I rolled over on my side, yawning. For a few moments, I was too disoriented to understand what was going on. When I finally realized that the phone was what had so crudely disturbed my sleep, I crawled out of bed and stumbled towards the receiver.
“Hello?”
“Hi. Eli?” said a mysterious male voice.
“Yes, and who am I speaking to?” I asked.
“It’s Brian, remember me?”
Remember him? What a stupid question! How could I ever forget?
“Yes, of course I remember!” I laughed, “So, what’s up?”
“We were just on our way out to the studio, and I...”
He broke off because someone had interrupted him on his end.
“We” he emphasized, continuing his sentence “We were just wondering if you’d like to join us?”
Before I could even answer, a second voice appeared on the line.
“Come on, it'll be fun!” Nick insisted.
“Alright, I’ll come, I’ll come!” I chortled “I have most week ends off, anyway.”
I said goodbye, hung up and started to get dressed when there was a knock at my bedroom door
“Come in” I said pulling down my powder blue T-shirt.
“Hey” Jason sang, hopping onto my unmade bed in his soccer uniform.
“Why are you in your uniform? Practice is on Monday” I pointed out casually as I fixed my hair and makeup.
“You forgot?” I heard Jason asked in a pained voice.
I turned to face him. “Forget what?”
“I have a game today, remember? Practice in the early afternoon and the match is at 4:00 PM. After that...”
I smacked my head. “I can’t believe I forgot! I’m so sorry, but I already made plans with Brian and his friends. I can’t back out now... Look, Tim’s mom will come and pick you up”
“But...”
“But nothing” I said sharply. “I have to live a little too, don’t I?” and with that, I grabbed my handbag and stormed out of the apartment.
‘Ok, so maybe I overreacted’ I thought to myself as I made my way down the way down to the lobby. ‘But I had every right to!’ I assured myself indignantly. After all the sacrifices I had made for him, how could he not understand that I needed some freedom as well? ‘Forget about it’ I thought once again as I reached the lobby.
“S’up?” A.J greeted upon my arrival. He looked completely worn-out. I somehow got the impression that he managed to make it a long night after all.
“Hey” I replied unenthusiastically. Without even greeting the others, I sat down on the seat next to him.
The boys all exchanged curious glances, but I ignored it. I certainly didn’t have to explain myself to them.
Kevin then moved away from the wall he was leaning against and made his way to the exit. “I guess we’d better get going.” he called back.
They all followed. “Like sheep” I mumbled.
“What are like sheep?” I heard a voice say from behind me. It was Howie.
“Nothing” I muttered.
Not even bothering to question me further, he ran to catch up with the others. Slowly but surely, I did too.
There were two vans awaiting them. They all huddled into the first one, leaving me stranded on the sidewalk.
“Hello” I shouted, waving my arms “Forgetting someone?”
I saw the front window go down and a blond head stick out “Thought that’d bring you back to earth” he said laughing.
“Funny Nick” I said irritably “Seriously though, where am I supposed to go?”
He pointed behind me. Turning around, I was now facing Brian “You guys are in the other van” Nick added as he rolled his window back up.
Brian gave me a hopeful grin and the led me in.
I sat down, turned to face the window and stared out at the cloudy sky.
“Looks like it’s gonna rain” Brian said, trying to get make conversation.
As the van started rolling, I finally answered. “Yeah, it does”
After another awkward moment of silence, he spoke up again “What’s on your mind?”
I hesitated at first. Should I really tell him? Should I really tell this total stranger that I had just acted like a cold hearted bitch to my little brother for no good reason?
“I was just thinking” I answered forcing a smile on my face. “So” I pressed on, turning towards him “What are you guys going to do today?”
Immediately, Brian went in to the details of their schedule. Thankfully, we arrived at the studio approximately 30 minutes later.
Stepping out of the van, I heard a loud rumbling sound.
“Thunder!!” Nick exclaimed, jumping around like a mad man.
“Great deduction, Sherlock!” went A.J sarcastically.
I looked around. The building was very big and modern looking.
“Is this the studio?” I asked.
“Slash dance hall” Kevin answered. “C’mon, let’s get in before it starts to pour”
And so we did.
“This way please” said a security guard as he waved us in.
“Having fun yet?” Nick whispered in my ear.
I let out a snort, but didn’t utter a word.
