I didn't respond. I loved chorus. Our teacher, Ms. Robinson, was great and taught us all sorts of interesting songs. One of the ones she had taught us recently was a song that had been big in 1999: "Genie in A Bottle" by Christina Aguilera. I knew her music too well. Mom played her CD constantly, and when I had mentioned that song to her, she had said, "Oh yeah, I loved that song!" All the girls in class got to perform that song at open house.
But that wasn't the main reason why I enjoyed chorus. I loved singing, and dreamed of becoming a singer. I never told Ashley this due to the fact that everytime I told her what my life goals were she would roll her hazel eyes and say, "Really Macey, raise your standards." So I kept that dream to myself.
Class went well that day. I paid attention, even though in 48 hours I would be seeing Steve up-close in person. We learned another '90s song called "Hero" by Mariah Carey (another artist I was familiar with; I owned her greatest hits album and Mom was a huge fan of hers), and practiced some of the other pieces we had learned. 20 minutes before class was over, Ms. Robinson told us to put our music away.
"I wonder why she's making us quit early," Lindsey said. We both liked chorus a hell of a lot better than Ashley did, only because we wanted to take the class and Ashley just wanted to flirt with the boys in the bass section.
"Me too," I said as we headed back to our seats.
"I bet you all are wondering why we've stopped practice early," Ms. Robinson said. "I know that this is chorus, but I have decided to give you a project."
Everyone in class moaned.
"Now come on, it'll be better than you think. I want you to write a paper on a musical group or band of your choice."
The class then cheered. "I call 14:59," Lindsey said.
"I know there are lots of you who want to do research on a band you all know," Ms. R said just as a large group of girls began singing "Intergalactic Girl" as the guys moaned. "A current band. But I want you to do something a bit more challenging."
Lindsey and I exchanged a look. What did that mean?
Ms. R smiled confidently. "You are all to do research on a band or group from the past. I want you to find out about a band that might have been as popular as 14:59 is now."
Once again everyone moaned. Josh Lawrence blurted out, "What good were any bands from before we were born?"
"They helped pave the road for the bands that you listen to today," Ms. R said. "Bands like Generation X wouldn't be here without the influence of Limp Bizkit and Bush. 14:59 would be nobodies without Sugar Ray, the Backstreet Boys, and *NSYNC. I want you to find out whatever you can about bands from the 1990s. The project is due in exactly six weeks."
Just then the bell rang. "Class is dismissed."
Everyone else ran toward the door, mumbling all the way. I stayed behind so I could talk to Ms. R. "Ms. Robinson?" I asked.
"Oh! Macey! What is it? You don't want to be late for lunch, now do you?"
"I just need your advice," I said. "About the project."
"What for?"
"Well, my mom has a huge collection of old CDs, and well, I don't know what band to choose. I know and like a lot of solo artists, but not really any of the bands. Could you recommend one for me?"
Ms. R thought for a moment. "Well... I would recommend Sugar Ray for you, since you like 14:59. That was the title of one of Sugar Ray's albums, did you know that?" she said. "They're kind of rock/pop. You'd enjoy them."
"Thanks," I said, still not certain who I wanted to do my report on.
*********
I sat at home that night looking at a list. I had gone to every adult I knew and asked him or her to recommend a '90s band for me to do the report on. At the top of the list was Sugar Ray, thanks to Ms. R. My English teacher, Mr. Monroe, had suggested Blink-182, Coach Rodriguez said Dru Hill. Mr. Randall gave me Boyz II Men, and Mom had suggested Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls, 98 Degrees, Destiny's Child, All 4 One, and, of course that group she had mentioned earlier, *NSYNC.
I had gone online and found at least one audio file on each group. I eliminated them from the song I heard and soon I had a choice between Sugar Ray and *NSYNC. "Hmm, rock/pop or boyband?" I thought. I had heard Sugar Ray's "Fly" and found it catchy, though I was diggin' *NSYNC's "I Want You Back". Finally, I decided on *NSYNC, and silently vowed to ask Mom about them on Saturday.