In Your Footstep
Part 1
Sometimes a story gets changed form person to person.
This is one of those stories. But me, I know what really happened, because
I was there. My name is Justin. Through this story isn’t about
really me, I’m in it alright. I guess you could say I got in a
little over my head on this one. But sometimes you can’t control
what happens in your life. You just have to roll with the punches and
hope it all works out in the end. You also have to give some credit
to fate, some things are just meant to happen.
But let me start at the beginning. I remember it like it was yesterday.
My self along with my friends, JC, Joey, Lance, and Chris, were just
about to kick off a new tour. We were totally pumped up about it. Especially
Lance, a small group he’d signed to his management company was
going to be our opening act.
They hadn’t even cut a record yet, but Lance some how knew they
would be big some day. We meet them for the first time a few weeks before
the tour was scheduled to start. “I want you to meet Abbey, Roxy,
Scott and Danny.” Lance said coming into our little waiting room
followed by 4 eager young people.
I remember looking up from my laptop, expecting to see the typical kind
of group that Lance normally signed, but I was pleased to find that
the two young ladies were rather attractive. “It’s nice
to meet you, I can’t wait to hear you perform. Lance talks about
you guys all the time.” JC said shaking all of their hands. He
was always such a gentle man, it almost made me sick at the time. “I
hope we can live up to all Lance’s bragging.” The brunette
said almost blushing from JC comments. I could tell she wasn’t
used to this kind of flattery. “Abbey, don’t kid yourself
you guys are awesome.” Lance said. I watched them for a minute.
They seemed to be the average group of small town misfits trying to
make something of themselves.
Abbey just smiled back as us and brushed her soft wavy brown hair out
of her face. “We were hoping to get up on the stage for some practice.”
Scott said. Scott was the bands guitarist, he was a tall blonde with
blue eyes. I knew from experience that he would be a heart throb, and
that our female fans would grow to love him as the tour progressed.
The others in the group looked at Lance and waited for a response. “Yeah,
I think we have a few sets to do, and then the stage is yours for the
rest of the night.” Lance explained. “We could just skip
our sets and let them go on.” Joey said sounding hopeful. We had
been practicing all day, our feet hurt but we were used to it and knew
we needed more practice as well.
Lance just laughed. “Let’s go, Joe, then maybe we can sit
and watch you guys do a few sets.” Lance said heading for the
door. “Yeah, that would be cool. We would love to have your options
of our performance.” Danny said. I slowly got up, closed my laptop,
and followed my friends out the door.
We quickly got to work and as we were sitting there watching the new
comers, I saw something I never expected to see, I saw something I liked.
New artist, especially the ones Lance signed, had been so cut and dry.
These guys were fresh and different. They played their own instruments.
Danny was the drummer and Roxy played the keyboard. Abbey didn’t
play an instrument, but the chemistry between her and Scott while they
were on stage was unbelievable. They interacted and it made the show
visually interesting.
“So what did you think?” Abbey asked as she joined us on
the floor. “It was great.” I said quickly. Abbey looked
at me and smiled sweetly, I could tell my kind words meant a lot to
her, I could see it in her eyes. She was with out a doubt the most amazing
creature I had encountered so far in my career. “We thought it
might be too different.” Roxy explained, fixing her long black
ponytail. “No, you guys were super. Don’t change a thing.”
JC said. I was impressed, even Jazz Boy, JC, Liked them. They had the
talent and the passion to take them far. I decided right then, that
I was going to keep my eye on them, there just might be something to
them after all.
Once our tour started so did their career. People could really relate
to them and their powerful message. As things progressed we developed
a strong friendship with them. The group was giving Lance a real run
for his money, in more ways than one. The group was by far the most
successful group Lance had managed so far. They were by no means at
the top of the music charts at this point, but they were well on their
way.
The details of everything have gotten fuzzy over time. But as it turned
out Abbey and Chris developed a close friendship. Abbey made some extra
money on the side helping Chris with his clothing line. Abbey had the
same goofy personality that Chris had. So you can imagine the two made
quite the team. It was almost impossible to make it through the day
without fallen victim to one of their many pranks. JC and Lance seemed
to get it the worst, but I have to admit they got me good a few times.
