Toni and Angela stood up. It had been about 2 weeks since they've seen her. And over that period they had decided to forgive and forget.
"Allie!" Angela yelled. She ran over to her and gave her a big bear hug knocking her on the carpeted floor. "I can't believe you're home!"
Allie laughed. "Alright Ang. You can get off me now!" She said out of breath.
"Oh yeah right." Angela got off her and helped her to her feet. "This is so great! I can't believe you're here!"
"Yeah neither can I." Allie replied. "Toni. You're not mad are you?"
Toni shook her head. "Mad at my best friend? No way." She pulled her in for a hug. Everything was back to normal.
******************************
Angela and Toni had a rehearsal with the BSB. Allie decided to come with. Monica and Rachel would be there to keep her company. They walked in the studio dance room and were greeted by everyone. After all the greetings and surprised looks toward Allie, they started the dances.
"These rehearsals can get boring." Allie said to Monica and Rachel.
Rachel nodded. "Yeah I know. Monica loves them though."
"Well I brought reinforcements." Allie said. She took out her Discman and put the headphones on. She put on Mariah Carey's "Can't Take That Away". (AN: Even though that song is from Rainbow, for the sake of the story it's on an older Mariah CD.) She began singing along with the music cranked up. The BSB music was loud so no one would hear her.
"No you guys got it wrong!" Toni yelled. She went to turn off the music and heard Allie's voice. All eyes were on her. She had her eyes closed and was singing her heart out.
"Ohh they, they can do anything they want to you. If you let them in but they won't never win. If you cling to your pride and just push them aside. Say I. I have learned there's an inner peace I own. Something in my soul that they can not possess so I won't be afraid and the darkness won't fade. 'Cause there's. There's a light in me that shines brightly. Yes they can try but they can't take that away from me. No ohh ohh. They can't take this precious love I always have inside me. Certainly the Lord will guide me where I need to go. They can say anything they want to say. Try to bring me down. But I won't face the ground."
Everyone looked at her in amazement. She was still singing unaware of everyone staring at her.
"Ohh Lord. They do try. Hard to make me feel that I, don't matter at all. But I refuse to fall doing what I believe or lose faith in my dreams. 'Cause there's a light in me. That shines brightly. Ohh yes they can try. But they can't take that away from me. From me. No nah nah no. Ohhh."
Everyone clapped and whooped at her performance. Allie opened her eyes and looked at everyone. "Oh my god! You all heard that!" She whined. "Damnit!"
"Allie! You have a wonderful voice! That was amazing!" Monica complemented. Everyone agreed.
"You know Al." AJ began. "You can make it with that voice. Tomorrow morning I'll get you a meeting with Jive. And you can sing for them."
Allie shook her head vigorously. "No way. Nuh-uh. I don't think so!"
"But Allie. You have an outstanding voice! You can't let it go to waste." Toni told her.
Allie thought for a minute. "Alright." She gave in. "I'll do it."