"Sky? Sky? HELLO SKY ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME??" Jem hollered.
"Yes? What?" Sky looked up from the diary entry she was reading, trying to bring herself back to the present.
"Whatcha doing? Reading about those by-gone college days again in your journal?" Jem asked.
"Yeah, I was just remembering the past few years. I can't believe we've graduated. It doesn't seem real yet," Sky said.
"Uh-huh. I also can't believe that you're still mooning over that long-lost friend of yours," Jem said with a twinkle in her eye.
"I was NOT mooning over anyone. I was simply reminiscing about my college years with my so-called best friend," Sky said annoyed.
"Whatever," Jem said. "I know you were thinking about that Alex kid. You always get that lost-dog look when you think about him. Christ Sky, it's been SIX YEARS. If you are still missing him so much, why don't you try to get in contact with him. We are back in Florida after all."
"I don't even know if he's even still IN Florida. I haven't heard from him since I moved away," Sky said forlornly.
Before Jem had a chance to respond, the telephone rang.
"Hello?" Sky said.
"Sky sweetie! How are you? I can't believe you're back in Florida! How's the job search going?"
"Oh hi Uncle Tom," said Sky. "I'm good. I'm still looking for a job, but I have some interviews set up for next week."
"Well honey, you know that if you want, you can always come work for me. The record company can always use fashion consultants for some of the clients."
"I know," said Sky. "I'll keep that in mind. Jem, however, would LOVE to work for you. She's been pestering me about seeing if you had any openings in promotions."
"Absolutely dear! I'll set up an interview for her next week. Now, the reason for my call is that our annual Fourth of July gala for Jive Records is coming up and I wanted to know if you two wanted to come. It's a great time. All kinds of stars will be there dressed up in their tux's and gowns. I'd love for you to come. You two can be my dates!"
"Wow! That sounds fantastic Uncle Tom! I'm sure Jem would love to go too! When is it?" asked Sky.
"This Friday. I'll send the limo for you at 7pm ok?"
"Great! And thanks again Uncle Tom," said Sky.
"No problem sweetie. See you soon."
Sky hung up the phone with a rather dazed look on her face. "Jem, you are never going to believe where we're going Friday night...."
"Does my hair look okay?" Jem said, tugging on a stray curl that refused to stay in place.
"You look fantastic," Sky said. "If I were a man, I'd want to jump your bones."
"Thanks baby," Jem said seductively.
Sky examined her appearance in the full-length mirror. The long satiny red dress hung beautifully on her petite 5'7" frame. She adjusted the top of the dress, which was sleeveless and clung to her chest, revealing only a little bit of cleavage. Her long blond hair was swept up in a mass of curls on top of her head. Tiny diamond gems sparkled amongst her tresses while the diamond choker around her neck added the finishing touch.
"You look beautiful," Jem breathed. "Maybe you'll just hook up with some rich record exec and not have to worry about finding a job."
"Christ Jem. Do you ALWAYS look for the easy way out of everything?? Although, you could probably snag yourself a rich fella tonight looking like that."
"Yeah well, it only took me four hours to get ready. No biggie," smiled Jem. Her silver gown billowed around her like a princess while the sleeveless top clung to her narrow torso. Her black curly hair was pulled back in rhinestone clips, with curls falling loosely around her shoulders. "I just hope Dad isn't too mad when he gets the credit card bill for this dress."
At seven o'clock on the dot, a long black limo pulled up to the apartment complex where Sky and Jem lived. As they walked out to the luxurious car, Sky couldn't help but feel that somehow tonight was going to change her life. The feeling increased as the limo moved through the streets of Orlando. As they pulled up to Hotel de la Fresa, where the party was to be held, Jem gasped, muttering, "Holy hell...."
Sky's eyes widened as she peered through the tinted glass at a long red carpet. Photographers flashed cameras while reporters and fans stood, waiting for the recording artists of Jive to show up to the party.
Oh my lord, Sky thought, what have we gotten ourselves into?
"Man, can you even believe this party?" Jem asked incredulously.
Sky had to agree. This was by far the best party that she had ever attended. Singers and record execs were everywhere, all of them looking fabulous in their Armani suits and Gucci gowns. Uncle Tom caught Sky's eye and walked over. "Are you enjoying yourself dear?"
"It's fantastic Uncle Tom. I feel like I'm in another world. There are so many beautiful famous people here," Sky said.
"Well would you like to meet a few of them?" asked Uncle Tom.
" YES!" said Jem enthusiastically. "I mean, that would be great sir."
Uncle Tom led the girls through the crowd, and, while they were neither famous nor rich, they did catch the eye of a number of people who admired the elegant young women. One man in particular noticed the girls. His deep brown eyes, hidden behind a pair of dark wire-rimmed shades, roamed over the red silky dress that Sky had on. His lush mouth, framed by a neatly trimmed goatee, formed a small smile at the sight of this beautiful girl. He ran a hand through a mop of brown hair with red highlights, straightened the bottom of his black leather jacket and began to walk towards the mysterious blond girl who he did not recognize as working for the record company.
"...and this is Jerry Steel, who is the co-vice president of Jive," Uncle Tom was saying.
Sky smiled politely, while Jem, who was always more interested in the executives rather than the singers they represented, talked excitedly with him about the new label mergers different strategies for promoting a new album. Sky let her thoughts wander aimlessly and began to vaguely listen to the other conversations around her.
Suddenly she heard a voice yell kiddingly, "Nice tux buddy. What, you couldn't even spring for a tie?"
Next she heard a rather deep voice directly behind her saying good naturedly, "Ahhh whatever Howie, you're just mad because I look better than you, as usual, best good friend."
Those words echoed in Sky's ears. Her heart began to pound and she began to feel like she was going to faint. It couldn't be, she thought. It COULDN'T be.
She turned around slowly to find the owner of the voice. As she looked behind her, her eyes locked into a dark brown pair that was at once so familiar yet so foreign.
"Oh my god....Skylar?" said AJ.
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