They made good money touring with us, plus they had cut a record which
was doing okay in the market. Roxy and Danny used the money to get new
instruments. Scott on the other hand refused to do so. He was by far
one of the best guitarist I had hear in my almost 10 year career, and
that said a lot for him. He was cool too, he even took the time to help
me fine tune my skills, which were no where near his abilities and at
times I knew he had to be fed up with me. He was a natural at it, and
I wasn’t when it came to the guitar. I had to work hard just to
make it sound okay, it was a snap for him.
“Why don’t you just buy a new one?” I asked one day.
It was a few hours before the show and he sitting near the stage carefully
cleaning and tuning his blue guitar. “Why waste the money, this
one works just fine. Besides I like this one.” Scott explained
not looking up at me. I got the feeling there was some connection he
had with this guitar, he took excellent care of it. I knew it might
drive him away and a valued this new friendship but I had to ask. “Is
there something special about it?” I asked now realizing I could
have worded it better.
“Yeah, actually, there is something very special about this guitar.
It’s not a big deal and I’d rather not talk about it.”
Scott said finally looking at me. I could tell it was a sore subject,
but I had to know. “Play me in basketball.” I said suddenly.
“What.” Scott asked caught off guard. “Play me, if
I win you have to tell me about the guitar and if you win, I’ll
never ask again.” I told him, feeling confident I could take the
19-year-old.
I watched him as he smiled and set his guitar back in it’s case.
I think he knew if he didn’t do something I wouldn’t drop
it. It was no secret that I was stubborn. “Your on, dude. But
I’m going to win.” Scott said getting up. We played one
game and I finally ended up winning, but I have to admit I had to work
for it. He was a little better than I thought he would be. We sat down
on the grass next to the court and drank some water to help us cool
off.
“So.” I said looking over at him. He smiled and shook his
head. “A deal is a deal, but you can’t make fun of me.”
Scott said. “I won’t.” I promised resting my head
on my knees. Scott looked at me and smiled.
“It was a gift from my mom. My father didn’t approve of
my dream to someday be a famous guitarist. But my mother was very supportive
of me no matter what. So for Christmas one year she bought it for me
but didn’t let my dad know about it. When she gave it to me she
made me promise not to let dad know where it came from. I promised and
then took it over to Abbey’s. She agreed to keep it for me, I
could go over there whenever I wanted to play it. I taught myself everything
by watching music videos. When I was 17 we got a first gig, and I invited
my mom to come see us play. It was a small club but she thought it was
great. She was so proud of me.
Dad eventually found out about me being in a band, but
there was nothing he could do about it, because I told him the guitar
wasn’t mine, it was Abbey’s. So I kept playing and about
6 months ago my mom died of breast cancer. I promised her in the hospital
that I would never give up on my dream.” Scott said, though I
am sure it was sad for him to remember but at the same time it seemed
to fuel his passion.
“That’s really cool. I mom has always supported me. I can’t
imagine being with out her though. I’m sorry.” I said trying
make him feel better. “It’s okay, I’m not sad, it
was just her time to go and I miss her, but this is what she wanted.
If she was here she would want to thank you for all the help you have
given us.” Scott said looking over at me. “You guys are
great if Lance hadn’t found you some one would have, you have
my word on it.” I told him. “We got lucky though, you guys
have been so nice to us. We can’t thank you enough.” Scott
said.
“You will be famous someday soon and your mom will be proud.”
I said offering him what little support I could. “I thought with
all your success you would be too high and mighty to talk to a group
of no names like us.” Scott said, his blue eyes seemed to burn
into me as if he expected some smart remark.
“We try to stay grounded.” I replied. “I am very surprised
by you.” Scott said. “Why is that?” I asked a little
confused. “I thought a pretty boy like you would have surely tried
to put the moves over on Abbey.” Scott explained. I laughed he
really did have me stereo typed. “Pretty boy? You should be the
one to talk.” I said looking at the young blonde beside me. Our
female dancers had already taken a liking to him.
