Rachel sat there gazing out the window, absently tapping her desk with her pencil. She had too many things on her mind right now to pay attention in class. She was too deep in thoughts about the upcoming meeting to listen to Mrs. Storeck lecture them on the effects of the great depression. Every now and then, her thoughts would drift from the meeting that was drawing ever closer, and instead stray to Bryan. He had walked her to class, visited her during her lunch period, and held her hand as they walked down the hall. As childish as it seemed, it felt good for him to hold her hand like that in front of everybody, like he was proud to be seen with her. Words couldn’t describe how wonderful it was for her to walk out of class to find him waiting for her. He smiled when he saw her heading towards him, and his smile had the power to brighten her whole day.
She finally snapped out of her trance when Erika jabbed her in the side, hard. She turned around to glare at her. “What was that for?” she hissed under her breath.
“Sorry, but you wouldn’t stop drumming on your desk, and Mrs. Storeck looked ready to throw you out of class.”
Rachel quickly stuffed her pencil into her binder before continuing with her daydreaming. She contemplated what was in store for her at this meeting right up until the bell rang. She had grabbed her stuff, gotten up and out of the room before the bell stopped ringing. She smiled when she saw Bryan leaning up against her locker.
“Hey beautiful.” He greeted her. She hugged him quickly before turning to open her locker and take out her bookbag. “So, time for the big meeting?” he asked. She nodded nervously. He cupped her chin in his hands and lifted her face to where her eyes met his. “Listen to me, you will be fine. Don’t worry.” The confidence in his voice and the look in his eyes said that he believed in her, and this knowledge gave her the courage to face whatever might come her way. She smiled up at him. “Thanks Bri.” She grabbed her stuff and headed out to the parking lot to her convertible.
She sped down the interstate towards the address Lance had given her. She arrived at the large building with 20 minutes to spare. She got into the elevator and pressed the button for the eight floor. She walked down the corridor and on her left she saw the door to the conference room, exactly where Lance said it would be. By now most of the nervousness was gone, replaced by excitement. She walked in the spacious room and was surprised at how many people were there already. She smiled at everyone and immediately tried to find Lance. She saw him standing in a corner quietly talking to some of the studio execs and the director. She headed over towards him, but she stopped in her tracks when she saw the girl who was sitting at the huge circular table.
“no way, is that Britney Spears?” she whispered. She didn’t think anyone had herd her until she heard a cheerful voice behind her. “Yup, the one and only.” She turned around to see a smiling girl with short black hair and smiling brown eyes. She looked about Rachel’s age. “Oh, I’m Christi by the way. I’m the head stylist. That puts me in charge of your hair.”
“Well good luck. I’m sorry, but you have no idea what you’re in for. My hair is impossible.” Christi just laughed.
“I used to work with the guys. I did hair for their last tour. Trust me, after dealing with Justin's curly mess, you will be a piece of cake.” Rachel had to laugh at that. She had never met anyone who spent as much time on their hair as Justin did. The two girls talked for a few more minutes before Rachel excused herself to go meet some of the other people there. Ok, so she really just wanted to meet Britney, but she was really curious as to why she was here.
She walked over to where she was sitting and was amazed to hear her call out. “Hey Rachel! How are you?”
“um, you know my name?”
“well of course silly, I’m gonna be in a movie with you, so knowing your name would be kinda helpful.” Rachel made a mental note to kill Lance later for not telling her that Britney was gonna be in this movie.
“oh, right. Sorry, I’m a little spacy today. sorry.”
“Hey, no problem. There’s alot coming at you all at once right now, huh?” Rachel let out a long breath. “oh you have no idea. Actually, you probably do. Does it get any better?”
“I don’t know, but you will definitely get used to it. Just wait until the press finds out about you, thats a real treat.” she rolled her eyes.” Just be prepared for them to follow you everywhere, and they will look for hidden meanings behind everything you do. And if they cant find anything, they make it up.” Britney said with a hint of bitterness in her voice.
“Yea, they’ve been giving you a really hard time lately. That sucks, but don’t worry, no one really takes it seriously. Besides, I can take care of myself. I will definitely give the media a run for their money.” And from the mischievous twinkle in her eyes Britney knew it was true.
“Hey, whatever you’re planning, I want in.”
“Sure. I don’t know what I’m gonna do yet, but we have some time to think and I have an idea. I will definitely let you know.”
“Ooh, I’m looking forward to it. I can tell you will come up with something really great. You should see the look on your face, you look like you are plotting to take over the world or something.”
