"Do you know who you have an appointment with?" she asked. I must've looked pretty mortified because the lady laughed. "Don't worry, I bet you're here because you won the Singathon?" I smiled and nodded my head. She led us down a hall and told us to sit on the couches in a small room. "It'll just be a minute, please wait here." My mom sat down and closed her eyes. She was pretty worn out. It took us over 2 hours to get here. I looked around the room and was I amazed or what! Some of the most famous singers were pictured and posted up here! I stood up and read everything about them.
"Nicole Cartland?" I turned around. There was a different lady with a business dress on and glasses with her hair up in a bun. I'm guessing she's the secretary. "Hi, I'm the secretary for Mr. and Mrs. Wright." "Wow! The Wright Stuff?" I blurted out. My hand came quickly to my mouth. I knew my face was bright red. The lady laughed and nodded. "Yes, that's right. You'll be singing for them today I presume?" I nodded. "They are now ready to see you. Please follow me." "Um, can my mom come?" The secretary hesitated. "I'm afraid not. It'll kind of distract them and you." My mom smiled at me and gently pushed me. We started walking and I turned back because I was scared. My self-esteem kind of got up when I saw my mom give me a thumbs up sign and give me one of those big smiles of hers. We reached the end of the hall and made a left turn and walked down another, bigger hall. The secretary opened up a fancy looking door and told me to go in. I heard her say, "Good luck". I walked in and saw five people. Two were women and the other three were men in ties. I nervously smiled and introduced myself. One man (he was African American) walked towards me and smiled. He held out his hand and said,
"Hi Nicole. My name is Johnny Wright." I held out my hand and I just still could not believe I was shaking hands with the manager of the Backstreet Boys! He introduced me to his wife and his "partners in crime". I think that's so corny. But, I had to live with it. I have to do everything I can for them to like me! "So, are you ready to serenade us with your beautiful voice?" Everyone laughed. "Well, sir, I sure hope so!" They laughed again. I gave them the tape on which the music I was singing to was on. I watched nervously as he dropped it into the tape player. He pressed the play button. 'Okay, calm down, smile, look out,' I said to myself. I heard the music play, and then my cue came up. I sang thinking if I didn't do a good job, I will lose my life forever. I looked around, but I didn't really see their faces. I was singing too hard! I couldn't even hear my own voice, I was so scared. Finally I sang that last note, and heard the music die down. Again, I had sweat pouring down my face, I smiled at the judges and couldn't stop panting. Mrs. Wright motioned for me to sit in the chair behind me. I suddenly stopped panting and sweating. The way those people looked at me, it made me stop everything.
"Good job, Nicole," said the lady. They were still watching me, and they even seemed to be far away, listening to something. I don't know. Mr. Wright stood up and came towards me. I stood up. "Will you excuse us? You may go back to your mother, we will be out in a minute or two." I shook hands with all of them, opened the door, and walked out. I ran down the hall and collapsed in my mom's arms. She stroked my hair and asked what was wrong. I burst out in tears. "They don't like me! I know it! They didn't say anything after I finished, Mom! Isn't that a bad sign?" My mom laughed. "Nikki, Nikki, Nikki. If they don't say anything and they stare, that is the best sign anyone could get. They don't know what to say because they loved hearing your voice! I promise, everything will be alright." I looked up and smiled with tears streaming down my hot cheeks. Mom rubbed them away and just in time, too! Everyone came in and started shaking my mom's hand.
"Well, Mrs. Cartland," said Mrs. Wright, "you have a very talented child here! We are very proud of her, and I'm sure you are too." My mom looked suprised and I looked terrified. "Does that mean, uh, I made it?" I trembled. I shouldn't have asked that question. I'll die if I hear the wrong answer. Everyone started smiling. "Yes, Nicole. You are a singer! And you'll be a professional after you sign a few contracts and you meet some real pro's." The whole room started applauding and clapping. I still looked terrified. My mom hugged me. "Nikki, aren't you happy? You made it!" I smiled but my eyes were still really terrified. Everyone shook my hand and one man said,
"Nicole, you made us very happy. It's the first year of the Singathon, and you are a great winner. Thank you." I finally got comfortable with the thought that I won, and said a really big thank-you. We all went out to lunch, we went to, like a place where people just sit and talk. We ordered drinks (lots of drinks for me!) and some nachos. They ("they" include the three people and Mr. and Mrs. Wright and my mom) first talked about the contest. I was beginning to get bored until I heard my name. "Huh?" The adults laughed. I really didn't think that was funny, you know? "They asked you what band you want to go with?" my mom said. She looked at me like saying "Don't be ashamed, tell the truth." I gulped down the chunk of ice in my mouth and sighed. "Well, I was wanting to travel with the, um....," I paused. I couldn't think anymore. I know it had the word 'Boys' in there somewhere, but I forgot it! "Is it the Backstreet Boys?" Mr. Wright asked with a look of, I don't know, he had a smile or smirk of some sort. I nodded, looking really stupid and sheepish. "We figured you'd pick them, and I don't blame you for it," reassured Mrs. Wright. "They are a fantastic group! They are really good people, you'll learn a lot about them and who knows? You could make five best friends." I laughed.That's what I've always wanted, to make friends with the Backstreet Boys. "Since I'm their manager," said Mr. Wright, "I'll tell them you'll be traveling with them. And don't feel weird to be with five really nice guys, they'll want to be your friend and they'll want to hear your voice also." My eyes widened. "Excuse me?" Mr. Wright chuckled. "You'll be with them for a month, Nicole. You have to talk and sing sometime. They'll be singing all the time and even if you have no voice, you'll want to sing along with them! Since I'm their manager, I'll be with them so I'll be with you. You can talk to me or my wife anytime you don't feel comfortable. You can always leave early if you feel that bad." I smiled, really happy that I was going to do this. Mr. and Mrs. Wright were really nice, and I'm glad they were two of the judges. "Thank you, sir. But I don't think that'll be neccessary. I might feel a little awkward at first, the way I feel around most people. But I know I'll get better at it if I get to know them." They laughed and went back to talking with my mom. As I started to get uninterested in the conversation, I decided to sit back and relax. 'Nikki,' I thought. 'You did it, girl. You'll be traveling and making friends with the Backstreet Boys in no time at all. Just you wait!'