Chapter One ~ A Chance Of A Lifetime
It was a warm November afternoon when Ashley Parker Angel entered the living room of his family's California home. His mother, step-father, and twin sister Nicole had all gathered upon Ashley's request to hear some big news that he had for them.
"Alright, y'all know that I went to Orlando to audition for that new band that Lou Perlman is starting," Ashley began. "And y'all know that I made the final 25, but what you don't know is that I got a call from Lou last night and I've made the final 8, from which the 5 man group of O-Town is going to be choosen!"
"Ahhhhhh," Nicole shrieked. "Ash, this is wonderful! Your only 18, and your being given the chance of a lifetime!"
Just a few weeks earlier 1800 boys from all over the United States had gone and auditioned for a new Lou Perlman boyband in Orlando. From the original people who tried out they chose 25 which was then narrowed down to 8 which consisted of Ashley Parker Angel, Jacob Underwood, Paul Martin, Erik Michael Estrada, Trevor Penick , Mike Miller, Bryan Chan, and Ikaika Kahoano. The 8 would eventually turn to 5 which would be the next BSB/*Nsync known as O-Town. It had been a dream of Ashley's for quite some time now to sing for a living, and he was being supported in his decision by his mother and sister, yet his father had different views on the topic.
"Nikki, will you come help me pack my bags, please?" Ashley motioned towards his room.
"Ash, what am I going to do without you? I'm so used to you being here for me whenever I need you," tears began forming in Nicole's eyes, realizing how much she was going to miss her twin.
"Nic, I'll phone you every chance I get, and you can come to Orlando and visit whenever you need to get away," Ashley promised knowing that Nicole didn't really get along with their step-father.
Within the next couple of days Ashley was on a plane headed to Orlando. He arrived at the house where he would be living for the next little while, and was greeted at the door by a young girl who looked to be about 20.
"Hi! I'm Rachel," the girl greeted. "I'm doing a co-op with Lou, so you'll probably be seeing a lot of me. You must be Ashley. Everyone else is in the living room if you'd like to join them. Your room is down the hall on the left. You'll be sharing a room with Jacob and Paul."
Ashley took his bags to his room, set his pictures of his family on his night stand and was just about to go and join the rest of the group when Jacob, Paul, Mike, Trevor, and Erik entered the room.
"Hey, long time no see," Jacob greeted with a handshake.
"Hi, guys. Can you believe we've made it this far?"
"Hard to imagine sometimes," Trevor answered as he picked up one of the pictures Ashley had just put down.
"Whoa brother, pass that picture over," Jacob smiled catching a glimpse of NIcole. "Who's this girl, Ash?"
"My twin sister, so stay away," he laughed. "She'll be coming down to visit eventually so I'll introduce y'all to her then."
"Introduce me first," Paul commented joining the conversation. "I'll make her feel right at home!"
"Guys, I hate to interrupt," Rach poked her head around the corner. "Mark, your security and new best friend wants to talk to everyone in the dining room. Ikaika and Bryan are already out there waiting."