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 ex girlfriend, cousin to June Omega/Jane Lady, lives next door to Nick, Tampa, Florida.
June Full name: June Omega/Joan Lady Facts: Blond, blue eyes, 171 cm tall, 16 years old, born June 17 1984, got two sisters (22 and 20 years old), singer, cousin to Tarantella Caster.
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 ex girlfriend, lives in Tampa, Florida.
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 husband, lives in Orlando, Florida.
Howie Full name: Howard Dwanie Dorough Facts: Dark brown hair, brown eyes, 168 cm tall, 27 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.
A.J. Full name: Alexander James McLean Facts: Colored green 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, Shirley's best friend, lives in Tampa, Florida, next door to Tarantella.
"I always thought I was the lonely one
So when he came I took a chance
But boy now I see that you were the only one
Should have listened to you, I lost it all in a glance
Mend my heart
Mend this broken heart of mine
You saw it coming right from the start
You warned me time after time"
She stopped dancing and looked out in the audience.
"You always were my friend
And you knew it all
You had seen it happen again and again
You knew it was going to fall
Please mend my broken heart
You saw it coming from the start
You had seen it happen again and again
Still you stood by my side my friend
Mend my heart
Mend this broken heart of mine
You saw it coming right from the start
You warned me time after time
Time can dry the tears
But only a true friend can remove the fears
Please mend my broken heart
You saw it coming from the start"
She went back to the dancing routine.
"You had, you had seen it happen again and again
Still you stood by my side my friend
Mend my heart
Mend this broken heart of mine
You saw it coming right from the start
You warned me time after time
Time can heal the scars in your soul
But only a true friend can make you whole
Please mend my broken heart
You saw it coming, yes you saw it coming from the start
You had seen it happen again and again
Still you stood by my side my friend
Time goes on and on, but a friend...
A true friend will be there from the start to the end
Help me mend my broken heart"
The music changed quickly.
"I'm not glad
But I can pretend
I'm really sad
And I'm waiting for my heart to mend
I don't love you
But I can pretend
You can do
While I'm waiting for my angel that heaven will send
I'll pretend for you
But not because I love you, don't think that I do
The distance between like and love is so strong
But I'll pretend that it's short while I'm singing this song
I'm not glad
But I can pretend
I'm really sad
And I'm waiting for my heart to mend"
June looked out in the audience again, for a second she stopped and looked at A.J. but then she went on with the dance again.
"I'll pretend for your sake
Cause I don't want your heart to break
I'm not glad
But I can pretend
I'm really sad
And I'm waiting for my heart to mend
I don't love you
Don't think that I do
But I'll pretend for your sake
Cause I don't want your heart to break
I'm not glad
But I can pretend
I'm really sad
And I'm waiting for my heart to mend
I don't wanna smile
But I can pretend
While everyone else is waiting for another day
I'm waiting for the end
I don't love you
Don't think that I do
But I'll pretend for your sake
Cause I don't want your heart to break
I can pretend
While I'm waiting for the end"
She smiled as the music changed again.
"I don't know what to do
What to do with you
I did as mommy said
And you got sad
I did as daddy said
And you got mad
I did as my teacher said
And I realized that you were all I had"
She smiled and laid down and sang to someone in the audience.
"I'm gonna listen to my heart
I should have done that from the start
Gonna listen to it, and it only
Let's see if I end up lonely
Cause I don't know what to do
What to do with you
You make me so confused"
She smiled and got up again.
"I'm gonna listen, listen to my heart
I should have done that from the start
Gonna listen to it, and it only
Let's see if I end up lonely
Let's see what my heart will tell me
And what is says so will it be
I'm gonna listen to my heart
I should have done that, should have done that from the start
Gonna listen to it, and it only
Let's see if I end up lonely
I'm gonna go my own way
If I have to sacrifice you then that's a price I have to pay
Cause I know I have to and
I'm gonna listen to my heart
I should have done that from the start
Gonna listen to it, and it only
Let's see if I end up lonely"
She smiled and waved to the audience.
"I have to go my own way now
Maybe it will work out somehow
And I'm
I'm gonna listen to my heart
I really should have done that from the start
Gonna listen to it, and it only
Let's see if I end up lonely
Yes, let's see if I end up lonely"
The lights went out and June hurried of the stage.
August 31 2000 (Thursday)
Shirley looked at Nick for a while. He had been talking to Nevermore for a while now, explaining what he was going to do. She really didn't thought that the bird understood a thing of what Nick was telling it.
- Okay, Nick smiled and opened the cage, come on...
