Chapter 7



“That’s great to hear honey. I’m glad. Well, what about food? Are you getting proper nutrition?”

“Yes, Mom. Don’t worry.” Jayme twirled the white telephone cord around her fingers.

“Are you getting enough rest?” she asked.

“Mom...” Jayme let out an exasperated sigh as she kicked her shoes off her feet. Her mother was excited to hear about her performance the first night of the tour. However, Jayme wished her mother would stop worrying and end the whole discussion about ‘getting proper nutrition and plenty of rest’ lecture. For chrissake’s she’s seventeen years old.

“Jayme, I just want to make sure you’re all right while you’re out on the road. I’m not exactly there to take care of you myself,” explained Mrs.Caruso.

“Mom, in case you forgot, I’m seventeen years old. I can take care of myself, so please stop worrying. I’m fine, really. This isn’t the first time I’ve been away from home, you know,” argued Jayme.

“Okay. I’m sorry. I just want to make sure that everything is all right.”

“I told you, Mom, for about the sixth time, I’m fine. So stop worrying. You don’t need to baby me all the time.”

“All right. I trust you. I guess I’ll talk to you again soon. I love you.”

“I love you too Mom. Tell Dad that too. Bye!” Jayme hung up the phone and flopped on the bed. She felt exhausted. Her whole body ached and she felt really sleepy. It was only 11:30. Usually on Friday nights and weekends, she’d be out with friends until midnight at the earliest.

After the concert, there was a post-show meet and greet backstage party. This event was a little different than the pre-show party. The crowd was a bit wilder. One thing remained the same though, screaming fans. After the post-show backstage party, everyone headed back to the Westin Hotel, where everyone was staying for the night.

The sleeping arrangements were as follows: Jayme and Lindsay shared a room, Nicole and Juli another, and TJ, Sean, and Adam shared a room. Nobody had a problem with that since everyone was rooming with the same people back in the apartments in Orlando.

The hotel room wasn’t too bad at all. As you enter the room, a tall closet stood to the left. Across the closet was the bathroom. The room included two twin size beds, a TV, a phone, and a miniature refrigerator.

“Jayme, are you sure you don’t want to come to the club?” yelled Lindsay from the bathroom. “I’m almost finished in here. I just need to put on my make-up and get dressed. After you take a quick shower, then we can head to the club together.”

Jayme was so worn-out that she forgot about the special appearance of the Boys at a local club that night.

“No, Lin, that’s okay. But I think I’m gonna crash. I’m going to take a nice warm shower and then go straight to bed,” she replied while she unpacked some clothes from a small black suitcase.

“Okay, if that’s what you really want.” Lindsay then stepped out of the bathroom in a short black dress and tall black leather boots. Her blonde hair was swept up in a sophisticated French twist.

“Whoa. You look hot! Ready to pick up some guys tonight, huh?” commented Jayme.

Lindsay laughed. “Of course. I can’t believe you’re missing this party. Are you sure you want to stay here? You won’t have too much fun here by yourself.”

“You know, if I wasn’t so tired,” said Jayme with a yawn.

“All right. You do look like you’re ready to call it a night. I’ll leave now. I don’t want to get there after the party is over.” Lindsay grabbed her leopard print purse and headed out the door.

“Good night!” she called to Jayme over her shoulder.

The hot water on Jayme’s skin relaxed her body. She recollected the events that happened just hours ago when she performed in front of all the 25,000 people that occupied the arena. This was what she had hoped for all her life. Ever since she could remember, she aspired to be a singer and now her dream is finally becoming a reality.

Jayme stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself in a white terry cloth bathrobe the hotel provided. She then wiped the foggy mirror with her hand and examined her reflection.

Wow. This is really happening for me. I get to tour with one of the biggest groups in the world. My song is being played on the radio, a Top 40 hit even. Some people almost wait their whole lives to be in this business. And here I am, only seventeen years of age and I’m in! I’m actually making it happen.

She snapped out of her thoughts and decided to get dressed. She slipped on blue pajamas with cute little monkey designs on it. It was a present from Kayla last Christmas. Kayla! thought Jayme. Oh my goodness. I haven’t talked to her in a while.

When she left Bristol Valley, she promised her best friend that she’d keep in contact as often as she can. Jayme has just been so busy with rehearsing and preparing for the tour that the last time she talked to her was almost a month ago.

