« LAUREL ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! » Naila shrieked « Get over here, now ! »
Laurel, who had been glued to the window of the GAP, reluctantly made her way to the table her 3 friends were eating around at the shopping mall's food court.
« What? » she asked slouching in her seat.
« ‘What’ she asks » Naila mumbled underneath her breath.
« We’re going on our first tour as a group and you’re asking me what ? »
The 23 year old, eldest and presently, the most stressed out of the bunch complained.
Laurel, 15, the youngest merely rolled her eyes and took a sip from her drink.
Kristy Brun, 18 and Alyssa Morgan, 19, the two remaining members of the new all girl pop group REFLECTION exchanged looks knowing exactly what they meant.
« This is our last day here, so we best take advantage of it » always optimistic Kristy said with a grin « Starting tomorrow, we’re going to be on tour with the biggest act on earth... The Backstreet Boys ! »
« Backstreet or Frontseat » Naila said worriedly « this is OUR big break, so we’ve gotta be ready »
Alyssa laughed « I think you meant to say ‘Fronstreet’ »
« I can’t wait to meet them » Laurel said excitedly « hot stuff ».
**The Next Day**
REFLECTION had arrived in Miami to kick off « The Backstreet World Tour » early that morning. What should have been the best day of Laurel’s life definitely started off on the wrong foot. Naila and her had gotten into a huge argument (again). It was brought on because of, well Laurel. She had lost, er, missed placed Naila’s bag of ‘personal belongings’ at the air port. She didn’t mean to...
« She didn’t have to yell » Laurel thought as she walked down the empty hall in the arena they were to be performing in the next few hours.
She spotted a water fountain and quickly made her way to it, when someone crossed her path.
« Hello » an average height slender brunette wearing what appeared to be stage clothes said
« and who might you be ? »
« Um, my name is Laurel. I’m part of REFLECTION, one of the openings acts for the show, and you ? »
The brunette kindly extended her arm to shake her hand « My name is Felicity, but you can call me Eli. Actually, I’m also opening for The BSB’s »
« I thought that Angel was the only female solo artist opening here » Laurel said skepticaly.
« That’s my stage name ! » she responded « Angel is my only my middle name »
Laurel couldn’t believe she was standing next to THE Angel. She’d been playing her single over and over in her diskman for weeks « Oh my god, that’s so cool, I love your music » she said gittily.
Felicity smiled appreciatively « That’s nice to hear »
Laurel just stood there in admiration.
« Well, I guess I’ll see you later » Felicity said giving her a partial hug « I’ll try to get the guys to pay you a visit » and walked away.
**Meanwhile**
Alyssa sat in the corner of their dressing room waiting for Kristy and Naila to finish getting ready with her diary in hand. She would bring it everywhere with her and took note of everything. She was the last one of the girls to join the group since she only moved from London to Orlando a few months ago. She got along like a sister with the other girls, and was most definitely the most outgoing of 4 and couldn’t wait to get her behind on stage.
« Come on you two, we don’t have all day » she chimed locking up her journal.
No sooner had Kristy and Naila walked out from behind the coat hangers they had been changing behind, the door flung open and Laurel ran through grabbing her costume from the couch.
« You guys will never guess what » she said not even bothering to wait to be out of sight to begin to undress.
« What » the 3 other girls asked curiously.
« I just met Angel » she continued now pulling on her top « it was so cool »
Kristy let out a huge gasp « you’re kidding »
« Nope » Laurel taunted now fully in costume « And the best part is that she said she’d get The Backstreet Boys to come pay us a visit ! »
All 4 shrieked not noticing that someone had just come into their dressing room.
« Excuse me »
All heads turned towards the door.
« A.J ! » Laurel howled.
A.J, who had come to greet the new group let out a smirk
« You girls are REFLECTION, right »
« Yes, and it’s nice to meet you » Naila said a with a huge grin plastered across her face.
He looked at all of them, and made a double take on Alyssa « The feeling is more than mutual » he said taking her by the hand and kissing it.
