CHAPTER TWO

~Nick~

I pretty much knew what Fatima wanted to talk about. I walked back into the conference room and retook my seat hoping this wouldn’t last long.

“So, it’s decided that Chrissy will be the new back up dancer.” Kevin said.

All of us nodded in agreement.

“Actually, I thought that she would be one of the lead female dancers. She is much better then the ones you have now. I figured we’d keep Elizabeth, Isabeth, Kristen, and Nefertiti. We’ll move Stephanie to the back up position and put Christina in her place.” Fatima said.

“I agree. Stephanie is not living up to her end of the bargain anymore.”

“I totally agree with Howie. She just isn’t applying herself as much as she used to. I feel that she feels that since she’s a lead she doesn’t have to work hard anymore.”

“AJ’s right. Let’s give it to Chrissy and see what happens from there.” I said. Stephanie did stop applying herself a while ago. Everyone saw it but never said anything because no one could out dance her until Nichole showed a huge improvement but she’s now a mother-to-be. Now there’s Chrissy and we would be crazy to let her go. I knew the guys and Fatima felt the same way about the situation.

“So, it’s settled. I’ll call her manager tomorrow and set up a time for her to come in and fill out the paper work. No one, and I mean no one, tell her if you should talk to her before then. Is that understood.” Fatima stressed.

We all nodded in agreement.

“Then you are free to go. I’ll call you guys tomorrow with Chrissy’s appointment time, then I don’t need to see you again until Monday for rehearsals.”

I said goodbye to Fatima and the others. I walked out the door and down the hallway. I couldn’t believe the meeting had lasted about and hour. When we walked in it was twelve-thirty and now it was nearing a quarter till two.

I went to where I left Chrissy but she wasn’t there. At first I thought she left until I saw her bag sitting on the lobby floor. I walked into the lobby and sat down beside her. She looked up from her book she was reading and smiled at me.

“Sorry it took so long. Fatima wanted our opinions on some things.”

“That’s okay. I figured that’s what happened.” She replied. “What time is it?” she asked as she glanced down at her watch. “Crap!”

“What?”

“I have to pick my brother up from work in fifteen minutes. He is so going to kill me!” She said as she picked up her bag and purse.

“Do you mind if I tag along?” I asked as she fished her keys out of her purse.

“I don’t care. Let’s go though. I don’t want to be any later then what I am already going to be.” She answered as she pulled her keys out and looked at me.

“Lead the way.” I said as I followed her out the lobby to where her truck was parked. “Nice truck.”

“Thanks. My dad bought it for me as a graduation present from high school and college. I got to pick it out. Jack wasn’t to happy about it though.” She said as we got in and headed out towards where ever we had to go.

“Jack?”

“Yeah, he’s my evil stepfather. I don’t like him. Can’t you tell?” she replied with a giggle.

“No. Not really.” I answered sarcastically which sent us both into a fit of laughter. “So why do you have to pick up your brother?”

“He wrecked his car and it’s still in the shop.”

“Oh. Where does he work?”

“In the mall at Foot Locker.”

“Really? That must be cool. I mean you must get your shoes for a nice price.”

“Only when Madison wants to be nice. He’s one that likes to pick on me though I am the oldest out of the two of us.”

“You’re twins?”

“Yep.”

“That’s still funny.”

“Hey don’t laugh mister. You’ll be getting it soon too.”

“Hey don’t jinx me!”

She laughed as she pulled into the back entrance to Foot Locker and parked. We got out and walked in to find a tall red haired guy talking on the phone to what sounded like a manager.

“I’ll be right there Chris.” He whispered to her as he put his hand over the phone. We sat down in the chairs in the office and waited. He hung up the phone and looked at Chrissy. “So ya forgot about me.” He said as he pointed to the clock on the wall that now read two- fifteen.

“Sorry. My audition took a long time and then I waited for Nick. Besides that, traffic was terrible.”

“That’s okay sis. Hello.” He said as he extended his hand for me to shake.

I took his hand in a friendly handshake. “Hello.”

“Madison, this is Nick, Nick this is my brother Madison.”

“Hey aren’t you…”

“Shhh please. I’ll explain in the truck.” I said. I really didn’t want anyone knowing I was there.

