My name is Felicia, just so you know. Nick and I have been best friends since as long as we both can remember, about two years old. It all started when he moved next door to me in Ruskin, FL. When my family went over to greet them, Nick and I instantly clicked. As we grew up, we discovered a lot of things about each other, including that our birthdays are four days apart. And since our families were so close, Nick and I would usually have birthday parties together. We always had so much fun while the other was around.
One day, I went over to Nick's house to return something he had left at my house the other day. When I walked up to his room, he had his door closed. That's funny, I thought, he never has his door closed. The only occasion where Nick would have his door closed is either he's crying, or he's doing something really private. I knocked softly, and when there was no answer, I very quietly let myself in. He was singing. Wow, I thought, he has such a beautiful voice. Since he didn't notice me, I thought I'd stick around and listen. I leaned against the doorway and let the sweet sound of his beautiful voice fill my ears. When he finished, I started clapping. He turned around quickly.
"How long have you been there?" he asked.
"Almost the entire thing. And I mean this with all seriousness...have you ever considered a career in music?" I replied.
"So, you liked it?"
"No, actually, I didn't like it...I loved it."
Nick started blushing.
"Um, here's your Journey CD, you left it at my house yesterday when we were recording 'Open Arms'...or at least trying to." I handed him the CD. He took it, looked at it for a second, then said, "Wanna try it again? I mean, actually sing with effort."
"Sure."
He popped the CD into his system, then we sat down on his bed. He began his part...
Lying beside you
here in the dark
Feeling your heart beat
with mine
Softly you whisper
you're so sincere
How could our love be
so blind
We sailed on together
we drifted apart
and here you are by my side
So now I come to you
with open arms
nothing to hide
believe what I say
So here I am
with open arms
Hoping you'll see
what your love means to me
Open arms
Then I began my part...
Living without you
living alone
this empty house seems so cold
Wanting to hold you
wanting you near
how much I've wanted you home
but now that you've come back
turned night into day
I bid you to stay
So now I come to you
with open arms
nothing to hide
believe what I say
so here I am
with open arms
hoping you'll see
what your love means to me
Open arms
Then the song ended. "Your voice isn't too bad, either," said Nick with a cute little half-smile(Author's Note: Remember Nick's adorable little half-smile in IWITW? Now that's what I'm talkin about...;-). After we got over that, we started talking. He told me that he was asked to join a new group someone named Lou Pearlman was forming, called the Backstreet Boys. But he would have to move to Orlando. I was so shocked and sad and happy for him and about a hundred million other emotions-all at one time.
"So...are...you...gonna...take...the job?" I asked, choking back tears with every pause.
Nick suddenly got a look of sympathy and sadness in his eyes and hugged me. He held on to me tight, whispering in my ear, "Well, if it'll make you this unhappy, then I won't. Shh, don't cry."
Too late, I thought. Rivers of tears were running down my cheeks. I pulled away and looked Nick square in the eyes and said, "No, Nick, if this is what you really want to do, then don't let me stop you. It's just that I'm gonna miss you so much it's not even gonna be funny..."
"Are you sure? Cuz I would never want to do anything to hurt you."
"Positive. Nick, we've been best friends since...well, since forever and I know you wouldn't be happy if you didn't take this opportunity. You go and live your dream, and I'll be right by your side, supporting you every step of the way."
We smiled at each other. By then, it was ten at night, so I decided to head home.
A few days later, he called me saying he was leaving for Orlando the next day. We said a tearful goodbye, then the next day, I went over to say goodbye properly, but to my great dissapointment, he had already left. Both of us being only thirteen years old, we couldn't really do anything about it. I went back to my house and checked if my mail was there, yet. It was, and while I was looking through it, I found a note from Nick. It read:
Felicia,
I'm really sorry I didn't get to say goodbye properly. Well, here's where you can reach me in Orlando:
Nick Carter
3452 McKay Dr.
Orlando, FL 32801
And here's my phone number:(407)947-8362
*Author's Note: These are things I made up, I have no idea if they're real or not! Well, the only real thing in the phone number is the area code, I went to Orlando recently and the area code was 407. Enjoy the story!*
I'll call you when I get there.
Your Best Friend,
Nick Carter
Well, I thought, good to know he'll call me.
He never did.
I tried calling him, but it was just the answering machine that would pick up. I felt so cheated and betrayed, but that made me all the more determined to find him....