PAINFUL TIMES
Characters:
Tarantella Full name: Tarantella Caster. Facts: Golden-blond, deep-blue eyes, 22 years old, born Mars 28, 1978, 170 cm tall. Brian's girlfriend, lives next door to Nick, Tampa, Florida.
June Full name: June Omega Facts: Blond, blue eyes, 171 cm tall, about 21-23 years old, born June 17, got two sisters (22 and 20 years old), singer.
Shirley Full name: Shirley-Jean Mary Dale Facts: Redhead, grey eyes, 175 cm tall, 16 years old, born January 7 1984, Nick's best female friend, daughter to Anne and Harvey Dale, lives in Tampa, Florida.
Kathleen Full name: Kathleen Beth Hart Facts: Brunette, brown eyes, 173 cm tall, 19 years old, born November 23 1980, Nick's girlfriend #1, lives in Tampa, Florida.
Ahsley Full name: Ashley Simpson Facts: Blond, blue eyes, 167 cm tall, 17 years old, born May 3 1983, Nick's girlfriend #2, lives in Oxford, England.
Jenny Full name: Jenny Michelle Anderson Facts: Black hair, brown eyes, 165 cm tall, 17 years old, born December 28 1982, Nick's girlfriend #3, lives in Sydney, Australia.
Mathilda Full name: Mathilda Svensson Facts: Brunette, blue eyes, 169 cm tall, 15 years old, born August 6 1984, owns doberman Alex, husky Milady, rottweiler Baby and cat Romeo.
Kevin Full name: Kevin Scott Richardson Facts: Dark brown hair, green eyes, 187 cm tall, 27 years old, born October 3 1972, Backstreet Boy, Kristin's boyfriend, lives in Orlando, Florida.
Howie Full name: Howard Dwanie Dorough Facts: Dark brown hair, brown eyes, 168 cm tall, 26 years old, born August 22 1973, Backstreet Boy, Claudia's boyfriend, lives in Orlando, Florida.
Brian Full name: Brian Thomas Littrell Facts: Dirty blond, blue eyes, 173 cm tall, 25 years old, born February 20 1975, Nick's best male friend, Backstreet Boy, Tarantella's boyfriend, lives in Orlando, Florida.
[Note: I know that some of you think I hate LeighAnne, and since Brian's girlfriend is a bitch in this story I gave him another girlfriend. I don't hate LeighAnne, and I gave Brian another girlfriend just because of that. Okay?]
A.J. Full name: Alexander James McLean Facts: Colored yellow hair (dark brown hair), brown eyes, 177 cm tall, 22 years old, born January 9 1978, Backstreet Boy, lives in Orlando, Florida.
Nick Full name: Nicholas Gene Carter Facts: Blond, blue eyes, 190 cm tall, 20 years old, born January 28 1980, Backstreet Boy, Kathleen's, Ashley's and Jenny's boyfriend, Shirley's best friend, lives in Tampa, Florida, next door to Tarantella.
[Note: I know Nick doesn't live there anymore, but in this story he does.]
[Note: A third note already... Please, please, please, don't say anything bad about the songs, I now they aren't good, I'm not a good songwriter I know that... please don't hate them...]
May 9 2000 (Tuesday)
- No! I don't care Brian! I really don't, it was nothing more than a fling and you knew it!
- It was something more for me, he said seriously, I love you Tara.
- Look, I don't want you to call me that anymore, use my real name.
- Tara...
- It's Tarantella if you don't recall!
- Of coure I know what your name is but...
- It's a big spider!
- And it doesn't suit you.
- But I like it. I prefer to be a big spider than your girlfriend Brian, can you leave me alone?!
- Please don't do this T, he begged.
- I really am going to do this and you stop calling me nicknames please, my full name or nothing at all.
- Tarantella, please. You can't mean that, not after all we have shared.
- Well I do, leave me alone.
- Is something wrong?
- Yes, she said angry, you are so annoying and you won't leave me alone, just go!
- And if I won't?
- IT'S MY HOUSE, YOU GET OUT RIGHT NOW OR I'LL CALL THE POLICE!
- Tara please don't do this, you aren't thinking.
- I SAID STOP CALLING ME BY MY NICKNAMES AND GET OUT, she pushed him against the door, NOW BRIAN, RIGHT NOW!
- STOP PUSHING ME TARA!
- THEN GET OUT! I DON'T WANNA SEE YOU EVER AGAIN!
- What have I done?
- Leave me alone! NOW! Just go Brian, leave me right now!
- No! I won't go until you tell me what's wrong!
- Then I'll go, remember to lock the door after you.
She was just about to walk past him when he stopped her.
- You just can't leave like that, we gotta talk about this...
- No Brian, we don't, either you leave or I will.
- None of us are going to leave, we are going to sit down and talk about this like normal people!
- YOU CAN SIT HERE HOW MUCH YOU LIKE BUT I'M NOT! JUST GO!
- TARA!
- WHAT?
- I love you.
- THEN GO!
- No, he said and held her where she was, you and me need to talk.
- What is there to talk about?
- Our relationship...
- IT'S OVER!
- I need to know what's wrong, you get like this all the time nowadays.
- IT'S OVER! WE ARE FINISHED! GET OUT!
Instead of leaving he pulled her closer to a kiss. She broke the it and slapped him in the face.
- Come on Tara, don't tell me that you didn't feel anything!
