Andrea: Yes. Just trust me okay? I know my way around Toronto. I’ve been here lots of times.
Melissa: Well I hope it’s close because I’m getting tired of walking.
Melissa and Andrea, along with their best friends Jill and Lissa, were on their way to the Chumcity Building, the headquarters of the country’s biggest music channel Much Music. They’d been in town for a Backstreet Boys concert and had decided to stop by before they headed home. It had been Jill’s idea. She wanted to meet Rick, one of the more popular veejays.
Andrea: We need to turn left right here, and it should be right around this corner... See there it is. I told you I knew where it was.
They approach the front entrance and give their names and are escorted into the building. Melissa’s brother-in-law worked at a local radio station KISS 92 and had gotten permission for them to go inside. The girls look around in awe, and Jill instantly spots Rick.
Jill: Look there’s Rick! Oh my god he’s coming over here!
Rick: Hi girls. I’m glad you could make it. Which one of you is Mat’s sister-in-law?
Melissa: That would be me. I’m Melissa, and this is Jill, Lissa, and Andrea.
Rick: It’s nice to meet you all. So Mat said that you specifically asked for me. I’m flattered.
Jill: Well you’re our favourite veejay.
Rick: That’s sweet of you to say.
As Jill and Rick continue talking, Andrea’s attention is captured by a guy on the other side of the room who is playing around on a guitar as people set up some equipment around him. Andrea nudges Melissa who is standing beside her.
Andrea: Look at that guy over there!
Melissa: Wow he’s hot!
Andrea: I saw him first. He’s mine!
Melissa: I never said that I wanted him. I just said he was hot!
Andrea: I was just letting you know so you don’t get any ideas.
Rick: So what would you girls like to see? I’ve got about 15 minutes before I need to get back to work, so I can give you a quick tour if you want.
Jill: We want to see everything!
Rick: Okay then, let’s go.
Jill and Lissa start to follow him but Melissa and Andrea don’t move.
Andrea: We’re gonna stay here okay?
Lissa: Sure. We’ll see you later.
Lissa and Jill leave with Rick, and Melissa and Andrea stare across the room again.
Melissa: Why don’t you go over there and talk to him?
Andrea: I’m not going by myself. What if I can’t say anything? I’ll look so stupid. You have to come with me.
Melissa: Okay fine.
They walk in his direction, and the closer they get to him, the better he looks.
Melissa: He’s even better looking up close!
Andrea: Hey! He’s...
Melissa: I know, I know, he’s yours. I won’t forget.
Andrea: You better not.
They come up behind him and Andrea nervously speaks up.
Andrea: Um excuse me?
He turns around and looks at them curiously.
Guy: Hi! What can I do for you girls?
Andrea: We were just wondering what is going on. Is someone going to be performing here?
Guy: Yes they are. Have you heard of a Canadian group called soulDecision?
Andrea: No.
Melissa: No.
Guy: Oh.
He frowns in disappointment.
Guy: Well they will be doing an interview with Rick Campanelli in about 15 minutes, as well as performing a couple songs.
Melissa: Are they any good?
Guy: Well they haven’t gotten any complaints yet.
Andrea: Maybe we should stay for the show then. What do you think?
Guy: I think they’d be upset if you didn’t.
Andrea: Then I guess we’re staying. So tell us a little about them. Where in Canada are they from?
Guy: They’re based out of B.C. That’s where Trevor, Dave, and Ken are all from.
Melissa: So how come they’re not out here? I thought you said the performance was in 15 minutes.
Guy: It is. They’ll be out here soon. Ken will need to check on his keyboard.
Andrea: Oh so they play their own instruments?
Guy: Of course. We’re not a boyband, we’re a real band.
Melissa: Hey! The reason we’re in Toronto in the first place is that we went to the Backstreet Boys concert last night!
Guy: Oh sorry. Those guys are cool though. But anyway, yeah they play their own instruments. Dave does a lot of the vocals, as well as Trevor who also plays the guitar occasionally. And of course there’s Ken and his keyboard. They also have a couple other guitar players and a drummer.
Andrea: And whose guitar are you holding right now? Is it Trevor’s?
Guy: Yeah it is.
Andrea: Won’t he be upset that you’re playing with it?
Guy: No, Trevor and I are really close. So are there any other questions about the band that I can answer for you?
Andrea: Just one. Do you always refer to yourself in the third person Trevor?
He is speechless for a minute, but then he grins at her.
Trevor: What gave it away?
Andrea: You sounded so disappointed that we hadn’t heard of you guys. And every time you said Trevor you looked like you were trying not to laugh.
Trevor: Damn! I’m gonna have to work on that part.
He still has a silly grin on his face and Melissa suddenly notices something.
