“Thanks. So were you!” she said. Her heart was pounding and she knew she was blushing. She couldn’t believe that she actually kissed him...and he kissed her back. Wow...she thought.
“I know you have a boyfriend, so I don’t know why I did that.” he apologized.
“No, Jeremy, it’s ok. It just felt right. I imagined I was Ariel, and we did the scene. Don’t feel bad.”
“Well, I do. I mean, I’m 23 and you’re 15. I could get in major trouble for this.”
Even though Jeremy said that, he felt it in his heart that she had something special. But, they could only be friends, and he was mad at himself for starting something that could never be.
“We were just acting Jeremy! Is that so wrong? Besides, I already have a boyfriend!”
“I know. That’s why we have to be friends. You have MAJOR potential, Kalle. You could really be on Broadway! Even at this young of an age.”
“Yeah, right. I’m just starting out! I can’t be that good.” Kalle said.
“No, you ARE. I’m calling my agent.” he insisted. “I’m not going to let pure talent walk out my door!”
“But I have school, and..” she began.
“You can get a tutor. I think you could be the next Ariel. Honest, I do. I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t believe it Kalle.”
“Wow, I don’t know what to say!” she stammered.
“Say, I’ll come with you to NYC to see the director.” he pushed.
“Well, that’s not up to me. You have to get through to my mom.” She had a point. Her mom would never let her do this, and Jeremy knew it.
“I’m still gonna try,” he persisited. “You aren’t gonna walk out that door without promising you’ll try.”
“Ok, I’ll try. But I’m telling you my mom won’t listen to me!”
“Well, then I’m gonna have to talk to her. She can’t say I don’t know what I’m talking about. Look where I am!” he said.
“Yeah, YOU talk to her. She won’t believe me.” Kalle said. Could I really be on Broadway? She wondered, as Jeremy talked on the phone with someone.
“Hi John. I have just discovered some great young talent. I think she could be perfect in the show.” he said to the person on the phone as he grinned at her.
“Yeah, her name’s Kalle McGregor. That’s K-A-L-L-E. She’s 15, and she just sang with me. She definitely has the potential.” he paused as he listened to so called John. “Yes, I’m aware that she is young. But you have to hear her. She’s just as good as Jennifer Laura Thompson.” “No, I’m not kidding you. She really is right here.”
“Kalle, say hi to John. He doesn’t believe me.” he asked, putting the phone in her face.
“Hi John, it’s Kalle.” she said, laughing. He’s really doing it! He’s gonna make me a star! she sighed. She couldn’t believe it! Her life long dream was coming true!
“Uh huh, I’ll see if I can make arrangements, and I’ll call you back. Ok, bye.” he said as he hung up the phone. “Well Kalle, if your mom agrees to all of this, you’ll be on your way to NYC to try out for ‘Footloose’!”
“Thank you Jeremy!!” she said, leaping out of her chair and giving him a huge hug.
“Hey, no problem. That’s what friends are for, right?” he smiled. Kalle’s gonna be the next big Broadway star, he thought. And she’s gonna be a great one, especially if she gets to play Ariel, opposite of me and I get to kiss her every night.
“Well, should we sing some more?” he asked.
“Sure! What’s next?”
“Well, if you are going to try out for Ariel, we should practice all her songs. Let’s see. How ‘bout ‘The Girl Get’s Around’? I could play Chuck and you, Ariel.”
“Ok, great. Let’s get started!” Kalle was so excited she could barely contain herself.
For the next 2 hours, they sang songs from ‘Footloose’ and Jeremy was convinced she was the next Ariel. Her voice was so fresh and new, he couldn’t be wrong. Even though she didn’t have the experience that any of the others did, he knew she could succeed.
“Well, I think we should head back to your motel now. Time to sweet talk your mother.” he said with a grin.
“Ok, this has been so fun!” Kalle said. “I’m sorry to see it end.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“Well, let’s go. You need to tell me how to approach your mother.”
“Hhmm..well, I know she likes compliments!” she joked.
“Ok, we can build on that.”
As they walked arm in arm down Montreal Ave, Kalle just knew she was about to be whisked off to NYC to become the next big star. She could hardly wait to get started! But then she had a thought...What about Col? I love him, and yet I want to leave home and go to NYC. What can I do about that? Not wanting to think about the unfinished business she left at home, she forgot about it, and continued chatting with Jeremy until they reached the Imperial Inn. Kalle’s fate was about to take a change for the best...
Chapter 6: Almost Paradise
One In A Million Home