- Then what am I supposed to say? Get out now!
- No, I'd prefer that you said that everything were going to work out and that we'd be fine again.
- I really don't understand this, she said and got out of his grip, I've told you a billion times that you should leave, I've asked you nicely, I've yelled at you, I've slapped you and still you are standing here.
- Cause I love you.
- WOULD YOU JUST LEAVE?!
- No. And you are staying too.
- Then what are you going to do then Brian? I'm not going to listen to what ever you got to say about our ex relationship get it?
- No I don't get it, he pulled her closer, Tara, we used to have so many good times... why are you like this now?
- Cause...
She was interrupted by his lips.
- No Brian, not this time, she said and pushed him away, I don't want your kisses, hugs or anything else! Get someone else okay?
- I don't want someone else.
- Like I care! Go, now!
- No, I won't leave until we've talked about this.
- What is it to talk about?
- The fact that you are my girlfriend...
- EX GIRLFRIEND!
- ...and that you can't have your period every third day!
- If you want sex then rent someone, she said and walked back in to the living room.
- I...
He hurried after her and stopped her.
- I don't want someone else, I've told you that a billion times, I've told you that I love you, right after you've said that I should leave, I've done it so many times and I really mean it okay?
- LEAVE NOW OR I'LL THROW YOU OUT THE WINDOW MYSELF!
- Tara...
- TARANTELLA!
- Just sit down, he said and sat down himself.
- Why are you sitting down? I TOLD YOU TO LEAVE!
- Just sit down Tara.
Brian pulled her down, she tripped in the same second and landed in his arms.
- Get away from me, she hissed.
- Tara, I love you, please stop this...
- I... LET ME GO!
He looked surprised at her before he noticed that he actually was holding her really tight.
- I'm sorry.
- Sure you are, she muttered and got up.
- Tara don't do this.
- Do what? I got all the rights in the world to break up with my boyfriend, and that's what I've done, Brian, it's over!
- You are just being silly again, he smiled and pulled her down in his lap, you've said that a thousand times and we've still got back together in the next second.
- Let me go!
Instead he kissed her softly.
- Was that so bad? He smiled at her.
She smiled back and kissed him.
- You know what, he smiled.
- What?
- How about if we'd go over to my place...
- And do what?
- Just be there, he smiled, and we...
- Oh my god!
Tarantella looked up and met Nick and Kevin standing in the door opening.
- Sorry, said Kevin and turned around, Nick?
- Yeah, sorry, he turned around and walked in to the kitchen instead.
- What are you guys doing here? Said Brian and handed Tarantella her T-shirt.
- We heard you screaming, said Kevin and watched the two canaries in their cage in the hall, and when it stopped we thought it was just a normal fight... then you started again... and when you stopped... well we thought you two were killing each other...
- Hm... well, Brian reached for his boxers, that's because... um...
- Don't explain, please do not explain, said Nick, we get the picture.
- Silly me, Tarantella smiled and started getting dressed, I thought that if you had your own place it meant that you had some privacy.
- Not if you are living next door to Nick, Brian sighed.
- Well I'm sorry, I thougt it was something serious...
- We didn't mean to walk in on you, said Kevin and kept on watching the two yellow birds.
- It's okay, said Tarantella and walked over to him, someday you might even join us.
Kevin looked at her as she walked over to the birds.
- Brian...
He just shrugged his shoulders, she always talked like that.
- What's this purple stuff? Said Nick and took it out from the refrigerator.
- Don't ask me, it belong to a friend.
- Oh, Nick putted it back, it doesn't look tasty...
- Why do you think it's still standing there?
- Who's that friend? Said Kevin.
- You don't know her, she said and took the water tank from the cage.
- How can you be so sure.
- Cause she's just moved here, her name is Valerie, do you know any brunette named Valerie?
- No.
- So will you trust me next time I say that you don't know her? Tarantella changed the water and putted it back in the cage.
- Sure, Kevin looked at his cousin, where does she live?
- You wanna know about everything, hu?
- I just wondered if...
- She lives next door, okay?
- Next door? Nick looked up, When did the Porters move?
- A month ago, but you were on tour then so you wouldn't know...
- So, what's her name?
- Valerie, I told you that already.
- No, her last name, Nick closed the refrigerator.
- Piper.
- Is she pretty?
- What is this I'm hearing? She smiled, Are you looking for a girlfriend?
- Um... no, I just... um...
- Man! You don't even know how old she is!
- I got a girlfriend, Nick muttered.
- That's okay Kev, she's 17 years old, she lives with her mother Linda and her sister Martina, they are both very nice but Linda isn't there a lot though.
- Is that older or younger sister?
- Younger, Martina is 15, and a Backstreet-fan so you know it. She freaked out when I told her that you were living two houses away.
- You told her about that? She's going to be following me forever!
- Dont' sound like that, Tarantella laughed, I think you'll like her, really. She's already a friend of Lesley, and she's been at your house once before, you've just been away durning that time. And no, she didn't even ask if you were home.
- Okay, you might be correct, I might like her.
- You'll like her, and if you don't you like Valerie anyway. They are nice, really nice.
- So, said Kevin, is there a chance that we'll be able to meet them or...?
- You can always call them, to see if they are home I mean.
- I'm supposed to call them? Kevin stared at her.
- Why not?
- They don't even know me! I'm a strange guy calling their place if I do! They'll freak out!
