But, no, I can't go out."
"Why not?"
"I have school tomorrow," I said.
"Oh, that's right," said Nick.
"I'm sorry," I said.
"It's okay," Nick said, "Maybe tomorrow after school?"
"Don't you have rehearsal?" I asked.
"No," said Nick quickly.
"Yes, you do," I said, "Don't lie."
"But I'd rather spend time with you," Nick said.
"Well too bad," I said, "Maybe I can stop by for a little while or something."
"Good idea," said Nick.
"Or maybe not," I said, trying not to smile, "It might distract you too much."
"No, come," Nick said, "Please?"
"We'll see," I told him.
We got off the phone soon after and I went to finish my homework.The next day, after school, I went to the Naniloa to go and see Nick.
I could heard the yelling once again coming from the Crown Room. I stuck me head in and saw Nick and the other guys trying to rehearse. Slowly, I slipped into the room and sat down right inside the door.
Almost ten minutes later, Nick looked over towards the door. His face broke into a huge smile and he started to jog over.
"Nick," Brian called after his departing groupmate, "Hey, we're not done yet."
"I'll be right back!" Nick called over his shoulder.
He came over and plopped down in the chair next to mine.
"Hi," I said.
"Hi," said Nick, "I'd hug you, but I'm all sweaty."
"It's okay," I said.
"So how long have you been sitting here?" Nick asked.
"About ten minutes," I said, "Not too long."
"You should have said something," said Nick, "Like called 'Hey Nick, you big, handsome guy' or something like that."
I laughed. "Big handsome guy?" I asked, "I think that's stretching it just a little"
Nick shrugged. "Just to give you the idea," he said.
"Nick!" Kevin called.
"I'm coming!" Nick called back. He turned to me. "I have to go. Are you going to be here for a while?"
"Actually," I said, "No. I just came to say hi. I have to go and do a report for my English class."
"Oh," said Nick, looking disappointed.
"Sorry," I said, "But call me tonight."
"Okay," Nick said.
Nick went back to rehearsal and I left.When Nick found out that the only seats we could get were near the back, he told his mom. She told him that she couldn't let us sit all the way back there, and gave us tickets in the front row plus backstage passes.
During the concert, all of the other guys went through their solos...until only Nick was left. The concert continued and near the end, the lights went low.
"It can't be done yet, can it?" Kim asked me.
"No," I said, "I don't think so."
We turned our attention back to the stage just in time to see Nick walk up to the line mic stand.
"Hi," he said, "Wow. All of these people. Well, my name's Nick..." Screams erupted from all over the venue. "And this is one of my favorite songs on our new album," Nick continued. "It's called, 'I Need You Tonight' and tonight, it's dedicated for someone whom I only met a week ago, but will NEVER forget. She knows who she is. Mom, can you go get her?"
Jane came over to us. "He wants you onstage," she said to me.
I reluctantly followed her onto the stage. Nick took my hand in his as the intro to the song came on. Nick stood there, holding my hand, and sang the entire song directly to me.
After the concert was over, Kim and I went backstage. I introduced her to Jane and Denise. Then I went to look for the guys. I found Nick and Aaron right outside the dressing room.
"Hi," said Nick, coming over to us, "Did you like the show?"
"What in the world were you thinking?" I asked, hitting his arm.
"Ow!" Nick said, raising his arms to cover his face.
"I can't believe you did that," I said, "Do you know how many people I know that were here tonight?"
"A lot?" Aaron guessed.
"Probably," I said.
"Sorry," said Nick, giving me this adorable look, "I guess I didn't think of that."
"It's okay," I said, melting, "But if you ever do that again..."
Nick gave me a hug and I introduced him and Aaron to Kim.
"It was a great concert," Kim said to Nick.
"Thanks," said Nick.
When Kim and I had to go, Nick walked us to my car.
"I'll talk to you later," he said.
"Yeah," I said, "Okay."
When I got home that night, I thought for a long time about Nick, and an unexpected assignment that brought us together.
