Saturday, March 25, 2000 (Ten AM)

"Hey! Give that back, Jorge!"

Without even bothering to open her eyes, Melissa--who was still half asleep, at the moment--furrowed her eyebrows in confusion before inwardly asking herself: Who the hell is Jorge?

"Can't do, amigo! Chrissy says she needs her lucky hat in her arms by yesterday."

"Don't you mean: Chrissy says she needs my lucky hat in her arms by yesterday?"

"Same difference."

While rolling her eyes at the playful banter, Melissa realized the male's voices where growing lower; which meant that they were thankfully enough walking away from her hearing range. Thank God.

After waiting for a few seconds, until she couldn't hear anything but the sound of her own breathing, Melissa slid herself further underneath the covers; planning to go back to sleep.

Well, that is, she was planning to go back to sleep, until a thought hit her.

If their are people talking outside, then that must mean....the bus has stopped.

Sitting up quickly at this realization, Melissa winced as her head bumped into the roof of her sleeping bunk. "Dammit."

Sliding out of the small compartment, Melissa made a mental note to herself to sleep on the top bunk from now on; figuring that she'd rather take the chance of falling off the bed during the middle of the night than have to feel the pain of a knot on her forehead each and every single morning after she woke up. Hopefully I'll get to sleep in a real bed soon.

With that thought in mind, Melissa quickly made up her bed, before taking out an--easy to move in--pair of clothes, which Lance had insisted she wear on the first day of tour. Then afterwards--realizing that once she stepped off the bus she might not get the chance to do it again any time soon--she treated herself to a long hot shower; as usual feeling more alive once she stepped out of it than when she stepped in.

Now to go find Christina.

While making her way towards the front of the vehicle, Melissa made sure she had everything she needed before stepping off the bus; accidentally hitting someone with the door as soon as she did so.

"Oh my God!" Melissa quickly exclaimed, after she pulled the door back slightly and noticed a muscular African American man, with his hand on his nose, behind it. "I am so sorry."

While rubbing his nose slightly, the older man held up a hand in front of Melissa's mouth; telling her without words that it was okay. "No need for apologies. You must be Melissa."

Even though she still felt embarrassed for hitting the man in the nose with her door, Melissa couldn't help but furrow her eyebrows in confusion as she politely shook the hand that the older man was offering her. "That is correct, and you are?"

After raising a slow eyebrow, the man sighed slightly before saying, "I'm guessing Lance didn't tell you......I'm Ryan, your new bodyguard."

My new...bodyguard? While looking at the man in front of her with disbelief, Melissa couldn't help but absentmindedly scold herself for not picking up on the fact that the older man was a bodyguard--seeing as though he was somewhat the splitting image of Mike. But do I really need my own Mike?

With that thought in mind, Melissa paused for a second--trying to choose her next words carefully--before saying, "No offense, but is this really necessary? I mean, no one even knows who I am yet, so why do I need a bodyguard?"

As soon as the words had came out of her mouth, Melissa had a feeling those hadn't been the words Ryan wanted to hear. And as he continued to stare down at her after a full second, she immediately knew they hadn't been the words he had wanted to hear.

"Miss Alano, you'll have to excuse me for being frank, but you are one of the most talked about people in entertainment news this week. Your face has already been on: Access Hollywood, MTV news, E. Entertainment, and did I mention Fox! Live? Your quick thinking and little saving routine, at the boy's album release party, has got you being one of Nsync's fans top female artist of the year. And, if you haven't noticed all ready, while this is all going down, the public and media still haven't even heard you sing yet!"

"So, now while keeping that all in mind, can you please ask me once again why I think it is necessary for you to have me as your bodyguard?"

Stunned speechless, Melissa couldn't do anything but blush crimson red before opening her mouth and then quickly shutting it right afterwards. What has Lance got me into?

Realizing by the look on the younger woman's face, that Melissa was now too scared to say anything, caused Ryan to shoot her a friendly smile before saying: "Now that we've got that all out of the way, would you like to go inside and see what's going on? Your schedule says that your sound check wont be for another two hours, but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt anything for you to watch everyone else's before it's time to go on."

After thinking about it for a second and coming to the conclusion that she really didn't want to go against her bodyguard once more today, Melissa nodded absentmindedly to herself, before saying "Okay." Quickly afterwards following the slightly larger man towards the stage.

Wow.

If Melissa had been stunned speechless after being told off by Ryan, then once she entered the Charlotte Coliseum, she figured she'd been stunned....well, speechless.

The scene in front of her was like nothing she had ever imagined.