- Stop getting upset, Tarantella smiled at him, I'm going to call them for you then, okay? Or is that too freaky too?
- It's just that... I'm 27! I shouldn't be calling strange girls that don't know who the hell I am!
- Oh they know who you are, I'll just call them now okay? Or are you going to freak out again?
- No, that's fine...
May 11 2000 (Thursday)
Shirley looked at Nick.
- This wouldn't have happened if you...
- Please, he muttered, don't lecture me now...
- Gross, she mumbled and left him alone to throw up on the toilet.
She opened the door and looked at a pretty brunette.
- Hi, Shirley said.
- Is Nick here? The girl said and looked at Shirley with her brown eyes.
- Actually...
- I'm Kathleen Hart... his girlfriend you know...
- I've heard of you.
- And you are?
- Shirley-Jean Dale.
- And?
- I'm his friend, Shirley sighed.
She knew Nick had told Kathleen about her, it was just Kathleen who never listened to what he was saying.
- Right, she pretended to remember, So, are Nick here or what?
- He isn't feeling to well...
- He called me.
"Then he's definitely not feeling to well..." Shirley thought.
- I need to talk to him, about a concert.
- Would you mind to come back tomorrow? He isn't in the best condition right now...
- No, I wanna talk to him now, Kathleen gave Shirley a look that told her that she was running out of patient.
- He's throwing up, can you come back tomorrow instead?
- Oh... gross... I'll come back tomorrow morning then, she gave Shirley one last fake smile and left.
Shirley closed the door.
- Bimbo, she muttered and went back to the bathroom where Nick finally had stopped vomiting.
- You called Kathleen? she looked at him with an accusing look.
He knew she didn't like Kathleen, actually he knew that she hated her.
- I'm sorry, he got up and looked at himself in the mirror, I look like shit...
- What did you expect? She walked over to him, You don't dare someone in to a drinking contest... especially not A.J....
- I know, he muttered.
- She'll be here tomorrow, unfortunately, Shirley sighed, But on the bright side, I won't.
- You are leaving? He looked a bit surprised at her.
- No, I'm going to stay here with you, she sighed and rolled her eyes, I told you how you got last time...
- That won't happen again...
- No you just called me that time and told me to get over here... I'm not your little call girl you know, she smirked, And you also know I don't sleep with my friends, especially not you.
He just raised one eyebrow.
- I don't! she protested, I never had sex with A.J. and you know it! It's just him making the whole story up to piss me off!
- Suuuure...
- Good night Nick, she walked out of the bathroom, Try not to throw up more, your intestines will come up then...
- Good night Shirl, he mumbled as she left.
May 12 2000 (Thursday)
Shirley knocked on the door. It took a while before somebody opened it.
- Shirley, Angel smiled, Come in.
- Thanks Angel, Shirley smiled, Is Nick here?
- Um... no, Kathleen came by...
- Oh, Shirley nodded and looked around.
- I know... Was it something important?
- I was just going to ask him when we are going to leave...
- You are going with him? Angel smiled.
- That's how it's said, Shirley sighed, But if I can't get a hold of him then it probably won't happen...
- Yes it will! Angel took her hand and pulled her with her in to the house, You are going with him and you are going to keep him in order.
- Like I'd be able to handle that, Shirley rolled her eyes.
- You've been doing fine for the past weeks...
- You weren't here last night, were you?
- I was home, so was the rest... Mom is pretty mad at Nick, Angel looked at Shirley for a while.
- Me too?
She nodded.
- Okay...
- Don't worry, she got a migraine again, she won't yell at you... But you have to tell Lesley!
- I will, I promise, Shirley sighed, How come you are always so energetic?
- I guess it's in my genes...
- That wouldn't surprise me... When will Nick be back?
- He didn't say... he promised mom before lunch...
- And with Kathleen he'll be back around dinnertime...
Angel nodded.
- I'll come back then, Shirley started walking out again, If he comes back before me tell him to get his but over to my place.
May 13 2000 (Friday)
Shirley slowly opened her eyes.
- Hi, Nick said with a guilty tone in his voice, it's me...
Nick had the key to her apartment and she had the key to his house, they used to sleep over at each other's places, even though Kathleen nowadays weren't too happy about it.
- Oh, she slowly sat up in bed, what time is it?
- Half past twelve...
- Great, I fell asleep ten minutes ago... Where have you been?
- Out with Kathy... I'm sorry...
- She's your girlfriend, Shirley mumbled and tried to see him in the dark room, but you could have called...
- Well, I know... but she... there were no time...
"You are a poor liar Nick, especially when it comes to me" she thought.
- Do you mind if I spend the night? He looked at her, My mom will go crazy if I come home in the middle of the night again...
- Sure, Shirley mumbled, if she asks I'll just say that you came here around ten... okay?
- Thanks, he said.
She couldn't see if he was smiling but she knew he was, a relieved smile.
- If you wake me up Nick, she muttered and laid down again, I'll kill you...
- Don't worry, I'll be sleeping longer than you will tonight...
After a moment of silence Nick sat down on the bed.
- What day is it?
- Thursday...
- Okay...
- Why?
- Then when we wake up it will be Friday?
- Yes...
- I haven't packed my bags! Nick jumped up and almost tripped over his shoos on the floor.
- Bags? Why would you pack your bags? She sat up again.
- Friday! Tour! Aaah! I haven't packed my bags yet! Have you packed your bags? Are you coming with us? Please do!