Shirley watched him as he took the raven out of its cage. If he let it go it weren't coming back they both knew it, and if he would have asked her it probably were going to die. Nick had been babbling about that the raven being a messenger for the gods of death and that it flew with the dead people's souls to where they belonged.
As Nick let Nevermore fly away it felt like if someone more than a bird had left them. Shirley shook her head, just her imagination, she hardly believed that Sarah's soul had been there from the start.
When Nick turned around he smiled to her and she just wanted to cry. He was her best friend, but she loved him, and this made him happy, so she could only hope that Nevermore would make it in freedom.
September 2 2000 (Saturday)
- Hello, he smiled, it's Nick.
- Hi Nick.
- Hi Mrs. Dale. Is Shirley home?
- No, she's with a friend of yours... what's his name...
- A friend of mine? Nick tried to think of anyone that lived in Tampa that also knew Shirley.
- I can't remember his name, she sighed.
- Chris?
- Chris? No, Anne's voice became a bit hard, That boy aren't aloud around here anymore.
- Then... could you describe him?
- Well, he got green hair, she sighed, A.G. or something like that I think...
- A.J.?
- Yes that's him, why? Is he bad news? Her voice sounded very worried.
- What? What makes you think that? Nick said worried.
- You seemed a bit mad...
- Oh, no, nothing. A.J. is nice, he won't hurt Shirley, Nick sighed of relief.
- Are you sure? I don't want another one of her boyfriends to ruin her life like that again Nick... you know what happened last time...
- I know, he said, Boyfriend?
- Yes, at least I think he was, I mean he kissed her so I assume that he was. I can't remember all her old boyfriends, but I guess this is a new one, I'd remember someone with green hair...
- Yeah...
- You don't like him?
- What?
- It doesn't sound like you do, she said worried, Are you sure he's nice?
- Well I'm pretty sure that...
- What's his real name anyway?
- Alexander McLean, Nick said confused, but... Her boyfriend?
- Well, I don't know, as I said, she sighed, but if he's bad for her... Nick, you know how mad she gets when I ask her something... Could you look out for her? I mean, while you are here...
- Sure, I will, Nick said.
- Do you know anything about him? I mean, he seemed a little bit to old for her and all... I mean, I know Shirley-Jean prefers guys that are a couple of years older than her but... he seemed too old for her.
- A.J. lives in Orlando, with a roommate, Nick said, he's 22...
- A.J.'s roommate?
- No, A.J., his roommate is 25...
- What? Is that a guy or a girl?
- It's a guy, Nick said calmly knowing that it was Brian.
- He's 22? That is too old.
- Oh?
- Do you know his roommate? Is he nice?
- He is really nice, his name is Brian and he and Shirley are my best friends. There's no need to worry about her, I promise.
- Good, she sighed of relief, well I won't be holding you here anymore, unless you want to talk?
- No, I'm fine, Nick smiled, bye Mrs. Dale.
- Bye Nick.
He hung up and looked at Aaron's turtles that he had left on the floor. He should put them away before someone stepped on them or one of the dogs ate them but the whole thing with Shirley made him sit there.
"A boyfriend? It's just Bone, there's no risk for that, he got a crush on June Omega... but then that was along time ago and... What is Shirley doing in Orlando anyway? Why did A.J. drive all the way here and..."
- Nick?
- What? He looked up.
- Do you have to leave all my toys on the floor, Aaron whined and started cleaning up, the dogs will eat them.
- Sorry A.C., he said and got up and helped him.
September 3 2000 (Sunday)
Nick slowly opened his eyes.
- What?
- Phone call, Robert mumbled, it's Shirley's mom...
- It's in the middle of the night, he said drowsy and got up.
- Take it in the kitchen, and try not to wake up Aaron when you go back...
- Sure, he mumbled.
Nick slowly walked in to the kitchen and picked up the phone.
- Hi?
- Nick, she said worried.
- Yeah?
- I'm sorry to call you this late but... Shirley hasn't come home yet...
- What? Nick said surprised, It's 2 a.m.!
- I know, but she hasn't come home... she haven't even called...
- But... that's not like Shirley!
- That's why I'm calling you, she said, you know these guys right?
- I do.
- Do you think that...
- What? No, no, not A.J. and Brian, they would never...
- Are you sure? I mean...
- I understand you, he said and looked around in the kitchen, You know what, I'll call them, I'm sure she's there and there's nothing to worry about, okay?
- Okay, call me back then?
- Of course, bye Mrs. Dale.
- Bye Nick.
He hung up and pressed speed-dial.
- Pick up the phone, pick up the phone, pick up the phone, he muttered.
- Hello? A drowsy voice said.
- Hi it's me, is Shirley there?
- Shirley? Brian mumbled, No...
- What? Didn't she go there with A.J.?
