Part II:

Fly

Kevin walked to his car in the far off, employee parking lot. His feet and knees ached from standing all day in those pointed shoes. He stopped at one of the trash cans to throw away the unsolicited phone numbers he'd received that day. He ran his hand through his short, dark hair and sucked in air.

How much longer?

What other humiliating job was he going to have to take?

What was he going to have to do to fulfill his dreams?

The fresh, humid air brought back a strange memory he hadn't focused on in years. He and Brian had camped out one night outside the cabin. His younger cousin couldn't have been more then fourteen years old. Kevin was in the middle of his senior year in high school, still enjoying his time as captain of the football team, homecoming king, most popular senior, most likely to succeed, etc.

"You're graduating soon," Brian had told him.

"Um-huh," he'd answered sleepily. Somehow, he always ended up having to make time for his little cousin. It was something he had let go of: family.

"Gonna leave town?"

"No," he'd said confidently. "I'll probably go to college around here. But..."

"What? But what?" he asked.

"But I thought about it," he admitted. "Why?"

"'Cause you should. What is it that you really want to do, Kev? Play football?"

He half laughed. "Not forever. I don't think my knees could hold out. I guess I'd like to sing."

"Can't sing in Lexington. At least not for a living," Brian said, seriously.

He rolled over and tried to make out Brian's face in the dark. "What? What are you getting at?"

"What are you doing here, Kev? I mean, really. What are you gonna do when you graduate? Work as a teacher? As a coach? Is that what you want?"

He'd had the same conversation with his father, probably fifty times. He already knew the answer.

"No," he said, "That's not what I want."

"What?" Jordan, the guy who worked as Prince Eric asked.

Kevin looked up from the trash can and realized he'd said those last words out loud.

He chuckled. "Nothing. Sorry. I was just talking to myself."

"This job will do it to you, huh? I'm quitting tomorrow," Jordan said proudly.

"Yeah? Going to college?"

"No. I flew out to LA last month, and I got a recurring role in a soap opera. I'll be glad to be out of this place."

Kevin just nodded and started toward his beat-up pick up.

"Don't let it get to you, man," Jordan called. "And don't let it swallow you up."

Like it was that easy. He started the truck and the radio came on. It was playing Boys II Men's The End of the Road. He turned up the volume.

"I love this song," he said aloud again and sang the song as he made his way out of the parking lot.

-

Nick had put off asking his mother if he could quit singing with "the girls," which was what he always called them.

He had been afraid to say anything because she was perfectly happy with his schedule as it was. And she knew "the girls" and their parents very well and trusted them completely. That was always the problem. They didn't trust anyone with him. He didn't either. But he was a risk-taker and sometimes, did things that he shouldn't, like take off with Howie and AJ at Disney without telling his mother. He understood why she wanted to know where he was at all times. But lately, life had been offering up too many opportunities, and he wasn't one to sit and let them go by.

He had taken a deep breath and asked.

"Fine, it's okay. Are you sure that's what you want?"

Nick looked in awe at his mother. He had expected a full-fledged argument. Or for her to say flat out no. He was tempted to be funny and check her temperature, but he held back. Since Sunday night, he had made a strong commitment to himself and the guys. And he had done everything that he could to keep it. He'd turned in homework all week, granted it was only Tuesday. He'd stayed out of trouble allowing the bullies to call him every name in the book. He had even let Sam talk him out of filling some loud mouth kid's locker with glue.

"Really? It's okay?" he asked.

She nodded as she drove toward Orlando. She knew the way by memory, so she hardly paid attention to the mid-afternoon traffic.

"Sure, Nick. I mean, all of this is what you want. And if you don't want to sing with the girls anymore, then you don't have to. We'll just tell them that you decided to move on."

He settled into the seat with a grin. It was almost too easy.

"You know this has always been about what you want. And if one day you don't want to do it anymore, you don't have to. Just as long as you're happy," she said.

He looked at her again. Maybe she really was sick. She was taking it all too damn well.

He decided not to play with fire and pulled out his math book and began to do his homework in the van.

She shot him a look but didn't say anything. She just turned off the radio so he could concentrate.

"Call them mom, please," AJ was saying to Denise when the Carter van drove into the driveway.

"AJ, you don't know who this guy Lou Pearlman is. No one has even heard of him as a music producer. Are you sure?"

"Yes," he said flatly. "I'm sure."

