Chapter 3

By Nichole

 Over the past week Lyssa had spent countless hours learning four songs that Nick had written, plus the dances that Aaron's choreographer had put together for her.  It had been a long week and tonight was the big payoff; she was going to open for Aaron Carter for the first time tonight.  She could feel the butterflies in her stomach as she was putting the finishing touches on her make-up and Jocelyn was finishing her hair. 

"Jocy, I'm so nervous it's not even funny."    

"Lyss, you're gonna be fine!  Nick Carter thinks you're going to be fine!  That's got to mean something!"    

"Oh it does!  But I just don't want to mess up."   

"You won't," Jocelyn assured her sister.  "If all else fails, just remember Mom and Dad will be out there cheering you on."    

Lyssa laughed.  "Yeah, that's true."    

Just then, Nick and Aaron both walked in.  "You ready for this?" Nick asked her.  He seemed almost as excited as she was.  He really and truly believed that she was going to make it big and he was ready to support her every step of the way.    

"I think so.  I'm a bit scared, but it's now or never," she smiled nervously.    

"Good.  I know that you'll be just fine.  You looked great in rehearsal today."   

"See?  I told you," Jocelyn said.   

Before Nick could respond, Aaron jumped in.  "Yeah, so, I just wanted to wish you good luck and all that. You'll be fine."  And with that, made a quick exit.    

Lyssa and Jocelyn exchanged a confused look.  One of the managers walked in and said, "Lyssa, we need you to come out and do a sound check."   

"OK," she responded and got up to follow him.   

Lyssa got up to the stage and was handed a microphone head set to attach to herself.  She put it on as best she could and the woman in charge of the sound crew told her to sing.  As she was running through one of her songs, the crew ran around and checked every amp, making sure that they were working.  Then she was directed to dance and sing the same song again.  So once again, she did as she was told and the crew checked everything.  The last check was a hand held microphone that she was to use during her ballad.  She started singing into that and the sound crew checked the amps one last time.    

"Thank you Lyssa," the woman said and turned to do something else.    

"Well, that wasn't so bad," Lyssa thought as she walked back to her dressing room.  Right before she was going to walk in, she heard her sister and Nick talking about Aaron and decided to hang around for a minute and listen.   

"So what has been up Aaron's ass the last week?" Jocelyn asked.    

"He's usually not like this," Nick confessed.  "There's actually a reason behind all this."  This caught Lyssa's attention really fast.  She had been wondering if the Aaron she was getting to know was really this much of a jerk or if something had been bothering him.  "He actually wanted to sign Lyssa from the beginning, but felt that he couldn't handle a girlfriend right now."    

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jocelyn demanded.    

"Well, you know how when you meet someone for the first time and you know that you can see something happening between the two of you?" he asked.    

"Yeah," she replied.  "Much how I feel about you," she thought, but didn't say aloud.   

"That's how he feels.  And he just thinks that right now isn't a good time for a relationship."  Lyssa felt her mouth drop and her blood start to boil.

"Well, personally, and don't take this the wrong way, but I think that's one of the stupidest things I've ever heard," Jocelyn stated bluntly.   

"Nice one Jocy," Lyssa thought.   

"I know.   There's a little bit more though," Nick added.  "He honestly thinks she'll do well with her career.  He thinks she's got talent."    

"Your brother is messed up." Jocelyn ended the conversation.  And then they went on to talk about something else.    

Lyssa turned and leaned against the wall.  She was so crazed, but yet underneath she was happy that Aaron felt that he could see himself in a relationship with her.  That was something she only dreamed of. But the fact that he let that get in the way of his faith in her singing made her fume.  She planned on gong to his room right then and giving him a piece of her mind.   

"Lyssa, we need you backstage!  You're on in ten minutes!" she heard a voice from down the hall.   

She sighed and felt her anger being quickly replaced with nerves and butterflies.  This was it.  This performance would make or break her.   

As she hooked on her microphone for the first number, Jocelyn and Nick came to wish her good luck.  "I know you'll be fine Lyss.  I have faith in you.  Good luck," Jocelyn said and gave her sister a hug.    

"Give it your all," Nick said to her.  "I know they're gonna love you."    

Aaron was nowhere to be found.   

Lyssa made her way onto the stage.  The lights came on and flashed her in the face.  The only other time she had seen so many people was last week at the concert she was discovered at.  She took a deep breath and yelled, "How you doing Philly?"    

The crowd screamed in response.   

"I said, how you doing Philly?"    

The crowd screamed even louder.    

"My name is Lyssa and I'm the new opening act for Aaron Carter.  You guys are in luck because you're the first to ever see me perform.  So here's what I hope will be the first single off my debut album; it's called 'Set me Free.'"    

The crowd hushed as they watched the newcomer make her first impression.  Lyssa took another deep breath as the music started and she jumped into her dance routine.  One more deep breath and she started to sing.

"I know you're feeling something you never felt before.
I know you're aching for something so much more.
My heart is screaming to feel your love inside.
My body is craving for you to be at my side.

So come on baby and just give in.
Come on baby this ain't no sin.

Oh, tell me darling you want me now.
Cause I know you do, I see you do.
Oh, say that you need me in your life.
Cause I know I do, I need you too.
I can feel that your the one for me
There's no doubt you'll set me free.

So why fight this feeling now?
We're inevitable anyhow.
You and I are meant to be.
Be with me and I'll make you see
That you're the only one for me.

So come on baby and take my hand
Baby I'll show you the promise land.

Oh, tell me darling you want me now.
Cause I know you do, I see you do.
Oh, say that you need me in your life.
Cause I know I do, I need you too.
I can feel that your the one for me
There's no doubt you'll set me free.

I'm telling you that we're star-crossed lovers
That you and I are meant for each other.

Oh, tell me darling you want me now.
Cause I know you do, I see you do.
Oh, say that you need me in your life.
Cause I know I do, I need you too.
I can feel that your the one for me
There's no doubt you'll set me free.

Oh, tell me darling you want me now.
Cause I know you do, I see you do.
Oh, say that you need me in your life.
Cause I know I do, I need you too.
I can feel that your the one for me
There's no doubt you'll set me free."

The music echoed through the arena as the song ended.  The crowd jumped to their feet and screamed and yelled for more.  Lyssa gave them a flawless performance and left them wanting more.  Little did she know that her anger towards Aaron had given her that extra boost of adrenaline.  She was on her way to stardom.