When she got up to her dormitory suite, she opened the door to find her roommate, Lillian, sprawled out on the couch. "I'm home," Christine announced loudly.
"Shush! I'm trying to watch the end of 'Friends,'" Lillian complained. She flipped her long blonde hair over her shoulder and turned back the to the television.
Christine rolled her eyes and waded through Lillian's junkpiles to her bedroom. She dropped her backpack on the floor and picked up the phone. "Soon, I won't have to be living with her," she reminded herself.
Christine and Lillian were as opposite as night and day. Shy, reserved, seventeen-year-old Christine was content sitting at home and reading a book, while wild, loud, sixteen-year-old Lillian never missed a party, most of which seemed to be held in their suite, and none of which were known about by the principal. Christine was an intelligent, hardworking senior. Lillian, something of a slacker, was a sophomore. What annoyed Christine the most about their living space was the messes Lillian made. However, at the beginning of Lillian's freshman year, both girls had needed roommates, and they usually got along well.
After dialing the area code and phone number of her best friend, Katelyn, Christine put the phone to her ear and waited. Finally, after four rings, Mrs. Milton picked up. "Hi, Mrs. Milton. It's Christine. Is Kate there?" she asked politely.
After a few moments, Katelyn picked up. "Hi, this is Kate," said the familiar voice. She sounded irritated, and Christine knew that she had probably interrupted Katelyn's studies.
Christine smiled instinctively. "Hey, Kat!" She was the only person allowed to use Katelyn's childhood nickname.
"Teeny, what's up? I was just doing homework," Katelyn replied. Teeny had been Christine's nickname in middle school, since she was so small. Though it still suited her well, since she was five foot one and weighed one hundred pounds, Katelyn was the only one who still used it. "Did you go to that interview?"
Christine could no longer contain her excitement. "Yes, and guess what? I got the job!"
"Awesome! So what band are you touring with?" Katelyn asked. Christine could visualize her best friend chewing on her nails excitedly.
"You will never, ever, ever, ever in a million years believe it. You're gonna love this. The Backstreet Boys!" Christine exclaimed. She liked the Backstreet Boys' music, but she wasn't the type that knew all about the boys, themselves. Katelyn, on the other hand, was probably their biggest fan imaginable.
"You are not!" Katelyn squealed excitedly. "You've got to be kidding me! That is so unbelievable!"
"I know! That's why I said you'd never believe me!" Christine replied matter-of-factly. "I start a week after I go on vacation!"
"Wait, I thought they had all their dancers," Katelyn said, confused.
"Well, they did, but one of the girls broke her ankle, and she needed a replacement, so guess who it is?" Christine replied.
"Oh, Teeny, you're so lucky!" Katelyn screeched. "I wish I got to go on tour with the Backstreet Boys!"
"I wish you could come," Christine said wistfully, "but I promise I'll get you their autographs."
"You don't have to do that," Katelyn said. "I'm not saying that you shouldn't, though," she added quickly.
Christine looked at her watch and realized that she still had exams to study for. "Listen, chica, I gotta go, but I'm coming home in a week."
"Okay, I'll be waiting!"
"Okay, then, I'll see you next Sunday!" Christine squeaked. She hung up the phone happily. She would be dancing for one of the most popular bands of the time. Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted her happiness. Though Lillian was usually nice enough, Christine didn't feel like talking to her. "Come in!" she called.
Lillian opened the door and plopped down on the bed. "So where were you tonight?"
"I swear, Lil, talking to you is like talking to a brick wall," Christine groaned. "I had a job interview. I told you that several times."
"Oh, yeah, that's right. So what job did you interview for?" Lillian asked, twirling her hair around her fingers mindlessly.
"A dancing job," Christine replied. "You will never guess who I'm dancing for. The Backstreet Boys!"
"Oh, yeah, right!" Lillian replied. "You're making that up, right?"
"No, I'm dead serious, Lil! I will be going on tour with the Backstreet Boys!" Christine exclaimed.
"That's not fair! You're planning on getting me autographs, right?" Lillian whined, giving Christine her famous puppy dog expression. She seemed to be taking it with little to no jealousy. Most of the time, if someone had something Lillian wanted, she went into a rage, and that was exactly why Christine didn't want to talk to her in the first place. Fortunately, she was softer toward her roommate.
Even though she was sure the boys wouldn't want to be annoyed with signing autographs and all that, Christine gave in immediately. "Listen, Lil, I'll see what I can do, but for now, I need to get some studying done."
Lillian stood up and slipped out the door. "Okay, have fun! Good luck! And congratulations!"