She knew better than to argue with him. It was always easier just to go along with him and iron out the bumps later.

There was a pizza in the oven and plenty of cold soda in the refrigerator. Howie was due in at any second, and the guys would begin their first official practice session.

-

"On the right, ladies and gentlemen, you'll see the Magic Kingdom," Kevin said monotonously. "The Magic Kingdom is home to . . ."

He went on to describe the many characters and rides you could expect to pass while traveling through this part of the park. He knew no one was listening anyway.

"And now we are approaching the station at Fantasy Land," he continued. "If you would like to exit here, please remain seated until we come to a complete stop. Thank you." A pause. "Bye now." He smiled at a little girl who waved up at him. The train started forward again and he brought the microphone back up. "On your left . . ."

Tonight was the night.

He had taken up the vendor's words from the other day and checked out the competitions. Surprisingly, he found that he wouldn't even be the oldest there. Sure, most of the kids there were about four feet tall, but there were also people in their twenties. What did he have to lose to anyway? Only disappointment, but he had been down that twisting road too many times to let it get in the way of his dreams. So he decided to go for it. This was his chance. Now or never, he figured.

He looked at his watch as the train boarded at the next stop and let out a sigh. He needed a break already.

-

"I think it's time for a break," AJ announced loudly.

Without waiting for an answer from either of the two, he left the room they had been using to practice and headed toward the kitchen.

"That sounds good to me," Howie remarked.

Nick nodded.

They followed where AJ had disappeared to and found him sitting at the kitchen table with the pizza.

"You couldn't have waited for us?" Howie teased, watching the kid take a huge bite out of his piece.

"I didn't know you were hungry," AJ said through his mouthful.

Howie shook his head with a smile. What manners. Couldn't take these kids anywhere.

"Well, I'm starving," Nick said, grabbing a seat across from AJ. He grabbed a slice with his hands as Howie sat down adjacent to them.

"You didn't even get plates?" he asked AJ, watching the two eat.

"Don't need plates," AJ answered.

"Sure you don't." Howie looked at him expectantly, and AJ pointed to the cabinets next to the sink.

"Over there, Mr. Neat."

"Thank you . . ." Howie got up and grabbed three, sliding one in front of each of them. He grabbed a slice of pizza for himself. "So what do you guys think?"

"We sound good," AJ said readily. "First place good. Right Nick?"

"Right."

Howie nodded. "I think so, too." AJ grinned widely. For once he knew Howie didn't have any doubts.

"I knew you would, D."

"So what're we gonna wear anyway?" Nick asked suddenly. "I mean, when we were solo it didn't make a difference, but . . ." He looked them for help.

"He's right," Howie said. "We should try and coordinate or something."

"Yeah." AJ nodded. "Those damn cowgirl chicks that won last time wore those crappy matching hillbilly outfits." Howie rolled his eyes at the kid's choice of words. "Judges like that stuff."

"How about we all just wear cargoes?" Howie suggested.

"Good." Nick let out a relieved breath. "Nothing fancy or anything."

AJ laughed at him.

-

Kevin’s heart beat loudly as he stood in front of the crowd. But he really couldn’t understand why. He had sang in front of crowds countless of times as Aladdin. Maybe that was it. Without the heat-stroke inducing costume, the people could actually see his face, his eyes, who he was. He had purposely chosen to dress casually because was it like him.

The song took forever to start. He had chosen a Colin Raye country ballad called If I Were You because it would set him apart from all the kids doing fruity pop songs.

The audience full of tourists and fellow competitors was strangely quiet as he sang the song about unrequited love.

It struck him then why things seemed so different. As Aladdin, he’d probably performed a million times to people from every continent. As himself, he’d only sang to those beloved hometown crowds who were so faraway now. The thought almost chilled his blood, but he pressed on and made eye contact with the people in the front row.

As he hit the last note, he closed his eyes, and when he opened them, everyone was clapping.

"Thank you," he said, finally smiled. "Thanks a lot."

"That was great," the female MC told him as he gave her back the microphone. "You’re amazing."

"Thanks," he said still smiling because of the rush performing gave him.

"Thank you! We need more sexy men like you around," she said and looked out at the crowd. "Let’s hear it again for Kevin," she called into the microphone.

And they clapped, but he gave her a look. ‘Don’t let her ruin this,’ he told himself. ‘Don’t.’