- Well they haven't come home yet, he sighed, he said he was taking her home later or something... I don't remember...
- Shirley's mother called me and wondered where Shirley was, Nick said worried, and I have to call her and tell her something and unless...
- Don't worry, Brian sighed, they are fine, just tell her that they are on their way there...
- And what if they aren't?
- Then tell her that they are here...
- But they aren't. What if they come home right after I've said that then? Nick sighed.
- Fine, tell her that they are on a party or something...
- Shirley on a party, very likely.
- Just make something up, Brian mumbled, I'm sorry Nick but I'm really tired and I think that you are just a big fuddy-duddy.
- I'm not a fuddy-duddy, he muttered, I just wanna know where my best female friend is at 2 a.m. when she normally is sleeping.
- They are on their way, just tell her that.
- I will, but I'll blame you if she doesn't come home...
- Fine, fine, what ever... bye Nick.
- Bye.
He hung up and called Shirley's mom.
- Hello? She answered with a worried tone in her voice.
- Hi Mrs. Dale, it's me, he said.
- Oh, hi Nick. Was she there?
- Brian said that they were on their way home to your place, don't worry, I'm sure she's all right.
- Is this A.J. to be trusted? I don't want my 16-year-old girl to be out in the middle of the night with some 22-year-old.
- A.J. is completely okay, he said, there's no use to be worried... He wouldn't hurt her, I know he wouldn't.
- Okay... good night then Nick, I'm sorry to wake you up...
- It's okay, good night Mrs. Dale.
He hung up and slowly walked back in to his and Aaron's room again and went back to bed even though he couldn't fall asleep in a long while.
September 3 2000 (Sunday)
- Nick? Aaron sighed, Wake up!
- What? He mumbled and looked at his little brother, What time is it?
- 8 a.m., you got a phone call from Shirley's mom...
- Oh? Nick slowly got up and took the phone by the bed, Hello?
- Nick? She said.
- Yeah?
- Where's Shirley?
- She's not home?
- No, she never came home last night, I'm really worried...
- I'll call them again, Brian said that A.J. and Shirley were on their way over, maybe they decided that it was too late or something...
- Call me back later, okay?
- Of course.
- Bye Nick.
- Bye.
He hung up and sat there for a while before he started dialing.
- WOULD THAT PERSON WHO'S DIALING STOP THAT? I'M IN THE PHONE!
- SORRY BJ! He yelled back, IT'S IMPORTANT!
- SO IS THIS!
- IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT!
- CAN'T IT WAIT?
- STOP YELLING AT EACH OTHER AND TALK NORMALLY PLEASE! Angel yelled.
- I'M IN THE PHONE! WOULD YOU GUYS JUST SHUT UP!
- TALK LIKE NORMAL PEOPLE! Angel tried again.
- It's really important! Nick protested.
- So is this, now shut up Nick! BJ muttered.
- Fine, he muttered, But I'm after BJ on the phone!
- How comes everyone starts yelling at each other as soon as mom and dad leaves us alone here? Angel sighed.
- Are you done yet? Nick looked at BJ annoyed.
- No, she said, you just have to wait...
- You've been talking in the phone for an hour!
- I'm done soon...
- Fine, he muttered.
- Okay Tiffany, BJ smiled, yeah... okay, bye.
- Can I have the phone now?
- No, I have to call Jennifer, it's important.
- It can't be as important as my call.
- Oh yeah? she rolled her eyes, Then whom are you going to call?
- Brian.
- Yeah, that's important, you see each other every day!
- This is important! It's about Shirley!
- Oh, BJ smiled and looked at him, What have you two been doing?
- What? Nick looked at her.
- Well it's gonna happen sooner or later, she smirked.
- Brian and me?
- Shirley and you stupid, she sighed.
- No, it's nothing like that, he muttered, Just give me the phone.
- Fine, BJ smiled and left the kitchen.
- Thank you, he sighed and started dialing.
- STOP THAT! Lesley yelled.
- IT'S MY TURN! Nick protested.
- I'M IN THE PHONE, YOU CAN HAVE IT LATER!
- I WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE IT AFTER BJ!
- WELL I'M IN THE PHONE NOW, YOU GET IT LATER!
- IT IS IMPORTANT! GET OF THE PHONE LESLEY!
- STOP YELLING! Angel protested.
- It's my turn! Nick hurried to Lesley's room, I have to call Brian!
- Yeah, that's really important.
- It is! It's about Shirley, okay?
- Oh, she smirked.
- Cut it out, he muttered, Just get of the phone Lesley, and no one will get hurt...
- I'm talking, she protested.
- I was supposed to be after BJ!