Shirley pulled the cover over her head and tried to ignore him.
- Leave me alone Nick, she muttered, you woke me up, if you do that one more time in your lifetime I'll slice you up in tiny little pieces and feet your four little pugs with it...
- Shirley!
- WHAT?! She sat up.
- Sorry, he whispered.
- What is so important that you have to keep me awake?
- Okay Shirl, I'm going on tour tomorrow... you were going to go with me... remember?
- I'm tired, not senile, she muttered.
- Will you come with us?
- Sure I will, but if you keep me up one more minute I'll place your nose on the other side of your head.
- Just one more thing Shirl.
She gave him a killing look.
- Sorry.
- What?
- I haven't packed my bags, he mumbled, we are leaving at 8 am, I, we have to be in Orlando at 7.30 latest...
- So when are we getting up? Shirley mumbled.
- We have to leave at 6 am...
- When are we getting up? She muttered.
- 5 am...
- I hate you, you know that, she muttered and threw a pillow at him.
- Right now I'm pretty aware of that, he smiled, move over Shirl.
- Don't be surprised if you wake up with a knife in your throat, she rolled over to the other side of the bed and let him take the other side.
- Thank you, for letting me stay over and not telling my mom.
- You sound like you are 8, you know that? she muttered, Let me sleep...
- Sorry, good night.
- Good night.
- You know...
- Shut up or I'll kill you.
- Sorry.
May 13 2000 (Friday)
Shirley gave Nick an inpatient look. Jane had been pretty mad at them for waking up Aaron when they hurried in to Nick and Aaron's shared room to pack.
- Would you just hurry up with the packing, she muttered, it's 5.47...
- I'm doing my best! The clothes won't fit!
- Move over, she mumbled and pushed him aside and started replacing his clothes in the bag.
- Thank you Shirl, he said stressed and started packing down things in another bag.
- It's 5.48, she muttered, I should be sleeping now, not packing your bags.
- I'm sorry.
- Not as sorry as you will be if you keep me up this night...
- Okay, he nodded without really focusing on what she was saying.
- Are you taking the dogs with you?
- Dogs? Simba? Why?
- No, Mikey, Nicky, Houston and Willie, your pugs...
- Oh... sorry, um... no... they... eh... or...
- Yes or no, she muttered and handed him the bag.
- No, I don't have time to take care of them, unless you want them and um...
- No, they are not coming with us then, she replaced the his stuff in the other bag, just take that one to the car Nick.
- Okay, sure, okay, he hurried out and almost fell over little Nicky.
- And it's 7.32, she sighed and looked at Nick a bit annoyed.
- Sorry...
- Is Kathleen coming with us? If she is I'll kick her out of the bus while it's running...
- I'm sorry, he rolled his eyes, she's my girlfriend, please try to be nice to her okay?
- I prefer Jenny and Ashley.
- I know you do.
- And I think that...
- Please, he interrupted her, don't start about that, I know, I know... but it gets really lonely on the road...
- So three girls in different places solves the problem?
- Well, kinda...
- If I didn't love you I'd kick your ass for being such a jerk...
- But now you love me and you won't, he smiled and rang A.J. and Brian's doorbell again, Do you think they've left without us?
Shirley looked at the clock again.
- It's 7.33, I think they are sleeping, like normal people...
- We are suppose to leave at 8 am from here, he muttered, they are supposed to be home right now.
- Move, she muttered and pushed him aside, OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT NOW OR I SWEAR BRIAN I'LL KICK YOUR SORRY ASS TO THE MOON!!
- Why do you always solve things with screaming?
- Cause people listen to you if they can hear you, she smirked.
The door slowly opened.
- See, she smiled.
- What? Brian looked at them.
- We are leaving now, Nick smiled, aren't we?
- What time is it?
- It's 7.34, said Shirley, and I slept for 4 and a half-hour this night. If I don't get some sleep soon I'll kill someone... and it's going to be the one who's standing closest to me at that time...
- It's 7.30? Brian woke up out of half-sleep.
- 7.34.
- Sorry, Brian let them come in and hurried away.
Shirley looked at Nick.
- Is it jut me or do you think he slept until now?
- I said I was sorry, Nick sighed, but we were going to be ready now...
- If you messed up the times then I'll feet your dead body to your pugs.
- That sounds nice, he mumbled, Brian?
- Yeah? He answered from his room.
- What are you doing?
- We are getting dressed!
- We? Shirley looked at Nick.
- Tarantella...
- Oh, she's coming with us?
- Probably...
- World war three...
- Sch, Nick looked at her.
- Sorry.
- Is A.J. ready at least?
- A.J. left, said Tarantella.
- Great, Shirley rolled her eyes, Where?
- He's at Kevin's I think.
- Wonder why, she mumbled loud enough so Nick could hear her.
- Why don't you like our girlfriends? He whispered to her.
- I do like some of them, I like Kristin, I like Claudia, I liked both Amanda and LeighAnne... I like Jenny and Ashley... it's just too bad that you...
- Sch, he said and picked up Tyke, pet Tyke instead of talking about that.
- I'm a girl, I can do both, she smirked but took Tyke anyway.
May 18 2000 (Thursday)
Shirley looked at Nick a bit insecure.
- Are you sure? She looked at him.
- Positive, it's no big deal.
- I don't like this...