The doors opened and we continued to follow him till we reached what seemed like a waiting room. I heard footsteps approaching, so I turned to face a woman wearing a dark purple suit with her hair tied in a tight bun.
“Sorry I’m late” the tall blonde apologized breathlessly.
“No prob, we just got here anyhow” Howie said.
“Ok” she sighed “Well I guess that we’d better get star- Who is this?” she asked, pointing at me in a disrespectful manner.
“This is Felicity” Brian explained “She’s a friend of ours, so we invited her along.”
Once again, the woman shot me a dirty glare and hypocritically extended her hand for me to shake “Sorry Miss, but this soundtest is for restricted personnel only. I’m afraid you’ll have to wait here.”
“That’s stupid!” Nick protested.
“Sorry Nicky, but rules are rules” she chirped. And with that she turned on her heals and walked into the other room.
“Bitch” I heard Nick curse under his breath. “No one calls me Nicky...”
“Who is she?” I asked them, a bit frustrated by her attitude.
“She’s one of our managers” Kevin explained “Jane Floyd. You’ll have to excuse her; she’s kinda uptight when it comes to these things”
I crossed my arms over my chest and frowned. “Well what do I do now?” I asked.
Brian looked at me and then took me by the hand “Come on” he said leading me in the room Mrs. Floyd was in.
It was a big room divided in to two sections: One which looked more like a recording studio, with all sorts on mikes and speakers, and the other was just an ordinary sitting area.
“You can wait here.” He told me, letting go of my hand “Maybe you won’t be able to hear us, but at least you’ll be able see us!”
I sat down and looked up at the five men around me “I’ll be fine! Don’t worry about me, I’ll find a way to keep myself entertained.”
“You sure?” A.J asked uncertainly.
“Positive” I smiled, “Now go!”
Without further ado, they marched into the soundproof division of the room.
I gave them one last thumbs-up, then turned to search my bag for my walkman.I had always been a huge music lover. I loved the way it toyed with our moods and set atmosphere. To me, music was magical.
I slipped on my headphones and pressed play. Unfortunately, the only tape I had with me was a copy of Mariah Carey’s ‘Butterfly’ album. Not that I didn’t like her music, but it was just that most of her songs were too melancholic for my taste. I absentmindedly hummed along to the first tune, however, when the title track "Butterfly" came on, I closed my eyes, curled up in a ball and listened. This had to be one of my all time favourite songs! The lyrics had an unparalleled power over me…
Not being able to restrain myself any longer, I turned up the volume and began to sing along. When the number came to an end, I lowered the volume and opened my eyes. To my surprise, there were two feet standing right across from me.
Looking up, I caught a glimpse of familiar face.
“Brian!” I exclaimed a little shocked “You didn’t hear me sing, did you?”
I felt my cheeks burn slightly out of humiliation.
He continued to stare blankly at me.
“What?” I asked again, removing my head phones and giggling “I wasn’t that bad, was I?”
“No!” Brian objected in an oddly firm voice “You sounded... wow!”
He then sat down on the floor in front of me with a very serious face.
“How long have you been singing?”
I laughed “I was just singing along, Brian; nothing to fuss over.”
Taking my hands from my lap, he began to speak to me in a manner he never done before. “You sounded wonderful... I mean, God, you put Mariah to shame! Have you ever considered starting a career in music?”
Rolling my eyes, I stuffed my walkman back into my bag. “Would you give it a rest already? I know that you’re trying to be friendly and all, but this is ridiculous. ‘A career in the music industry’? Please, I’m not even that good!”
At these words, Brian stood up and was now towering over me. “You are good! I still can’t believe it... I was listening to you and -”
He trailed off, leaving me hanging.
“And what?” I demanded impatiently.
“And... I was moved, that’s all” he said simply, putting his hands in his pockets
I could tell that he wasn’t telling me everything, but at this point I didn’t care.
“What do you want me to do about it?”
“The guys are fixing up vocals... that’s actually why I’m out here and not in there with em’. Thought I’d pay you a visit” he smiled “But it’s perfect! I’ll go talk to Jane and I guaranty we’ll be right back”
“Yeah, sure” I said still not knowing what exactly I was getting myself into.
He was clearly very excited, because in a blink of an eye, he was back across the glass and talking animatedly to Jane.
“Okay” I thought sitting down once more “This ought to be interesting”
I watched Brian and Jane as they discussed. The four others turned towards me with curious looks plastered across their faces. Within seconds, they were walking out the door towards me.
