"Ali, our letter came! Meet me at our spot!"

"Okay, bye," they both hung up and ran outside. He handed her the letter. She ripped it open, "Dear Miss Ali and Mr. Nick, we have listened to your demo tape and would like to say that it is very good. We however are not looking for duets at this time. However, Nick, if you would like to pursue your career..." Ali dropped the letter and gave it to him, "Good job. I have to go home."

"Ali, that doesn't mean they don't like you."

"Then what does it mean?"

"They just don't need you right now."

"I have to go...call me later."

For four years Nick tried out for various things and most of the time didn't ever hear anything. Even though Ali hated seeing him upset every rejection was a step closer to him giving up and guranteeing that he would stay in Florida for the rest of his life.

"Hi Ms. Sue, is Ali here?" Nick asked excited.

"Yeah, up in her room."

"Thanks," he ran up and couldn't wait to tell her the news, "Ali!" he burst in and saw her putting on make up, "What is this stuff?"

"Makeup, its for sophisticated women."

"You're weird, anyway...I made it! They chose me!"

"Made what?"

"That singing group! They want me! I'm going to New York to try to get a record deal."

"When do you leave?"

"In a week."

"But school starts in a week."

"I know, I get to not go to high school. No freshmen beatings for me. Oh, but you still have to go..." he realised he was leaving her behind.

"Yeah, I'll be all alone. In that big high school! I'll get lost!"

Maybe you can come too. Be our groupie."

"I don't want to be a groupie, can't I just go and hang out with you?"

"That's a groupie Al."

"Oh, well then okay," she picked up a curling iron and started to do her hair.

"Why are you gettin all fixed up?"

"A girl should always look her best," she let her blonde curl fall loosed of the hot metal, "Why? Don't you like it?"

"Well, yeah, but I'm not use to this Ali."

"Fine, this won't be an everyday thing, but when I'm a model, this will be the Ali everone knows."

"Okay. Wanna come to practice and listen in on our session?"

"Sure, when is it?"

"Right now."

"Well good thing I cleaned up."

"C'mon."

"Ms. Jane, you think I could go with Nick to New York?"

"Ali, even though you're like a daughter to me, I dn't think so. You and Nick won't always be able to be together. Maybe now is the time to learn that."

"Oh, okay," Ali figited in her chair.

"Does little Nicky have a girlfriend?" Kevin teased him.

"No, she's my bestfriend."

"Just wait until she's older, you'll make her your girlfriend."

"Will not! That's disgusting!"

"I bet she already likes you that way," AJ chimed in.

"Stop it!"

"Ms. Jane, can I tell you something?"

"What is it?"

"Some girls were saying the other day how cute and sweet Nick was and I don't know what it was, but they made me mad. They were saying how he'd be their boyfriend forever. It just made me angry."

"You were jealous?"

"I guess. I was hoping it wasn't jealously though."

"You're just scared you're going to lose him to those girls. Don't worry Ali, you have nothing to worry about."

"Miss Jance, is it okay if I talk to you about problems. Its kinda embarassing talking to my mom.

"That's fine sweety. You're one of the family."

"Thanks."

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