I flopped onto the couch in the hotel room I'm sharing with my aunt. I put on my walkman, The Eagles Greatest Hits inside. I took my summer reading out of my book bag, and opened the book where I left off on the plane ride.
I stared at the page, but the words weren't registering. My mind was wandering back to the shoot this afternoon. I couldn't get over the pandemonium the boys created. It was insane, absolutely insane.
I've noticed a trend among Hanson fans, the female ones anyway. A white tank top with spaghetti straps must be a part of your wardrobe. It's preferable that a bra is not worn underneath. I don't want to sound hypocritical. I, in fact, DO own two such tank tops, one white and one lavender. But on the flip side of the coin, my chest is not much larger than Jessica Hanson's. How some of those fans manage to squeeze Helga and Olga into those shirts in a feat that belongs on "Ripely's Believe It or Not."
Thankfully, not ALL of the girls asked to participate were sporting the - as I like to call it - jiggle look. I laughed to myself as I thought of the two German girls who blew their big chance. When asked to be in the sidewalk sale shot, the two burst into tears. Then the one began to hyperventilate while the other fainted. This delayed the shoot and allowed Ike to talk to the blonde sporting a jiggle look for a half-hour.
Damn those German girls! Because of them, I'm going to have to get my bellybutton pierced. Argh! Why did I ever write that friggin' contract anyway? Then again, Jason WAS hanging onto it. Maybe I'd get lucky and Ike would forget about it. Even though that was highly unlikely, I let the slim possibility comfort me so I could concentrate on my reading.
I got halfway through chapter six when the door to the room opened. Ike entered, but I didn't hear him since I had my walkman turned all the way up. He removed the headphones from my head. "Hey. What's up?"
"Not much," I replied, my eyes never leaving my book.
"Whatcha reading?" I held up the book so Ike could read the cover. "The Octopus. Sounds interesting. What are you reading it for?"
I held up one finger, signaling for him to wait. I finished the page, set the bookmark, and tossed the book to the side. "History. I've got another one to read, too. And two for English."
Ike wrinkled his nose. "Eww! Do me a favor and don't tell my mom all that you're reading, okay? I don't want her to get any ideas."
I laughed. "We wouldn't want that!"
"So, ya ready?"
"For what?"
"You know what."
I shook my head. "Nope. Sorry. Haven't a clue."
Ike flashed an evil grin. "You're going to get your bellybutton pierced, Becca."
"Yeah, Ike, about that..."
"Oh, no you don't! You put your John Hancock on a contract. That's a legal document."
"A legal document!?! It's a piece of notebook paper!"
"Hey! A deal's a deal, and you can't back out now. So get your room key and whatever else you need so we can go," Ike instructed.
Seeing as how arguing would be pointless, I did as I was told. I grabbed my mini-backpack, which acts as my purse, my room key, scribbled a note for my aunt, and surrendered myself to Ike. "Okay. I'm ready."
He grinned. "Good."
Ike grabbed my hand and led me out of the room. I locked up, and we headed down the hallway. We stopped outside his parents' room. He knocked on the door.
"Come in!" said Diana.
We did. Mackie was sitting on the floor, playing with Power Rangers. Diana was cleaning up the aftermath of her youngest son's afternoon snack. Walker was sitting at the table, engrossed in paperwork.
"What do you need, Hon?" she asked.
"Can Rebecca and I go for a walk?"
"Where to?"
Ike shrugged. "No place in particular."
Oooh, that little... he was lying to his parents.
Walker looked up from his paperwork. "You boys have an interview tonight with People, so be back by dinner. That gives you three hours. And take Jason with you. Have fun!" He returned to his paperwork and began to scribble furiously.
"Great. Thanks. See ya!" Ike said to his mom and dad. Then he grabbed my hand and led me out of the room before the parental units could question us further. Two doors down was Jason's room. Ike knocked and the bodyguard promptly answered. "Hey. Becca and I are going for a walk. Can you tag along?"
"Sure. Just give me a minute," was the response given before the door was shut again.
I shook my head and a small chuckle escaped my lips.
"What?"
"I can't believe it."
"Believe what?"
"You lied to your parents."
"I did not."
"Yes, you did."
"No, I was just very vague. I mean, I don't know EXACTLY where we're gonna get your bellybutton pierced. Besides, my mom would've wanted to call your mom and make sure it was okay and all. I was just avoiding the delay."
"My, how clever we are."
"Hey! There's no need for sarcasm," Ike said, pretending to look hurt.
"Aww... Did I bruise your fragile male ego?"
"As a matter of fact, you did."
We burst out laughing. Just then, the door opened and Jason emerged. "Okay. Let's get this show on the road," he said.
The three of us walked towards the elevator, ready to start our body piercing excursion.