I walked up the path to mine and AJ's house. So much had changed over the past few years. I didn't know why I was living with AJ. I couldn't live with Brian and Layla forever though. Brian constantly bragged about being the first Backstreet Boy to get married. At least he lived up to what the guys had always said. I turned the doorknob and walked into the dark house. AJ should have already been home. His dance rehearsal was over an hour before.
"Surprise!" Everyone yelled when I turned the light on. There before me stood my friends and family. "Happy birthday to you..." They sang.
"Happy 21st, baby." AJ walked from the crowd to me when they finished singing. Everyone circled around us.
"Did you do this?" I asked him with a smile across my face.
"With a little help." He answered. "Carlon, I need to ask you a really important question."
"Okay." The room hushed.
"I know that we're leaving to go on tour in a week." AJ said referring to the rest of the guys. "I just can't leave without saying this."
"AJ..." I said, my eyes filling with tears.
"Carlon Cole," AJ knelt in front of me, taking my hands in his. He reached into the pocket of his khakis and pulled out a blue velvet ring box. He opened it to reveal the most amazing diamond ring. It was the typical gold band, with a round diamond in the center, but it was beautiful. "Will you marry me?" I covered my mouth in shock.
"Say yes." Brian said in a loud whisper.
"Yes." I cried. I pulled AJ up and into my arms.
"Give her the ring." Angela yelled out. AJ removed the ring from the box and placed it on my finger.
"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!..." Nick started. Soon, the whole room was chanting it. Then, it was like out of some romance movie. AJ put one arm around my neck, the other around my waist. He pulled me in close and passionately kissed me. The room filled with words of congratulations. I was so happy.
"Hello?" AJ answered his phone. We all sat around the game room listening to music and playing pool. "Yeah, just a sec." AJ covered the phone. "Carlon, it's for you." He said non-chalantly while throwing me the cordless.
"This is Carlon." I answered.
"Carlon, this is Seth Walker." The man on the other end said.
"Who?" I asked taking the phone into the kitchen to get away from the noise.
"Seth Walker." He repeated. "How could you have forgotten me? I was your mother's agent for sixteen years." I nearly dropped the phone.
"Seth?" I sat down at the table. "Um...how did you find me?"
"I have connections. So, you're living in Florida now?"
"Yeah, I've been here for a little over two years." I told him.
"Well, listen...I seem to remember promising you that movie deal when you turned 21, and if I remember right...today is your birthday."
"Yeah, it is. I thought that was just a joke." I laughed.
"No, I wouldn't joke about that. I know you have a passion for acting. I've know that all your life."
"You're right, Seth." I agreed with him.
"Well, I'm calling you to tell you that I have a movie for you. It's gonna be a big hit. It's a horror film written by Kevin Williamson. You know how great of a writer he is."
"Yeah."
"If you agree it'll be you and Freddie. He actually requested you. He said you two go way back." Seth said.
"Now that must be that Hollywood talk." I joked.
"So, will you do it?"
"Um...sure, I will. Seth, this is great."
"Okay, well, I'll have a flight ready for you day after tomorrow."
"That soon?" I asked.
"This is the business, baby. Everything moves fast." Seth said.
"Okay. I'll be ready."
"Alright. I'll get back in touch with you before then."
"Wait, Seth." I said before hanging up. "How long will I be gone?"
"Six months."
"Six?" I had to catch my breath. "It never took Mom that long to shoot."
"It's not just the shooting, doll. You've got to do promotional's, premiere's, photo shoots, interviews...you'll love it."
"I know." I smiled. "Bye, Seth."
"Bye." Seth hung up. I was overcome with happiness, until I realized that I was engaged. I couldn't just leave AJ.
"Hey, birthday girl." AJ walked into the kitchen. "Who was that?" I stared at the phone for a moment.
"Just a friend."
Links to other sites on the Web
To Chapter 12
Back to CONTENTS
feedback: drama_queen17@yahoo.com
Get your own Free Home Page