Melissa: Did anyone ever tell you that you look like Brad Pitt when you smile?
Trevor: No, but since he’s one of my favourite actors, I consider that a compliment. So now that you girls know who I am, would you mind giving me your names?
Andrea: Not at all. I’m Andrea, and this is my friend Melissa. Our best friends were with us too, but they’re off somewhere with Rick right now. So where are the other guys? We’d like to meet them too, if that’s alright with you.
Trevor: Sure. I think I see them coming now.
He calls out to them and they walk over.
Dave: And who do we have here?
Ken: Trevor you really need to stop hitting on the fans.
Trevor: Very funny. Guys I’d like you to meet Andrea and Melissa.
Dave holds out his hand to them.
Dave: Hi I’m Dave, and this here is Ken.
The girls shake both their hands. Dave holds on to Melissa’s hand a little longer than is necessary, but no one notices, including Melissa.
Dave: Melissa would you like to meet the rest of the band?
Melissa: Sure, why not?
Ken: Andrea, come on and I’ll introduce you.
Dave and Ken lead the girls away as Trevor yells after them.
Trevor: Hey! I met them first!
He looks back and forth, wondering which group to join. Actually, he’s really trying to decide which girl he wants to follow. Just as he’s made a decision, Rick returns with Jill and Lissa.
Rick: Hey Trevor. We’ll be starting in a few minutes okay?
Trevor: We’re ready whenever you are.
Rick: Okay then, I’ll be right back.
He walks away, leaving Jill and Lissa with Trevor.
Jill: Hi! Who are you?
**********
A few feet away, Melissa is standing talking with Dave.
Melissa: So how come you’re the only one who doesn’t play an instrument?
Dave: Hey I’m pretty good with a tambourine. And I could play the triangle too if I really wanted to.
Melissa: I’m impressed. I didn’t realize you were so talented.
Dave: Yeah well, what can I say? I could teach you if you wanted.
Melissa: Oh I don’t know. I think it’s too difficult for me.
Dave knows that she’s teasing him, but he doesn’t mind. In fact, he’s beginning to think that she just might be flirting with him. And that’s definitely alright with him.
Dave: Then I guess it will take hours of practice. But I’m willing if you are.
Melissa is about to respond when Rick walks over with Trevor, Jill, and Lissa. Ken and Andrea join them too.
Rick: Okay we’re gonna be starting in a few minutes. If you guys want to take your places...
Trevor looks over at the girls.
Trevor: We’ll see you when it’s done okay?
Andrea: We’ll be here.
Dave: I really hope you like the show.
Melissa: I’m sure we will.
When Dave and Trevor still make no move to leave the girls, Ken grabs each of them by the arm and forcefully drags them across the room. Rick says his goodbyes and follows after them. As soon as the guys are gone, Jill turns on Andrea.
Jill: What do you mean we’ll be here? We can’t wait that long. We’ve got to be on our way home.
Andrea: Why? What time is it?
Lissa: Just after 3. Jill and I both have to work at 5. We’re probably gonna be late as it is.
Andrea: But we told Trevor we’d watch the show.
She is really upset at the idea of breaking her word to Trevor.
Jill: I’m sorry, but we have no choice. We really have to go now.
Melissa: Why don’t you guys go on without us?
Lissa: How? You’re our ride remember?
Melissa: You guys can take my car.
Lissa: Then how will you get home?
Melissa: Probably the bus. Don’t worry about us, we’ll find a way.
Suddenly Dave shouts over to them.
Dave: We’ll drive them home!
Melissa and Andrea start laughing at his enthusiasm and his obvious eavesdropping. Dave blushes and goes back to talking with Trevor and Ken.
Melissa: There you go. We have a ride. Now you guys should really get going.
She pulls her keys out of her purse.
Melissa: Now who wants to drive?
Before Lissa can even say anything, Jill has grabbed the keys from Melissa’s hand.
Jill: I’m your best friend, I get to drive your car.
Melissa: Okay, that’s fine with me. We’ll see you guys tomorrow.
Jill: Sure. Come on Lissa, let’s go.
Lissa: Okay bye!
Andrea: Bye!
Melissa: Don’t crash my car!
Melissa and Andrea turn their attention back to the guys just in time to see Rick introduce them.
Rick: ...and here they are, singing their first single Faded – soulDecision!
As the music starts, Trevor looks over at the girls and waves, not caring that the camera is watching his every move. Even though Trevor is the one who actually sings the song, Dave mouths the words along with him as he stares at Melissa.
Trevor: When I get you all alone
I’m gonna move in nice and close
Ain’t nobody gonna interrupt my game, oh no no
Ever since you’ve been hanging around
I’ve been trying to figure out
What I can say to you to get some play...