| ***7pm, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Room 1406*** With a quick purchase, a ride home, and a whole lot of help from Joann, Lauren arrived at Devin’s room at 7pm on the button. She knocked on the door. Devin answered. “Hi.” “Hi.” “Come on in.” He opened the door and let her in. Devin closed the door behind her. “You look great.” “Thanks,” Lauren said. She was wearing black bellbottoms, strappy black sandals, and a white tube top with a short black jacket over it. Her hair was done up in a loose French twist, and little silver hoops hung from her ears. “You don’t look so bad yourself.” “Thank you.” Devin was wearing a white body shirt, black baggy pants, and black boots. “You ready to go?” “Yeah, let’s.” They hopped into a cab and rode to Mars 2112, a trendy restaurant in Manhattan. They walked in and got a table. Lauren had been in there before; it was a restaurant that was almost in the dark, except with little red lights hanging from the ceiling for a space effect. She had been in there with friends, and they would joke about what everyone was really doing behind the darkness. But this time, she saw the romantic ambiance of the place. “Ever been in here before?” asked Devin. “A couple of times.” “Oh, I was hoping I could take you somewhere you have never been.” “No, it’s OK. Somehow it seems different,” said Lauren. Devin smiled at her. They ordered their food. Lauren ordered the penne pasta with shrimp vodka sauce, and Devin ordered the Teriyaki chicken. As they waited, the conversation was good, but sparse. It was different, because before, his friends did all the talking. Lauren wasn’t a good topic starter herself. The food came, and they ate in silence. Towards the end, Lauren was beginning to doubt if tonight was a good idea. They walked out of the restaurant. Lauren and Devin began walking around Times Square, making small talk about the sights around them. Lauren was starting to get a little hurt. She thought that Devin like her, but maybe he was growing bored with it. Lauren was about to say she was tired and go home, but next thing they knew they came to the entrance of an arcade. Suddenly, Devin spoke up. “You know, I’m pretty good at air hockey, what about you?” “Are you kidding, you’re talking to P.S.36’s 5th grade champion.” “Like to put your skills to the test?” Lauren put her hands to her hips in mocking. “Are you challenging me?” Devin put his hands on his hips in return. “Are you accepting?” “You’re on!” She grabbed his arm and dragged him into the arcade. That was when her evening turned around. They played, and Lauren was good, but he was good too. The conversation livened up a lot, joking and laughing the entire time. They also challenged each other at the various games around the place. They seemed to break at a tie. A couple of hours later, they left the place laughing hysterically. “You’re right,” Devin said laughing, “You are good.” “I’m the best there ever was, ever will be.” “I bow to your expertise,” said Devin, lifting his hands in surrender. “Well, Miss Champion, what do you want to do now.” “Frankly, my fingers are hurting from pushing all of those buttons.” “What about a ride?” “In what a cab?” “No in one of those,” he said pointing. He waved at a horse-drawn carriage pulling up to them. He offered his hand. “After you.” He helped her in the carriage then got in himself. “Where to guys?” The driver said. “Once around the park please,” said Devin. “You got it, pal.” They pulled into traffic. The night turned around completely. Devin and Lauren talked the entire time. Lauren spoke about the hardships of college, how she wanted to become a teacher, nervous about a year from now, when she had to do the real thing. Devin expressed his same concerns, about how unsure he was about this new album—of how the public would perceive him. “But sometimes, to take from the horse, you have to hold onto the reigns tight and ride it out,” said Devin. “Otherwise I wouldn’t be here now.” “Well, I’m glad you’re here now. Today you made me a fan, with the way you sounded today.” “I’m glad also,” Devin said. He took hold of Lauren’s hand and held it as if he wasn’t going to let go. Lauren clasped her other hand to his. “But I don’t want you to be a fan.” “And what exactly do you want me to be?” She asked, looking right into his eyes. “More,” he said. He let go of her hand and caressed her cheek. Then he pulled Lauren in for a soft kiss. Lauren felt completely breathless, not wanting to let go of this moment for the rest of her life. He let go, and Lauren snuggled to his body, as if she was made to fit in with him. The ride ended, much too soon as Lauren felt, and they wound up where they started. They took a cab back to the hotel and stood at the lobby. Devin held her close. “I really don’t want this night to end.” “Me either,” said Lauren. “But, I have to go back into the studio tomorrow.” “How long are you staying in town?” “About three weeks. Then its back to Orlando to start promo for the album.” “Hmmm, that doesn’t leave enough time. We’ll have to make the best of it.” “We will, I promise. Like, what are you doing tomorrow?” “I don’t know… what are we doing tomorrow?” “Well, Rich, Brad and I are going to Veruka tomorrow night. Wanna go?” “Veruka?!” Lauren exclaimed. “That’s the most impossible club to get into!” “Its not when you have Lou Pearlman as your manager. So, want to go?” “Absolutely! I’ll ask Joann if she wants to come.” “OK, definitely. Well ‘bye.” “Bye Devin.” She pulled him in for one more kiss. Then she turned around and left, with a huge smile on her face. She was going to have some good dreams tonight. Part V Contents Part III |