Technicians were moving from one side of the arena to the other side of the arena; putting last minute touches on things she couldn't even describe. And very flexible dancers were all over the stage; putting to good use the moves they had all learned in, what she figured, was gymnastics.

This is unbelievable. While continuing down the rows of aisles with Ryan--surprisingly enough--not by her side, Melissa couldn't help but think in awe, Am I really supposed to be here?

Interestingly enough, that thought was soon erased from her mind as a familiar voice was soon heard screaming: "Hey Melissa! It's about time you woke up, sleepyhead."

While blushing slightly at the attention she got from the comment, Melissa looked further up on the stage to find Christina in the middle of the dancers, grinning down at her proudly.

I see some things haven't changed. She still loves being the center of attention.

With that thought in mind, Melissa continued making her way down the aisle--preparing to situate herself in the front row--so she could watch the rest of Christina's sound check. But oddly enough before she could even make it there, Christina called out to her: "Hey, why don't you come on up here, so I can introduce you to some of my dancers."

Seeing as though Christina was supposed to be having a sound check at the moment, Melissa opened her mouth to say, I don't think that's such a good idea. But after noticing the reassuring look her friend was giving her at the moment and feeling Ryan's comforting hand on her shoulder--giving her a slight go ahead push from behind--Melissa could only sigh slightly to herself before making her way down the rest of the aisle and up the stairs to where Christina and her dancers were standing.

"It's about time you got here." Christina joked, playfully, before turning her attention back towards her dancers; and pointing each and every one of them out for Melissa. "Guys, I'd like to introduce you to, Melissa, one of my old friends, and newest opening acts....Melissa, I'd like for you to meet some of my back up dancers: This is Shawnette, Alexis, Xan, and last but not least, my boyfriend Jorge."

After shaking hands with the people who offered theirs to her--and telling each and every last one of them that it was nice to meet them--Melissa lifted her hand for Jorge to shake, but was slightly taken aback, when instead of him shaking it, he turned her hand over; placing his lips gently on the top of her knuckles.

"Believe me, the pleasures all mine."

While blushing slightly, Melissa could only smile. Then afterwards take her hand back from Jorge and nod slightly as Christina practically squealed, "Aint he a keeper?"

Yes, and a fresh one at that.

As Christina continued to gush over her boyfriend, Melissa couldn't help but move her eyes towards the band behind her and then towards the row of seats in front of her. I still can't believe this is real.

After a few more seconds of moving her eyes around the arena, Melissa turned back towards Christina--who was now studying her with a knowing expression on her face, "When we were kids and used to perform in front of our stuffed animals, did you ever think that one day you'd actually be standing up here; performing in front of crowds of people?"

Knowing exactly where Melissa was coming from, caused Christina to not even have to think about it for a second before quickly replying: "Honestly...no. I mean, I knew I'd be somewhere singing, probably overseas near my dad. But it never really hit me that I would be nineteen years old, going state to state, singing for millions of people, while headlining my very own first tour. The thought never even crossed my mind."

"But for you, it's a different story." After raising an eyebrow in confusion at her friend's last statement, Melissa began encouraging Christina--with her eyes--to go on. "Girl, you know you got it! Even when we were kids, you had it. The songs we'd sing, if they weren't on the radio, they were songs you made up in your head. From beats to lyrics, you did it all. And just from being in this business for a little while, I can honestly tell you that that is something a lot of people can't do. You were and still are a natural."

After taking in what Christina was saying and blushing slightly at the last comment, Melissa couldn't help but say: "You haven't even heard me sing in over six years. So, how can you say I still have it?"

Knowing that Melissa was right, and that she didn't know if the woman in front of her still had it or not, caused Christina to raise both eyebrows--in a slightly challenging position--before telling Jorge to pass her a mic.

"That one?" Jorge asked, pointing a finger towards a small microphone which was sitting by itself on top of a black piano stand.

Not seeing any other microphone lying around caused Christina to roll her eyes before saying, "Yes, that mic, stupid ass."

An endearment which caused Jorge to--interestingly enough--reply back with an, "I love you too," before throwing the microphone Christina's way.

"All right, you've got my attention." Christina replied, after catching the microphone in her right hand, and turning towards Melissa; handing the brunette the lone object. "Now, let me hear you."

After staring at Christina's smug, yet reassuring grin, for a couple of seconds and inwardly scolding herself for opening her big mouth, Melissa nodded slowly before bringing the microphone up to her lips, and letting out in a cappella version:

You and I must make a pact, we must bring salvation back......where there is love, I'll be there. I'll reach out my hand to you, I'll have faith in all you do.....just call my name...and I'll be there.

