"This is ridiculous," Jacob protested. "We're old enough to make our own decisions. It was New Years Eve and we were just trying to have a good time."
"Yes, Mr. Underwood, you are old enough to make your own decisions, but by the actions you showed tonight, you aren't old enough to make good decisions."
"We have no lives of our own anymore, Mark! Everyone is telling us what to do, when yo do it, how it should be done. I can't handle it anymore. I need some freedom to do what I want in my life or I'm going to go nuts!"
"Jacob, you knew when you got yourself into this that Lou Pearlman was trying to make a new boyband, and life in the band although you might see it as unfair and controlling, means that you let other people run your lives. Now, I don't want to talk about this any further, but trust me if anything like this ever happens again your butts are being loaded on the next plane out of Florida and to your hometown. Understood?"
"Understood, but not agreed," Jacob huffed as he slammed the door to his room.
Erik exited the living room and entered the kitchen where Nicole and Rachel were standing and discussing the nights events over a glass of apple juice. "Nicole, would you mind giving Rachel and I a moment alone?" he asked politely.
"Sure, no problem. I'm gonna go talk to Ash, and Jake. Just come and get me when your ready to leave," she smiled at Rachel and patted Erik on the back and she made he way out.
"Rach," Erik approached the girl of his dreams. "That kiss tonight was the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me."
"Yes, it was nice," Rachel tried to wiggle away from Erik.
"Do you want to relive that moment right now? Celebrate the New Year all over again?"
"Erik, look, I think your a really nice guy and all, but I've had a lot of time to think over the Christmas break, and I really don't think that we make a good pair."
"What's that supposed to mean? Are you breaking up with Erik-Michael Estrada?"
"Erik, technically we were never really going out. I mean, I really like you, but I think that you'd be happier with someone else. Someone that is willing to publicly be your girlfriend, and whom doesn't have all the pressures and such that I do being so closely related with the O-Town project. I just don't think that we could ever love each other."
"I love you now, Rach."
"Erik, it's not love your feeling. It's lust. You think you love me because since you've come here you haven't given yourself the oppurtunity to get to know any other girls."
"Well, there aren't really a hell of a lot of girls to get to know," Erik yelled. "You want me to fall in love with Angel's sister like every other guy in this house? Is that what you want?"
"Erik, chill! Your blowing this whole thing way out of proportion. I don't think we were meant to be together, and I'm ending this relationship right now before we end up ruining the friendship we've developped, end of subject," Rachel walked down the hall leaving Erik in the kitchen. "Nic, are you ready to leave?" Rachel poked her head in the door interrupting a passionate kiss between Nicole and Trevor. "Oh, um, wow, I, yeah, eeh, sorry."
"Rachel, wait," Nicole yelled. "Trevor, this shouldn't have happened!...Rachel wait! I'm coming!" Nicole ran out the front door and hopped in the passenger side of Rachel's car. "Rachel, please, I'm sorry."
"Nicole, what the hell was just going on in there? I break up with Erik, and then I find you in the middle of playing tonsil hockey with Trevor! What about Jacob?"
"I don't know, Rach. Wait! You broke up with Erik?"
"Yeah, we weren't meant to be together, and actually I feel better now that I've done it. Look, lets not talk about that right now, and lets not talk about the whole Trevor incident either. It can all wait until morning," Rachel said unlocking the front door and entering into the parlour. "This letter came for you the other day, but I forgot to give it to you," she said placing the letter on the end table in Nicole's room. "I'll see you in the morning, then we'll talk."
"Thanks," Nicole sobbed as she ripped open the letter.
Dear Miss Angel,
On behalf of Harvard University we'd like to offer you admission to our institution in the fall of 2000. Please fill out the attatched forms in order to secure a place in residence.
We are looking forward to seeing you in September.
Sincerely,
Nate Richardson, Admissions Director
Harvard University
Nicole crumpled up the letter and shoved it in her drawer with the other acceptance letters she had received, burying her face in her pillow as he body trembled, and tears streamed from her eyes. Life as a teenager wasn't all it was cracked up to be.