- I know, he looked at the common door to Brian and Tarantella's room, I don't either.
They could hear Tarantella and Brian yelling at each other, and more than one time they'd heard something break. Tyke was barking and Tara had threatened to throw the dog out the window if it didn't shut up.
- Do they always fight like this? Shirley looked at the door.
- I think so.
- Why do they even bother to stick together?
- Tara doesn't wanna...
- I've heard that, she sighed and leaned against him.
- And Brian loves her and don't wanna let her go...
- Why? I mean, she's a bit of a bitch...
- He loves her.
- How is that possible, she sighed, No, but... If they fight all the time, and she just wanna break up then why...
She was interrupted by the crack of something of glass hitting the common wall.
- Are you sure we shouldn't do something? She looked at Nick.
- 100%, Nick sighed, they always fight, it's no big deal. They always have make up sex afterwards...
- Make up sex? Shirley looked at the door and then at Nick again, She's screaming that she hates him!
- I know...
- Then why?
He shrugged his shoulders.
- Aren't you worried about them?
- Of course I am but... I really don't think that it will help to go in there...
- How would you know?
- Well last time that I walked in to see if they weren't killing each other, they were having sex... not embarrassing at all...
- Oh... but still... I highly doubt they throw glass at the walls when they are doing it...
Nick nodded.
- I don't wanna hear this, she said after a couple of seconds and got up from the bed and walked over to her bag.
- What are you going to do?
- I'm going to listen to some music, she sighed, I borrowed this CD from A.J., it's really good.
- Oh? Nick did his best to ignore Brian and Tarantella yelling at each other, Which one is it?
- It's not a new one, June Omega...
- 'I need to be free'? Nick smiled.
- Yeah, you've heard it?
- Sure I have, a time or two...
- Do you like her?
- The new CD is better than her last one. She's good, and good-looking too...
- She's pretty, Shirley sighed, I can agree to that...
She pressed play.
- Which one is your favorite song then?
- By her?
- No by the Spice Girls, Shirley rolled her eyes, yes by June Omega.
- I think 'Rise again' or 'Mend my broken heart'... and you?
- 'Angel of death' or 'Rise again'... maybe 'I need to be free'...
Shirley nodded. They both did their best to focus on June Omega and her music instead of Brian and Tarantella fighting in the next room.
May 22 2000 (Monday)
Shirley opened the door and looked at her.
- Hi! She smiled.
- Hi, Shirley looked at her a bit drowsy.
- Do you remember me Shirley? It's me, Ashley!
- I remember you, she smiled.
- Is Nick in? He called me and asked me to come over, she looked at Shirley again, I'm sorry, did I come in a bad time?
- What? No, I'm just... I sleep a bit longer than Nick that's all.
- You two share room?
Shirley nodded.
- You know what, Ashley smiled.
- What?
Ashley was nice but she really was a blond.
- You and Nick would make a cute couple, she smiled.
- We would? Shirley looked at surprised at her.
- Yupp, she nodded.
- Okay...
- I mean as in you two have been best friends for what is it, a year? And you even travel with him now and all, I wish I had time to do that, she sighed, And you look pretty good together too. Well, I hope that you'll take care of him when I'm not here to do it.
- I'll do my best, Shirley smiled, do you wanna come in or...?
- Sure.
Shirley nodded and let Ashley come in.
- He's in the shower right now... Nick! She knocked on the bathroom door.
- What?
- Ashley is here. And we need to talk later...
- Okay, I'll be right out...
- You need to talk with him? Ashley said with a smile, About what?
- Nothing special, Shirley smiled to her.
May 23 2000 (Thuesday)
Shirley sighed and watched Brian and Nick playing Nintendo.
- Nick...
- What? He said without even looking at her.
- We need to talk... I told you yesterday...
- Oh, he said and still kept on playing.
She sighed and looked at them.
- Brian? Tarantella whined.
- What? Brian looked up.
- I think that stupid dog of yours ate my shoe... or, I know that little thing ate it...
- Oh, Brian stopped and handed Shirley the remote, I'm coming...
- Good.
- Nick? Shirley putted the game on hold.
- What? He looked at her.
- We need to talk, now, we should have talked yesterday but you were out with Ashley on some club...
- Who told you?
- Guess.
- Ash?
Shirley nodded.
- Okay, he sighed and looked at the guys, I think we can talk here...
- Kevin is sleeping, and Howie guaranteed is... and A.J....
- Fully awake, he smiled.
- Go away, she sighed.
- Wouldn't wanna go to the upper floor, he sighed, Tara isn't in a good mood...
- Okay, she turned of the Nintendo.
- Hey!
- We need to talk, you can play that later, she muttered to Nick and handed A.J. his June Omega record, Listen to that then.
- Okay.
Shirley turned to Nick.
- Try to be serious now.
- Okay, I will... It's about Ash isn't it?
- And about Jenny and Kathleen.
Kathleen came out with a hint of anger.
- I know you hate Kathleen...
- It's not that now. You got three girlfriends Nick...
- I know...
- Pick one to keep. You have no personal life, this will come out and Kathleen will probably chop you up in tiny little pieces, Jenny will get pissed and Ashley will be broken hearted.
- How do you know she loves me? Nick looked at her.
- I don't, but she's a sensitive person.
- Fine, I'll break up with them, he sighed, I will.
- Good, she smiled, when are we going to be in Stockholm?
- In one hour, he smiled.