As Melissa got into the song, that she knew like the back of her hand, she unknowingly began proving to Christina and everyone else in the auditorium that, not only did she still have it, but she also knew what to do with it.

(Seven PM)

"Curtains in ten."

Looking up from where she was seated, at her dressing room table, Melissa couldn't help but give Ryan her best deer caught in headlights impression, before replying in a slightly nervous tone of voice: "That soon?"

"I do believe so."

After a second of watching the woman in front of him, nervously rake her fingers through her slightly done up hair, Ryan smiled reassuringly before saying. "If you just relax, I promise you, it'll be over before you even know it."

A statement which caused Melissa to wait until her bodyguard had left her dressing room--closing the door behind him--before mumbling, "That's what I'm afraid of."

After a few more seconds of studying herself in the mirror, Melissa closed her eyes tightly and said a short prayer of strength. Then after opening her eyes, Melissa slowly stood up, pulling at the church robe--that was over her clothes--self consciously, before looking up at the ceiling; whispering: "This ones for you, Mom."

While making her way out of the dressing room, Melissa couldn't help but bite her lip slowly while fighting back the nauseous feeling she was suddenly getting.

I can do this..I can do this. She inwardly repeated to herself, as she placed one foot in front of the other.

But as soon as Melissa reached the hallway--which would lead her to the stage--and heard the growing sounds of cheers coming from the crowd outside, she couldn't help but think to herself: I can't do this..theirs no way I can do this.

After closing her eyes tightly--something she was used to doing when she began to feel herself growing very nervous--Melissa willed herself to keep going. And after a second of slight prayer, she opened her eyes and continued down the hallway; accidentally bumping into someone just as she turned the corner to head out on stage.

Lucky me, twice in one day!

"Oh my god, I am-" Before Melissa could even get out her next words, she couldn't help but stop speaking and begin slowly smiling as she saw who it was that she had bumped into. "Lance! What are you doing here?"

While chuckling slightly at the surprised look on the brunette's face, Lance replied, in a knowing tone of voice, "Did you really think we'd get you this far and not be there on your first night out?"

Having indeed thought that, caused Melissa to blush slightly before shooting her manager a questioning stare. Whose we?

Unfortunately though, just as Melissa was about to ask the question outloud, a stage manager walked by telling her that she had exactly five minutes before she was slated to go on.

Thanks for the reminder.

Feeling a whole set of butterflies quickly take over her stomach, Melissa couldn't help but close her eyes tightly.

And after noticing this and the fact that she was starting to grow pale, Lance quickly brought a hand up to Melissa's face; bringing her line of vision back towards him. "Hey, it's going to be okay. You're going to do fine out there, all right?"

After staring into Lance's reassuring eyes, Melissa nodded slightly before telling herself that it was just her nerves playing tricks on her and that she would do just as her manager had said.

"You'll still be here after it's over, right?"

Without even bothering to hide it, Lance couldn't help but smile slightly at the question before replying in a neutral tone of voice: "Yeah, I'll be watching from the V.I.P area, but I'll be in your dressing room as soon as your performance is over, okay?"

While nodding slightly, Melissa inwardly wrestled with the idea, of hugging her manager, before mentally telling herself: Oh, what the heck and throwing her arms around Lance's neck. "You don't know how much you being here means to me. Thank you."

After a few seconds of returning the hug, Lance replied, "Theirs no need to thank me." Before pulling back slightly, and kissing Melissa on her cheek; causing a small blush to take over the petite woman's face.

"Miss. Alano..we need you on stage."

Nodding slightly, Melissa waited until the stage manager had walked away once again before turning back to her manager and saying, "I guess this is it."

While nodding as well, Lance replied, "Yeah it is...so how about you go out there and break a leg or two."

A statement which caused Melissa to laugh slightly before turning away from the older man and beginning to make her way towards the small group of dancers.

The small group of dancers who were waiting for her.

Here goes nothing.

Approaching the center of the dark stage, Melissa couldn't help but bite her lower lip as she felt her nerves starting to kick back in.

While looking out on to the floor of the auditorium, at the thousands of people who were waiting for her to do or say something, she couldn't help but bite her lip harder and then almost close her eyes in panic as her hands started to sweat and her heart began to beat faster. Please mom, help me out here.

After a brief second of waiting, Melissa felt a small push from behind and instantly knew that her mom was there with her, in spirit. Thanks, Mom.

Turning her head slightly, Melissa locked eyes with Kevin, the pianist, who she had just met a few short hours ago, and gave him a slight hand signal; one which told him that she was now ready to go.

