Ever since I was little, I always wanted to sing professionally and make it big or dance on tours. My preference would have been singing
but then some of the best days of my life would never have happened.

~May 24, 1994~

As I was waking up I slowly realized that today was my birthday. But not just any birthday, today was my Sweet 16. And on top of
that Fatima (yes, the Fatima) was coming to judge all the girls in my dance class to possibly place us on a tour with *some* music group
the Backstreet Boys. Back then of course I had no idea who they were because they had yet to become Big stars, but I was still really
excited cuz this was the chance I had been hoping for! To get away from a cruel ex, & a snobby dance instructor who just had to be the
best in the state, and hated me with a passion.
Anyway, as soon as I was awake and realized what day it was, I jumped out of bed, hurried to get dressed in my dance outfit and ran
downstairs where my mom and stepdad, Joel, were already up.

"Morning sunshine! Happy sweet 16!" said my mom.

"Happy birthday kiddo!" Joel said.

"Morning guys, thanks!" I said. "Well no offense or anything but I really need to get down to the studio so I think I'm gonna go wait for
Jessy outside if she isn't already here." grabbing my bag I headed for the door. ' Oh and make sure bro gets up so he gets down there in
time!"

"Sure sweetie! Bye, & good luck!" yelled mom just as Jessy beeped her horn.

I jumped into her jeep as we started the 10 minute journey to the studio.

"So, how's it feel to be the sweet 16?" asked Jessy.

"Well I don't really feel any older, but I will definitely be glad to get a real license instead of just my temps!" I answered as we both
laughed. We had just reached the studio.

As I walked in, Ms. Turner immediately started to give me her usual nasty looks and proceeded to start on the bitching out part of every
rehearsal.

"Laura, it may be your birthday but that doesn't give you any reason to be late!" she yelled

"I'm sorry Ms. Turner, I must have overslept." I replied

"Well don't let it happen again. This is a very important day not just for you girls and your careers but for me as well. Now everyone get
to work on your warm-ups and then we will practice one more time each of your routines before judging. Get to work!"

~one hour before the start of judging.~

Jess was just finishing her routine and I was next. I'm not really worried about messing up because I made myself learn the the whole
routine in the beginning to get it perfect seeing as this could be my ticket out of here.

I was just finishing when I bumped into someone behind and fell to the floor. He helped me up and that's when I noticed them. He had
the most gorgeous pair of bright blue eyes I had ever seen!