CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX ~ Free at Last

   "What do you mean, you and Ash don't have anywhere to go?" Rachel asked, surprised by the revelation.
    "Mom and dad had our phone numbers changed and I can't get ahold of them," Nicole explained.
    "You mean that your mom didn't give you the new numbers?" Rachel asked.
    "No, she didn't," Nicole answered.  "I don't think that Ash has even tried phoning home since I got here, so he doesn't even realize it."
    "Nic, I have your parent's new numbers.  I thought your mom had given them to you...she gave them to me the day after you agreed to move in with me," Rachel said.  "She had the numbers changed now, so that when the series hits the air, they won't get alot of crank calls from teen-age girls and wackos," she added, trying to explain why the numbers had been changed.
    "Well, why wasn't I given the new numbers by the operator when I tried calling?" Nicole asked as the rest of the group came wandering in the kitchen.
    "Because, Nikki, the new numbers are unpublished.  Directory assistance can't give them out to anyone.  Actually, since you're all here right now...I guess I can tell you, it may be a good idea for all of your families to change their numbers...and get them unlisted, at least....to keep from getting crank calls from your future teen fans," Rachel said, addressing the whole group.
   "What's going on?  What are you doing here, Rach?" Trevor asked, since she had said she wasn't going to be giving them a ride to the studio anymore.
    "I came by to talk to Erik, if it's any of your business, Mr. Penick.  But, I'll give some of you a lift to Trans-Con, if you can get ready quick.  When we get there, I'm gonna be meeting with you before you start your vocal lessons for today...so don't be late," Rachel said as Erik, Nicole, Jacob, and Ashley all ran to get dressed so they could ride over with her.  With exactly ten minutes until vocal lessons were supposed to start, the remaining members of the O-town project and their girlfriends walked into the studio used by MG for vocal lessons.  "Well, I'm glad y'all are here early.  This way we won't take too much of MG's time," Rachel said after they all walked in the studio.  "I know we've been working you all quite hard up until now...and you haven't complained....too much about it.  Thank you...this is all so that we know who is going to have a good work ethic, because what you're doing right now...is a walk in the park compared to what you're going to be asked to do if you make the final group.  Now, as a reward for your hard work, you will all have the next week off.  You're free to go home to visit friends and family or you can stay here.  Trans-Con has purchased you all airline tickets to your homes," Rachel went on as Mark Goff walked into the room.
    "Hey, it's nice to see everyone here...and on time," Mark commented as he got situated behind the piano and ready to start the vocal exercises that they guys were to complete that day.
    "Yeah, I was giving them the good news about their vacation," Rachel explained.  "But they are all yours now," she added as she walked out of the room.  "Ohhhh...and Erik...when you get a  chance, can I see you in my office?"
    "Sure, Rachel," Erik said before the doors closed behind her and she made her way to Lou's office. 
    "Lou?" Rachel said as she stood in the door to his office.  "I was wondering if you had a couple of minutes to talk with me?"
    "Sure....what do you need, Rachel?"
    "Well, I know that you didn't really want anyone to know about the fact that I was going to be the manager for your new group...but...well...i was wondering if it would be alright for me to discuss it with the eight finalists.  I think it would help them realize that I do have the authority to give them instructions," Rachel explained.
    "Rachel, do whatever you feel necessary.  Have you come to a decision about what we talked about last night?"
    "Not yet...if I do choose to be with Erik, you will be informed...although as you said last night, he isn't at this time, Trans-Con talent, so I don't see what difference it makes to you."
    "I just like to know what's going on with my employees," Lou explained.  "Besides, I want to make sure everyone that works for me is happy."
    "Well I appreciate that, Lou.  Thank you.  Do I get the rest of this week off as well, or do I need to stay behind and work?" Rachel asked as she reached the office door.
    "You are free to take a vacation as well, Rachel.  Basically, you can consider the O-Town schedule your schedule as well."
    "Thanks, Lou.  I'll let you know what I decide when I figure it out," Rachel called over her shoulder as she made her way to the elevator.  As she was getting off the elevator, she noticed Erik waiting outside her office.  "Hey, you guys got a break early," she commented as she walked in her office.
    "Well, yeah...I guess we did," Erik said, not sure what Rachel had wanted to see him about.
    "Erik, I'm not going to bite you, well unless you want me to that is," Rachel joked.  "Come on in so we can talk, please."
    "What did you want, Rach?" Erik asked, not getting his hopes up too high, still thinking about what Nicole had said to him the previous night.
