| Chapter 32: The Birth “I can’t believe Lou made us stay in tonight!” Laura flipped through a magazine. “He said there would be too much press for us to be at the party tonight,” Veronica reasoned. “He’s not my keeper or anything,” Laura pouted. “Hey, I know it sucks,” Lauralee just got off the phone with her mother. “But that’s the price we have to pay.” “Yeah, but I come out here and I have to stay in some hotel room?” Elizabeth looked out the window. “You know what?” Lauralee stared at the bored group in front of her. “Who said we have to stay in tonight?” “The Backstreet Dictator,” Veronica sighed. “With them he meant,” Lauralee smiled. “But he didn’t say that we could go out.” “I like how you think,” Bianca said. “But I can’t get into any club or anything.” “I saw this karoake place down the street. Why don’t we have just a girls’ night out? We haven’t had one of those in a long time.” “Too long!” Elizabeth got up and grabbed Bianca. “We’ll all meet back here in an hour.” ~*~ The girls hailed a cab to the karoake bar. Just to be sure that Bianca could get in, Elizabeth used to make-up tricks to make her look a little older. The girls walked inside, no ID required, and took a seat at a table. The waitress took their order, and left a list of songs available for performing. “So,” Lauralee took the list and looked it over. “Which one?” “You’re kidding right?” Bianca took a sip of her Coke. “I thought we were gonna goof off on everyone else.” “No way! Sink or swim, Bianca. You in or out?” “OK, what about you Liz?” “Sure, I’m game,” Elizabeth smiled. “Hmm, let’s see,” Lauralee rubbed her chin as she looked over the list. She gasped her mouth and giggled. “You’ll never believe what’s on here.” The girls looked at the song Lauralee pointed out. “Oh, we have to do that one,” Laura laughed. “Definitely,” Veronica looked at the list again. Lauralee went to the DJ and told him what song they wanted. Then she went back to them and worked out what parts to sing. A little while later, the DJ just finished with a couple of guys singing “I Will Survive.” “That was good guys. And now we got some girls from New York City doing a little number. Let’s hear it for them!” The girls went on stage and all stood around the one microphone. The song began to play. The girls didn’t even need the screen as they have heard the song plenty of times. Lauralee took the lead as she pretended to act all cheesy. Even in my heart I see You're not bein' true to me Deep within my soul I feel Nothing's like it used to be Sometimes I wish I could turn back time Impossible as it may seem But I wish I could so bad baby Quit playin' games with my heart Quit playin' games with my heart Before you tear us apart I should've known from the start Before you got in my heart Bianca then took the lead, doing a perfect impression of Nick: I live my life the way To keep you comin' back to me Everything I do is for you So what is it that you can't see Sometimes I wish I could Turn back time, Impossible as it may seem But I wish I could so bad You better quit playin' games with my heart Quit playin' games with my heart Before you tear us apart I should've known from the start Before you got in my heart Laura took the microphone, trying to act sultry Baby, baby the love that we had was so strong Don't leave me hangin' here forever Oh baby, baby this is not right, Let's stop this tonight They tried to do the dance moves as best they could on the small stage they were on and Lauralee broke into the bridge. Sometimes I wish I could Turn back time, Impossible as it may seem But I wish I could so bad, baby Quit playin' games with my heart They finished the chorus as the song faded. A standing ovation was given, much to their surprise. “Wow! Weren’t they so elegant! Let’s give them another hand!” The girls left the stage when the crowd was still clapping. “Whoa! Cab you believe they’re still applauding?” Veronica took a gulp of her drink. “Weird man, we were just fooling around,” Bianca said. The waitress set them down a round of drinks. “Excuse me,” Lauralee stopped her from putting them down. “We didn’t…” “On the house,” the waitress continued setting down the drinks. “Courtesy of the manager.” “Wow thanks,” Lauralee was in shock. “You guys were real good. I thought you guys were professionals or something. Hell of a lot better than what I have to hear every night.” She left them bewildered. “Did you hear that?” Veronica took her drink and set it in front of her. “I don’t know, are my ears clogged?” Elizabeth wiggled them. “Nope I don’t think so.” ~*~ The girls headed back, still a little bewildered about what has transpired a few hours ago. They went back to Lauralee and Alex’s room, where the boys hadn’t returned yet. “You know,” Lauralee looked at the girls. “We did sound good tonight.” “OK, and I’m a diva,” Laura laughed. “Get serious!” “No, wait a second,” Lauralee put one of Alex’s old Backstreet CD’s inside. “Ever heard this song?” “Yeah, they play it sometimes, so?” Veronica asked. “What if we practiced it—for fun of course. Let’s see if we can do it.” “Was there something in that drink Lau?” Elizabeth laughed. “No, I’m serious. It could be something to do while we wait for them during all of that press stuff.” “Humor the girl, she’ll bust our asses until we give in,” Laura sighed. They all gathered around the stereo and listened to the song over and over again until they memorized it. Just as they were about to work out parts, the guys walked inside the room. “Hey!” Alex sat down next to Lauralee. “Hey!” Lauralee hugged him. “How was it?” “Boring without you guys,” Brian had his arm around Elizabeth. “What did y’all do?” “Went to a karoake bar,” answered Elizabeth. “Have fun?” Howie asked. “It was… OK,” Laura looked at the girls. “You playing this?” Alex pointed to the stereo. “I love this song,” Lauralee put her head on his shoulder. “It’s good,” Alex put his head on hers and yawned. “Well guys, I say we turn it in.” “Yeah, we’ll see ya tomorrow,” Brian led everyone out. “So you had a good time tonight?” Alex yawned again. “Yeah,” Lauralee looked at Alex’s tired eyes. “Wanna go to bed?” “Yeah, I‘m spent,” he stretched his arms. Lauralee went into the bathroom, got into her pajamas and climbed into bed where Alex was opening and closing his eyes. “Had a long day huh.” “Yeah.” He put his arm out so Lauralee could mold to his chest. He turned out the lights. After a few seconds, Lauralee was just getting comfortable. “Lau?” “Hmm?” “Did anyone tell you what a good actor I am?” He immediately seized her. “You are such a bad ass!” “I know…” Chapter 33 Contents Chapter 31 |