- Well I'm talking now, you can use the phone later!
- Fine! He muttered, I AM USING THE PHONE AFTER LESLEY JUST SO YOU ALL KNOW THAT!
- NICK! We don't yell at each other, Jane said irritated.
- Oh, hi mom, he sighed, sorry...
- There, Lesley looked at Nick, you can use the phone now...
- Thank you, he sighed and dialed Brian and A.J.
- Hello?
- Brian, its Nick. Where did A.J. and Shirley go?
- Right, they came back and she spend the night... nothing to worry about...
- Did she call home?
- I think she did...
- She didn't, her mother think she's missing.
- Oh, Brian sighed.
- Can she call her now?
- Actually she and A.J. are out renting a movie right now.
- They are what?
- Sorry Nick but I mean, it's not like she's your girlfriend or anything...
- Are they together?
- No, not what I know, they are friends Nick, you don't have to worry and...
- I don't trust A.J., he muttered.
- Don't worry...
- But...
- You know what Nick, I'll come over to your place okay?
- Sure.
- See you later then, he sighed, bye Frack.
- Bye, Nick hung up and started dialing.
After a while Shirley's father answered the phone.
- Hello?
- Hi, it's Nick.
- Hi, do you know where Shirley is?
- She's with A.J. and they are out renting a movie right now...
- Oh, so she's all right?
- Yupp, you don't have to worry...
September 3 2000 (Sunday)
- You did what? Nick looked at him.
- I accidentally knocked on the wrong house, Brian sighed.
- And how is she doing?
- Tarantella is as beautiful as always, he smiled.
- And?
- We talked for a while, we'll see where we can go from there...
- What? Are you two going to...?
- Get back together? I'm not sure, I don't think so but... you never know...
- You never know? Nick looked at him.
- Well... I mean, it's not that unlikely, there's about the same chance as you and Shirley starting something.
- Shirley and I are just friends, Nick said.
- I know that, but...
- No buts! We are just friends!
- But, something can come out of friendship... take Kevin and Kristin for an example...
- That's not gonna happen. I mean, she's my friend, I am her friend, final. Nothing more.
- Aha.
- What?
- You are so in denial. The sooner you realize that it's probably going to happen, the less risk that you'll get your heart, and hers, broken.
- This is not a good joke, Nick said and rolled his eyes, I mean, I highly doubt that I'll get together with Shirl.
- Okay, let's deny that, Brian sighed, but I can say that she seems to like A.J....
- What?! Nick looked at him.
- You are in love with the girl! Brian laughed, You are so jealous! That's why you've been calling asking about her!
- It's not! Her parents wondered where she was and I just happened to know both you and Bone so...
- Jealous, jealous, jealous...
September 5 2000 (Tuesday)
"I always come to you when I'm sad
I cry out on your shoulder
Every time life gets colder
And you tell me all the right things
It's like a song an angel sings"
- What are you doing? BJ looked at him.
"I always come to you when I'm sad
I know it isn't fair, but you never get mad
I wish someone else could make it right too
But there is no one else than you"
- Just listening to some music, Nick mumbled.
"No one else can make it right
And you always hold me close through the dark night
I cry out on your shoulder
Every time life gets colder
And you tell me all the right things
It's like a song an angel sings"
- You know that mom don't like her...
- I know...
"I always come to you when I'm sad
I know it isn't fair, but you never get mad
No one else can make it right
And you always hold me close through the dark night
I cry out on your shoulder
Every time life gets colder
And you tell me all the right things
It's like a song an angel sings"
- What's happen?
- Nothing's happen...
- Yes it have, she sighed, you are sad...
She sat down beside him.
- It's nothing...
- Is it about Sarah?
- No... well now it partly is...
- Sorry... what is it then?
- Nothing BJ, it's nothing. Don't worry...
- I'm your sister, she sighed, I'll always worry about you... is it a girl?
- You could say that...
"I always come to you when I'm sad
I know it isn't fair, but you never get mad
No one else can make it right
And you always hold me close through the dark night
I think you do it cause you know
I'll always come back, sometime, somehow
I always come to you when I'm sad
I know it isn't fair, but you never get mad"
- Shirley?
"No one else can make it right
And you always hold me close through the dark night"
- What makes you think it's her? He looked surprised at her.
"I cry out on your shoulder
Every time life gets colder
And you tell me all the right things
It's like a song an angel sings"
- I don't know, she said, but I asked you if it was a girl-problem and you said that it was something like that...
"You are an angel, boy
I'm sorry that I sometimes treat you like a toy
I always come to you when I'm sad
I know it isn't fair, but you, oh you never get mad
No one else can make it right
And you always hold me close through the dark night"
- So it have to be Shirley then?
