Chapter Eight

Two Worlds Apart-Chapter Eight That night, Kelli couldn't sleep, which was odd, because she was usually a sound sleeper. While tossing and turning in the strange bed, she decided to call Carley, her best friend back home. It was 12:30 on a Friday night, so she was hoping that she would be home and awake.

"Yeah?"

"Is that any way to answer the phone?"

"Of course. What's up, Kel?"

"Nothing that a good gossip session can't cure."

"What's wrong? The doctor is in."

"Well, doctor, I just don't know. Since I left New York, I just haven't felt like myself. I'm in some sort of depression or something," Kelli laughed.

"Uh huh. Sounds pretty simple to me."

"What? Do I have some sort of fatal disease?"

"Nope. Just a case of homesickness. That and the fact that you don't like to sing alone, unless you have drastically changed your mind since the last time we spoke."

"Well, what do I need to be NOT homesick and anti-singing?"

"Oh, you know exactly what you need. You've known ever since that record exective or talent scout or whatever called your mom. You need to be a regular teenager."

"I know, I know. But I can't! I owe too much to way too many people to turn back now." Kelli grinned. "There is one good thing coming out of all this, though."

"What? Tell me!"

"I'm going on a date with Nick."

"You are so kidding me! When? Where? Do you like him? Does he like you? Well, obviously since he asked you out on a date. Are you excited?"

"No, I'm not kidding, and I don't know when or where. He wants it to be the mother of all dates. And, yeah, I totally like him, and I am SO excited!"

"Oh, my god. I hate you so bad. I mean, I can't stand you right now."

"Get over it. It's about time you realized what a phenomenon I am."

"Yeah, sure, whatever. You are so full of yourself."

"Yup! So, what's going on at school?"

"Hmmmm...Bryce finally dumped Jennifer. He's telling everyone that he's gonna ask you out when you come home."

"Oh, please. He is such slime. I can do so much better."

"Like who? Nick Carter?"

"Exactly!!"

"Can I tell people?"

"If you want. I don't know why you would want to, though. It's not a big deal. How's basketball going?"

"We're still undefeated, but just barely. We really need you."

"Dude, whatever you do, don't replace me. That would totally suck."

"Don't worry, we won't. Coach keeps hoping that you'll strain your vocal chords or something so you can come back and play."

Kelli laughed. "Lots of luck." She became quite before continuing on. "Seriously, though, don't forget me. Keep going. And no matter what happens, promise me aht you'll make it to the state championships. For me. And you know that I don't ask for a lot, so do this one thing for me. I can't be there playing, but I'm always thinking about you guys."

"I promise that we'll make it. But what about winning it?"

"Just get the team to Hershey. I'll take over from there."

"Meaning....."

"Meaning you better bring my uniform. We have concerts in Hershey the nights before and after the game. No matter what, I'll be there. Count on it."

"All right. I'll see you in Hershey then. I gotta go. Bye."

"See ya." That night, Kelli went to sleep with tears in her eyes.



Day after day, night after night it went on like this. Bus ride during the day, show at night, and countless hotel rooms. Kelli and Nick grew closer each day and their friendship slowly began to blossom into something more...dare I say it? Love? They still hadn't gone on their date yet. Nick was waiting for the perfect time to plan the "mother of all dates."
Kelli was missing her family and friends more than ever. She was slowly coming to a decision that she knew she had to make. But that comes later.
It was the middle of February, about a week before the Grammys. The boys were nominated, Kelli wasn't. By the time she had "made it," the nominees had already been announced. The show was on a Wednesday, and the Saturday morning before the show, Nick marched into Kelli's hotel room.

"Rise and shine, sleepyhead!" he cheerfully called out as he opened her blinds.

"I really should start locking my door," Kelli grumbled as she pulled her covers over her head.

"You did. I got the key." He stood over hre bed, crossing his arms. "Are you gonna get up or do I have to stand here all day?"

"What time is it?"

"Almost 11:00. Are you getting up?"

"Nope. I think I'm gonna make you stand there all day."

"Come on, get up."

"Oh, fine." Kelli threw back the covers and sat up, revealing her pajamas, if you could call them that. She had on plaid pants and a long-sleeved shirt. "So, why exactly are you breaking into my hotel room at 11:00 in the morning?"

"I have just come up with the mother of all dates!"

Interested, Kelli smiled. "Really? And what would that be?"

"All right, get this. The Grammys!" Nick expected a scream or something, but all he got was a blank stare. "Well, what do you think?" He was starting to worry that maybe she didn't want to go out anymore.

"Say that again. I don't think I heard you right. I could have SWORN that you said the Grammys, but that's absurd, right?"

"Well, no, not really. I DID say the Grammys. Come on, I can't think of anyone I would rather go with. It would just feel so right, you know?"

"Wow. I'm so....speechless. I can't even believe that you want to take me to the most prestigious event of the year."
Nick sat down beside her. She leaned onto him and he started playing with her hair
"You could ask almost any girl in the country and they would jump at the chance. Why me? And besides all that, what would people say? There are gonna be cameras, journalists, and crazed, obsessed fans who will want to kill me then and there, and who knows that else?"

"Kelli."

"But, it WOULD be a lot of fun, and--"

"Kelli-"

"There's always the shopping, and the getting my hair done...but what are we gonna tell them?"

"That you're my girlfriend."

"OH....are you serious? Because that would be really mean if you were kidding."

"Kel, the Grammys are on Valentine's Day. Do I look like I'm kidding?" His voice was barely audible.

Kelli's face broke into a smile. It always amazed her how when in a crowd of people, Nick was always kidding around, besides being so sure of himself and in the center of attention. But when the two of them were alone, he was so quiet, shy, and almost a completely different person. It was one of the things she loved about him.

"Nick Carter, you are too much. You know just what to say to make my heart melt."

"You mean that we're..."

"How could I say no to you? I just think that this whole thing is about the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me."

"Aw, does it have to be called sweet? Anything but that, please!"

"Nope, sweet. Now, come on. We hafta go shopping. I have four days to prepare for this little shindig. That's totaally not enough time to find the perfect dress."

"Can't the girls help you with that? I'm sure you don't really need a guy hanging around to--"

Kelli clamped her hand over his mouth and led him to the door. "I'll be out in a little while, after I shower and stuff. Then, we're going shopping. That's 'we' as in you and me. Got it?"

Nick nodded and rolled his eyes, obviously defeated.

"Awesome!" Kelli removed her hand and closed the door. As soon as she heard Nick's footsteps going down the hall, she started screeching. "AAHHH!! I have a new boyfriend and I'm going to the Grammys!!!"




Chapter 9
Two Worlds Apart"

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