Let's Try it Again

[1]

JUNE 1993

When she received the phone call saying she had won the contest, Amelia Ellis never realized how much her life would change in just one summer. She had just turned 18 and wanted to spread her wings and get out of her sleepy little home town in Oklahoma and this contest was just the thing.

For a year, she would tour with a group she had been a fan of for many years, New Kids on the Block. Her and her best friend Caite Lynn, stayed up many a night and dreamed of this very moment and in less than 48 hours, she and Caite Lynn would be face to face with them.

The New Kids were at a time in their career, that the fan base was starting to turn. They had gone from stadiums, to small clubs. The frustration was mounting, and their friendship was being put to the test. This contest was a last ditch effort to see how many fans were still out there. For one New Kid, the clock was ticking and he wasn't sure how much longer he could stomach all of this.

"Would you stop pacing, your making me nervous."

Caite Lynn stopped pacing in front of the bus stop and looked at her best friend who was sitting on a suitcase.

"How can you not be nervous? Any minute now, a tour bus will pull up and on that tour bus will be five guys we have dreamed of for four years and you're telling me not to be nervous?"

"Great Caite, good job, now I'm nervous." Amelia said as she tucked a piece of honey blond hair behind her ear. She looked down at her watch and sighed. In twenty minutes, a bus would pull up with five guys inside. Five guys that her and Caite Lynn have dreamed of meeting for four years. Feeling sick to her stomach, she got up from the suitcase and began pacing the lobby of the bus stop.

**
"Hey! You cheater!" Danny grabbed the cards Donnie was holding and reshuffled them. "Stop looking at my cards."

Donnie smiled. "Hey, I can't help it if you're a bad player."

"We're hear." Jordan announced with a smile on his face. He had been looking forward to this day since his manager first told the group about it. Traveling with girls for a whole year. He was praying they were hot.

Joe smiled and looked out the window. "I hope their hot." Jordan looked at his band mate, smiling. They were both on the same page.

Jon looked up from the book he was reading. "Joe, is that all you think of?"

Joe smiled, his blue eyes sparkling. "But of course."

***
"Oh god." Caite Lynn said making Amelia look up from the magazine she was reading.

Her heart jammed in her throat as she saw a huge tour bus pull up in front of the terminal. "oh."

Caite began pacing even faster. "Omigod, I can't breathe. I'm going to pass out." She began to fan her face with her hands.

A huge, six foot tall, man walked up to the two girls. "Caite Lynn Morris and Amelia Ellis?" he said in a deep voice.

Amelia extended her hand. "Hi, yes that's us."

"I'm the kids security, Biscutt, follow me." He looked at the girls suitcases. "I'll have someone take care of those for you. Dick wants to go over a few things before you meet the guys."

Caite Lynn and Amelia followed the body guard outside where it was misting rain. Amelia stopped just shy of the bus, feeling a little uneasy. She felt like a fish in an aquarium.

Amelia looked at the bus, feeling five pairs of eyes on her and suddenly she felt uncomfortable. They had an advantage, they could check her out before she met them and she was wondering what they might be thinking. "Thank you."

"A few rules. You will be touring with the guys on the same bus. You two will have your own section to sleep in, what not. When we arrive at hotels, you will have your own separate rooms. Treat the guys with respect. Respect their privacy and what not. Last time we had someone tour with them, she sold all their personal items."

Amelia crossed her arms across her chest. "Mr. Scott, I take this job seriously. I have wanted to go into this line of work for a long time now and I thank you for the opportunity and I will not let you down."

He smiled. "That's good to hear."

Amelia once again glanced at the bus as her bags were being loaded underneath. Her stomach was churning, her palms were sweaty. Despite her excitement, she wanted to turn around and run away. She had a feeling this was going to be a year she would never, ever forget.