- Well... yeah...
"I don't know what I'm here to do
But my eternal gratitude is for you"
- Turn that music off, will you? Jane sighed.
- Sorry, BJ turned it off.
- It's not only Shirley... it's Brian too...
- Oh? What's happened? She looked at him.
- Brian and Tarantella is back togehter...
- What? Why?
- He loves her... I don't know... I think it's a stupid idea and they are just gonna fight a couple of times and break up...
- Now, that wouldn't surprise me...
- I don't think that it would surprise anyone...
It was quiet for a while.
- How about Shirley then?
- What about her? He looked at her.
- Well you've seemed to be kind of blue lately... and she's been hanging out with A.J. a lot...
- I know, he muttered.
- Jealous?
- What? Why does everyone think that I'm in love with her?
- I didn't say that, BJ smirked, but now when you mention it...
- Cut it out...
- No really, I mean, you are her best friend, are you afraid that she'll leave you for A.J.?
- Yes, yes I am, he looked at her, But I can't just tell her that either now can I?
- Not really... But how about if you tell A.J. that? You've known each other for like eight years... Don't you think that he'll understand?
- It's just that... I'm not sure.
- You're not sure about what?
- If he just wanna be her friend or if he wants something more, Nick said and looked at her.
- And if he wants something more then what are you doing to do? BJ sighed, You aren't in love with her, you are her best friend, not her boyfriend...
He nodded quietly.
- Seriously, what would you do?
- I don't know...
- Wrong answer, she sighed and rolled her eyes.
- What?
- You leave them alone, let them learn by their own mistakes, that's what you'll do. She won't dump you just because she got a new boyfriend Nick, she's not like that.
- I know...
She nodded and got up.
"There is something more than just friendship between him and Shirl" she thought with a smirk.
September 9 2000 (Saturday)
Brian knocked on the door, it didn't take long until Jane opened it.
- Oh my god Brian, she stared at him, What happened to you?
- Oh, nothing really, he sighed, can I stay the night?
- Well sure, but... you are bleeding...
- I'll be all right, he mumbled.
- I'll get Nick, okay?
- Thanks Jane, he smiled and stepped inside.
Nick walked out in the hallway.
- Hi Rok, what are you doing here at this hour?
- Well, he sighed, I was supposed to stay at Tarantella's... until we had a fight and she threw somethings at me...
- You are bleeding...
- I'm very aware of that.
- You have to clean that cut...
- I know, he mumbled.
September 10 2000 (Sunday)
Shirley sighed and looked at the cut in Brian's forehead.
- You know what, she sighed.
- What? He looked at her.
- It's probably going to heal well but you really should get rid of Tarantella... she haven't changed...
- She have.
- No she haven't, Nick looked at him, trust me on this one. She's the same.
- She isn't, Brian hissed.
- Well actually, Nick sighed.
- Shut up, Shirley interrupted him.
- What? He looked surprised at her.
- Shut up Nick, she said and looked at him, leave it okay?
He looked at her a bit surprised, Shirley never told him to shut up unless she wanted to sleep or something like that.
- You'll see that it will work out for the better, she sighed, but I'm sorry to say Brian... I don't think that's she's changed that much...
- Maybe just enough to make it work, Brian sighed.
- Maybe, but I don't think that she have.
- But that song...
- Well it didn't go that she loved you or anything, it just said that she missed you, and that you were a very sensitive angel. And that she regretted being so mean to you, not that she wanted you back...
Brian didn't answer her.
- For your sake Frick, she said and sat down beside him, I hope that she have changed, but that's all I can do.
- I know, he sighed, I know...
Nick just looked at them, Shirley and Brian seemed to be closer than Shirley and him. He couldn't help it but he got mad at Brian, not just like if they'd just had a fight but as if he was the worst enemy he ever had had.
September 11 2000 (Monday)
- It's too bad that we don't have the girls with us this time, A.J. said, don't you think?
- What? Nick looked at him, Yeah, sure, whatever...
- What? A.J. looked at him, What's with you? I thought you wanted Shirley to come along again, at least I know I do...
- I know you do, he muttered.
A.J. looked at Nick for a second.
- What's your problem?
- Nothing, Nick hissed, absolutely nothing.
- Nick...
- IT'S NOTHING!
A.J. stared at Nick. He really hadn't expected that he was going to start yelling at him.
- What are you two doing? Kevin hissed from the seat behind them.
- I didn't do anything, A.J. said and looked at Kevin, it's just that Nick here...
- Shut up, Nick hissed irritated.
- Cut it out, Kevin said with a warning tone in his voice, Don't you two dare start fighting in public.