“Okay, sounds good. Come on Chris, let’s go.”

We walked to the truck and climbed in when Chrissy’s cell phone rang. She answered it and waited before she started the truck. When she hung up she looked at Madison and me. “You guys want to come to work with me? It’s free.”

“Okay. I have nothing better to do but I want to bring Danielle.” Madison said.

“Fine when we get there you can have the truck to go get her.” She laughed. “How about you Nick?”

“Count me in.” I said.

She pulled out onto I-4 and headed towards downtown Orlando. When she entered the Magic Kingdom entrance I was totally shocked. “You work for Disney?”

“Yep. I am one of the face characters. I specialize in Belle though. Sally called in sick and I have to do the three o’clock parade. Then I can walk the park with you guys. You two should be happy I don’t have to perform the show or do the signing tonight.”

Before Madison took off to go get Danielle we all decided to meet at Cinderella’s castle after the parade, which I stayed and watched. She really looked  amazing and looked dead like the character. I could tell she loved both her job and to perform. Watching her reminded me of the stories Kev told us about when he worked here and  about his performances.

~Madison~

As I drove my sister’s truck back home so I could change and get Danielle, I just sat there thinking of how happy I was for my sister. It’s always been where we were only happy if the other one was happy. That was the thrill of being twins.

“They will be close to crazy if they don’t sign her as a dancer.” I said aloud though no one was in the truck with me.

I pulled into the parking lot that lead to our apartment. I have to admit through all the crap Christina has put up with her life, she lives a happy one now. I have lived her trauma right along with her. She’s not only my twin sister, but she’s also my best friend. We tell each other everything. That’s why I was the only one who knew what our stepfather was doing to her.

I let myself into our house, which really wasn’t a house, but it was home. Chrissy and I have a lot of common ground though we are completely different. Our living room walls were covered with different anime wall scrolls and posters. That’s one forte of mine that I have to give the credit to Chris for getting me into it. All my knowledge came from her and the conventions we have attended.

I went to my bedroom, which looked like any typical male college student’s room, a mess. I went and jumped into the shower before I called Dani. I’ve seen Chrissy perform time and time again. I know Nick would be amazed at how Chrissy totally changes her attitude from fun loving to serious when she’s performing. I laughed to myself thinking how if she gets the job the guys will be in so much trouble. Someone should warn them that she’ll work her butt off if she gets the job and that they won’t be able to keep up with her pace.

“Nah.” I said as I got out of the shower and called my girlfriend.

I waited for her phone to ring. After about three rings the sweet voice I have grown to love came on. “ ‘Ello.”

“Hey sweetie.” I replied. “What are you doing this afternoon?”

“Hey Madison. Nothing that I know of, why?”

“Well I was wondering if you want to go to the Magic Kingdom with me. Chrissy had an audition today and then they called her in but said she could let us in with her for free.”

“Sure. I’d love to. Who’d she have to audition for?”

I smiled at myself. Chrissy and Dani got along great and were almost the best of friends though she was a year younger then us. “Five guys from Orlando.”

“Mad.. that could be anyone. Come on tell me…” she complained.

“No way. This is fun. You’ll see when we get there. I’m sure Chris has paperwork on it.”

“Fine. When you coming and getting me?”

“I’ll be there in ten to fifteen minutes.”

“Okay. I’ll be ready. I love you.”

“I love you too.” With that I hung up the phone and finished getting ready.

After I picked her up and we got to the Magic Kingdom it was about time for us to meet Chrissy and Nick at Cinderella’s Castle. I smiled when I saw Chrissy and Nick standing there talking up a storm.

“OMG MADISON YOU DIDN’T TELL ME IT WAS THEM!!” I looked as Danielle stood there flipping out when she saw that Nick Carter was standing there. I covered her mouth as Chrissy spotted us and laughed.

“Honey you have to clam down. We can’t let people know he’s here.” She nodded under my hand and we walked to them.

After the introductions we went and rode all the rides we could. Of course Chrissy and I rode all of our favorites and pretty much dragged Nick and Dani throughout the park. In the end I am pretty sure all of us were wore out. We took Nick back to the studio where he left his truck. Chrissy, Dani, and I said goodbye then left ourselves. Chrissy went back to our house giving me the truck for the rest of the night and went to bed.