“Felicity! Brian’s raving about what an amazing voice you have!” Howie said sweetly sitting down on the chair across from me.
“Oh” was the only response I could muster. Flushing, I tried in vain to look casual.
“Why are you blushing?” Howie chuckled.
I sighed. “It's just that I never really thought that I could carry a tune… and now Brian's implying that I have some sort of gift that I should pursue.”
It was all too much to take in! Just yesterday, my life was as dull and ordinary as ever and today I was in the company of a world famous pop group. And all of a sudden they were suggesting that I had this talent that I never knew I possessed which could altar the course of my life forever…
“Felicity?”
Jerked back to reality, I saw all five of the guys standing before me with Jane.
“Yes?” I asked nervously, not knowing if this Jane woman would even give me the time of day, let alone hear me sing.
“I talked to Jane and she sounds interested in hearing you” Brian grinned fondly.
Jane on the other hand was no more friendly than she had been earlier. “Okay, how about you go into that room and we'll tape you singing the song of your choice, sound good?” she commanded.
As I walked towards the room, Brian grabbed my hand and squeezed it encouragingly.
“I'm a bit nervous about this.” I confessed to him in a whisper.
“Don't be, you'll do great. Just go in there and show them what you're made of” Brian assured me before giving me a hug.
“Thanks.” I told him appreciatively. ‘Ok, so here goes nothing’ I told myself.
And with that thought, I walked into the recording room and looked back at the many faces staring back at me through the glass.
“So what song?” echoed a voice from somewhere overhead.
“Errr ‘Butterfly’” I answered apprehensively. “By Mariah Carrey”
“Okay, now position yourself in front of the microphone” I heard Jane say instruct, “Put on the headphones, and when you hear the music start, sing along the way you did in front of Brian before, got it?”
“Yeah, got it” I stuttered, doing exactly as I was told. Once I was set up, I looked back across the window and saw Brian wink at me. For some reason, it made me feel like fireworks had erupted in my stomach.
The music started to blare through the headphones, and I started to sing without inhibition. When I finished, everyone was gawking at me.
“What? Did I do all right?” I asked cluelessly.
“Were you all right? You were amazing! I would like to offer you a chance for a record deal. I think that you have a serious gift” Jane commended, almost glowing.
I was stumped. “Umm… Can I give it some thought?” was all I could think of saying.
“Of course, just let us know as soon as possible. The sooner we make you a demo, the better” Jane replied. I could tell that she saw some serious money-making potential in me, or else she surely wouldn’t have been so accommodating.
~~**~~
During the ride back home, all I could think about was all the doors that would be open to me if I made myself a name in music. I would be able to provide a fantastic life for me and my family… something I thought impossible for the last two years.
Once we were at the hotel, I bid all the boys goodnight before walking off on my own to the elevator. While rummaging for my keys, I failed to notice Brian walk up behind.
“I just wanted to say that I'm glad that you came with us today.” He said timidly.
“For sure!” I beamed. “I’m glad I came too! I mean hey, how often does a record deal get thrown in a nobodies lap?”
“Yeah, wish that would have happened to us” Brian responded, now shifting uneasily.
Right then, the elevator arrived. A stony resolution glinted in his eyes.
“I was just wondering” he began pointedly, following me into the lift. “Maybe if you’re not busy or anything, maybe you and I can catch a movie or grab something to eat… sometime?”
He was now looking straight at me.
My eyes grew wide; I was shocked, yet absolutely thrilled. “I'd love too!” I exclaimed.
“Okay” Brian sighed in relief “Tomorrow night sound good? Around 7:30?”
“Tomorrow at 7:30 sounds be great” I told him, smiling more broadly than ever.
The elevator clanged, and I knew that we had reached my floor.
“I’ll see you tomorrow then?” I said, stepping out.
“7:30!” shouted Brian as the doors slid shut between us.
I floated all the way back to my room. Once I was inside, I locked the door and leaned against it. “I’ve got a date. Life is good” I sighed dreamily.
I walked to the fridge, got a soda and went to check the answering machine.
But what hat I heard then put an end to my euphoria. Dropping my soda, I threw the door back open and ran down the hall as fast as my legs could carry me.
Part of this chapter was written by my former co-writer Tamara Evans + retouched by Me.