As Jayme slipped under the covers, she turned off all the lights except for the dimly lit lamp by the bed. She took the remote from the head of the bed and turned on the TV. She flipped through the channels hoping to find something at least halfway decent that she could watch. Hmm...Discovery channel, no...Jerry Springer, no...X-Files...hey, this could be interesting.

“Moulder, this doesn’t make any sense. The DNA found from that man matched one of an ancient protozoan organism. The blood sample indicated some sort of a genetic mutation that could be found only in...”

“Scully, what’s that noise? Shhh...can you hear it?” he whispered. They heard nothing but complete silence.

Jayme’s heart pounded. Oh my gosh. That guy wasn’t human. The guy isn’t dead either. I just bet. He’s probably after you!

“Moulder, what is it?” she asked him with a confused look.

Jayme gripped the remote control with her sweaty palm. Just get out of there. Hurry!

“Oh my god! Ahhh!!! Moulder!”

A loud noise suddenly caused Jayme to jump up. Due to her surprise, she managed to knock over the phone sitting on the small wooden table by the bed. Geez. Get a grip on yourself. It’s only a TV program.

She could still feel her heart hammering in her chest when she realized the noise she heard came from outside the door. She heard the knock again, this time, louder. She got out of bed and turned on the light on her way to the door. As she approached it, she heard muffled voices on the other side. She wondered who it could possibly be. Lindsay could not be back yet from the club. Even if she was, she should have her own key to let herself in without having to wake her up.

“I don’t think this is a very good idea,” said the voice outside the door.

“What are you talking about? Who cares? It’s our only chance.”

“But, I swear, we’re gonna get in trouble! We’re not even supposed to be...”

Jayme opened the door and was greeted by two young girls.

“Umm...hi!” said the girl with blonde hair wearing a big smile on her face.

“I told you! Why can’t you listen to me, even just once?” argued the brunette standing beside her.

The blonde haired girl gave her friend an evil look.

“May I help you?” asked Jayme.

“Is Nick in here?” inquired the girl.

“Nick?” Jayme gave her a confused look. “No, Nick isn’t here.”

“Oh.” the girl’s face fell.

“You know, the Boys are supposed to make an appearance tonight at a local club. So, I’m assuming that he’s there,” Jayme explained to the two, obviously, heart-broken fans who hoped to catch even a glimpse of their favorite BackStreet Boy.

“But Nick isn’t the type to go out to clubs, plus, even if he was at the club, we’re only 15, so I doubt we can actually get in the club,” she said. “Show her the paper, Kate.”

“What paper?” Jayme asked curiously.

“This paper,” said Kate. “My friend Megan here decided that we should try knocking on every door on this floor until we found Nick. I think we’re on the correct floor, at least, considering the fact that one of the scary bodyguards answered the third door we knocked on.”

Jayme took the paper from the girl and read what was written on it. In black marker written in handwriting that was almost impossible to decipher, it said, Not here. Try the other door.

“You got this paper from the guy whose room is across mine?”

“Yes,” replied Megan. “Whoever it was slid it under the door.”

“Well, I’m sorry girls, but obviously, this isn’t his room.”

“Can you tell us what room he’s in?” pleaded Megan.

“To tell you the truth, I really have no idea.”

“Come, on! You must know! You’re Jayme, the girl who sings that Last Kiss song. You’re the opening act. You tour with them. You must know!” Megan persisted.

Jayme laughed. “Yes, you’re right. I do tour with them, but I don’t know where everyone’s room is.”

“Okay, fine we believe you. Megan let’s go. My mom is going to kill us both. She’s probably calling the cops now, not knowing where we disappeared into,” said Kate pulling Megan’s arm.

“Fine! Stop pulling my arm. But first, since we’re here, take a picture of me and Jayme.”

“Picture? Umm, in my pajamas?” Jayme gave her a horrified look.

“Yes, who cares? It doesn’t matter,” Megan explained.

“Yes, it really doesn’t matter at all. Just hurry up please so we can get out of here,” said Kate who was obviously in a big hurry.

Jayme agreed and even signed an autograph for them. The two girls then left in a hurry in fear of getting in any more trouble than they were already in. She shut the door behind her and headed back to bed.

<< >>