ME, ADMIRING THE HUGE BANNER OF US HANGING FROM THE CEILING!
I found a seat with my name on it at the long table where we’d be signing autographs and meeting fans.
A series of ten-foot-tall speakers set up in the area would be blasting our music during the event.
One thing was for sure: Trevor Chase and his team had spared no expense to make sure that our listening party was a humongous success.
I just hoped everyone actually liked our music. And US, for that matter!
When Chloe, Zoey, and Violet finally arrived, they came in with their necks craned, staring up at the huge banner overhead just like I had.
We did a group hug and giggled with excitement.
Soon after, the guys arrived with two hotel security guards, each pushing a cart stacked high with boxes of our CDs.
As the guards piled the boxes under the tables, we all chatted with each other and tried to calm our nerves.
I couldn’t believe that people were already starting to line up outside the velvet ropes for our meet and greet.
We sat and watched in awe as the line grew longer and longer.
Soon a dozen or so security guards were stationed at posts nearby to help manage the crowd.
Our director rushed up to us, talking a mile a minute. “Can you believe this crowd?! They’re all here for you guys! I think we’re going to sell out! The live telecast will be starting in ten minutes! So let’s get these boxes of CDs opened so we’ll be ready to rock!”
We each grabbed a box, tore it open, and just stared inside in shock.
Other than paper and packing materials, they were completely empty!
I felt like I had been punched in the stomach!
All I could do was blink in disbelief and hope that my eyes were playing tricks on me.
“What happened to our CDs?” Chloe screeched.
“OMG! Nikki, what are we going to do?” Zoey moaned.
“Obviously, there’s been some kind of mix-up,” Brandon said, shaking his head.
I glanced at the noisy, impatient crowd that had swelled to what looked like a thousand people. And they were chanting our name. Just GREAT !!
Trevor Chase was going to fire us and then sue for all of the money he’d lost. Our listening party was pretty much ruined!
The director ran up to us again. “We go live in three minutes!” she exclaimed excitedly. “Take your places, please!”
I’d almost forgotten the worst of it. We were about to be publicly humiliated LIVE on television .
MacKenzie was probably gleefully watching this train wreck from the crowd with a big box of popcorn.
Right then I wanted to run to the nearest bathroom, lock myself in a stall, and NEVER come out.
Brandon stared at the growing crowd and chewed his lip nervously. “So, um, what are we going to do? Any ideas?” he asked, drumming his fingers on the table.
“I was considering just canceling the whole thing. But I think it’s a little late!!”
“Yeah, kind of!” Brandon smiled weakly. “But I’m sure you’ll think of something. You always do!”
“Well, none of that will matter when this angry mob tears us to shreds when we tell them there are no CDs to buy and they can just go home!” I muttered. “Kidz Rockin’ really needs this money, and I’ve let them down. I just feel like such a . . . LOSER!” I said, blinking back tears.
“Nikki, it wasn’t your fault! Somehow the boxes just got mixed up or something!”
“Yeah, MacKenzie strikes again! She ruined our first kiss, and now our listening party!” I fumed.
OMG! Did I just say that out loud?
Yes, I think I DID.
I cringed and stared at the floor in embarrassment.
Brandon looked a little surprised and grinned. “Why are you thinking about THAT at a time like this?!” he teased.
Of course I blushed and rolled my eyes. And he blushed and gave me a big warm smile. The way we were flirting, you wouldn’t have believed a riot was going to be breaking out any minute now!
“Sixty seconds to airtime!” our director announced. “Nikki, you’ll be addressing the fans right after the band is introduced, just like we discussed. The mic right in front of you will be on. Good luck! Places, please.”
Chloe, Zoey, and I did a group hug.
That’s when Zoey squeezed my hand and said, “A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.—George Bernard Shaw.”
“Well, whatever happens, we’ve got your back, girlfriend! Unless, of course, the crowd gets mad and decides to tar and feather us. Then I’ll be leaving you in the dust!” Chloe joked, and gave me jazz hands.
