CHAPTER ONE

I walked through the mall at a brisk pace. This had to stop but I had to talk to Madison first. He would know exactly what to do beings I didn’t have the first clue. I patted the letter in my back pocket. This was getting old and was annoying the hell out of me.

“Why can’t he just leave me alone? Two years and he is still just as annoying now as he was when I broke up with him. You would think that after two years he would get the fucking hint.” I thought to myself. The ringing of my cell phone brought me out of my thoughts. I stopped and fished it out of my purse and checked the caller i.d.

“Julianne Martin…. I wonder why she’s calling me this early for.” I thought as I answered the phone.

“Hey Jules.” I said as I continued to walk at a more casual pace to my destination. I didn’t want her to know something was wrong.

“Hey Chrissy.”

“What’s up?”

“You have a scheduled audition today.”

“Huh!? Did I forget about it or something?” I asked getting just a bit of a panic attack.

“No Chris. Calm down. It was kinda last minute for everyone. I just got the information about it fifteen minutes ago.”

“Ok… for a minute there I thought I forgot about it. So, where shall I meet you?”

“Orange County Studios.”

“Ok. What time should I be there?”

“Eleven o’clock.”

I glanced down at my watch to what time it was. “Wha! It’s already ten-twenty! It’ll be close to eleven once I get back to my apartment.”

“Where are you?”

I really didn’t want this question to come up. Not now at least. She’ll want to know the whole story now knowing her. “The mall. I have to talk to Madison. I didn’t see him last night so I couldn’t talk to him then.”

“Why? Wait. I know… Ok spill… What did Robert do now?”

“I’ll tell you later. Let’s just get through this audition first.”

“Ok.  Just get there as soon as you can.”

“Will do. Bye.” I hung up my phone right as I reached Foot Locker.  “I knew she would as.” I thought to myself as I struggled to get my phone back into my purse. I ended up walking right into someone, which immediately brought me back into reality. As I looked up I noticed someone in white pants standing in front of me. As my eyes roamed upwards I noticed that it was a guy and that he was in a white tank top with a white zip-up jacket over it with the red number sixty-seven on the front two pockets. (six being on one side and seven being on the other) When my eyes met his face I noticed he had a red fisherman’s hat pulled down over his eyes, which were covered by sunglasses, so I couldn’t see who he was.

“I am so sorry.” I whispered. My heart was beating a mile a minute and I just knew he heard it.

“It’s ok.” He said as he looked at me. He smiled a smile that knocked me off my feet, then he continued to walk away. From what I saw he was really hot.

I turned and went inside Foot Locker when I couldn’t see him amongst the crowd of the mall anymore. When I found my brother he was working on a shelf that was being redone.

“Hey Madman!” I called out. He turned and looked as I walked towards him.

“Hey Chris!” he said as he climbed off of his ladder and walked to where I was standing looking at a pair of purple Nike’s.

I turned to him holding the shoe. EWWWW!!! I like these!”  He laughed at my silliness as I put the shoe back on the shelf.

“So what brings you here?” he asked.

“Jules called.” I answered while turning to face him.

He raised an eyebrow at me. “Chrissy I know that’s not why you drove all the way out here. I know you too well for that.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at how he could see right through me. “Well we’re not twins for nothing. Actually, I did come to tell you about something else. I was walking through the mall when Jules called and told me that I have an audition at eleven. So I will pick you up at two and we can talk about it then.” I handed him the letter from my back pocket. “Read this first. You were at Samantha’s when I received it and you stayed there last night so you couldn’t read it then. It will brief you on what I need your advice on.”

He took the envelope from my hand and glanced at his watch. “Okay. Well you better get going. Just don’t forget about me, k.”

“I won’t!” I called out over my shoulder as I headed towards the exit. Madison’s calling made me stop and look back.

“Good luck!” he yelled while he waved goodbye. I smiled, waved back, and bolted into the crowded mall.

The ride home was fast but just wasn’t fast enough. I grabbed my stuff from the corner in my room. I ran all the way back down the stairs and back to my truck. I threw my back into it and climbed in. I now only had fifteen minutes to make it to Orange County Studios. I started up the engine, turned the radio up, and headed on my way. I was at a red light when I started getting nervous about this whole audition. I decided to listen to my Backstreet Boys album. The guys always seemed to calm my nerves down before anything big, whether it is an audition or a performance for my job. I looked at the clock on my dash as I switched the radio over to the CD player.

“Shit!” I started to panic a little. “I only have ten minutes to get there.” I whined to no one in particular. I floored my truck and hit all the shortcuts I could think of to get there on time. When I got there, I parked my truck, grabbed my stuff, and took off in a sprint for the building. I was happy to see Julia waiting outside for me.