Rachel started drumming her fingers together trying to look devious.”Muahhahaha!” The girls collapsed into giggles and Rachel was amazed at how nice Britney was. She was nothing like what Rachel had expected. In fact, she was sweet and lots of fun. It seemed like the girls would get to be friends and Rachel was glad because Britney seemed like a really cool person.
“Oh my goodness, did you see the guy who is your love interest? Wow! I’d take a make out scene with him any day! Rar!” Rachel whispered.
“Oh, I know, he’s, like, a total babe, omygod!” Britney said in an overly ditzy valley girl voice. The two girls looked at each other and cracked up. Just then she heard her name.
“Gotta go, Lance awaits!” She smiled at her one more time before turning and walking over to join Lance. He was talking to a slightly taller man dressed on all black. He looked about 35 and had his longish hair slicked back and pulled into a low ponytail. Lance introduced him as the director.
“Oh damn, a witness.” she muttered under her breath.
“What?” Lance said, looking confused.
“I said, its a pleasure to meet you sir,” she said, turning towards the director smiling brightly.
They chatted pleasantly for a few minutes before the man excused himself to go speak to some of the crew members who had just arrived. As soon as he was gone she turned to Lance and punched his shoulder. “Ow! what was that for?” he asked, pouting.”
“Ow yourself. I would have killed you earlier if your director friend wasn’t here to cover your butt. Did you forget to mention something to me? Hmm, i don’t know, maybe the fact that the biggest female pop act in the world is in this movie with me? Did that one tiny detail manage to slip your mind? huh?” She looked thoroughly pissed.
“Whats wrong? Do you not like her?” Dear god, he thought to himself, please let them at least be civil to each other. This could get really bad.
She interrupted his worried thoughts. “No of course not,” she answered cheerfully. “She’s really great. Actually, she’s a sweetie and a half. I have to admit I didn’t think she’d be such a cool girl.” Lance smiled, relieved. “But...”
The smile faded away instantly. ”Thats not the point. When were you gonna tell me this? You know I almost tripped over a chair when I saw that the Brittany Spears was sitting here. I was so surprised. I must have looked like such an idiot. Were you just gonna let me walk in there and embarrass myself?”
“Well, um, I..” he mumbled, looking very uncomfortable and more then a little scared.
“O my god! You were, weren’t you?!” A small smile appeared on his lips. “Lance Bass, you are pure evil!” She saw his satisfied smirk and angrily turned around and stormed off. Only after she had her back to him did she allow the smile she had been hiding to show.
A few minutes later the meeting started and everyone was seated around the large table or leaning against one of the walls. They introduced everyone and explained all the important details of the movie they were about to begin on. Since most of the shooting would be done at local high schools they had to wait to shoot until after school or on weekends when there was no one there. This worked out perfectly for Rachel. Sure it would be crazy running straight from school to filming, but she wasn’t worried. Her life was always hectic, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. They would begin shooting Wednesday. The excitement level was through the roof. They were all very talented and they knew it. They couldn’t wait to get started. This was what they loved to do. Everyone had a chance to share their talents, whether acting, writing, directing, lighting, sound, make up, or any other part necessary, and join them together to create something truly amazing. It was psyched up to get started, and no one more then Rachel.
When she got home she immediately plopped herself into the comfy computer chair and logged on to AOL. She was surprised when an instant message box flashed up to greet her.
Mississippi5: Hi short stuff!
SupaStarGirl: Hey. You excited for filming?
Mississippi5: O you know it!
SupaStarGirl: You should be, you are practically doing this whole movie yourself.
Mississippi5: No way. You saw all the people in that meeting. They all help with it in some way. I just wrote it. And I’m producing it, and I’m starring in it.
SupaStarGirl: Aren’t you just Mr. Hollywood?
Mississippi5: I guess you could say that. U ready?
SupaStarGirl: hell yea! bring it on baby!
Mississippi5: haha, Rachel u are too much.
SupaStarGirl: oh, you know u love me!
Mississippi5: oh, but doesn’t everyone?
SupaStarGirl: damn straight! hehehe, lol
SupaStarGirl: So, how did you work this out? I mean, don’t you guys usually record in Orlando?
Mississippi5: Well, Jive’s new recording studio here in Maryland was basically built for us. They’d been considering putting one here for a while, and when I said I was gonna be shooting my movie down there, bam, it got built. So we are recording the new album up here while I’m filming.
SupaStarGirl: Wow, you guys are totally spoiled.
Mississippi5: We’re one of Jive’s biggest artists. They want to keep us happy.
SupaStarGirl: Right, whatever, you’re still spoiled. Mississippi5: Night Rachel
SupaStarGirl: Night Lance
Beam me up, scotty!
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