INSEPARABLE

Chapter 9: A CD, Many Arguments and..... a Concert?

Not long after the radio debut of 'Matter of Time', a few other songs of theirs were released like Candice's solo 'Fallen For You' and songs like 'This Time', 'I Miss You' and a new song called 'Reunited'. The record label got an astonishing amount of responses to them and the debut on the Disney Channel. Everyone was anxiously awaiting the release of the CD. The songs were released on iTunes and made more than Miley Cyrus did on more than half of what she had done so far, in only a week.

It was June 12th, Candice's 15th birthday. Chris's was the day before. Thay had a mini party because the media was everywhere since the Disney Channel release. They went out to eat earlier that day. Candice spent most of the day on the phone with her friends though. They were her biggest fans now. They also couldn't wait for the release of her album. She had been all over the news in North Carolina, and she was a sensation! The governor even liked her. He officially named her "North Carolina's Angel". She lived up to that name very well. She was now 15 and in a week, she was going to accomplish something most teenagers in America could only dream of..... She was releasing her first album.

The day after her birthday, she had her first press interview. It was for the CD release. She was also scheduled for a few talk show interviews as well. The group flew to Chicago and New York for some of them. They were on Ellen, Late night shows like Jimmy Fallon, Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel. They performed live for them. She felt the same rush she used to feel at school performances, performing for a number close to 50. She found this to be a breeze, and hoped but disbelieved it would be like this for concerts. FINALLY SHE WAS ON TV! They all asked her questions about her old life, friends, school, living with the guys and the songs on the album. The group was getting major press coverage. In the interview with Ellen however, there was the question that was addressed for the first time since she had won the contest and led to the answer that scared her a little. The question was, "Is there any concerts being scheduled so far?" Greg responded, "Very Soon." Even though she knew this, it frightened her because she wouldn't be performing for just a room full of people. She would be performing for an arena of 10,000+. They also asked if there were going to be any music videos. There were, but they wanted to let Candice get familiar with them and the music first, then release the CD, then begin concerts, then work on Music Videos.

Once they got home after the interviews, Candice decided to relax. They had an hour before the late rehearsal. They had begun practicing two to three times a day. This was major preparation for performing. At rehearsal, everything was a little intense. It had been for a few weeks. It seemed to Candice as if Jesse controlled everyone in the house, even though he was the second youngest. They were rehearsing 'Reunited', and Jesse kept messing up his big dance part. "No Jesse, your right foot goes left. How many times have I told you that in a row?" She said a little flustered. "How many times have I told you not to tell me what to do?" He asked rhetorically. "Well, during rehearsal, I'm in charge, so get over it. Now again, and this time everyone needs to be together. And five, six, seven, eight."

That night she had a nightmare. It was the release of her album, and no one bought it. Instead, they all showed up with Miley posters. She woke up a little sweaty. She got out of bed and went out on the balcony. She looked down, and saw Chris outside on the patio with his laptop. She decided to go down there to talk to him. She walked passed Jesse's door and down the stairs. Before she reached him, Chris looked up and saw her. "What are you doing up so late? It's almost two in the morning." She asked him. "I couldn't sleep. I'm just so excited our album is going to be out in three days." "Yeah, I'm excited too. I can't wait to see how bad we beat Miley." "Wow, you really don't like her do you?" "No, I don't. She has the one advantage over me." "Okay, whatever that is. I'll just be happy to get a successful album out, you know? I mean young Dream Street did okay. We went platinum. Ever since we split up, I've been working on my solo album. But no matter how hard I tried, no one would produce the album. When I tried to do it myself, and failed. I must say, I owe you a gigantic thank you. We all do. You've helped us get where we wanted to be. We are bigger than before, and all of us appreciate it." "Really?" She asked amazed. He nodded his head. "I mean, not to be star struck or anything, but this is amazing. I would have never imagined in my whole life, that Dream Street would owe me gratitude. It makes me feel special." She said bashfully, with a big smile. "You are special. You're like our little sister, who brought joy and laughter into our lives; something most of us have been missing for six years. We owe you something now, and I promise we'll make it up to you somehow." "But you already have. You've given me the greatest opportunity I could ever ask for. And you've given me love and comfort. I know I can be myself around you guys. I feel like the luckiest and happiest girl in the world." "I understand. But I was talking to O'Dea and Sterling the other day, and let's just say, I think I've found a way to make you even happier." "What? What is it?" She got really excited. "You'll find out, don't worry." He looked at his watch. "Wow, it's pretty late. We should get to bed; we have an extremely early rehearsal in the morning." "Okay, goodnight." She hugged him. She also realized he had no shirt on. In her mind, as she thought about the ridiculous elementary crush she used to have on him, she had a large grin.