After a brief pause, Kevin quickly began to play and Melissa--whose nerves were slowly fading away--began to sing; all the while inwardly telling her mother that, not only was this one for her, but they all were for her.

oh baby, baby, baby

Before I open my eyes, you're already on my mind
And when I think of you, thoughts of you keep away the blues, oh

As the house lights went up, and she got a good look at some of the people's faces in the crowd, Melissa couldn't help but smile slightly as she realized they were all cheering her on.

All I gotta do is think of you, I hope you be thinking of me too
I think about you all the time, you really blow my mind, and I'm so glad you're mine.

I dream of you at night, I can't sleep unless you're on my mind
I never ever get the blues, because of the love I get from you
all I want to do..

All I gotta do is think of you and that keeps me from a feelin' blue
I think about you all the time, you really blow my mind, and I'm so glad you're mine.

All I gotta do is think of you, I hope you be thinking of me too
I think about you all the time, you really blow my mind, and I'm so glad you're mine.

I'm so glad you're mine, I'm so glad you're mine
I'm so glad you're mine, I'm so glad you're mine
I'm so glad you're mine..

All I gotta do...

All I gotta do is think of you and that keeps me from a feelin' blue
I think about you all the time, you really blow my mind, and I'm so glad you're mine.

All I gotta do is think of you, I hope you be thinking of me too
I think about you all the time, you really blow my mind, and I'm so glad you're mine.

As the music to Think of you began to die down, Melissa couldn't help but laugh slightly to herself as she heard some people in the crowd continue to sing the chorus. They must really like the song.

Without even bothering to wait for Kevin to get off stage, Melissa began her practiced greeting to the crowd, "Helloooo North Carolina, how is everyone doing out there tonight?"

While listening to the--mostly female--pitched screams, Melissa couldn't help but thank God that she had remembered to put on the set of ear plugs that came with her pair of ear monitors. If their like this now, I can't imagine how they are going to be when Christina gets out here.

"I'm glad to hear that....but before I can continue on with the show, I have to be honest with you guys and tell you that tonight is my very first time performing in an arena this packed. But because I knew that each and every one of you out there was going to help make this a good experience for me, I figured I might as well make this a rather interesting experience for you."

With that being said, Melissa took off the church robe she was wearing; exposing to the crowd her wardrobe which consisted of a pair of black stretch pants and a matching black T-shirt with the words, Don't get mad...get even written on it.

"You guys liked that, didn't you?" Melissa joked, causing a few chuckles to be heard from out in the audience, "All right. Well, enough of me talking. The next song I'm going to perform for you guys sort of goes with this shirt, because it's about a girl who just wants her man.... to take the rain away."

After getting in the same position that her three back up dancers were in, Melissa waited for the music--that she now knew beat by beat--to begin, before starting to perform the dance moves that Wade and Justin had taught her to do; noticing after a few seconds, that whereas before she was relying on her anger, with JC, to get her through the movements, she was now relying on the strength of her mother to do so.

And she could tell the crowd wasn't noticing any difference; as they were singing right along with her on the chorus after the third time around.

"Whew...is it hot in here or is it just me?" Melissa slightly joked as she finished up Take the Rain Away, and put herself in the position for Blessed. "I don't know about all of you out there, but I really had a good time being out here on stage talking and singing with all of you. So, with that in mind, if you guys could just bare with me for a couple more minutes, I'd like to perform for you one more song; which--even though I'm going to put my own twist on it--solely belongs to Miss. Aguilera."

Melissa's question before of what the crowd would sound like when Christina came out was soon answered as, just from the mention of Christina's name, the group of people in front of her began to yell and scream louder than she had ever heard before. Damn!

"All right...hit it boys."

As Blessed slowly began to dye down, Melissa smiled once more at the crowd before saying, "Well that's it! That's my last song for the night. Thank you for welcoming me to your town and thank you for being such a wonderful audience. Goodnight."

With that being said, Melissa made a slight waving gesture to the audience before running off the stage and practically floating down the hall.

I can't believe I just did that.

After smiling shyly at her bodyguard and the few technicians who were standing by the doorway of her dressing room--giving the younger woman a small ovation--Melissa couldn't help but blush slightly as Ryan, first, took her ear plugs and body monitor off of her before saying, "You did good, kid."

"Thank you."

Waiting until after every one had started getting back to what they were doing--before she had interrupted them--Melissa continued making her way towards her dressing room; frowning slightly when instead of finding Lance waiting for her inside, she instead found someone else.

"JC?"