Thanks for everyone who wished me well! Everything went fine, although I slept more than I thought I would, so I didn't get as much writing in as I thought. But here you go…And review as always, please!
November 21, 2006
After spending the morning in meetings with execs at Columbia Records and at Sony Studios, the Jonas Brothers were exhausted, along with their father. It's About Time, their first album had come out in August, but hadn't done anything. Sony didn't want to put much more behind the brothers because they hadn't brought much success to the company as of yet. Kevin Sr. tried to persuade the CEO at Columbia to let them do one more CD, with maybe a few collaborations with other artists, but the record label wasn't biting. The 4 Jonas's walked out of the building feeling depressed and overworked and underappreciated. They took their rental car back to the hotel.
"I'm sorry, boys. I don't know what else we can do with them. We're going to have to start looking for another label," Kevin Sr. told them.
"We'd be in so much debt if we signed with another company, though, Dad. We have a contract," Kevin Jr. responded.
"Maybe we keep pushing and then they'll drop us," suggested Joe.
"Some of your ideas are so ridiculous, Joe," Nick said, shaking his head.
"Actually, that might work," Kevin Sr. said.
"Dad, are you serious?" Nick asked his father.
"Yes, I am. They aren't going to want to deal with a showbiz dad trying to get his kids a break. They are going to get so tired of us, I'll make sure of it," Kevin Sr. told his boys.
"Do we really want to do it like that, though, Dad? I mean, we are trying to come out clean here, and I don't think getting our hands dirty with Sony is the right thing," Kevin Jr. said.
"Don't worry. I'm not going to do anything stupid. Just keep telling them that you need to put out another album, that's all."
"Hey, if you think it will work, then that's great," the eldest brother said.
"Of course it will work! It was my idea!" Joe told them.
"Oh please, just drop it, Joe," Nick whined, leaning down and putting his face in his hands.
"What's his problem?" asked their dad.
"He hasn't called Miley yet," Joe said.
"This has nothing to do with her. I just want us to be able to make music the way we want to and be able to have a lot of people exposed to it," Nick told them, a saddened tone in his voice.
"We'll get there, bud," Kevin Jr. told his younger brother, putting an arm around his neck. "We'll get there soon."
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"Ready on the set!" yelled the director's assistant.
"And…Action!" yelled Sheldon, the director.
"You should sell out more often!" said Emily, looking over to Miley who was sitting in the drivers seat of a brand new red mustang convertible.
"I didn't sell out!" Miley exclaimed, looking over at Emily sitting in the passengers seat.
"Saying you love something that makes you yak?" Emily asked her, giving her a look that needed an answer.
"Oh, please. Everyone exaggerates in commercials. Do you really think that that that. Cut! What's the line again? Sorry," Miley said, messing up her line.
"Do you really think that football player's mom follows him around with a can of soup?" said someone off set.
"Right. Okay, I'm ready," Miley said, composing herself. "Do you really think that football player's mom follows him around with a can of soup? I think not!"
"Great! Okay, ten minutes everybody!" yelled Sheldon.
"So you excited about your party?" Emily asked Miley as they both got out of the car and headed over to the food table.
"Yeah, I am. I wish I knew what my parents were doing, though," Miley sighed, picking up a plate.
"Maybe they won't do a theme this year," Emily joked as she picked up a plate herself, referring to the Mickey party last year.
"We will never speak of that again," Miley turned around and said to her, and then started laughing.
"But what's going on with you today? You don't usually forget your lines, you just fumble them. Something on your mind?" Emily asked her, a little concerned for her friend who was always very punctual but who had lately been distant.
"I'm fine. Really," Miley said in an unconvincing way while loading up her plate with snacks.
"Yeah, right. And Shia LaBeouf isn't a total hottie!" retorted Emily.
"You are so funny when you talk about him, Em!" laughed Miley.
"You just wait. Next year is going to be the year of the beef," her friend smiled.
"The what?" asked Miley.
"His last name means 'the beef'. Duh!" Emily said, picking up a few things from the table and walking over to some chairs with Miley.
"Whatever, you and your boys!" Miley said, rolling her eyes.
"Speaking of boys--" Emily started.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Miley raised an eyebrow at her friend and co-star.
"You know exactly what I mean, Miles. The Jonas Brothers?"
"What about them?" Miley said, starting to smile a little.
"You tell me," Emily said with a mouthful of food.
