Chapter Four -- Pop Explosion
~ 3 hours before the concert ~
I went backstage and tried to find the guys. I was wondering around, having no idea which way to go. All of a sudden, someone tabs on my shoulder, I turned around and it was Nick. He was all sweating, looked like he was in a hurry or something.
"Hey Nick, anything wrong?"
"Yea... our opening act Krystal suddenly faints out, the doctor said she's too exhausted, and that means we don't have an opening act now."
"Is there anything I could help?" I asked.
Nick looked at me and thought for a moment. "Actually, yes, come with me." He took hold of my hand, his hands were so warm and comfortable to be holding to. He bursted into a room and said, "Guys, I have an idea!" The other Backstreet Boys looked up and were all waiting for an answer.
Nick suggested that I would do the opening act. The other guys thought and talk about it for a while, and all agreed on Nick's suggestions.
"Wait, hold on a sec, I'm not ready for this." I said, I was getting really nervous.
"Don't worry... we'll make the opening act shorter, just sing your new song 'Everlasting Love'... that's all." Kevin said, trying to comfort me.
"Come on, I'll take you to the dressing room." Nick grabbed my hand once again.
I picked a white outfit. It was a white one-piece skirt, with a white long coat and a pair of white long boots. I put them on. I was then led to the make-up room to get my hair and make-up done. After everything was settled down, it was half an hour til the show began. I called my parents and told them just took their seats, no need to wait for me, and enjoy the concert. I hang up and turned my cell phone off before they started reasoning me.
The show was about to begin. I had never been that nervous in my life. I was about to go onstage. Nick came out and gave me a hug.
"Don't worry Lori, just go onstage and enjoy your time. Imagine all those people down there are your friends."
Thousands of fans were screaming so loud that I could hardly hear anything. While I was walking onstage in the dark, I was wondering how my parents would react when they the stage lights turned on.
Finally, they turned the lights on, the whole stadium turned quiet, it was really obvious that I was an unexpected performer. This was the most scary moment in my life. Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice behind me.
"Hello Orlando!!!" Nick said. "Well, our original opening act performer Krystal was ill, so we are proud to present to you guys the newest artist we signed this morning... Ladies and Gentlemen, Lori!"
The fans screamed, the music got started and I started to sing the best I could. I walked around the stage the whole time, in order to be closer to the Backstreet fans. I remembered how I used to be one of them, screaming at BSB concerts. I didn't know how to describe the feeling onstage, all I could say is that it feels amazing. After I finished the song, fans applaused and screamed for me. I felt accepted and had a really strong sense of successfulness.
~ Hotel Room -- 9:00 am ~
As someone knocked on the door, I woke up and walked towards the door. After the concert, I went back to the hotel and fell asleep really soon. It was my parents, once they came in, they showed me the newspaper.
"Look at this Lori. I think you really make the right choice!"
I rubbed my eyes and read the newspaper, the first thing that caught my attention was the headline on the entertainment frontpage: POP EXPLOSION: Lori, the Backstreet Girl! Lori, who was signed by the Backstreet Boys' KBNHA Records, yesterday morning, gave an excellent performance for the song she wrote by herself "Everlasting Love"...
"Oh my god..." I exclaimed.
"Lori, your dad and I are leaving this Friday... from that day onwards, you're gonna be in Orlando by your own. Take good care of yourself, promise?"
"Okay mom, I promise." Tears started to run down my face.
KNOCK KNOCK
My dad opened the door.
"Hi... this is Nick Carter. Is Loretta here?"
"Nick?" I was really surprise. "What are you doing here?"
¡@