- Goody, then I might be able to get some sleep... without Howie snoring in the same room...
- He can't help it...
- No, she sighed, you should somehow make him stop, when you are snoring you are close to dying you know...
- What?
- Yeah, your tongue is close to suffocating you, which is why it sounds like that...
May 24 2000 (Wednesday)
Shirley sighed and looked at the clock again. 16.57. The guys were supposed to be done by now. She, Tarantella and Tyke was waiting for them on their hotel rooms. They were supposed to have been there one hour ago, and Tarantella had become more and more annoyed, and Tyke's yapping didn't help to make her calm down again.
- Hi! Brian opened the door.
- You are late, Tarantella whined.
- Sorry about that, he said, but we can go shopping now if you want...
- Fine...
- Where's Nick?
- He's in the phone, said Kevin, with Kathleen...
- Oh, Shirley got up and handed Tyke to Brian, when are we leaving tonight?
- In five hours, Kevin sighed.
- In the middle of the night? She sighed, Why?
- Cause that's when the plane leaves to Italy...
- I meant why did I come with you, I'm going to be dead by then... especially if we are going shopping...
- You don't have to come along, Kevin smiled, If you rather stay here sleeping, I'll understand you...
- No, it's okay. I'll just do my best to keep Nick away from daring A.J. something, again...
- That's a good idea.
May 24 2000 (Wednesday)
- Where's Tyke? Brian looked at Shirley.
- You took him with you, she mumbled and tried to go back to sleep.
- No I didn't! Brian got up, Kevin?
- What? He muttered a few seats back on the plane.
- Did you bring Tyke?
- No I didn't.
- Howie?
- He's asleep, Nick mumbled.
- Did you bring Tyke?
- No, I thought you did...
- A.J.? Brian turned around and looked at A.J. and Shirley again.
- What? He turned of the CD player.
- Did you bring Tyke?
- It's not my dog, he sighed, why?
- He's gone! Tara?
She just shook her head.
- TYKE IS MISSING!
- Calm down Brian, I'm sure he's with the security guys, Shirley tried.
- Okay... that's possible... but what if he isn't? We left Tyke in Sweden all alone!
- No we didn't, she turned around, he's here somewhere, calm down.
- Are you sure?
- I'm sure, she lied.
- Okay...
May 25 2000 (Thursday)
Brian looked at Shirley.
- You said that you were sure that he was with us!
- I was!
- Tyke is gone! He's just a little dog! He will die!
- I'm sorry, I thought he was with us! I weren't the one who were supposed to take him with us!
- But I gave him to you and Tara!
- Well I didn't bring him!
- And Tara didn't either! Brian sat down on the bus, Tyke is missing!
May 29 2000 (Monday)
[Note: And just becasue I'm so nice I've written this in English so you'll understand it]
Mathilda opened the front door and let the family's cat Romeo come in. She was just about to close it again when she saw something in the bushes nearby the door.
- What is this now? She mumbled and walked out to the little thing.
It looked at her with sad eyes but didn't move.
- Hi there, she whispered to it and picked it up, how did you get here?
- Mathilda?
- Yes mom?
- Close the door, it's getting cold...
- I found a dog, she said loud enough so her mother could hear.
- What? Her mother walked out, Oh my god, how thin! What is it doing here?
- I don't know...
- Take it in, we'll see what we can do for it...
May 30 2000 (Tuesday)
- They are fighting again, said A.J. and closed the door behind him.
- Again? Shirley looked at him.
He nodded.
- What now?
- Brian was crying cause he lost Tyke, and she is yelling at him that he loves his dog more than her...
- Would have been understandable, Shirley sighed.
- Are they throwing things? Nick looked at him.
- Yupp... at least Tyke isn't there to see it all again... I feel sorry for the poor dog... wherever he is... and not matter how many shoes he ate...
It was quiet for a while.
- Can I borrow your CD again? Shirley looked at A.J.
- You really don't have to ask anymore... we are practically living together...
- Don't you ask Brian if there's something you wanna borrow? She smiled.
- Nope, but don't tell him... I'll get it.
A.J. got up and walked back to his room. Brian and Tarantella was still fighting. He hurried to pull out the CD 'I need to be free' and hurried back to Nick and Shirley's room. The cover of the CD pictured her with her hair colored black and in a red dress, with flames all around her, kind of like a devil. On the back she was again, but dressed in white and with her normal blond hair, with a soft blue and white background, which made her look like an angel.
- Here you go, he said and handed it to Shirley.
- Thanks, she smiled and went over to the CD player.
- Are they still fighting? Nick looked at him.
He nodded.
- What do you guys wanna hear?
- Which CD is it? Nick looked at Shirley.
- June Omega...
- Oh... can I see the cover?
- Sure, she handed him the cover and waited for him to choose a song.
- 'I need to be free', he said.
- What number?
- 12, said A.J. and laid down on the bed, Are you two sharing bed?
- No, said Shirley, I'm sleeping on the couch this time. Next time Nick is... no matter how he feels about little gremlins coming and biting of his toes.
- Well I'm sorry! Nick sighed, Just play the record okay?
- Fine, she pressed play.
"Free, free, I need to be free
Don't keep me a prisoner
A prisoner of your love
Free, free, I need to be free"
- Why does Brian keep on keeping Tarantella with him? She looked at A.J.