“Thank goodness she didn’t go in without me.” I thought to myself as I ran up to her.

~Julia~

I arrived at Orange County Studios at ten-fifty. I decided against sitting in my car, so I went and sat on the bench outside of the building to wait for Chrissy. I ended up getting antsy so I started pacing.

“Why am I nervous?” I thought. “She’s going to get this.”

I took a deep breath and sighed. About that time I saw her running towards me. She was in a pair of jeans, a halter-top covered by a sweater, and flip-flops. Her long hair was down and was going all over the place due to the slight breeze and that fact she was running. I smiled as she reached me.

“Eleven o’one. Perfect timing.” I said jokingly while looking at my watch. “And I see you’ve already warmed up.” I finished saying while looking at her.

She pushed her silver Oakley’s on top of her head, which also pulled her hair out of her face. “You owe me big time Jules.” She said as she dropped her bag. “I sped all the way here. If I had ended up with a ticket your butt would have been paying for it.”

“You know I would have.” I said as we exchanged hugs. Sure I was her manager but we were only two years apart and really good friends. As we broke I added, “Now let’s get you changed cuz I know you aren’t dancing in that outfit or with your hair down either.”

She laughed and nodded. “Yeah Jules, you’re right.”

“Good.” I said as she threw her bag over one shoulder and we started to walk inside. When we reached the bathroom I left her to find Fatima to tell her Chrissy was here.

~AJ~

“Man, I can’t believe Nichole is pregnant.” Nick said aloud not caring who heard him.

“I know. She’s going to be hard to replace.” Kevin said as he, Nick, and Brian walked out of the room.

We were sitting in the conference room at Orange County Studios facing the door with two chairs in front of us. I just stared at the door not paying any attention to anything or anyone for that matter. I couldn’t seem to get the girl who ran into me out of my head. She was wearing a nice pair of form fitting jeans. She also had on a light blue halter-top with a black sweater on over it. Her hair was auburn color and was really long. She was gorgeous in ever aspect I could remember but what really got me were her eyes. They were the deepest brightest shade of green I’ve ever seen. I really wish I had gotten her name…

“Bone! Man, snap out of it.”

“Huh!? Wha?” I looked over and saw a slightly annoyed Howie looking at me like I lost my mind.

“Man you must really be thinking of Amanda cuz I bet you didn’t even hear a word I said, did you?”

“Sorry D. What did you say?”

“AGHHHHH.” He said as he threw his hands up. “How’d I know. I was saying that I ran into Fatima. She said that the next audition is here and we have five minutes to get or do whatever ,then we have to be back in our seats.”

I stood up and headed for the door. I looked around and noticed everyone else was gone. “Thanks D.” I said as I pushed the door open and walked out. “What’s wrong with me?” I’ll never see her again, besides that I have a girlfriend. So what is it bugging me?” I was so lost in thought that I didn’t even noticed that my feet brought me right outside the rehearsal room until I heard someone speak.

“Thanks for the water Jules.”

I stopped dead in my tracks. That voice sounded so familiar to me, but I couldn’t place it with a face. “Guess that just leaves me to see who it belongs to.” I thought as the curiosity in my body took over. I leaned up against the wall facing the door hoping to see who the voice belonged to.

“You have five minutes.”  ,obviously a manager keeping the client on her toes.

“Thanks Jules. Come get me when they are ready for me.”

“Will do.”

A woman exited the room. She looked at me, smiled, waved and walked away. She was no taller then Howie and of average built. Her blonde hair was about jaw-length and was done up in a claw. She was dressed casual but yet managed to keep it businesslike. There was no doubt in my mind that she was the manager. After a few minutes I heard the radio click as a tape began to play. Whoever was in there was obviously doing their routine. The beat was a catchy one. It reminded me of a cheerleader’s dance tune from high school.

“Yo! Bone! Stop spacing!”

“Huh!?” I took my gaze off the door and looked back towards the conference room only to see Kevin standing there.

“I’ve been calling you for a good five minutes now. Fatima wants us!”

“Coming Train!”  I called to him as I headed back towards the conference room. I saw him shake his head and walk in. As I followed I thought, “I’ll know who was in that room soon enough.”

~Chrissy~]

“They’re ready.” Julia said as she stuck her head into the rehearsal room where I was practicing and warming up.

“So am I.” I said proudly as I wiped the sweat off of my face with a towel. I redid my braid, which had begun to fall out a little, and then followed Julia down the hall to the conference room doors.