Silence.
« Well, on behalf of the guys and myself, good show, and we’ll see you all later » and left shutting the door behind himself.
« Agh, he’s SO fine ! » Alyssa sighed collapsing in the couch « damn that hot body of his »
« Did you see the way he was checking you out ? » Naila said dancing around the room.
Laurel laughed « like flirts of a fether, they stick together »
« But he has a girlfriend » Alyssa remembered, then thought « but... »
« Don’t even think about it » the three others shouted throwing pillows at her.
**That Evening**
« Ready, let’s go ! » Naila yelled to her friends before leaping on stage.
All 4 REFLECTION girls bounced onto stage at the beat, Their clothes were all the same color, but different cuts, each matching the girls individual stiles.
Laurel-- in a short black skirt and a sparkling red tank top.
Kristy-- an extra short red tank-top with extra baggy black jeans
Alyssa-- black capries with a shimmering red tube-top
Naila-- a well fitted spaghetti strapped red top with flared pants.
« Hello Miami » Kristy hollered taking over her corner of the stage « how you feeling ? »
She was answering by lung filled screams.
« I didn’t hear you » she said her hand cupped around her ear.
The crowd responded with yet another set mind blowing shrills.
Naila looked around and was overwhelmed by the size of the crowd, which only made her blood rush through the roof
« My name is Naila » she hollered in her mike.
« I’m Laurel »
« Kristy »
« Alyssa, and we’re REFLECTION. We’re gonna be keeping you on your feet till The Backstreet Boys get here, is that okay ? »
Another set of yells.
« Great, this is our first single, it’s called « What I Need »
And the girls blasted off with their up-beat, up-tempo song.
**Meanwhile**
« The blonde with the baggy pants is kinda cute » Brian commented watching the performance on the screen backstage.
« Excuse me ? » I said glaring at him.
« I said kind of » he replied meekly « Besides, I was talking to Nick »
« who me ? » Nick asked once again, lost.
« No, the blonde baboon behind you »
Nick laughed sarcastically.
« They’re talented » Kevin said paying close attention.
« and nice too » A.J added.
Trying my best not to be noticed, I left the room and proceeded to the backstage. All of a sudden, I was being pulled left and right, people slapping on make up and mics etc.
I watched as REFLECTION ran off stage, and then I was up.
**Same Time**
« Oh my god » all 4 REFLECTION girls yelled jumping up and down
« we did it »
« That was awesome » Alyssa said removing her head set as they made their way back to their dressing room.
« Shower-shower, must take shower » Naila panted running to the washroom.
While the others laughed, a knock was heard at the door.
« Come in » Laurel hollered.
In walked Miss. Miller (yes, the same. She’s also managing REFLECTION)
« Great show girls »
« Thanks » Kristy said gulping up water at an attempt to quench her thirst.
Miss. Miller smiled. She knew how hard these girls had worked to get here
« When you’re ready, I’ll show you your tour bus »
« Tour bus, can’t wait » Alyssa said excitedly.
As soon as the girls were done showering, they went with Miss Miller to the parking lot where all the vans and buses were stationed.
« and this ones yours » she said arriving at a white bus with purple and pink pocadots.
« Looks like it’s got the measles » Laurel whispered to Kristy.
Naila was the first to get in and gasped at its sight. It was HUGE ! Actually, that was an understatement. It looked like and apartment on wheels.
« This is amazing » Alyssa grinned « I can’t believe this is for us alone »
Miss Miller took a seat at the kitchenette table « well, not exactly. You’re going to be sharing it »
« Who, The Backstreet boys ? » Kristy questioned with a hint of disappointment in her voice.
« Oh no » Miss Miller laughed « With Angel. But don’t worry, she’s a very sweet girl and she’s close to The Backstreet boys, so she’ll most likely spend more time on their bus than yours »
« Lucky girl » they all thought.
**Later That Night**
After my show, I changed to my sweats and waited for The Boys to finish. Their concert was great, but I think I’d go insane performing it for months on end. Not like I was one to talk...
