A knock on the door brought Elle out of her state of depression. Quickly she smoothed out the wrinkles in her skirt, dried her eyes, and replied, "Come in."

"You look terrible," commented Elle's secretary, Caroline. "What's wrong?"

"I would tell you, but you already know," Elle answered.

Chapter Two "Your right. Look, Elle, maybe it's not my place, but I think you might need counseling. Loosing both your parents at the same time is tough. But look at you. At 19, you have a job that so many other people would die for. You are so talented that Jive hired you no college experience. Do you know how impossible that is? You would have a better chance at winning the lottery twice in the same year. But you've done it all."

"Thanks for that "Elle is so wonderful" speech Caroline. Trust me, I don't know where I would be without it. Anyway, is there anything I can do you?" Elle asked.

"Well, you can start by picking up on line two and three. Line two is Anne Zehern, the editor of Teen People magazine calling about your publicity interview in December. By the way, congratulations with that. Line three is your sister calling to ask if she can go over to Robin's house after school. It must be weird being the mother and fatherly figure to your 12-year-old sister.

"You wouldn't believe how weird it really is. At least she's not calling me mom. Thanks Caroline." Elle sighed and picked up the phone. "Elle Bradley, Jive Records New York"

After what seemed like an eternity Elle finally finished talking with Teen People, she clicked over to line three where Carrie, her younger sister, was waiting.

"Took you long enough Elle," Carrie practically yelled through the phone.

"Sorry Carrie. I didn't mean to take time out of your busy schedule," Elle retorted sarcastically. "Do you still want to go over to Robin's or has too much time passed and you aren't friends anymore."

"Very funny. Can I be home by dinner time?" Carrie asked.

"Yeah, that sounds good. I have some news that I think that you are going to love. By the way, what should I pick up for dinner tonight?"

"You pick. It really doesn't matter because you always get something "Low Cal and No Fat," Carrie said.

"You know me," Elle answered. "I'll see you at six thirty."

"Bye Elle."

After she replaced the receiver, Elle looked at the file with "Backstreet Boys" neatly printed on a tattered label. The file was so full that the entire folder was starting to rip. Elle sighed and decided that she had to start somewhere. She picked up the file and moved to the floor so that she would have more room to work. She started by sorting the contents into different piles based on what information each paper contained. By noon, each paper was in it's correct pile. It was then that Elle realized that she hadn't eaten in hours. She walked over to the phone and ordered a tuna sub and a Diet Coke from a local lunch bar. When the food arrived, she was happy that she could finally stop sorting papers. Moments later, the phone rang.

"Elle, it's Maranda, I have to talk to you in my office, NOW."

A knot formed in Elle's stomach as she walked towards Maranda's office.