"Carter, Nickolas Gene…Carter…" A thirteen year old boy stood up and followed the previous boy back.
"Thank you all for coming and good luck to you." the man said as he followed the boys into the back.
Justin and Nick walked into the director's office. Justin was the same height as Nick with short curly brown hair, where as Nick had straight blonde hair a little past his ears in length. Both boys sat down in the huge office.
"Justin if you agree, you and you're guardian can go to the front desk and fill out the papers. Think mouseketeer Justin!" he yelled to Justin who smiled and walked out of the office. The director motioned for his secretary to close the door so he could focus his full attentionon Nick. "Now Nickolas. I heard you were having a present conflict. "What's up?"
Nick seemed confused, but he told the director that he could either be a singer or a mouseketeer.
An hour later, after talking it over with the director Nick came to a decision. "You know what sir? This is a great opportunity, but I want to sing." Nick explained as his mother walked in the office and told the director that they had to meet Kevin at his apartment.
"Hey kid, you got a whole lot of talent. Don't waste it ok?" the director advised.
Nick smiled and shook his head. "Don't worry sir, I plan on giving it all I have."
The director looked at Nick with admiring eyes. " I don’t doubt it kid. You've got what it takes."
The wind began to pick up and the sky darkened as Kevin stared out the window of his apartment waiting for the others to come. "Come on guys. Where are you?" he said as he paced back and forth. Suddenly there was a knock at the door.
"Howie what's up?"
"Not much." he replied then walked in and admired Kevin's apartment. "Nice place you got here Kev. I was afraid I might not find it."
Kevin looked at him and laughed. "Howie man, you live like ten minutes away from here."
"Well, I could have gotten lost." Howie explained in defense.
Howie was very humble and easygoing. He contributed the high notes and styalistics to the group.
"Hey, I saw Nicky today at MGM studios."
Kevin smiled. "Yeah I saw him too when I was working." Kevin dressed up as Aladdin to pay the bills and boy did he look like Aladdin. "Hey you want something to drink man?"
"No thanks." Howie replied.
There was a knock at the door and it was Alexander James McGlean aka A.J. "Hey guys wuz up?" he said as he pulled up a chair next to Howie. Not too many words were passed as the three boys sat there and waited for Nick and Brian to arrive. Finally the silence was broken by the playing of a guitar on the ground floor outside of the apartment.
"Who's that guy Kev.?" Howie asked in amazement.
"Oh it's this homeless guy who goes by the name L.T. He plays for money and people give it to him too. I even slipped him a buck or too at times and…"
Kevin was interupted by A.J. "Hey isn't that Nicky down there?" he exclaimed.
They all looked at each other confused as to why Nicky was hangin out with L.T., so they went down to join him.
To their surprise, Nick was singing with the man. At first there was a small accumulation of people, but towards the middle of the song there was a crowd all around the two of them. Just as they were finishing up, A.J., Howie, and Kevin joined the rest of the crowd. Working his way through the crowd trying to see who was singing, was a boy. Nick's eyes met his and they nodded at one another.
L.T. saw this and yelled out to the boy, "Hey kid! You sing?"
The boy looked at the poor man with his ripped clothes and old used up guitar and said, "Maybe a little."
L.T. tuned to Nick and smiled then replied, "Well then get in her boy and let's make some music!" he exclaimed. Brian was a little hesitant as he stepped up to Nick and the man.
"The names L.T. kid."he said to the boy.
Brian smiled and said, "You play really well."
"Thanks kid. What can you sing"
He looked around and noticed that all eyes were on him waiting for a reply. "Well, I have been writing this song and…"
"You write songs?" Brian looked down with embarrasment and let out a little laugh.
"Hey kid, just tell me how it goes and I'll play it for ya."
Brian took out and old crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Nick. "Actually, I can play it myself if and I'd like to if that's okay?"
L.T. nodded yes in amazement and handed Brian the guitar. Nick looked over the words as Brian sat on the curb next to L.T.
The crowd was silent as Brian began to play. The tune was sweet and soft as he played with tenderness.
"Who's that guy?" A.J. asked in awe.
Kevin looked at him and smiled. "That's my cousin."
With the final pluck of the guitar, the crowd cheered passionately.
As soon as the crowd dispersed, A.J., Howie, and Kevin came running over. "Brian!" Kevin shouted.
He smiled in excitment when he noticed that it was his first cousin Kevin. They embraced for a while until Nick came between them.
"Hey kid, you're really somethin'. Man you got some lungs on ya!" Brian said to Nick.
Nick smiled and held out his hand and Brian shook it and returned a smile to the young Nick. "You''re not so bad yourself. I look foward to singin' with you."
Brian looked at Kevin then back at Nick in confusion. "Hey my name is Nicky. Welcome to…hey guys? We don’t have a name." Nick said.
They all were so excited that it totally slipped their minds.
Kevin, the creative one that he was, had an idea. "Hey guys, look over there!"
Nick looked over and turned back in confusion. "Ah its just the Backstreet market Kev. So what?"
Kevin rolled his eyes and said, "How about 'Backstreet Boys'?"
There was a long silence until Howie said, "Okay. Backstreet Boys, I like it. Guys?"
They all agreed that this was it. They had the voices, the talent, and now the name. Nick, in excitement, stood up on a nearby bench and yelled out…"Look out world, the BACKSTREET BOYS are here!"
Chapter Four
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