"They're really nice?" Miley somewhat questioned, hoping that would satisfy her friend. It didn't.
"Come on, Miley! Spill!" Emily started getting excited.
"Fine. Kevin is the oldest and he's really mature, kind of like the dad of the bunch of them. Joe is the middle one, and he's really funny, but he is kind of a doofus. I think he really thought I was Hannah. And then there's Nick," Miley sighed.
"Nick, huh?" Emily asked her friend.
"Yeah. He's a great guy and we've talked on AIM a few times since I met him a few weeks ago. Saturday, I was in my room writing a song about him and he was watching me because I forgot to turn off my webcam. I was embarrassed, but he was really cute about it and got jealous of the 'guy' that it was about, but I think he knew it was about him and I really like him, Em," Miley said, again all in one breath.
"Wow. When you open up you really open up."
"Sorry," Miley said, putting a slice of apple in her mouth.
"No, it's fine. I'm glad I know why you've been so weird lately. I mean, more than normal," Emily joked.
"Yeah, thanks," Miley deadpanned.
"No problem, so when's the next time you'll get to see them, or more importantly him," Emily giggled.
"They are actually in town today, and he said he would call me later on this afternoon," Miley said, checking her phone just to make sure she hadn't missed his call.
"Alright everybody, back to work," yelled Sheldon. Miley and Emily threw their plates away and walked back onto the set.
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"Ughh!" Joe groaned, flopping onto the bed. The Jonas men had just gotten back to their hotel and were even more exhausted than when they left the offices after the hour long car ride due to traffic.
"Well boys, I know it's only 3, but I'm beat, so I'm going to go take a nap and I'll probably just get room service for dinner. If you guys go out, be careful," Kevin Sr. told his sons, throwing them the set of keys before walked back to his own room down the hall.
"So what are we doing?" Nick anxiously asked his brothers.
"Dieing," said Joe in a pained voice.
"I'm serious, guys," Nick said.
"Oooo, does someone have a hot date?" Joe asked Nick.
"No, but I would like to call her and see her while we are in town," Nick said, picking up his phone.
"We could take her out to dinner," Kevin suggested.
"To the movies?" Joe asked, sitting up.
"It's not a date!" Nick said, a little too quickly.
"Do you want it to be a date?" asked his eldest brother.
"No, yes, I don't know. I don't know her that well yet."
"Why don't we invite her to go down to the beach with us, and we can have dinner down there and just hang out and stuff?" suggested Kevin.
"That could work," Nick said, pondering about it.
"Then call her and tell her to meet us there in an hour," Joe said.
"Okay. I'll be right back," Nick said.
"Just call her from here," said Joe as he fell back down on the bed.
"Fine. But be quiet."
"We're always quiet, Nicky," Kevin joked. Nick scrolled down on his phone and found Miley's number and called it.
"Shhh, it's ringing," Nick whispered.
"If it's only ringing, why are you whispering?" Joe asked in a hushed tone as well.
"Because I don't want her to pick up and thing I'm some kind of retard. Hey Miley!" Nick practically yelled into the phone, because he knew she heard him say retard.
"Hey Nick, what's up?" she said laughing.
"Oh, I just wanted to see what you were up to later on, maybe we could all get together and hang out or something?"
"Yeah, that sounds great. I'm just on my way back to my house from the set. What did you guys have planned?"
"Oh, well we figured we could go to the beach and have dinner there or something, and then do whatever afterwards. Kevin can drive."
"Okay, that sounds good. Which beach do you want to meet at?"
"There's more than one?"
"Nick, it's California! It's one big beach! How about we meet at LaVentiga off of Sunset on 5th?"
"Sounds great, Miley. See you in an hour. I can't wait."
"Me either. Bye Nick."
"See ya."
"So, how'd it go?" Joe asked in a gossipy voice.
"We're meeting her at La Ventiga off of Sunset and 5th?" Nick said, a little unsure.
"Where's that?" asked Kevin
"I have no idea," replied Nick.
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"Brandi!" Miley yelled as she turned the corner to go down the hallway to her sisters room.
"What's up?" Brandi asked as Miley opened her door.
"I need to you to take me to La Ventiga in about 45 minutes. Can you do that?" Miley asked her big sister.
"Yeah, who are you meeting?"
"The Jonas Brothers!" Miley squeaked.
"Ooo, that sounds exciting!" Brandi replied.
"I know. I'm very excited. They are taking me down to the beach for dinner," Miley told her.