    "Erik, I do want to be with you...you have to know that...but if we are dating, it is going to affect the other members of the group as well...so, I'm letting you know, that I am going to discuss what's going on between us with all of them.  I just didn't want it to come as a complete surprise to you."
    "What if they don't like the idea?"
    "Well, then I guess I'll have to try to find a different job, because, from the day you walked through the door of the house, you had stolen my heart," Rachel explained walking over and sitting on Erik's lap so she could kiss him.
    "Whoa...sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt," Rachel heard a voice say from the door, as she broke the kiss with Erik.
    "What are you doing here, D?"
    "Well, I came because Momma D insisted that I make sure you know that she wanted to see you at our family dinner tonight," Howie answered. (Howie Dorough, as in member of BSB, and Rachel's 'adopted' brother).
    "Howie, you know I would never miss a family dinner with you and your folks.  Hey, you haven't met Erik yet have you?" Rachel replied.  When Howie shook his head no, she said, "Howie Dorough, Backstreet Boy, meet Erik-Michael Estrada, member of the OTown project.  Erik, this is Howie, the guy who designated himself my big brother when I first moved down here, so his family has become my second family."
    "Nice to meet you, Erik," Howie said.  "Just be careful when you sign with Lou....he can be really sneaky," he added as a word of warning.
    "D...come on now...these guys have me watching out for them.  Lou wouldn't dare try cheating them," Rachel said as her phone rang.  "Yes, he's here.  Yes, Mark, he'll be back in just a minute," Rachel said when she answered the phone.  "Erik, sorry to do this, but you gotta jet back to vocal lessons...they're waiting for you.  Come get me and we can talk some more over lunch."
    Back in the vocal room, MG was trying to get everyone to settle down, with the threat of taking away their vacation.  "Alright, Jacob, Ikaika, Paul, you are dismissed for a fifteen minute break.  The rest of you, we're gonna be doing some work with your favourite song, All For Love." 
    "So, Nikki, what are you going to do about the break?" Jacob asked as they wandered through the halls near the vocal room.
    "I don't know.  I guess it all depends on what Ash wants to do," Nicole admitted.  "I mean, if he goes home, I suppose I will too."
    "Well, would you like to come and meet my family and spend some time with me?" Jacob asked, unsure if he was moving too fast.
    "Ohhhhhh Jacob, I'd love to spend some time with you," Nicole answered throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him.
    "Well, I'm glad I asked you, then.  Ash is welcome to come visit too," Jacob added, knowing that Nicole wouldn't want to be seperated from her brother for too long as they made their way back to the vocal room before everyone was dismissed for lunch.
    After a relatively short lunch break, the group of finalists and the three girls there visiting them went into the dance studio where they were to work with Tyjuan, but they found Rachel instead.  "Alright, I've talked to Ty and he's giving me some of his precious rehearsal time to talk to all of you," Rachel said.  "But this is something that I will need to have Nicole, Carrah, and Malia leave for.  This is only for actual participants in the group.  When this discussion is over, you are going to be welcome in here again," Rachel said as she held the door to the room open for the other three girls.
    "I'm not leaving Ikaika," Malia stated emphatically.
    "Yes, you are," Mark said as he walked in the room.  "There are only going to be ten people in the room right now, the eight guys, Rachel and myself.  Now, if you don't leave, I will personally take you to the airport and put you on a plane back to Hawaii myself."
    Once the girls and the camera crew were all safely outside the studio, Rachel began.  "You all know that I'm currently doing a co-op with Lou...and that is why I'm working with you.  Until now, that's all I've wanted you to know.  But, after a discussion with Mark about what has been happening, I decided that you all need to know what my official position here with the O-Town Project is.  Once the final five are selected by Lou, Tyjuan, and MG, I will take over responsibilty as the group's manager."
    "Gee, Erik, must be nice to know you're guaranteed a spot in the five," Ikaika said, "since your banging the manager."
    "Hold it right there, Ikaika.  There is NOTHING going on between me and Erik at this time.  And even if there was, I still don't have any say as to who makes the group.  The reason I'm telling you about my position as manager for the group is that I want you all to know that as much as you listen to Mark, Lou, MG, or Tyjuan, you need to listen to me as well.  I haven't been getting the same respect that they have been, and I want you all to know that I not only expect it to start now...but I demand it," Rachel said before she left the room, signalling to Tyjuan that the guys were his to work with again.

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