Why Wait?

2

~~~recording studio~~~
"Are you sure you'll get them?" mom asks me over the phone. "This is very important to your brother."

"I got it, mom," I say for he millionth time.

With the help of my crutches, I hobble over to where the band was sitting. Before I knew what was happening, my right crutch gave out on me and I fell forward. On my dislocated knee.

"Crap!" someone yells.

"Nice job, Luke."

I was biting my lip, not wanting to make a bad first impression. Two guys, Luke and Alex Flemmings help me stand.

Like hands me my crutches. "Here you go," he says, a guilty look spread across his face. "I'm so sorry for throwing a water bottle at you."

Alex helps me onto the couch and I sit beside Ty Flemmings, the bass player for the band.

Holding up my sore leg, I wipe stray tears from my face.

"Do you need ice?" Alex asks me.

I quickly shake my head but don't say anything. "It's okay," I finally say as MarieAnne, their manager, walks in.

She sees the boys bent over my knee and starts freaking out. "What on earth happened?" she demands. "I leave you alone for ten minutes. How irresponsible can you guys be?"

"Sorry, MarieAnne," the three boys say in unison.

MarieAnne inspects me for a moment, concern in her eyes. "Are you alright? Do I need to take you to a hospital?"

I shake my head. "I'm fine," I say as the pain starts to subside a little.

She nods. "Okay. Well, if you don't mind my asking, what brings you here?"

I look through my purse and hold out the printed tour schedule. "My brother is headlining a tour this summer and when he listened to your CD, he really liked it."

Luke's eyes widen. "Someone liked our songs? Who's your brother?"

Ty and Alex high five each other, triumphant grins on their faces.

Chance Flemmings, the drummer, walks in. "Why are we celebrating?"

"We are going on tour," Luke says happily and I can't help but smile at them.

Chance looks at me then at MarieAnne. "Is this seriously for real?"

MarieAnne looks at the schedule before facing me. "Who is your brother? And who are you?"

My eyes widen. "I'm so sorry. I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Kelli. I'm not his manager or anything. But I do help when it comes to booking concerts. My parents do the rest."

She nods. "And who is your brother?"

"Austin Ross."

~~~living room~~~
Austin, mom, dad, and I were sitting in the living room working out the touring schedule when my phone rings.

"Hello?" I say after writing something on my notebook.

"Yes, Kelli Ross?"

"This is she," I tell her.

She sighs. "I'm MarieAnne, the manager for the band Strike. We spoke the other day."

I smile at Austin. "Right. I totally remember."

"Well," she says. "I'll need to speak to your parents. But other than that, I don't see why we can't join you in the tour."

I hear the guys cheer in the background and laugh. "That's perfect. Thank you so much. I'll get my parents to speak with you and I'll also email you the touring schedule."