While we were being introduced by the mayor, I completely zoned out and didn’t hear a word he was saying. I was busy trying to figure out what I was going to say to over a thousand people who had turned out to support our band and the charity Kidz Rockin’!
Well, one thing was for sure—we could KISS our music careers good-bye!
UGH! There was that four-letter word again!
That’s when the craziest idea popped into my head!
We didn’t have any CDs to sell for charity. But maybe we had something else. And if our fans really, really liked us, they might be willing to buy THAT instead.
I quickly jotted my idea down and passed the note to Chloe and Zoey!
They both looked mortified at first. But after talking it over together, they finally agreed.
Then they passed the note on to everyone else.
Violet gave me a big smile and a thumbs-up.
Theo and Marcus both blushed profusely and then nodded.
And Brandon just laughed and shook his head.
Then he made a circular motion with his finger at the side of his head, which meant that I was KA-RAY-ZEE!
Hey, people!
Desperate times call for desperate measures!
By that time, the mayor was just finishing up his welcome speech.
“It is with great pride that I introduce a talented future pop star and TV star, Nikki Maxwell, with her band, um . . . Actually, I’m Not Really Sure Yet?!”
The crowd went wild! They clapped and screamed in excitement for, like, two whole minutes.
I guess they really DID like us!
When they finally quieted down, I started by thanking everyone for coming to our listening party and for supporting our fund-raiser for Kidz Rockin’. . . .
Then I took a deep breath and continued. “But before we get started with our meet and greet, I have a special announcement I’d like to make. We had originally planned to sell our CDs and donate the proceeds to Kidz Rockin’! But soon you’ll be able to get the CD everywhere. This is our hometown, and we think you all deserve something even more exciting and special! What do you guys think?”
The crowd went wild again.
“So to help raise funds for Kidz Rockin’, tonight we’re accepting donations for HUGS and KISSES from your favorite band member. How does that sound?!”
The crowd loved the idea! They cheered more excitedly than ever. So for the next three hours, we met with fans, signed autographs, and posed for photos.
And YES! We sold hugs for $3.00 and kisses (on the cheek) for $5.00 from your favorite band member.
All for a great cause—the Kidz Rockin’ charity. And OMG! It was a BLAST!
And a lot of fans came back for seconds! And even thirds!
By the end of the night, we had raised over $8,000 for some VERY deserving kids. . . .
MY BAND, POSING WITH THE CUTE LITTLE KIDS FROM KIDZ ROCKIN’!!
I was SO happy !
SQUEEEE!
But more than anything, I was really proud of my friends Chloe, Zoey, Violet, Theo, Marcus, and Brandon for agreeing to do all of this after our CDs went missing.
Just as we were finishing up, I noticed Brandon kind of staring at me. Then he left his seat and got in line at the table!
MY line! I just rolled my eyes at him. That guy was such a PRANKSTER!
“Nice to meet you. Would YOU like my autograph? And how about a photo, too?” I teased.
“Actually, I’d personally like to make a donation to Kidz Rockin’!” he said, and handed me $5.00.
At first I just kind of stared at him, confused. Then suddenly everything made perfect sense.
I realized that Brandon was paying $5.00 because he wanted to buy a KISS!! From ME?!!!!!!
I was like, OMG! OMG! OMG!
Was he actually SERIOUS?!
I thought I was going to PEE my PANTS right there on the spot!
He just stood there, holding the $5.00, waiting for me to take it. So finally I took it from him.
And you’d NEVER believe what happened next . . . !!!
OMG! I can’t believe it’s almost 1:00 a.m.!! I’ve been writing this entry, like, FOREVER! Sorry, but I’m SO exhausted, I can barely keep my eyes open. I’ll finish this entry later. Maybe . . . !!
I know! I’m SUCH a DORK! GOOD NIGHT!
!!