| ***2 ½ Weeks Later*** Lauren returned from another glorious date with Devin. The past two weeks were amazing. Devin and her spent time sightseeing, going to movies, dinners, clubs. Lauren had not felt this happy in a very long time. As she got home, one thing lingered on her mind. In 2 days, Devin was going to return to Orlando to begin work on promoting the album. The last song was finished, and the record company was going to start putting out the CD’s in a couple of months. Their first single was going to be released tomorrow on the radio airwaves. Lauren was of course happy for Devin and the guys, but one thing hit her. Did the past few weeks mean as much to him as it did to her? Would he lead his celebrity status and leave her behind? “Stop thinking like that Lau,” she said to herself. “This guy really likes you. Now why would you even consider that?” Easy silly. He’s going to be famous, and you’re going to lead the same life you always have here in New York. Will he have time for you? Will you have time for him? Or will it be like… Lauren tried to shake all these thoughts out of her head as she went to bed. There had to be a way to work this relationship out—how to go about it was the hard part. ***The Next Day: Grand Hyatt Hotel*** “What time will it be on?” asked Joann. “Lou said it would be on at 7:30,” said Rich. Joann, Lauren, Devin, Rich and Brad were all in Devin’s hotel room that morning, crowded around Brad’s radio. It was tuned to Z100, the biggest radio station in New York, and it was going to play LFO’s brand new single. “God I’m nervous,” said Devin. Lauren held his hand. “Me too.” “Oh, what’s the worst that could happen?” quirked Joann. “The song’s a total bust and we all go back to our meager lives.” Four heads turned to look at her. “Hell it was a joke to liven things up! Hey you’re lucky I got the day off to be here, but Mark is in between projects, which means freedom for me.” “Shh! I think it’s on,” said Lauren. She turned up the volume. “OK people, that was Backstreet Boys’ latest ‘Larger Than Life’ on Z100,” said Elvis Durant, part of the Z100 Morning Show. “You know, I love when we play these new artists, ‘cause the station gets to liven things up a little for the summer. Well, if this isn’t a summer song, I don’t know what is. This is a new group called LFO, and this is their single ‘Summer Girls’ on Z100.” Lauren and Joann let out shrieks of joy as the radio started to play the song. I like it when the girls stop by...In the summer CHORUS New Kids on the Block had a bunch of hits, Chinese food makes me sick And I think it's fly when girls stop by for the summer (for the summer) I like girls who wear Abercrombie and Fitch I'd take her if I had one wish But she's been gone since that summer (since that summer) Hip-hop mamma laid spic and span Met you one summer and it all began You're the best girl did I ever did see The great Larry Bird jersey 33 When you take a sip you buzz like a hornet Billy Shakespeare wrote a whole bunch of sonnets Call me Willy Whistle 'cause I can't speak baby Somethin' in your eyes went and drove me crazy Now I can't forget you and it makes me mad Left one day and never came back Stayed all summer then went back home Macaullay Culkin wasn't Home Alone Fell deep in love but now we ain't speakin' Michael J. Fox was Alex P. Keaton When I met you I said my name was Rich You look like a from Abercrombie and Fitch CHORUS Cherry, Pez, Coke, Crush, Rock star boogie Used to hate school so I had to play hooky Always been hip to the B Boy style Known to act wild and make a girl smile Love New Edition and a Candy Girl Remind me of you 'cause you rock my world Come from Georgia where the peaches grow They drink lemonade and speak real slow You love Hip Hop and Rock & Roll Your dad took off when you were 4 years old There was a good man named Paul Revere I feel much better baby when you're near You love Fun Dip and Cherry Coke I love the way you laugh when I tell a joke When I met you I said my name is Rich You look like a girl from Abercrombie and Fitch CHORUS Summer time girls got it gin' on Shake and wiggle to a hip hop song Summer time girls are the kind I like I'll steal your honey like I stole your heart Boogaloo shrimp and Pogo Sticks My mind takes me back there oh so quick Let you off the hook like my man Mr. Limpet Think about that summer and I bug 'cause I miss it I love the color purple, macaroni and cheese Ruby red slippers and a bunch of trees I'll call you up but what's the use I like Kevin Bacon But I hate Foot Loose I came in the, I said it before I think I'm over you but I'm really not sure When I met you I said my name is Rich You look like a girl from Abercrombie and Fitch CHORUS Summer girls come and summer girls go Some are worth while and some are so so Summer girls come and summer girls go Some are worth while and some are so so Summertime girls got it goin' on Shake and wiggle to a hip hop song CHORUS But she's been gone since that summer Since the summertime The guys, Lauren, and Joann screamed and toppled each other. “That was LFO, ‘Summer girls’ on New York’s Number One Hit Music Station Z100. I think it’s a hit, sure to be a summer classic. What I want to get to now…” Elvis continued as Lauren shut off the radio. “That was unbelievable!” exclaimed Lauren. “Unreal!” added Joann. She saw the guys in a group hug. “I’m so happy for you guys.” Devin ran to Lauren and swooped her up in a hug. “It’s only the beginning Devin,” she said. “Never have I been so excited. I mean, here we are, and you are on the radio!” “I can’t describe this feeling I have right now,” said Brad. “And I’m glad I have you guys to share it with. Come on group hug!” The whole gang hugged. Next thing they knew, the phone rang. It was Lou Pearlman, wishing congratulations. The next phone calls were from record executives at Arista, people from TransContinental Records, their managers—the phone calls didn’t stop for another three hours. Lauren and Joann looked on at their happiness, but Lauren felt a wave of sadness wash over her. “Um, listen guys, I need to get some air. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Lauren felt a lump rise in her throat. “No problem,” said Brad. They were all on a speakerphone with one of their well-wishers. “Lauren…” started Joann. “I’ll… be right back,” Lauren said. She walked out of the room quickly, then, once the door was closed, she ran down the hall. Part VII Contents Part V |