“You are going to nail this Christina. I just know it.” I giggled at her confidence. “This is the interview part. After this you will do your dance routine. Then if Fatima is interested she’ll show you some moves for you to mimic to the best of your ability.” I nodded my head to show I was paying attention though I really wasn’t. “Any questions?”

“Yeah. Who’s this for? You never did tell me.”

“I… ummmm… let’s go in and you’ll find out.”

I looked at her and rolled my eyes. I was a little annoyed that she wouldn’t tell me who this audition was for. I pulled open the door and walked in. I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw who I was auditioning for. Sitting at the conference table was the Backstreet Boys. Nick and Brian were sitting to my left, Kevin and another chair, obviously Fatima’s, were placed in the middle and to the right sat AJ and Howie. I noticed right off the bat that AJ was wearing the same outfit that the guy I ran into at the mall was. “OMG! It was AJ. Man I feel stupid.” I thought as I continued to observe the room. Placed dead in front of Kevin were two other chairs, which I figured they were meant for Jules and me.

“Fatima, now I recognize the name. Geesh, I really do feel stupid.” I thought to myself as Julia and I took our seats. “I have read about her and I have seen her how many times now?”

The sound of the door opening took me out of my thoughts. Another lady walked in and took a seat in the chair next to Kevin. “Yep that’s her.” I thought to myself.

“Hello Julia.” She said as she shook Jules’s hand. She then turned her attention to me. “So this must be Christina.” She said as she extended her hand to me for a handshake.

“Please call me Chrissy or Chris.” I said as I took her hand in the same gesture. Only one person called me Christina and I hated it.

“Nice meeting you. I’m Kevin and as you have probably pieced together this is an audition for one of our dance spots.” He pointed to his right (my left). “This is Nick and Brian,” he then pointed to his left (my right), “and this is AJ and Howie.” They all waved as he said their names.

Fatima smiled as she introduced herself. “And I of course am Fatima, the dance choreographer.”

I smiled as Kevin continued. “We are all going to ask you some questions, mostly about experience and past employment.”

“Ask away.” I said bluntly. The room all of a sudden felt strangely quiet then I realized why. I think I made him a little dumbfounded. I decided to break the silence because it was just adding to the nervousness I was already slightly experiencing. “I am very straight forward. Sometimes it’s a good thing sometimes it’s not.”

Fatima let out a giggle while Kevin regained his composure. “What is your full name?” he asked.

“Christina Lynn Williams.”

“What dance experience do you have?” Fatima asked.

“Well, I was in ballet and jazz until I was ten. Then I was a line dance instruction for a few years. I also minored in dance in college.” A smile gathered over Fatima’s face as she wrote everything down. She looked at the guys signally she had no more questions.

“Have you ever been in athletics?” Brian asked.

“Huh!?” The question caught me of guard. “If you count cheerleading and gymnastics as sports then yes. I was a cheerleader all four years of high school and when I was in college. I have been in gymnastics since I was five.”

“You’re still in gymnastics?” Nick asked.

“Yes.”

“Really?” Howie asked not bothering to hide his amazement.

“Yes, I am still in gymnastics. I know you all are wondering why a twenty year old is still in gymnastics, but believe it or not, it helps me with dance moves.”

The next ten minutes were spent answering questions similar to that. Finally Fatima said it was time to see my skills. We walked down the hall to the rehearsal room where I had done my routine earlier as a warm up.

“Do you have a prepared piece?” Fatima asked when we were all in the room.

“Are you kidding? I have a good three.” I said hoping it didn’t sound like I was bragging but I really did. I always brought at least three to every audition I had. I guess it was me being extra careful. I never wanted to be in a bind when it came to these things. I never knew what could happen so I always prepared for the worse. It is just second nature to me, I have even that way since I could last remember.

“Really!? Well start with one of them and we’ll go from there.” Fatima said.

I nodded my okay and put the tape in the radio. My easiest, which contains nothing but stretching and showing my flexibility, was first. When it was over with I had literally shown that I could put myself into a human pretzel.

“Neat.” Was all I heard and I knew that it had come from Nick.

“Can we see number two please?” Fatima asked after she was done writing what she needed to.

I nodded and let the tape continue to play. I was glad at how I set this tape up. It was set up from easiest to hardest. It all stemmed from the first dance but they all got harder. This one added easy dance and gymnastic moves to the stretching. After the song was done I looked up to see the guys talking amongst themselves and Fatima looked extremely happy while jotting notes down.

“I want to see the third one if you don’t mind.”

I smiled. The next was my favorite. It was the same routine as before but to a faster song and it added all sorts of flips to it. I was practicing it earlier and Julia said it was awesome. “Sure.”