"Don't say those words again
Those that tells me that you are more than a friend
Words can hurt more than hands, sadly
Words can hurt me badly"
- I don't know, he sighed, he loves her but I mean...
- Doesn't Tara hate Tyke? Nick looked at A.J.
- Well...
"Free from you, free from me"
- Maybe she do, A.J. sighed, what does that got to do with it? The dog is gone.
"Enslaved by your soft pledge
Your heart will be my cell
You are pushing me to the edge
And I can't be free no matter how much I yell"
- Exactly! Nick jumped up, What if she decided to get rid of him?
- She might hate Tyke, said A.J., but I don't think that she'd actually just leave him in Stockholm on purpose...
- But he gave you and Tara Tyke, didn't he? Nick looked at Shirley.
- Yes, but she took him...
- See!
- I don't think that she hates the dog that much...
- Well, it reminds her of LeighAnne, A.J. looked at Shirley, if it was you who were her, would you feel threatened?
- By a dog? Shirley said with a clear tone of doubt.
- No, by the memories!
"Don't make me a slave,
A slave of passion
I'm not strong enough for that babe
In love I can't reason"
- The memories of LeighAnne?
- Yes! Nick looked at her.
- When it's over it's over, so not really...
- Well haven't she yelled at Brian and complained that he loved Tyke more than her?
- Sure she have but...
- See!
- That doesn't mean that she'd get rid of him, Shirley sighed, you have to be really demented to do something like that.
- Then where did Tyke go?
- Out somewhere in Stockholm...
"Don't make me a slave
Under the emotion
I'm not strong enough for that babe
It will work on me like a poison"
- Didn't we agree not to talk about that? A.J. mumbled from the bed.
- Well... Tyke is gone... it's like... it feels a little bit empty, Shirley looked at him, Now I have to hang out with Tarantella all day long...
- No talking about Tyke for the rest of the day, A.J. said determent.
- Okay, Shirley sighed, I'll do my best.
- Look at this, said Nick.
- Now what?
- Look at this picture of Tara and Brian, he said and handed it to Shirley, and then look at this picture of June.
She looked at the two pictures for a while.
- So? They look alike, what's with that?
- Nothing, he mumbled, I just thought that it might be something to talk about, else than Tyke...
- Let me see, A.J. took the pictures from Shirley.
- You can ask you know...
"Free, free, I need to be free
Don't keep me a prisoner
A prisoner of your love
Free, free, I need to be free"
June 1 2000 (Thursday)
- Howie?
- Yeah? Howie looked at A.J.
- Look here, A.J. reached over Nick and gave Howie one picture, Who's that?
- June Omega, he said and looked at A.J.
- Shut up guys, Kevin muttered, you can't hear what they are saying.
- No body cares about your boring soap operas Kevin, A.J. handed Howie another picture, And that?
- Brian and June... Tarantella, I mean. Wow!
- What? Kevin looked at Howie.
- Look at these pictures, Howie handed them to A.J. who handed them to Kevin.
- They are really alike, he smiled, and about the same age too.
- How old is June Omega anyway? Howie looked at A.J.
- I don't know.
- You don't know? Nick looked surprised at A.J.
- She doesn't tell... she's born June 17, the press chances that she's around 21, 22...
- Oh, then they are in the same age.
- Do you think they are related?
- Possible, Kevin looked at them for a while, but June looks a bit thinner than Tara, not that Tara is fat or anything...
- If you'd said that to her face she'd knock you down in a second, Nick smirked.
- I meant that as in Tara have more muscles than June does, none of them are fat. June is actually pretty skinny...
- If you look at the arms and so, Nick smirked.
- Did she do a Britney? Howie looked at A.J.
- No, I highly doubt it, one of her favorite things to do is to diss Britney Spears, A.J. sighed, Why do you think I know everything about her?
- Well you are a fan of hers...
- That doesn't mean I'm a fanatic...
- Nick? Shirley stepped in to the room.
- Yeah? He looked at her.
- You got a certain Jenny Anderson here...
- Here in Germany? Nick got up.
- Yupp... what are you guys doing? You are watching 'Days of our lives'? Can you become more pathetic?
- We are discussing if June Omega is skinny and if she's done a Britney, A.J. protested, we are NOT watching 'Days of our lives', it's 'The bold and the beautiful'...
- Oh, that makes it sooo much better, she rolled her eyes, Anyway, Nick, she's in your room and I think she wanna hang out with you today.
- But we got a concert tonight! He walked over to her.
- Well I think she knows that...
- Fine, he sighed and walked over to his room where Jenny was waiting.
He opened the door and smiled when he saw her.
- Jenny!
- Hi Nick, she smiled and kissed him.
- What are you doing here? You are pretty far away from Australia you know...
- I'm just staying for one more day, then we are going home, she smiled.
- We?
- Me and my sister, we are staying at a friend of her's place... but we are going back to Sydney tomorrow.
- Oh? So are you doing anything special today then?
- I was kind of hoping that I would be able to hang out with my boyfriend, she smiled.
- I got a concert tonight, you can come if you wanna...
- I already got tickets, she smiled.
- But guess what, he smiled back, I can get you backstage.
- Gee Nick, I never would have been able to guess that...
He smiled, he really liked Jenny. She weren't demanding like Kathleen and she was smart, unlike Ashley, not that Ashley was stupid or anything but... she weren't the brightest girl he'd ever met.
June 3 2000 (Saturday)
Shirley gave Nick an evil look.