- I'm not fighting with him! A.J. said and looked at Nick again, It's just that Nick seems to be way crankier than ever before...
- Shut up or I swear Bone...
- Nick! Kevin gave him an angry look, stop that immediately!
- I just asked if you didn't want Shirley to...
Kevin pulled Nick with him in to the bathroom.
- What's your problem! He hissed and pushed him up against the wall.
- NOTHING! Let go of me Kevin...
- Nothing?! You don't hit someone for nothing! Kevin let him go and looked at him, What's happen to you?
- Nothing, nothing has happen to me, he muttered.
- You hit A.J. for no reason at all and you think that's okay?
Nick didn't answer him, he just looked at the walls.
- Something's happened to you, Kevin hissed, Don't you dare do that ever again...
- So what if I do? Nick looked him in the eyes, What are you going to do about it?
- You are not the Nick I used to know, he said coldly, You know quite well that we shouldn't fight in public and still you hit A.J. on a full plane for talking about Shirley!
- Leave her out of this okay!
- So that's what this is about, Kevin looked at him for a while.
- What?
- It's Shirley isn't it?
- She got nothing to do with it, Nick muttered and tried to walk pass Kevin.
- No? Kevin stopped him, Then why did you hit him then?
- Cause he asked for it, he hissed.
- Right, he really did, didn't he? Kevin looked at him, You and me are going to talk about this later, and you better behave or I swear I'll make sure you'll get locked in here for the rest of the flight.
Kevin turned around and walked back to their seats followed by Nick who was mainly pissed.
- Are you okay Bone? Kevin sat down beside him.
- Yeah, he muttered and held the ice bag to his eye, I'll be fine.
September 12 2000 (Tuesday)
- June, Howie said surprised, Hi!
- Hi Howie, she smiled and hugged him, How are you?
- Fine, he smiled and hugged her back, and you?
- Just fine, how is it going with the guys?
- It's okay...
- Okay?
- Nick is acting really weird, he sighed, yesterday he hit A.J. for no reason at all and today he had a fight with Brian. He's way off right now... I really don't think that he should be working at all...
- Oh, she nodded, what do you think has happen to him?
- I don't know, Howie shrugged his shoulders, Kevin thinks that we should get Shirley over here but she's in school so that wouldn't be that great after all...
June nodded.
- What?
- What? She looked at him.
- You smirked, he said, I'm guessing you know something I don't know...
- No, it's nothing D., nothing, she smiled, really. Where are the others?
- They are...
- Oh, never mind, she sighed, I have to run now, say hi to them from me okay?
- No special message to A.J.?
- What? She looked at him, Well okay, tell him I said hi.
She smiled and walked down the hallway.
Howie smiled and went back to the guys.
- Guess who I just ran into, he smiled.
- Who? Kevin looked at him.
- June Omega, Howie smiled, she says hi, to all of you.
A.J. looked at Howie.
- Nothing more, he sighed when he saw A.J.'s face, sorry Bone...
- What? Why would I...?
- No, no reason at all, Howie rolled his eyes, are we going to go to work now or what?
September 13 2000 (Wednesday)
- What? Howie looked at him.
- Oh nothing, give this to Bone, Kevin smirked.
- Fine, Howie looked at the article and smirked too, A.J....
- What? A.J. looked up.
- Read this...
- Sure, he took the newspaper and looked at the article, Again?
Kevin nodded.
Since the first rumors about June Omega and A.J. a month back had started and three weeks later cooled down the press hadn't had anything new about the BSB. Now that June was in the same city as the Backstreet Boys the whole subject with June dating someone of the Boys had got started again.
- Well this is interesting, Brian smirked, Howie?
- What?
- You're the only one of us that's actually talked to her, he smiled, What did you two really do?
- Yeah, we were on a date that took five minutes, Howie sighed.
September 14 2000 (Thursday)
Nick sighed, he was sick and tired of training on the dance routines and his mind had just kept wandering of to practically everything else. During the whole time the guys had been yelling at him and he was sick of it.
- NICK! Are your feet glued to the floor? Howie glared at him.
- JUST CUT IT OUT! Nick stopped and looked at him.
The others stopped and looked surprised at him.
- Would you guys just stop that! He hissed.
- I'm sorry Nick, Howie sighed.
- Come on, Brian said and walked over, you are behind, you just have to practice some more and...
- No! I can't take this anymore! Nick hissed and pushed Brian.
- Nick! Kevin stared at him as Brian fell, What are you doing?!
- I'm... I'm, Nick shook his head and hurried out of the room.
- Come on, A.J. sighed and helped Brian up, he's just a little burdened...
- I guess so, Brian said still surprised.
