The First Meeting
“Her name is Amelia Parker. She’s something to see,” Johnny told the guys of *NSYNC of his latest find, a dancer/singer who was defecting from the Backstreet Boys.
“If she’s so great, why isn’t she still with the BSB?” JC asked.
“She left them. They didn’t unload her. Rumor has it one of the crew was harassing her – if you catch my drift.”
“Hittin’ on her?” Justin demanded. “How uncool.”
“Amelia isn’t talking. She simply said she was having ‘artistic differences’.” Johnny liked Amelia Parker. She had an overload of talent and a ton of class.” “Eventually I’d say she’d be as big as Christina or even Britney.”
”Those are some awesome shoes,” Justin pointed out.
“All she needs is a break.”
JC was always willing to help new talent. “Bring ‘er on.”
“Even better. She’s auditioning for your new video. She’s in the studio with Wade.” He walked them down the hall. “If you can’t pick her out, I won’t press you.”
Once in the studio, JC’s eyes were drawn to the little brunet in the red leotard. Her long, dark braid whipped around to her flowing movements. She made the brutal paces Wade made the dancers go through look effortless. He nodded toward her. “Amelia Parker.”
“Right in one,” Johnny murmured.
“All right.” Wade clapped his hands together. “We’ll take a break,” he announced, then went to the six men gathered at the door. “If you don’t pick that little pixie girl, I’m walking.”
“Which one?” Johnny asked.
“The tight one in red. She’s got more talent in her big toe than most of the rest do in their entire bodies.”
“Amelia,” Johnny stated proudly.
“She is so smooth and she learns it like right now.” Wade snapped his fingers.
JC watched while the other dancers broke off in chatty groups; Amelia leaned against the wall and sipped water. She had this look of total concentration, like she was still going over the steps in her mind. He admired that kind of focus.
Johnny raised his hand. “Amelia!”
It took a moment for her to realize someone was trying to catch her attention. She pushed away from the wall and fairly glided towards the group of men.
“Guys, Amelia Parker,” Johnny introduced her. “Chris, Justin, Joey, Lance, and JC – and Wade, you’ve met.” He went down the list of names.
“Pleased to meet you all,” she said quietly.
“I was telling them what a fabulous talent you are,” Wade told her.
“I don’t know about that…”
“And modest, too,” Chris mused.
“Well, we have Wade’s recommendation.”
“Hey, you got mine,” Chris stated. “She’s shorter than me!”
Amelia laughed. It was soft and melodious, not the least bit phony. “I do have trouble seeing past some men’s navels.”
Justin went up and wrapped an arm about her shoulders. “Pocket-sized.”
“Not unless you got some mighty big pockets, sonny.”
“So, pretty, little Amelia, what do they call you?” Joey asked, immediately flirting with the dancer.
“Amelia.”
“That’s a mouthful.”
“My mama gave me that name and that’s the one I go by.”
“Amelia decided the baby-faced blond was probably a little shy. “So, Lance, what remark are you going to make?”
“None, Amelia,” he said.
“No ‘shorty’ comments? No obvious flirting tactics?”
“Nope.”
“I think I like you already.” Her smile was sweet and genuine – and Lance melted.
The guy with the intense blue gaze was studying her like she was a slide underneath a microscope. She met his stare. This girl backed down from no one. Finally, the guy extended his hand solemnly.
“Hi, Amelia.”
“Hello, JC.”
What no one could know at the time, it was the beginning of a lovely friendship.