Chapter Seven -- Say You'll Be There
~ Three months later -- Lori's room ~
We did a really good job on the tour. But I was still as busy since I went back to Orlando. My first single "Love is..." was gonna hit radio the next day and hit store the following week. Then it was the video and all kinds of promotion. That morning, I thought I would have a nice resting day becuase that was the one and only one day-off in the past few months. But it turned out I was as busy as usual. This time, it was not singing, dancing rehersals nor recording. It was a day of housework. It actually took me the whole day to clean up the house. After that, I sat on the couch, exhausted, watching TV late at night, but just couldn't get to sleep. Maybe I got used to short sleeping time in the past few months. I heard noises outside the house and so I went and took a peak outside. It was Nick. Instead of walking towards their condo, he was walking towards mine. I opened the door before he rang the door bell.
"Hey Lori. I saw your lights are still on, so I come over and say hi."
"I just cannot get to sleep for some reason. So I'm now watching X-Files tapes that my parents recorded for me."
"Are those new episodes? I haven't watch X-Files for months."
"So... Mr. Carter, would you like to join me?" I joked.
"Sure..."
We watched X-Files then. But when the clock striked 12 midnight, Nick stood up and said, "I'll be right back."
He went out to his car and when he came back, he brought a big stuffed puppy doll with him.
"Happy 20th birthday Lori." He then gave me a kiss on the cheek.
"Oh my god... thanks Nick!" I gave him a really big hug. "I even forget about my own birthday!" I never expected Nick would actually remembered my birthday.
~ The following week -- 10:00 pm ~
That night, both of us fell asleep on the couch. I layed my head on his shoulder and he layed his on my head.
I was sitting in the meeting room a week later, waiting for the counting of the sales of my first single which was out that day. Someone went into the room, I expected it was Jonathan with the results, instead, it was Nick.
"Hey Lori, nervous?"
"Yea.. I'm hella nervous."
"Don't be..." Nick smiled. With Nick around, I always feel better. Every word that he says makes me feel safe and confident.
Jonathan came in with the results. He looked like he was not expecting Nick.
"Jonathan, how was the sales today?"
"Lori, it is surprisingly... good! I mean it's gonna be on the Billboard Top 10 for sure!"
"Really?"
"There are actually people lining up this morning just to get your single. I guess you might have to throw a concert of your own real soon."
"Yes! I did it!" I jumped right in front of Nick and started hugging him. I did this based on my own response, not on purpose, he's the one I want to share my joy with.
"Another thing Lori... your album is going to be out in two months, we're thinking about an Asia promotion tour for you three months later, since you came from Hong Kong, how bout staying there for a couple of months and record a chinese album."
"It sounds good. But how about the US market?"
"Well, we can make a video or two in Hong Kong and premier them in the US. You can also make appearances on MTV, and other shows before you leave for Asia."
"Okay Jonathan."
~ Two months later -- MTV studio -- 4:00 pm ~
My album was coming out that day, thus I did a promotion on TRL. That was the first time I met Carson Daly.
"Hi Lori!" Carson shaked my hand.
"Hi Carson, it's so nice to meet you."
"Well Lori, your popularity started out so fast. You see the crowd out there? It is almost half of the biggest crowd Backstreet Boys had back in 1999."
"I'm getting really nervous."
"Don't worry... some fans are dying to see you."
¡@
