They were heading to the hospital in a cab. Alicia was very anxious to see her friend and know how she was doing. As soon as the cab stopped, she ran inside, ask in what room Sabrina was in and ran up the stairs, the other two trying to follow her. She stopped in front of the door and saw Pamela, Sabrina’ younger sister, and took her in her arms. “How is she?” Alicia asked her nervously. “The doctors said she would be alright. There isn’t any damage to her head. They said she was very lucky.” Alicia was so relieved she started to cry again. “Can I go see her?” “Yes, of course, but I think she’s asleep.” Pamela opened the door and smiled at Brian and Nick. She knew who they were because her sister had been crazy about them for years, but she didn’t asked any questions to Alicia. Alicia came in slowly, holding Brian’s hand, and went to sit on the chair next to Sabrina. She smiled at her parents who had always been very nice to her and left Alicia alone with Brian and Nick.
Sab was sleeping. Alicia noticed that her left arm was in plaster and there were a couple of scratches on her face. She was still as beautiful as always with her sunny blond hair that had always curled a little. She had deep blue eyes, a thin waist and long legs. She could have been a model but her dream was to become a famous singer. Alicia had always encouraged her because she had a wonderfull voice.
They sat there for about an hour, saying nothing, when she opened her eyes slowly. She smiled when she recognized her best friend. She knew Alicia was going to be there. She had always helped her with every single crisis in her life. She was the best friend a girl could ask for. “Ali.” She said in a small voice. “Don’t talk Sab. ... You’re going to be alright Saby, you’ll see. You’re going to be just fine.” Sabrina nodded and looked around her. She noticed two strangers in the room. No, it couldn’t be possible. It couldn’t be them. “Ali?” “Yes, Sab, it’s them.” She turned toward Brian, who had never let go of her hand, and Nick. “May I present you Brian Littrell and Nicolas Carter.” She knew he hated to be called Nicolas so it was a little revenge for teasing her all the time. Nick took Sab’s right hand. “Call me Nick.” He kissed her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Sabrina.” He smiled at her and she smiled back. Brian raised his eyebrows. He knew exactly what Nick was thinking but he wasn’t sure Alicia would appreciate it.
Right then, Sabrina’s parents, Pamela and a doctor came in. Nick sat back on his chair. “Sabrina, you are doing very well. You’ll be able to go back to your house in a couple of hours. You were very lucky that you regain counciousness so soon. Otherwise, the damages could have been worse.” Sabrina came back to her house the next morning.
Alicia was waiting for her and wanted to talk to her. She had seen in her friend’s eyes so much sadness yesterday and she knew it wasn’t all related to the accident. “What’s wrong Saby?” She asked her when they were finally alone. Sabrina waited before answering.“I’m not accomplishing anything here Ali. You know I want to become a singer. It’s not by staying here that this dream will become true.” She was starting to feel uncomfortable. “I talked to my parents and they said that if you could take me with you, they would let me go to Orlando.” She sigh. She was afraid of Alicia’s answer. She knew just how much she needed her freedom. “I need to have a legal guardian in the States. If you agree to take me, you’ll be that legal guardian. I know it’s a lot of responsabilities Ali and I’m not asking you to decide now. That some time to think about it. And if you decide that you’d rather not take me, I’ll understand and wait until I’m 18.”
Alicia didn’t knew what to say. This was a big suprise. Her parents had always been so strict. “Sab, I’d love to hav eyou with me but I just need some time to think about it. I’ll come back tomorrow and tell you my final decision but I just want you to know that no matter what that decision will be, you’ll always stay my best friend. Now, you’d better get some sleep.”
Sabrina nodded and Ali headed back to her hotel.
“What are you going to do?” Brian asked her. He wasn’t sure he would like Sabrina to come live with Alicia. She didn’t had much time with her job and all her other activites. With Sab around that meant even less time for them. He knew it was a selfish reaction. “I don’t know yet. I mean, that’s a lot of responsabilities. I’ll have to take care of her like if she was my child, make sure she goes to school everyday, eat breakfast and come back before 11h30 on weekends. I’m not sure I’m ready for this. I’m her best friend, not her mother. And besides, I don’t want any children.” “You don’t” Brian surprised. She continued without answering. “On the other hand, she is very mature for her age and I don’t think I would have to watch every single one of her moves.” “Yeah, but what about us, Ali? “What do you mean Brian? That’s not about us. It wouldn’t change anything.” She looked at him. “Or do you think it would?” He didn’t answered. “Do what you have to do Alicia and I will support you whatever your final decision is.” “Thanks Brian. I think I’ll accept.”
“You look good today Sab!” That was Nick, of course.
“Thank you Nick.” She answered in a shy voice. She looked at Alicia,
who nooded and smiled. Sabrina ran to her and gave her a big hug.
“Thanks so much Al. I’ll go tell my parents.” She ran upstairs.
“What’s going on?” Nick asked.
“She coming back with us.”
He looked at her. “You’re serious? She’s going to live with us?”
“Not with you, Nick, with me.”
He didn’t said anything but Brian noticed just how happy he seemed to be.
Sabrina came back in the room with two huge suitcases and several
boxes. “Ali, my parents would like to speak with you.” She was obviously
very happy of how things turned out. “Could someone please help
me pack? When are we leaving?” Everyone started to laugh and Sab
looked at them. “What’s so funny?”
“You are, buster! Here, I’ll help you. We’re suppose to start recording
tomorrow morning so I guess that if it’s OK with Ali, we can leave tonight.” Nick said.
“Yeah, that’s fine with me if you feel good enough to travel.” Sab
nodded. “My employer was nice enough to let me come, I wouldn’t
want to take advantage of him. Besides, I’ll have to organize a
few things in Orlando. You’ll have to go to school and we’ll have
some shopping to do. You can decorate your room as you want.”
“Please, don’t take those posters with you.” Nick said. Sabrina’s
room was covered from the floor to the ceiling by Backstreet Boys
and Nick posters. There wasn’t a single space left. “I know we’re
good looking and everything but it kind of makes me dizzy when I’m in here.”
Sabrina smiled. “I guess I’ll have to choose. There’s some I would never leave behind.”
Alicia went to talk with Sabrina’s parents to arrange everything
while the boys and Sab were packing. They left after a last dinner
at Sab’s house. They went to the airport and took the next plane
to Orlando. Their lives were changing forever.