"Then why are you meeting at La Ventiga?" questioned her sister.
"Because it was less complicated than telling them which beach to go to," Miley said, matter-of-factly.
"Fine. Just make sure it's okay with Mom," Brandi told her.
"Do I have to?" Miley pleaded.
"Yes! I'm not taking the fall for you, Miles. Now go ask them," Brandi said, basically pushing her sister out the door.
"Fine," Miley grumbled. "Mom! Dad! Where are you?"
"In the den, sweetie!" called Tish.
"Hey!" Miley said, running up to them out of breath. "Can Brandi take me to La Ventiga?"
"Who are you meeting?" asked her father.
"Just some friends."
"What friends?" Billy Ray questioned her daughter again.
"The Jonas Brothers are in town and they want to hang out. Brandi said she'd take me and Kevin can bring me back. Please, Daddy?" Miley pleaded.
"Fine. But be back by seven," he said.
"Billy! Give her a break. Be back by nine, honey," Tish told her daughter.
"Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad. I'll be back later!" Miley ran out of the den and back up to her room to get ready.
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Joe and Nick were standing outside of La Ventiga waiting for Miley to show up while Kevin waited in the car. Brandi pulled up to the restaurant and stopped right out front.
"Be careful, Miles, and call me if you need anything," Brandi said, leaning over the center console to hug her sister.
"I'll be fine. I'll be home later. And thanks for driving me!" Miley said.
"No problem, sis. Have fun!"
"I will! Bye!" Miley said as she stepped out of her sister's car. Wearing a thin red sweater and blue jeans with flats, she looked like a regular girl going to meet her friends. However, a regular girl she was not. About 5 people came up to her and asked for her autograph and 5 turned into 10 and then into 20. Nick and Joe saw what was going on and got her attention.
"I'm sorry!" Miley yelled at them.
"It's okay. We'll have Kevin pull up so you can just get in," said Nick as he and Joe went to find Kevin. Miley signed a few more autographs and then Kevin pulled up. Kevin leaned over and opened the front passengers door for her to get in. Miley apologized to her fans that didn't get autographs, and got into the car.
"I'm so sorry, guys," Miley apologized to the brothers.
"It's totally fine," said Kevin. "It doesn't happen to us a lot, but when it does, it really hits."
"Yeah. At least your fans are younger, like 8 year olds aren't going to do much damage. We on the other hand have fans who are like 14, and they are vicious; throwing 'bows and everything!" Joe exclaimed.
"Joe, your ridiculous," Nick said. "So other than very popular, how are you?" he asked Miley.
"I'm good. My parents are surprisingly okay with this, but I have to be home by nine," she told them.
"That's fine. I mean, it's not even six yet, so we've got plenty of time," said Kevin.
"So how do we get to the beach?" Nick asked.
"Oh, go up to this stop light and make a left. You're going to go through 3 stop lights and then make a right and at the next stop sign take a left and it's like right there," Miley rambled off.
"Yeah, you're going to have to go through that again when we get where we need to turn," Kevin told her.
"That's fine. So what do we have planned?" Miley asked the boys.
"We ordered room service and then packed it all up in here," Joe said, lifting up a backpack.
"I hope you didn't order soup!" Miley laughed.
"Nope, just sandwiches and chips and water," Joe told her.
"Is that okay? Because we can stop somewhere and get you something," said Nick.
"No, sandwiches are great. Thanks," Miley smiled.
They got to the beach after about 10 minutes of traffic and Kevin parked the car while Miley, Nick, and Joe set up their little picnic. It was starting to get a little darker outside, but not too dark to eat, yet.
"You guys did good," Kevin told the other three when he walked up and saw the blanket spread out and the food unpacked.
"Let's eat! I'm starving!" Joe yelled, getting exited about the food.
"Dig in!" Miley said and took a big bite out of her sandwich. Everyone just laughed.
After they had all eaten and packed up the leftover food and put it back in the car, they decided that they would stay on the beach and just talk, get to know each other better, even if they couldn't see each other very well since it was getting dark.
"So what are you guys in town for anyway?" Miley asked them.
"We had to meet with some people at our record company," Kevin told her.
"Oh! You guys putting out another CD?" she asked.
"Not even. They don't want to put any more money behind us," Joe said, getting upset.
"Oh, I'm sorry guys. Have you started looking for another label?"
"We're thinking about it. You have any ideas?" Kevin asked.