“No, seriously, Abbey is cool and very pretty but I thought maybe
there was something between you and her. I never make a move an another
man’s woman.” I explained having been hurt in the past by
similar situations. “As far as I know we’re just really
good friends. She’s a great girl though.” He replied. “Do
you want to play one more game before the show?” I asked pointing
back to the court, hey after all I liked this kid.
Scott and I got along great after that. He hung out with me almost as
much as he hung out with Abbey. It was great though, I hadn’t
had that much fun on a tour in a long time. I was like reliving my beginning
with Nsync through them. As their fame grew they all turned to us for
help in coping, I mean just a few years ago we were in their shoes.
“Lance, we need to talk.” Abbey said coming into our game
room. Lance was working on his laptop on the other side of the room.
I was sitting on the couch playing video games trying to mind my own
business.
“What’s wrong?” Lance asked. “We need to talk
about the photo shoot coming up.” Abbey stated, Roxy was standing
beside her nodding in agreement. “What about it?” Lance
asked. “The outfit they picked out for me is nasty. I won’t
wear it but they said that sex sells.” Abbey explained. “You
won’t wear it?” Lance asked fairly worried. “Never
I am not a slut, and I am not going act like one just to sell stuff.”
Abbey said.
I tried to stifle a laugh but it escaped any way. Abbey was so passionate
about this. “It’s not funny, curly.” Roxy snapped.
“It’s just clothes.” I said, no longer worried about
keeping out of it. “Or lack there of. I saw you on the cover of
Rollingstones, you keep out of this. You freaky sex kitten.” Abbey
said. “Cloths express who you are and we’re not like that.”
Roxy added. “Can we compromise on the wardrobe thing?” Lance
asked trying to bring the conversation back to him. “Compromise
how?” Abbey asked crossing her arms across her chest.
“Meet me half way on this, Abbey. You guys can pick out the outfit
just please be a little sexy.” Lance begged. “I pick it,
so it can express me as a person and be slightly revealing. I don’t
see how those two mix. But I’ll see what I can do.” Abbey
said. She smiled and gave Lance a hug. She playfully stuck her tongue
out at me as she rested her head on Lance’s shoulder and I returned
the gesture. “Bye, Lance. Bye Justin, you male slut.” Abbey
said with a wink as she left with Roxy.
Lance turned to me. “Were we ever that much trouble?” He
asked me. “Yeah, I think we were.” I said almost afraid
to admit it. Lance just smiled, I think he knew I was right. “So
do you think they will go far.” I asked sincerely. “Of course
they will.” Chris said joining our conversation. He was always
good at that though. “Abbey talks to you more than me, what’s
going on with her?” Lance asked. “Abbey and I are good friends,
she’s a lot of fun. She also has a love interest.” Chris
said raising an eyebrow. “Really who.” I asked suddenly
exited, though I am not sure why. “I can’t tell I am sworn
to secrecy.” Chris said crossing his heart.
“If she’s smart she’ll keep it a secret.” Lance
said. “Yeah, does the guy know?” I asked. “I’m
not sure, I think he might. Lance it’s her life if she wants to
let everyone into her love life, I think it should be her choice.”
Chris said quickly answering my question and then turning back to Lance.
Chris was being all big brother like, but that was typical of him when
it came to his female friends. “Since when do you care so much?”
Lance asked sitting back down at his computer. “I just know what
it’s like, that’s all.” Chris said.
“I’m still her manager.” Lance said. “Yeah,
but your not her pimp.” Chris snapped sarcastically. “Chris
your reading way to much into this.” Lance said not looking up
from the computer screen “I’m just saying it wouldn’t
hurt you to be their friend as well.“ Chris explained. I watched
the two of them argue for awhile then I left feeling the tension building.
There was something going on and I was going to find out what exactly
that was. I loved a good mystery and I liked these new guys. It was
time for me to get into the middle of it for the first time.