He was happy with himself just because he’d made himself get out there instead of just thinking about it. He didn’t need some hard-up woman reducing his talent to his looks.

"Thanks," he said with a wave and walked off the stage.

-

"Brian, Brian, Brian!"

The chanting of the crowd echoed throughout the arena and back at him, giving him a rush. Signs waved from the audience proclaiming love and adoration, now and then even a proposal. Brian grinned and wiped the sweat from his brow. He turned to nod at someone standing behind him on the stage. He couldn't see their face, but he knew that it was someone familiar.

"Brian!" The voice changed and he felt someone shaking his arm. His number one fan, he thought with a smile.

"Mom?"

"You're going to be so late, Brian," she was saying. "You only have a few weeks left of high school, sweetie, let's try and make it on time for once, huh?" She smiled down at her son who had been getting to school later and later.

Brian glanced at his watch on the night table next to him. Damn! He should've been up a half-hour ago! He shot out of bed and towards the bathroom to shower. His mom was laughing.

"Breakfast is downstairs waiting," she called before leaving the room. Brian chuckled.

He thought about the dream while he was in the shower. What did it mean anyway? Sure he had thought every now and then about becoming a performer. Who didn't? But he always figured that even if he stayed in Kentucky, he'd become a star ball player. It'd been a dream of his ever since he had picked up a basketball at the age of six. Maybe he had just been thinking too much about Kevin lately. That must be it, he decided.

"Guess what," he said dramatically to his family in the kitchen. He had surrendered to the fact that he would never make it to his first period class on time, so he was taking it slow. "I've decided what award I want to be remembered for in senior year." He grinned.

"And what would that be?" his mom asked with a smile. He cleared his throat loudly.

"I, Brian Thomas Littrell, refuse to follow in the steps of those in our family who have won awards for most popular and best whatever . . . I am going to take home the award for . . . Most Tardy!" He looked proud of himself.

"Oh really?"

"Yup. Aren't you proud?"

"Of course," his mother said, kissing him on the cheek. "I'll be proud of you no matter what you do." She paused. "But get to school now."

"Sure, Mom. Love ya."

She watched her son's retreating form and shook her head. What a character she had raised.

-

Nick was glum and nervous that Saturday evening. He had argued with his mother all the way to Disney because Mrs. Fox had called the house again. He'd blown the weekly quiz they had taken on Friday. It wasn't really his fault. He'd studied, he'd done his homework, but he just couldn't concentrate. Sam was really depressed over some girls who were teasing her in gym class. He'd found her crying at her locker. Even while they had taken the quiz, he could hear her sniffle behind him occasionally. When boys teased her, he could try to do something about it. But other girls? There was nothing he could do about that. He just felt really bad and didn't concentrate.

He'd gotten a 67, and his mother had let him have it.

"You're only going because I don't want you to let those other boys down," she had said sternly as they walked toward the park. "After today, we're going to sit down and talk about a lot of things, Nickolas."

There was nothing else that he could say. She didn't understand what kindness from others meant to him. He guessed she must have just been used to having people be kind to her.

"Yes mom," he'd said and sat down to wait for AJ and Howie in the warm-up area.

He was watching a line of ants on the sidewalk and didn't even notice when AJ stood in front of him.

"You forgot the cargoes," AJ said.

Nick bit his lip and looked up. "Oops. I'm sorry. It's just that...Well...I...You see,...Oh forget it. I'm just stupid."

AJ put his gym bag down on the line of ants and sat down next to him.

Nick pushed the gym bag off the ants with his foot.

AJ looked at him quizzically.

"They'll get in your bag," Nick explained. "And if they get in your pants, forget it. You won't be able to sing. Believe me. It happened to me once."

Finally, AJ laughed as if he could just see little Nick singing with ants in his pants.

"You seen Howie?" AJ asked.

Nick just shook his head.

"He's late, and he's never late. Plus, he has the music. Did he give you a copy of the music?"

Once again, Nick shook his head.

AJ looked around. That's all he needed: a late member of the group and a mute member of the group.

He gave Nick a light shove. "What's with you anyway? You clam up when you're nervous or what? I've never seen you be quiet for this long."

He sighed. "It's my mom. She's mad at me again."

AJ was immediately shaking his head. "Man, you have so much to learn. Don't you know that the first person in this whole world that you have to keep happy is your mother? If I can help it, and I usually can, I don't make my mom mad. Ever. It's just bad. It's bad for my career. It's bad for her. It's bad for me. I just do what she says, and she doesn't ask me to do more than I can."