Miss Miller had informed me about having to share a tour bus with REFLECTION due to financial reasons. I figured it would beat being with a bunch of smelly men.
« Are you sure you don’t need help ? » Brian asked as I picked up a couple of suitcases.
« positive » I said leaning over to give him a kiss « could you just please open the door for me » I asked balancing all that I had in my arms.
He made his way in front of me and flung the door open. I looked back at his puppy dog eyes and moaned « Oh baby, I’m not staying away forever. You’ll see me the second we hit a rest stop tomorrow. I need to get to know my room mates, don’t I ? »
Brian shrugged « guess so »
« good night »
« night » Brian said taking a last glimpse before shutting the door.
Sighing, I did my best at carrying my stuff to my own bus on the other side of the parking lot. Once I got there, I realized that I didn’t have a free hand to knock with, so I began kicking it.
A few moments later, it opened « yes ? » a thin blond with extremely curly hair questioned.
« Hi, I’m Eli, or should I say, Angel »
The girl appeared surprised « of course, come in » then she looked down at me « let me help you with those » she said taking to of my bags.
« Thanks » I said stepping up to the bus.
It looked a lot like The Backstreet bus, only a bit smaller.
« I’m Kristy by the way » she said leading me towards the back of bus. Once we reached the ‘living area’ she asked me to put down my stuff
« we can arrange that later, now I’ll introduce you to the rest of the girls »
And in we walked to the entertainment room where 3 other girls were lying at various places watching T.V
« Everyone, Angel » Kristy announced
« It’s nice to finally meet you » a short pretty girl with light brown skin and dark reddish brown hair said shaking my hand « I’m Naila »
Then came a tall, skinny (by my standards) girl with chestnut/auburn hair and green eyes
« My name is Alyssa »
« I remember you Laurel » I said to the tall young blonde girl to avoid yet another introduction.
« By the way, don’t call me Angel, my name is Eli » I smiled.
« Please, take a seat » Naila said making space on the couch.
« Thank you » I said sitting down shyly. They seemed nice and friendly.
Kristy grabbed the remote from Laurel and shut off the T.V
« So tell us about yourself » she said
« What would you like to know ? » I said tucking my hair behind my ears.
They all looked at one another « do you have a boyfriend ? »
I blushed « yes »
« Tell us about him » Alyssa said curiously.
« You might know him » I said watching all the fascinated faces around me « Brian, from
The Backstreet boys »
« You’re kidding » Laurel yipped
« no »
« You’re one lucky girl » Naila said « dating a BSB. And such a sweet one »
Not too long after, I had excused myself and went to prepare my bunk so that it would be suitable to sleep in. It took me a long time to fall asleep that night, and it wasn’t because of the constant shaking, but because of what Naila had said. « you’re so lucky ». Those words echoed in my mind. All this time I felt as though I’d been in a dream. Some marvelous dream to which I would wake up in tears. But it wasn’t. This, all of this, was happening. To me. And from now on, I vowed to cherish every moment as though it were my last and to be closer to Brian. He never did me wrong.
**Earlier That Night**
« That’s not good » Kevin said shaking his head after Brian had told him about the whole Becca issue.
« I know » Brian said rubbing his eyes « and I don’t know what to tell either one »
« Which one do you want to break it off with ? » Howie asked.
Brian flung his head up « Becca of course, but I don’t know... »
Nick watched the conversation his friends were having angry faced. He knew about Brian and Becca’s compromise, but was upset with Brian for dragging it on for so long. Eli was beautiful, Eli was sweet, Eli was gentle, Eli was... perfect ! And who was he to put that fragile flowers heart at stake? If he were Brian, he’d tell her that-
« I love her »
« huh ? »
« Thanks for paying attention Frack » Brian said proceeding to his bunk
« I said that I loved Felicity and that I’d do anything to avoid hurting her. G’night »
Nick watched his friend leave. Somehow he doubted that claim would do more good than harm. Exhausted, he fell asleep in the entertainment room couch to dream only of his Angel.
