Forever Seventeen

  Chapter Seven: Wherever you are...

  I parked the car and slowly walked into the house. I paused and leaned on the door frame. My mom sprinted towards me, practically leaping into my ready arms.

  “I'm so proud of you!” She said, her voice muffled from her face being pressed against my shoulder.

  “Thanks, you know... I never could have done it without you.” I said, sincerely.

  “No matter where you go or how hard you try, or wherever you are... I'll be here waiting on you. If you're on a stage I'll be behind it cheering you on. If you're in jail I'll be on the other side of the bars to bail you out, even if you're throwing up drunk I'll drive you home and take care of you. Don't you get me wrong, young lady. I'd be very disappointed in you, but the point is I've always loved you and always supported you. I will never stop either and I hope you know that.” She said, as I brushed a tear that slid from her face. Her little speech really warmed my heart.

  “I'm sorry for ever doubted that you were there.” I said.

  “I know. We've had some rough patches here and there...” My mom said.

  “But that doesn't matter. Yesterday is history-” I started.

  “And tomorrow is a mystery.” My mom finished.

  “Today is a gift... and that's why it's called the present.” We said together. We laughed a little, both grinning like little children. For that moment, everything was peaceful, everything was right.

  The week lingered on slowly before I went to the first rehearsal. I spent like two hours trying to pick out an outfit. I didn't really even know why. They liked me even when I was plain Jane with my baggy pants and makeup less face.

  When, I got there the boys were on stage goofing off.

  “Heyyy, Sam!” They all cried when I came in.

  “Hey, guys.” I said shyly. They all greeted me with a hug then we began.

  “Okay, so have you been looking over the music?” Josh asked.

  “Of course.” I answered.

  “Cool, we're gonna start with “Beautiful Mistake” next, we're gonna do “Light my world” then “Finally Awake” lastly we're gonna do “Got what I need” but we're gonna do an encore if the audience wants it.” Corey informed.

  “Great. Got it.” I said.

  I then was introduced to the entire team. The manager, hairdresser, security guards, drummer, bass players, vocal coaches, and makeup artist. I smiled and said hi to each one of them.

  “Alright then, let's begin!” Josh said excitedly. The music started up and I began the first few cords of the song. It was a pretty simple song, nothing too hard and I was really enjoying myself. The boys were such great performers. They just danced around the stage singing and being silly, nothing too overly professional.

  They were just... themselves and I really admired that. In a way, I sort of envied that and I wished that I could be a bit more myself sometimes instead of always holding back. The last song ended, and high fives went all around.

  “YOU DID GREAT!” Hunter cried, slapping me a high-five.

  “YEAHHH!” Logan cried, slapping me one as well. They obviously got really pumped after every rehearsal. Logan and Hunter both did a chest bump, while Josh and Corey just ran around the stage screaming.

  “YEAH, KILLED IT BABE KILLED IT!” Corey yelled, offering me a fist pound. They went around doing this to everyone until the energy seemed to have spread all around the room. I even did a little yell and a couple fist pumps. They all grinned at me and my energy.

  After, rehearsals ended Hunter caught up with me as I was headed out the door.

  “Hey, I'm gonna see if all the boys wanna go out for some pizza. Do you wanna tag along as well?” Hunter asked.

  “Sure.” I replied with a smile. He grinned at me and ran to catch up with the boys. He talked softly to them. They all punched his shoulder and shoved him playfully. I was kind of confused at what he had said to cause that, but it was probably just their normal behavior. He jogged back over to me.

  “Alright, they're in!” He said.

  “Is everyone else coming?” I asked, pointing to the bass and drum players.

  “Nah, let's let it just be the five of us this time. We wanna get to know you.” Hunter said.

  “Oh, well okay.” I said with a shrug. He led me out to his car and opened the door for me.

  “Oh, I brought my own car.” I said, gesturing to my mother's beat up old Volkswagen.

  “It's alright, love. We'll pick it up afterward.” He stated.

  “Are you sure?” I asked, raising a brow. He nodded firmly so I slid into the car. It was perhaps the nicest car I'd ever seen in my entire life. It was an orange Mclaren with a long white stripe going down it and doors that slid upward. The seats were silky expensive looking leather. I brushed the seats with my fingertips. It felt like soft, sleek Heaven. It smelled brand new too. The other boys slid in as well. I was sitting in the passenger seat beside Hunter.

  “We're warning you, Sam. Hunter might just be the worst drive this world has ever seen.” Josh stated.

  “Am not!” Hunter cried as he leaned back in his seat to pop Logan. I buckled my seat belt and clutched the sides of my seat with all my might.

  “Hey, you don't believe them, do you?” Hunter cried. I noticed a helmet on the floor.

  “Just to be safe...” I said, grabbing the helmet and plopping it on my head. The boys all laughed their heads off. The helmet was about three sizes too big more my head and lay lopsided toward the side of my head. I crossed my eyes. I bet I looked really silly. Hunter just shook his head and started up the car. He peeled out of the parking lot.

  “We told you, didn't we?” Corey said, with a laugh. I gripped my helmet and pulled it harder down on my head. The boys laughed even harder. Hunter stuck his tongue out at the boys and turned the radio on.

  “DANCE