- Yeah, he's a little burdened, Kevin muttered, but by what?
- Guys, A.J. sighed, he's been like that even before we got over here again, it's not the work.
- How long has he been like this? Howie looked at Brian.
- He started being a little weird in the beginning of September, Brian sighed, if not even earlier...
- I think it was earlier, A.J. muttered, like in the end of the last tour... Actually since he and Shirley had a fight one or two months ago...
- And there's the thing, Kevin sighed, It's Shirley... I'm thinking matters of the heart...
- What? A.J. looked at Kevin, You are saying that Nick's in love with Shirley?
- Well it looks like it, he sighed, He hit you on the plane for talking about her... and he got kind of pissed when I started talking about her too...
- Yeah but why would he hit me for that?
- I don't know...
- Because you've been spending a lot of time with her, Brian sighed, Let's just get her over here and he'll get back to normal.
- You're saying that he looks at me like a threat? They are best friends!
- That's probably why, Kevin sighed, let's just leave him where he is and I'll call Shirley, and if she comes then we'll let Nick hang out with her as much as possible... okay?
- Yeah, A.J. shrugged his shoulders, I just don't get it... I mean he knows I like June...
- Oh, so you do now? Brian smirked.
- Just pretend like you never heard that, okay? A.J. sighed.
September 14 2000 (Thursday)
Kevin sighed and waited, this was the second time he had called Shirley since no one had been home the last time.
- Hello?
- Hello, it's Kevin, he said, I wonder if Shirley's home?
- Kevin? She said.
- Kevin of the Backstreet Boys.
- Oh, right, I'm sorry I can't keep count on you guys, she sighed.
- It's okay, he smiled, is she home?
- Yeah, wait a second.
Kevin sighed, finally he got a chance to talk to her, hopefully she would come with them.
- Hi! Shirley said happily.
- Hello, Kevin smiled, it's me, Kev.
- I know, mom told me, how are you?
- I'm fine, he said, but that's not what I would say about Nick...
- What? She said worriedly, What's happen?
- He's cracked...
- What?
- He's been acting weird and on the flight over here he hit A.J. and well, he's not in shape to be working at all... We were hoping that you're presence would change that...
- Oh, she said.
It was quiet for a while.
- You don't have to come if you don't want to...
- No, I'd love to, she said, It's just that with school and all... It's not that I like it or anything, but it's my parents...
- I understand, he said.
- I'll ask them, she sighed, but I'm pretty sure that the answer is no though...
- Can I talk to them? He said, I know that they don't know me or anything but it's for Nick's sake I'm asking for this you know...
- Okay, she smiled, what ever you do, don't get any kind of annoyed or angry tone in your voice if you're talking to my father... he'll get pissed...
- Promise.
September 16 2000 (Saturday)
- Don't you dare fall asleep, Shirley looked at Howie.
- It's not a long enough trip, don't worry, he sighed.
- Thank you, she smiled.
- Kevin told you about Nick's condition right?
- Well, I guess that he told me parts of it...
- Like what?
- That he hit A.J. and that he's in no condition to work at all...
- So he didn't tell you the reason why we asked you to come?
- Nope, she sighed, But I'd love to know.
- Well, Howie looked at her, Kevin thinks that he's fallen in love...
- Oh...
- With you.
- What? She stared at him.
Howie didn't say anything more.
- You are saying that he's in love with me?
- Well that wouldn't surprise me, he sighed, I mean...
- With me?
- Yeah you. You've been best friends for a while and I guess that it's become something more for him... That happens you know...
- I'm fully aware of that, she said and looked at him, but with me?
- You keep on repeating that...
- It's like... It's Nick, he's my friend... and... I mean, there are girls that would kill for what I have but...
- Well that we are all aware of, Howie sighed.
She just shook her head.
- What do you feel?
- What? She looked at him.
- How do you feel about him?
- He's my friend but...
- But?
- No, it's like... Promise that you won't tell anyone.
- I promise.
- I really do... I... This is kind of hard, she sighed, He's my best friend, but he's more...
- Do you love him?
- I think I do...
- Great! Howie smiled, Then you'll jut tell him that and he won't get mad at A.J. or anybody else for that matter for no reason at all!
- But he's my best friend, I don't wanna ruin that...
- Oh, he sighed, so you love him and he loves you and you don't wanna be his girlfriend?
- Yeah... I know, it sounds so weird but... what if we have problems? Who will I talk to? I used to turn to him before and I wouldn't be able to then...
- I'll always be there if you need to talk, so will Brian, Bone and Kev... and Tyke...
- Yeah, she smiled, Tyke will come with really great advice...
- You never know, he smiled, have you asked him?