"Well, I mean, I haven't heard a lot of your stuff, but you seem to be pretty clean and everything. I'm signed to Hollywood Records, Disney's company, and you guys would be great on it, I think," Miley told them.
"We'll have to look into it," Nick said.
"So if you don't mind me asking, what's up with the rings? You guys married? Or are they--" Miley started.
"Purity rings," the brothers said together.
"Yeah, we each promised that we would stay pure until marriage. I was 13 when I pledged," Kevin told her.
"I was 14," said Joe.
"And I was 12," Nick said.
"You guys, that's so cool. This is mine. It's kinda fancy, but my dad bought it for me 2 years ago and I love it!" Miley exclaimed, showing off her purity ring with a pink diamond in the small silver band. "So do you guys go to church a lot?"
"Whenever we aren't traveling. It's really important to us," Nick told her.
"Me too. It's really hard being out here and seeing people my age go out and do stupid things, because I don't understand why they would want to do anything like that, but my family and God keep me pretty grounded," she said.
"Not a whole lot of girls out here like you, Miley," said Kevin.
"And that's just the way I like it," Miley smiled and then laughed. They all kind of laughed a little and then sat there, in a little bit of an awkward silence.
"You said you were 14, right?" Joe asked.
"Yeah, why?" Miley asked.
"I was just wondering how much of an age difference there was between you and Nicky over here," Joe said as he put his arm around Nick's shoulders.
"Joe!" Nick yelled at his brother.
"Yeah, I'm 14. But I'll be 15 on Thursday," Miley said, winking at Nick.
"Oh really? Well happy birthday!" Kevin told her.
"Yeah, happy birthday, early," said Nick.
"You having a party?" asked Joe.
"Joe, you can't just ask people things like that!" Nick whispered at his brother, but in a harsh tone.
"Actually, I am. Just a few friends, nothing too big. The biggest present is not having to be on set on my birthday so I can just chill," she told them.
"And we weren't invited?" Joe asked. Miley blushed and looked rather embarrassed.
"Joe. You are so rude!" Kevin told him.
"I'm sorry, Miley. Joe just doesn't know when to shut up sometimes," Nick grumbled, looking at his brother.
"Well, I knew you guys weren't going to be in town, and it's just a small party, not many people are coming, and I, I'm really sorry," Miley rambled on.
"Hey. It's totally fine. Don't worry about it. We are going to be out of town, anyway," Kevin told her, reassuring her that it was fine.
"I just didn't think about it and--"
"Miley! It's fine. Really," Nick told her, putting a hand over hers.
"Okay," she said softly, smiling. "I really wish you guys could go, though."
"Believe me, if there was a way, we would be," said Nick. Miley smiled again at him and Joe acted like he was gagging. Kevin hit him on the arm and checked his phone.
"Hey, guys. It's 8:30, and we should probably get Miley back to her house," Kevin said.
"Oh, yeah. I didn't realize how late it was," she said, standing up along with the boys. They packed up the car and drove back to Miley's house. She leaned over the console and gave Kevin a hug.
"Thanks so much for hanging out with me, tonight guys!" Miley said. Then she reached in the backseat to hug Joe, but that was a little hard to do, so instead, he took her hand and kissed it.
"It was our pleasure, m'lady," he said in a thick British accent.
"You crack me up, Joe!" Miley squealed. Then she looked at Nick.
"I'll walk you to the door," Nick said quickly, wanting to get out of the car.
"Okay," Miley said, opening her door and getting out. Her and Nick walked up to the front door.
"I'm really glad you called, Nick," Miley said, smiling.
"I'm really glad you came with us," Nick replied, smiling back at her.
"I should get inside," Miley motioned to the house.
"Yeah, umm, right," Nick rubbed the back of his neck. "Umm, I'll call you?" he said, unsure of himself.
"That'd be great," she beamed. Nick started to walk down the porch steps and Miley turned to the house. Just as her hand hit the doorknob, Nick called out to her.
"Happy birthday, Miley."
"Thank you, Nick."
Nick turned back around and got in the car and Miley went into the house. When she closed the door, she looked out the side window next to the door and watched the boys pull away. Miley turned back around and with a squeal, slid down the door.
"You're so weird, Miley. You're not in a movie!" Braison said as he walked by his sister sitting on the floor.
"No, but Nick Jonas is my prince charming," Miley said in a dreamy voice.
"Give me a break!" Braison said as he rolled his eyes. "Girls."