Nick just shrugged. "Well, that's just it, AJ. I can't do what she wants because sometimes, I don't even know what that is. And--."

"Alex?!!"

They both turned to find Angie running up to them. AJ was already ducking for cover remembering how she had spilled soda all over him. She stopped in her tracks when she spotted Nick.

"Um, hi. Hi Alex."

AJ smiled, "Hi Angie. What a surprise."

"Oh Alex, there are even more people here than there were last week. You should see it! Are you guys ready?"

"Well, as soon as Howie gets here we'll be ready. Have you seen him?"

She shook her head. "No. You think he'll show? He wouldn't stand you up, would he? I mean, what are you gonna do if he doesn't show? But he wouldn't do that, would he? Would he?"

AJ just raised his eyes at her and tried not to sound mean. "Well, I hadn't thought about it, Angie. But now that you mention it--."

"Hey guys!" they heard Howie's familiar greeting.

AJ sighed in relief.

"Hi!" Angie beamed at him. "I knew you'd be here. AJ was getting nervous, but I kept telling him that you'd be here. I knew you were just running late. I kept telling him that, but he wouldn't listen. He's just so silly like that, huh, Alex?" She plopped down next to him and picked up his gym bag.

Howie looked at their three faces. He was getting to know them very well. Angie was just her over-excited self. AJ was trying to hide his nervousness with sarcasm. Nick. Nick was just a mystery. He'd never seen the kid look serious.

"Traffic was mess," Howie explained. "There must have been five accidents on the way over here. That's why I was running behind. Plus, I had to talk to one of my professors before leaving school. You know how it is."

"Blondie forgot the cargoes," AJ informed him. "But it doesn't matter. You got the music? Should we go warm up? I mean, we need to warm up. And, as you know, only performers are allowed in warm up area, Angie."

She just smiled and put the gym bag in AJ's lap.

"Sure," Howie said. "We need to run through the song a couple of times. Let's go."

They left Angie behind and headed toward the other performers.

She waved at them.

"Good luck," she called.

"Thanks," Howie told her. Then whispered to AJ, "What's with him?"

He shrugged. "The usual. Mom trouble."

Howie just shook his head and threw his arm around the little blonde kid.

"Hey, you okay, buddy? We can do this, right?"

Nick nodded. "Yeah. I'm fine."

They finally reached the warm-up area and found a spot where they wouldn't get run over by dancers or drowned out by other groups.

If either of them had ever doubted the youngest boy's professionalism, they were reassured by how composed he was suddenly. Every sign of the sadness was erased when they began to sing the song they had practiced all week long. He was his smiling, usual self.

AJ was relieved and finally felt able to concentrate on his singing. He was a perfectionist and wouldn't be happy until things were just right. By the time they were running through the song for the third time, a strange hush surrounded them.

Howie looked up and realized that all of the other competitors were looking at them. He glanced at Nick and AJ who were way too engrossed in their singing to notice. He closed his eyes again and finished the song.

All they heard was clapping.

Their peers' applause made them smile. It had to be a good omen.

"Well, we'd better sit down. Everything will be starting soon. Remember that we're the fifth act, okay guys?" Howie said.

AJ nodded and closed his eyes. 'I'm not nervous. I'm not nervous. I'm not nervous,' he thought. 'I'm not nervous.'

-

"You're not nervous?" Kevin heard Emily ask.

"No," he lied. "I'm not nervous. But thanks for coming with me."

"Sure," she said. "It's no problem."

They were making their way through the warm-up area. Kevin just had to check in with the MC. He'd be singing Babyface's When Can I See You Again? It was his favorite song because it made him think of home. Actually, that's why he'd even asked Emily to come along. He just wanted somebody familiar and comforting around this time. God, he missed his family.

She was the person he'd known the longest in Orlando. She had been the first Jasmine that he had worked with, but she had moved on to modeling in South Beach earlier in the year. They had tried dating, but were just better off as friends.

"You'll be great," she told him.

He'd be up second, so he just decided to wait by the stage instead of taking a seat in the bleachers.

"Thanks," he muttered, not even looking at her.

The kid up first was some girl. Disney was full of young girls with big hair, loud voices and no rhythm who dreamed of being stars.

Kevin sighed gratefully when he realized that she couldn't sing. At least, he'd sound better than her.

