"That's not the only reason....," I heard Tim mumble while reading the paper. I glared at him. But he shook his hands at me and smiled. I knew he'd keep my secret, or else I'd bring Stacey over to my house again and she'll bug him to death! She was head-over-heels in love with him. She thought he was "gorgeous". Blech.
"Well, I'm supporting you, honey," said my dad happily. "Then when you win, we can get rid of you for a month!" We all laughed. "Which band are you gonna choose, Sissy?" asked Sarah. I hesitated. "Um, I don't know. Besides, I might not win, remember that," I said with a sigh. I didn't want to bring up the subject about the Backstreet Boys. "I bet I know, Sarah," said Kaitlyn. She stared at me with a grin. "She probably wants to go with the Backstreet Boys.You know how she always loves them so much." At that, the whole dinner was ruined. They all stared at me but Tim looked at me to say "It wasn't me!". Dennis made a moaning sound. "How on earth could you like them?" he asked. He made a gross face. I put my arms on my hips. "And what's wrong with them, Mr. Music-know-it-all?" I snapped back. Everyone started talking at once. My dad hushed everyone with his booming voice.
"Quiet!!" Everyone froze. His face softened when he looked at me. "Honey, this is a big decision. Are you sure you want to go with these....," he stopped short. He proceeded. "....boys?" Everyone turned to see what I would reply. "Just because their boys, you don't want me to go? I'm a teenager, Dad. You don't have to worry about me," I said with a bit of aggravation in my voice. I really hate it when they act as if I'm a little baby. I heard Dennis whisper to Dad. "She's a teenager, like she said. You know what teenage girls has most in her mind when she's alone with a hot guy?" He nudged Dad in the hip. I saw my dad's eyes widen. I started getting angry. "Dennis! You don't know me! None of you know me! So why are you so worried? I'm not like the rest of the girls! When I go on a date, I don't try to have sex! I'm never like that! Maybe you are, Dennis," he glared at me. I went on. "but I'm not." The whole table quieted down. My mom spoke which surprised us since she's been so quiet.
"Everyone, lets finish or dinner and we can discuss this another day. Finish up, it's almost time for bed, girls."
Later that night while the younger girls were already sound asleep in their room, I was up reading the contest rules over and over again until I'm sure I memorized them. I heard a knock on the door. "Come on in," I said softly. My mom came in and sat down on my bed beside me. She smiled. "I'm really proud of you, Nikki," she said. I shrugged. "What for?" I asked. She patted me on the back and sighed. "I'm proud for what you said at dinner. And I believe you. You have a great school and some great friends and I'm glad to hear you aren't like those "wild-and-crazy" teenagers. And I'm with you all the way with this contest." She lowered her voice and grinned, "I can't wait until you beat Corissa!" We both laughed softly. "You won't get mad if I do decide to go on tour with the Backstreet Boys, right Mom?" Mom looked worried for a second, but only for a second. "Of course not. If you do win, your prize is your prize, not mine. I don't care if you go with Marilyn Manson!" I looked at her strangely. She shook her head. "No, forget that. I will care if you go with Marilyn Manson!" I smiled.