- I'm sorry Shirl, he tried.
- No! I will not sit here and watch you play around with these girls okay?
- I'm sorry, but...
- No buts!
- You are starting to sound like my mother now, he smirked.
- There's a difference between me and your mother, I know that you got three girlfriends, she thinks you are together with Kathleen, only.
- Well I didn't thought that Jenny would be here now did I?
- No, that's the beauty of the whole plan Nick, isn't it? She looked at him, You got one in the US, one in Europe and one in Australia, you never thought that there was a risk that they'd bump in to each other did you?
- Not really...
- Maybe I'll just give Kathleen a call and tell her the whole truth! Then you'll get your ass kicked!
- You wouldn't do that, he sighed and looked at her, I know you won't.
- Unfortunately that is true, she muttered.
- And that's because you love me...
- As a friend yes.
- Never anything more?
- You are starting to sound like A.J.
- Never?
- No, never, and you know why?
- No.
- Cause you are such a sleaze when it comes to your girlfriends. What ever happened to 'When a girl gives you your heart the most important thing is caring'?
- Got lost on the road? Come on Shirl... don't be mad at me...
- I can be mad at you if I wanna, she hissed, What are you going to do if someone asks you who your girlfriend is? What are you going to say then?
- That it's my personal life and I don't wanna talk about it, he looked at her, I'm sorry.
- Why can't you just let me be mad at you? She muttered and sat down beside him.
- Cause I'm so cute? He smiled and hugged her.
- You are such a pain in the ass...
June 6 2000 (Tuesday)
- A lost dog?
- Yes, Brian looked at a picture of Tyke.
- Can you please describe this dog?
- Well, I've faxed a picture to you... It's a Chihuahua, his name is Tyke... um... I lost him in Stockholm, Sweden...
- And you are in Germany now?
- Yes.
- Okay, when did you loose your dog?
- Around May 24, he sighed.
- Okay, your fax just came. And you haven't reported him missing before now?
- My girlfriend wouldn't let me, he muttered by the thought, she don't like him.
- Okay... Are you sure you lost him in Stockholm?
- No, it could have been in Rome, Italy too.
- So do you want me to send out a message to every country in Europe or?
- Yes please.
- Okay Mr. Littrell, and where can we reach you?
- Through Jive... we are traveling all the time...
- Okay...
- Brian? Tarantella walked in, Who are you talking to?
- Eh... I'm reporting Tyke missing...
- Why? It's just a stupid dog, she muttered.
- But it's my dog and I want him back, I'm sorry hun.
- Fine, try to find the little thing then.
June 7 2000 (Wednesday)
A.J. looked at that girl again. He had noticed her before that night. She had started to confuse him, he recognized her pretty well but from the distance he couldn't really recognize who she was.
He walked over to her.
- Excuse me, he smiled.
- Yeah? She smiled back.
Both of them stopped smiling as soon as they saw each other.
- A.J.?
- Tarantella? What are you doing here? Where's Brian?
- Brian is whining about Tyke again, she rolled her eyes, I just thought that I might as well go out and have some fun, okay?
- I just wondered where you had your boyfriend, he said 'boyfriend' high enough so the guy that had been talking to her heard it.
- Look, I'm sorry that you don't have anything better to do than stand here and talk to me, she sighed, There's a pretty girl over there... go and talk to her instead.
He just shook his head, looked at the guy who she'd been talking to, then at Tarantella.
- I hope you know what you are doing, he muttered and left her alone.
June 8 2000 (Thursday)
- I told you to never wake me up! Shirley hissed and threw a pillow at Nick.
- I'm sorry! He cached it, But I thought that you might wanna now that we are going to an interview now, if you wanna come...
- No! I wanna sleep, leave me alone! She pulled the cover over her head again.
- Are you sure?
- I hate sharing room with you, she muttered, Yes, I'm sure! Next time leave a note okay?
- Okay, he sighed.
She were always mad in the mornings, she hated getting up and he knew it, still he woke her up from time to time, just to make her mad.
- I'm leaving now, he said.
- Bye, she sighed.
- Bye, bye Shirl, he sighed and opened the door.
- Hi Nick!
- Kathleen! He stared at her, Hi...
He gave her a kiss.
- What are you doing here?
- Oh, I just came here to meet my boyfriend, she smiled, besides, France is a beautiful place.
- Yeah but...
- Weren't you going to leave? Shirley muttered from the bed.
- What is she doing here? Kathleen looked at Nick.
- We are sharing room...
- You and what's her name is sharing a room? Kathleen gave him a killing look.
- Shirley, her name is Shirley. And yeah, there aren't too many rooms here right now so we have to... Kevin, Howie and A.J. are sharing one room, and Tarantella and Brian are sharing one...
- So you had to share room with her?
- Well since she's my best friend I really didn't thought it was a problem... is it? He looked at her.
- Oh, no, no problem, she said and gave him a fake smile, Can we go shopping?
- Actually I have an interview in ten minutes...
- Oh, can we go later then?
- Um... sure... but I won't be free until 6 p.m.... and then I have to start getting ready for the show at 7...
- Oh... well then we can go shopping tomorrow right?
- Sure, I'll see what I can do about that, he smiled and closed the door behind him as he left the room with Kathleen, How long are you staying?
- Five days, I'm going home the 13th.
- Oh, he smiled, then we'll have a lot of time to have fun on.