But he gave her a great, big smile when she walked off the stage nearly in tears. Only her family had cheered for her.

"You did good, honey," he told her, crossing his fingers behind his back. He just wanted her to feel better.

He took his place center stage and tried desperately to focus on his confidence. He had always had loads of confidence. It wouldn't fail him this time.

The easy notes of the song began, and he took a deep breath. The vision he always focused on when he was nervous encompassed him. The crowd of nearly two hundred became a crowd of ten thousand. Thinking this way always made him work harder, and therefore perform better. There was a difference in the vision that he'd never noticed before. This time, he wasn't alone on stage. And it wasn't just a band that accompanied him. He couldn't quite make out the faces, but everything sounded great.

He smiled and closed his eyes into the song as he imagined himself singing before his hometown. He thought of his mother, brothers and father, even if he had already passed away. They looked at him proudly and cheered wildly as the song entered its final notes.

"Kevin! We love you!" he could have sworn he heard.

"Kevin! Kevin! Kevin!"

Slowly, he opened his eyes and returned to the relatively small audience before him. He smiled and put the microphone down.

They cheered. They clapped. Some girl in the front whistled at him.

AJ silently watched the guy walk off of the stage, the applause ringing in his ears. The guy was good. Better than good actually. And he had that deeper voice that they needed for their harmony.

But he was like twenty or something, AJ thought, dismissing the idea. He'd rather someone his age in the group personally. Even though Howie was nineteen himself, he was also a lot of fun. The guy who was onstage looked kind of serious for AJ's taste. Like he'd want anything to do with the three of them anyway.

"Possible?" he heard Howie whisper.

He shrugged.

"Possible. I guess," he answered lowly. He glanced at Nick, who just looked back at him silently. "No input, kid?"

"Nope."

"Okay . . ." AJ frowned. No as in not a possibility, or no as in he didn't have any input? Oh well. He turned back to the stage just as the MC announced the next group. The O'Reilly sisters.

He groaned and was about to boo, but a hand covered his mouth smoothly. "Do it and your singing career is over," he heard Howie say evenly. AJ raised an eyebrow as the hand released him slowly.

"You underestimate me, 'D. I was gonna cheer them on."

"Sure, Aje."

"I was!"

Howie ignored the younger and turned away. "They stink," he heard Nick remark to AJ.

"It's the matching outfits," AJ answered smartly, giving Nick's leg a rough pat. Nick looked at him sheepishly.

"I said I was sorry . . ."

"I'm kidding! Chill." AJ rolled his eyes. The kid was so sensitive tonight for some reason. "Like it really matters?"

"Guys, I'm gonna say this nicely." They looked up at Howie. "Shut your mouths."

"No thanks, D." AJ grinned cheekily.

"I'm gonna go get a drink," Nick announced, glancing at the vendors to the side. "Okay?"

"There's only one more act before us," Howie objected, watching as the O'Reilly sisters began to finish up their routine. Great time to be thirsty.

"I'll be right back," Nick pleaded, starting to get up. "One second."

"Just go," AJ interrupted. "You'll run out of time." Nick took off.

"He better be back in time," Howie said softly.

"He will." AJ laughed. "If not, do you want his part?"

"Not funny."

"Hey, kiddo."

Nick looked up from digging money out of his pocket to give to the vendor for his soda. It was the heavyset man again. Pearlson or something. He frowned. "Yeah?"

"Up fifth, right?"

"No, we went already," Nick said sarcastically. "You didn't miss us did you?" He sent the man a disappointed look.

"So you're the funny one, huh?" The man grinned at him, a twinkle in his eye. "Just wanted to wish you luck and all. Nick, right?"

Nick nodded, becoming shy once again.

"Well, Nick, see anyone you want to be in your group?" Nick shrugged. "How about the second guy up. He was good, wasn't he?"

"Yeah." Nick nodded slowly. What was this guy getting at anyway? He looked around to see where AJ and Howie were. He'd rather them handle this sort of stuff.

"Good, good," the guy was saying. "I think so too. Well, you better go, Nick. Never leave when you're up next, okay? Not a good thing." He handed the vendor a bill. "For the kid's soda," he said. Nick looked at him curiously. "Tell the other boys I said hello."

"Okay." Nick watched the man disappear into the crowd like he always did. Strange guy. He started back toward where he left the guys.