I knelt into the starting position while the tape ran until it hit the next song. The upbeat music stated to play. I waited until the intro was over and the music really picked up. That was my cue to start. I flung myself into a string of back flips that immediately went into a string of front flips. The dance steps were of a hip-hop style and were as tight as they ever could be. This dance showed off my full ability. Jules always said this routine was hard because it had to be perfect and I knew she was right, but I had to learn it and eventually did. I ended it with a front flip that turned into a split. I nailed the entire routine and I was sure my face was showing it. I looked up smiling to meet seven astonished faces. Julia recovered first and winked at me. I stood and brushed myself off while giving myself every compliment I could thing of.

“Th… That was cool.” Nick said after a few seconds. He was obviously at a lost for words. “Is it me or was the last dance a combination of the first two with some extras.”

“Yes. It was. They all stem from the first one you saw.” I replied.

Fatima stood and walked to the tape player. She removed my tape and put  a new one in. I looked at her puzzled and then remembered what Jules had said.. “… If Fatima is interested she’ll show you some move for you to mimic to the best of your ability…” I silently gave myself props for my job well done.

“Okay.” Fatima’s words brought my out of my thoughts. “I’m going to show you a few of the BSB moves and I want you to do them the best you can. The moves are to the song ‘Everybody’.”

I busted out laughing on accident. I covered my mouth when I realized what happened.

“What’s so funny?” Kevin asked.

“Ummmm… nothing, it’s just that… well don’t think I’m crazy, but I know the whole dance.”

“No way! You can’t!” Howie sputtered out.

“Okay. Let’s see the moves then.” Kevin challenged.

“Fine.” I said while Fatima hit play on the tape player and the music started. I nailed that routine perfectly too. “Rissa would be so proud of me.” I thought.

“It took us weeks to learn those moves!” I heard an astonished Howie gasp.

Fatima stopped the tape and smiled. “Thanks Christina.” She said as she shook my hand. “We’ll get a hold of you in a couple of days to let you know if you got the position.”

“You’re welcome and thank-you.”

“I have a question.” I heard Brian say. “How’d you know those moves?”

“Let’s just say, I am a fan.” I said as I picked up my bag and tape and walked out the door. I was halfway down the hallway when I heard yelling behind me. I turned to see Nick running after me.

“Wait up Chrissy!”

“Huh!?” I turned and looked at him.

“I just wanted to talk to you.”

“Really?” I was astonished that a Backstreet Boy wanted to talk to me. I watched him as he leaned up against the wall and looked at the floor.

“Yeah, I do. You’re a great dancer. Has anyone ever told you that?”

I looked at him in disbelief as I clung to the shoulder strap of my bag. “Only if you count my brother and Julia.” I said after a few seconds of silence.

He looked up and smiled. “Well you are. Ummm… if you don’t mind my asking, how’d you know those dance moves? I know you said you were a fan but not many fans can do what you just did in there.”

“Huh!?” I was a little surprised.

“You know, knowing the whole dance to ‘Everybody’ or being able to do the audition in the first place.”

“Well, I’m a huge fan and I mimicked that video for so long. Eventually I knew all the moves and as for keeping a leave head, I try to be professional.” He chuckled. “Hey! What’s so funny.” I asked placing my hands on my hips. He laughed even harder which in turn caused me to start laughing.

“Hey Frack! Come on man! Fatima wants to talk to us!”

“Coming Frick!” he called out to Brian. I looked at him as he turned his attention back to me. “Can you wait here? I would love to continue talking to you.”

“Sure.” I answered. He smiled on of his goofy smiles and ran back down the hall to the conference room. I turned around and continued to the bathroom. I wanted out of my dance outfit and I really needed to redo my hair. I was a complete mess from the audition and I knew it.

I walked into the bathroom and let out a sigh of relief. That was one of the hardest auditions I had ever done. I looked in the mirror and saw what the audition had done to me. “Man, I look like crap. Let’s see what I can do to make myself presentable.” I changed back into a pair of jean shorts and a white tank top that said ‘Princess’ on it. “I am glad I brought shorts. I am burning up.” I thought as I started to touch up my make-up. It didn’t take me long to touch up my eyeliner and lip-gloss. “Now, the hair.” I carefully undid my braid and ran a brush through it. I rebraided it causing the tight braid to fall just above the swell in my back. “There all better.” I thought as I looked in the mirror. I put everything back into my bag and headed back out into the hallway. Nick wasn’t there so I took a seat on the bench that I noticed was in the lobby. “I hope he doesn’t think I left. I just do not feel like standing anymore. I hope he understands.” I thought as I pulled out a book and started reading.