Nick seemed distracted much of the concert. Although he was the center of the action, being that he was in his "home town", anyone that knew him could tell his mind wasn't really on his work. And with every ballad that he sang, he seemed to withdraw into himself more and more. The fans never would have guessed. He played his part perfectly, but the whole gang knew his heart wasn't in it.
o~/Don't want to lose to loneliness/Girl I know we can win/Don't want to lose to emptiness/Oh no/Never again/~o
Memories of them singing those words together washed over her like a tidal wave. The feelings that Alesha held for Nick then, so new and unfamiliar to her, came rushing back.
Lori noticed a change and looked at her, worried. "What's wrong Leshers?" she asked.
"I'm so stupid Lori. What have I done?"
"Oh darlin'," Lori said hugging her. "It'll be okay."
"What's wrong with Nick?" Aaron asked Leighanne quietly.
"I think he's a bit unhappy, honey."
"Why?"
"Because he hasn't been able to see Alesha for a while," Leighanne said softly.
"Oh," Aaron said looking back at the stage. "Hehe. I can do this dance," he said as he started mimicking the moves the dancers were doing onstage. "This is my favorite song," he said to Alesha as he began singing the lyrics to "Everybody".
"Knock it off Aaron," Sarah hissed at him. "You're disturbing the show."
"Leave him alone, Sarah," Alesha said back to her. "He's having fun."
"He's annoying," she whined.
"So go somewhere else. He wants to have fun, so either deal or leave," Alesha said.
"Whatever," Sarah said flipping her hair over her shoulder.
o~/Somebody told me that you're not my kind/So have I lost my mind?/~o
Alesha grinned down at Aaron. "THIS is MY favorite song. Know the dance to this?" He smiled and nodded and began singing and dancing with her. Lori and Leighanne started laughing. Leighanne snapped a couple of pictures of them. Up on stage, Howie and AJ, who happened to be on the girls' side at the time, were having a terrible time trying to keep straight faces.
Sarah rolled her eyes and pouted as Aaron and Alesha kept it up through the next couple of songs. Fed up with the annoying childishness, she snapped. "For gods sakes, would ya'll knock it off. We are NOT here for ya'll to perform, but to watch THEM perform," she pointed to the stage.
"Aren't you Sarah Allen?" a little girl about 8 years old asked quietly from behind them.
Sarah turned around and glared. "NO YOU CANNOT MEET NICK! Ya know what? He doesn't even like you people. Especially whiney, snot nosed brats like you," she said vehemently and turned around.
"I just wanted you to sign this picture I have of you. I think you're beautiful," the girl whispered as she retreated to her seat, but Sarah didn't even hear her.
Aaron glared at Sarah. "That was rude. She just wanted your autograph."
As the guys finished "Show Me the Meaning" the Security guy came over to escort them backstage. They followed discreetly, all but Aaron and Alesha who were still giggling and being silly. Just as they reached the back room, a different Security person walked up to Alesha and handed her a note. Alesha looked at it for a second and then opened it. Scribbled in familiar handwriting it read:
Leshangel:
I need you to be out here for the encore. There's something I need to say to you.
Nick
He searched the crowd frantically, hoping and praying she'd get back out in time. Cursing to himself for not thinking of it sooner, Nick turned towards the center of the stage. They had just finished with the dancers duel. They were almost at the end of 'It's Gotta Be You' when he seen her standing down at the railing. As the music began for the next song, he pointed at her and then cupped his hand behind his ear. He then held up 4 fingers and pointed at her. She nodded in understanding.
o~/You are my fire/The one/Desire/Believe/When I say/I want it that way/~o
Nick walked over and stood almost directly in front of her as he sang.
o~/And we/Are two worlds apart/Can't reach to your heart/When you say/I want it that way//Tell me why/Ain't nothing but a heartache/Tell me why/Ain't nothing but a mistake/Tell me why/I never wanna hear you say/I want it that way//~o
He moved down the stage a bit, but his eyes were still on her as they sang the rest of the song.
o~/Am I/Your fire/Your one/Desire/Yes I know/It's too late/But I/Want/It/That Way//Tell me why/Ain't nothing but a heartache/Tell me why/Ain't nothing but a mistake/Tell me why/I never wanna hear you say/I want it that way//Now I can see that we're falling apart/From the way that it use to be/No matter the distance/I want you to know/That deep down inside of me/You are/My fire/The one/Desire/You are/Don't want to hear you/Say//~o
Alesha left quickly before the song ended, hurrying backstage. Her eyes were filled with tears as she rushed past everyone.