"Nick! Get over here!" AJ appeared and grabbed his arm, pulling him toward the stage. The last act was taking their bows. "Kid, I ought to .. ." Nick tried to ignore the older boy's muttering.

"Lou says hi," he said softly, trying not to spill his soda with AJ's tight grip.

"That's nice," AJ said absently. "You ready?" He looked the kid up and down.

"Yup."

"Okay, good. Let's go."

-

Kevin looked up at the group on stage as he heard their song announced. Boys II Men. He saw Emily smile beside him.

"I love this song . . ."

"Me too."

He leaned back to listen. They were good, better than he expected in fact. Much better. They sang entirely a capella, not missing a note or a beat. Their harmony was good too.

"Wow," Emily said in a hushed tone. "They're pretty good. The little one's a cutie, huh?" She laughed. Kevin looked at the kid. He looked about ten. These kids were getting younger and younger, he thought amusedly. It seemed like show business was robbing the cradle nowadays.

But they were good, that's for sure.

"Yeah, they're good," was all he said. They watched in silence.

"Hey . . ." Kevin looked up as a slightly obese man with a jolly face sat down next to him. "Kevin Richardson?"

"That would be me," he said with a smile. "Can I help you?"

"Lou Pearlman here." Kevin shook the offered hand firmly. Lou nodded toward the act on stage. "They're good, huh?"

Kevin nodded. "Yeah, they are." What was this guy getting at? Was he the proud father of one of the kids or something?

Lou smiled and handed him a card. Kevin read it silently. Wow. Trans Continental Records? He was a producer? He looked at the man in a different light. What did he want with him? This was too good to be true, he thought, trying to keep a straight face.

"I was thinking of getting these boys a contract," the man was saying. "But like I told them, they need another voice. To round out the sound, you know? And I heard you singing before. Very good."

"Thanks."

"So what do you think? Would you want to be a part of the group?"

"Shouldn't you ask them?" Kevin asked wryly.

Pearlman smiled.

"Of course, you'll have to meet them before anything is settled."

"Sure, I'll think about it." Kevin smiled. This was his chance! He took a deep breath. Don't rush into things, he told himself. Remember disappointment. Things aren't usually offered on a silver platter like this.

"Good man," Pearlman said, clapping him on the back. "I'll talk to you more after the show." He got up and left without another word.

Kevin stared down at the card silently.

"Go for it."

"Huh?" Emily's words startled him.

"Go for it, Kev. This is your break. This is what you wanted." She sent him a reassuring smile.

"I know, but . . ." Kevin ran a hand through his dark hair. He couldn't think of any reason not to.

-

"...AJ, Howie and Nick. First place!"

Howie hardly heard anything past his name when AJ was grabbing him and Nick in a huge hug. He could hear Nick's laughter in his ear.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" AJ was saying. "I knew we could do it. I knew it!"

"Guys! Guys!" the MC was calling to them.

Howie broke away first. "C'mon," he told them. "Let's go get our prize."

"What is our prize?" Nick asked for the first time.

"Who cares?" AJ said. "We won. They could give us a rat's ass for all I care. We won!"

Howie shot him a look while Nick giggled away.

"And the guys receive a two-thousand dollar cash award and a chance to compete in this season's finals for a contract singing here at Disney. What do you guys have to say?"

Howie felt the two younger guys pushing him toward the MC. He smiled, cleared his throat and took the microphone.

"We'd just like to thank everyone who cheered for us, especially our families and friends, as well as the judges. And we'd just like everyone to know that we we're in this for the long haul, so you'll be hearing from us again. Thanks so much!"

Nick felt his ears redden at those words. Though his mother was in the audience clapping for him, he knew he'd have to tell the other guys that there was a minor glitch in the plan for the long haul.

'Not now. Not now,' he told himself. 'Just be quiet. Enjoy this.'

AJ still had his arm around him as they hurried off the stage toward their families and the waiting Lou Pearlman.

"You guys were great!" Denise said, reaching them first and giving each boy a hug. She held on to her son a little longer and kissed him on the cheek. "You're wonderful. I love you."

He beamed. "Thanks. The guys really sounded great, huh?"

She nodded and watched as Howie's family surrounded him with praise and love. Nick was being smothered by his own sister who looked just like him but even smaller.

Lou cleared his throat. "I knew you guys could do it," he said. "And I like what you said about the long haul. Just how hard are you willing to work for it?"

They all turned to him, especially the mothers who had never seen this man before.

Nick gravitated to Howie, who seemed to have been elected leader.

"We're not afraid of little hard work," Howie told him. "Or even a lot of hard work. We've all been fighting to make our dreams come true for a long time. But it all depends on how sincere and on the level you are."

"Oh things are on the level, son," Lou continued. "I wouldn't be facing your families if they weren't. All I really want to hear from you now is that you're willing to do the work. The rest can be up to me."

He looked at the other two. AJ nodded at him, and Nick quickly did the same thing though his mother shot him a look.

"We'll work, sir," Howie said. "Just what is it exactly that we have to do?"

"I need to speak to your parents at my office before anything happens," he said. "Why don't we all set up appointments?"

Denise stepped forward to speak to the man while Howie explained that he was already an adult and didn't need his parents' permission to sign any contracts. Nick closed his eyes tight and began to wish that his mother could just stop worrying about the future and think about right now. Right now, all he wanted was to follow these two guys who seemed to be on the right track.

He felt AJ elbow him.

"What?" he asked, eyes still shut.

"Look," AJ said. "Just look."

He looked up to find his own mother speaking to Mr. Pearlman. She had that questioning look on her face that she gave everyone who was new in her son's life. Her hand was on her hip and her head was cocked to one side. He knew all her body language. She was making sure that things were on the level before allowing him to even begin to get involved.

"And I think we might have that other voice we've been needing," Lou was saying. "But I'm afraid that even if you guys win the finals, you might not be able to perform here on a permanent basis."

They all looked up at him, surprised.

"I have much bigger plans than that," he said. "This park will be too small for where you guys are going."

Howie smiled and looked at AJ who was grinning as well.

"That's what I want to hear," AJ said. "World domination."

Denise laughed and gave her son a playful shove. "First you have to dominate your ego, AJ."

"Well, I expect to see you all in my office within the next few days," Lou said. "I'm going to get in touch with my contacts in the business and get you guys a singing coach, a stylist, a choreographer, a songwriter, the works. Then we'll work on getting you guys lots of exposure and hopefully a recording contract."

"And we'll be talking about what this will cost us, right?" asked Jane.

Lou half-laughed. "Ma'am, this is a business venture on my part. I'm making an investment in these boys because I think they have what it takes to make it big. All they have to do is have the heart to show me that they do. And, of course, do plenty of hard work. Between now and next week, we should have that fourth voice, and of course, a name. What would you like your group to be called."

He looked from the older boy, to the thick-haired middle-schooler, to the little blond kid. None of them had an answer for him.

He chuckled. "Well, we'll talk about soon, okay? So, think about that. I'll talk to Howie and AJ and Nick's parents. And we'll come up with a work schedule. Between now and then, you guys rest up and take care. We have a lot of work ahead of us."

They all nodded, and even Mrs. Carter seemed at ease.

"Good-night," he said and disappeared among the crowd still gathered at the stage.

"Guys wanna come to my house to celebrate?" AJ asked. "Still got plenty of cokes."

Howie shook his head. "No thanks, Aje. I have a paper due on Monday, and I haven't even hit the library yet. I'd better at least start planning what I want to do. Lou Pearlman or no Lou Pearlman, the real world is still out there."

"That's true enough," Jane said, reaching for her son who still hadn't even said a word to her. "We have long drive back. Denise, let me know when you'll be speaking to Mr. Pearlman. I think it would be best if we did it together."

"I'll call you," Denise promised. "You guys drive safely."

Nick pulled his sister along and didn't even turn back to the guys to say good-bye. He had no idea how he would even face them again, knowing he might not be able to do anything with them after all.

He felt a slight tug at his shirt.

"Listen, just keep your mouth shut, and tell her that you'll do what she says," AJ said softly to him. "No matter what that is. Got it?"

He looked at him with apprehension in his blue eyes.

"AJ, you don't get it. I--."

"No, you don't get it. This is our chance. Don't blow it. Just do what she tells you. Got it?"

"But--."

"Got it?"

He nodded. "I got it. See you later."

"Bye."

-

Kevin still sat in the stand fingering the card and watching the small crowd disperse before him. That Pearlman guy did know those kids who won the contest. He was tempted to go talk to them before actually going through Pearlman first. But he quickly talked himself out of it when he realized how young they really looked.

Maybe it just wasn't the right place for him and he hadn't come back anyway.

"I'll call him," he said to Emily but was really reassuring himself. "I'll call him on Monday to see how things work out. I can't just rush out of here like this is my last big break."

She nodded and got up. "Okay. Then lets go. You owe me dinner."

He laughed. "Yeah, I do. And here I thought you were just supporting me out of the goodness of your own heart."

"My heart supports you," she said. "But my stomach's empty."

He realized that his was empty as well, so he followed her as they made their way out of the park. His head was buzzing with thoughts of singing in a group, making it big and finally fulfilling his dreams.

"I should call home," he said absently. "It's been a long time since they've heard anything but complaints from me."

"I'd wait to see what happens with that man," Emily said. "Just in case."

He shrugged. "You're right, but I have a good feeling about him, you know. I think this is my lucky night."

-

Nick thought the walk to the van was eternal. She still hadn't said anything to him, and all he could hear was his sister's questions about the sun, the moon and the stars.

"Why does the sun sleep?"

"It's not asleep," he told her. "It's just on the other side of the world."

"How does it get there?"

"It doesn't. The world goes around it. See, the gravity pulls the world in a circle around the sun. But at the same time, it's rotating, so that now, it's day on the other side."

"What other side?"

He sighed. "The other side of the world, BJ."

She still didn't get it.

Nick finally swallowed back his fear.

"Mom, are you really gonna talk to him?"

She didn't answer right away, and it wasn't to be mean. She had a good feeling about letting Nick join the group and follow Lou Pearlman on this venture. But she also knew that her responsibility as parent was to make him accountable for his actions. How could he be accountable if he blew off something as important as school? But how could she love him as much as she did and not let him follow his dreams?

"And where are the stars during the day?" BJ asked as Nick helped her up into the van.

"In the sky, but you can't see them. Mom?"

She waited until they were both seated, and she had started the van.

"Nick, I told you that we have to talk, and we do. But this is still your choice, and you can do what you want."

He smiled. 'Yes,' he thought. 'Yes!'

"But," she continued. "But you have to hold up your end of the deal. I mean grades, behavior, everything, Nick. Everything. And you'd better be serious because it's not just you anymore. Understand?"

He nodded. "Yes mom, yes. I know. I know."

"Well, don't you forget," she said. "And no matter what happens, you know that you can count on us. I expect that we can count on you."

He nodded. "Yes mom, yes. You can."

She glanced at him, all the happiness in the world was back and sparkling in his blue, blue eyes.

"Thought of a name yet?" she asked him.

He laughed. "Mom, I've been too worried about staying with the guys to even think of name."

"You should be The Barneys," he heard BJ said.

"What?"

"I like Barney. You should be The Barneys."

They laughed, and Jane made the familiar trip back to Orlando.

"We should just move over here," she muttered.

-

Kevin rested his hand on the receiver of the telephone for a second before determinedly picking it up. He listened to the dial tone a minute. This was it.

Call, he told himself. It's not that hard. Find out the story, whether or not he still wants you. Maybe they had already found someone else and didn't need him any longer. Then he could stop worrying.

Yeah right.

He glanced at the card in his hand once more and started dialing the number he had nearly memorized by now, looking at it so much. Emily was right. This was his chance, he should at least go for it.

It was ringing. A couple seconds passed before he heard someone pick up.

"Pearlman here."

"Mr. Pearlman, this is Kevin-"

"Kevin! How you doing, son? I was hoping you'd call! I never got your number." The man chuckled. "You're still interested in the group, am I right?" Kevin's heart skipped a beat. Suddenly he was glad this was on the phone and not in person.

"I'm willing to check things out, sir," he said smoothly. He wondered if he sounded as eager as he felt.

"Well I'm glad to hear it. I'm setting it up for you and the boys to meet, how's that? If you're all going be working together, you're gonna have to know each other."

"Right. That sounds good. Just tell me when." He listened as the man told him about some fancy restaurant about fifteen minutes away. This guy certainly went all the way with everything, that's for sure, Kevin thought with a grin.

"Of course, everything's on me," Pearlman was saying. "So don't worry about a thing."

"Thanks, Mr. Pearlman."

"Please, call me Lou. And it's no problem, Kev. I've got some work to do, so I'll see you then, alright? Dress nice."

"Sure, Lou. Thanks." He hung up the phone with a smile.

Things were finally working out.

***

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