September 16 2000 (Saturday)
- He's in his room, Brian sighed.
Shirley nodded and walked over to room 26 and knocked on the door. Nobody answered.
- Nick? She opened the door and walked in, Nick are you here?
- Shirley?
- Yeah, Shirley smiled and walked over to him, I'm here.
- I've missed you, Nick hugged her, I think I'm loosing it...
- You're not going crazy, she smiled and hugged him back, You are going to be just fine again. This is only temporary, okay?
- How do you know that? He looked her in the eyes, I don't know what's happening to me...
- It will all work out, she said, and while we're waiting on it, how about some Nintendo?
She looked at him carefully, if she knew him right this would make him forget about the whole thing and become happy again, at least for a while.
- Sure, he smiled.
September 18 2000 (Monday)
- Put me down! Shirley laughed.
- Never! Nick kept on running.
- Put me down right now before you drop me!
- Forget it!
- Watch it! Howie stepped back when Nick who was carrying Shirley almost ran in to him.
- NICK! Brian yelled, They are going to start letting in fans now! Let Shirley go now!
Nick ignored him and kept on running.
- Put me down! She protested again.
- Nope! He smiled.
Kevin sighed and looked at A.J.
- He's changed completely, A.J. tried, let him run around with her for like five more minutes...
- We have to get ready now, Kevin said, And if he keeps on like that he'll be too tired to do the whole concert...
- I'm aware of that, but look at him! He haven't been anything close to this happy in a long time...
- I know, Kevin sighed.
Nick smiled and put Shirley down again.
- Thank you, she smiled and held on to him, great... I'm a little bit too dizzy right now...
- Want me to carry you down from the stage? He smirked.
- No, no, no, she said, play with someone else for a while, like one of the fans, they'd love it...
- NICK! Kevin yelled, NOW!
- I'M COMING! Nick turned to Shirley, Are you going to watch or...?
- Actually I'm going to talk a little bit with June... I really like her.
- She's still here?
- She did a concert yesterday; she's not staying for long though, she's leaving again tomorrow...
- Okay, he smiled.
September 19 2000 (Tuesday)
- Guess what June told me yesterday, Shirley smirked.
- What? Howie looked at her.
- That she got a boyfriend, Shirley smiled, guess who he is...
- What? Nick looked at her.
- He's sitting in this room, she smirked, and he's blushing, plus he's the only one that I know that wears sunglasses even if it's dark outside...
- Well, Kevin looked at A.J. and smiled, for how long has this been going on?
- Well, A.J. rolled his eyes, we kind of... we... um... we've been a couple since September 14... for five days that is...
- And they look so cute together! Shirley smiled, J and A.J.
- J? Howie looked at her.
- Yeah, she prefers if you call her that, at least that's what she told me. J as in both Joan and June...
- Are you going to tattoo her name somewhere? Howie smirked.
- No, I'm not gonna tattoo her name anywhere...
- Cause they've alread done a tattoo each! Shirley smirked.
- What? Kevin stared at him, What happens when you two break up?
- Don't worry Kev, first of all I know there's a big risk that we will break up, second of all, it's not her name or anything.
- What is it? Nick smirked.
- J made a raven on her back, Shirley smirked.
- I know that, A.J. sighed, leave me alone.
- No, what did you do? Brian smiled.
- I did a dragon.
- Another one? Howie sighed.
- A silver dragon, he sighed.
- Like the one June got on her right arm, Shirley smirked.
- Thank you Shirley-Jean, anything else that just Joan, you and me know that you wanna share?
- Oh, can I? She smirked.
- No.
- Are you sure?
- Very, shut up now.
September 22 2000 (Friday)
- Yes, I know that we agreed to a week, Kevin sighed, I know that.
- And she got school too, have she worked with it at all?
- Actually she have, and Howie's helping her with the Spanish too so there's no need to worry. We got a teacher with us for her sake.
- Still, he sighed, she shouldn't be on the road with you guys. She should be in school like normal girls.
- I know Mr. Dale, Kevin said, but you should see how she's affected Nick, he's like he used to be again. It would mean a lot to the guys and me if she could stay... I hope that you understand that we don't want Nick to get like he was before...
- Exactly how was he before?
- Well... um...
- I want the truth.
- He was extremely testy, Kevin sighed, and he actually hit A.J. for no good reason at all.
- What!?
- Don't worry Mr. Dale, Nick would never hurt your daughter. He would rather die than do something like that...
- I don't know. I mean it doesn't sound like Nick at all...
- Exactly. And now he's back to normal again, there's no need to worry for her sake at all. We'll all be there for her if she needs help and A.J.'s mother Denise is traveling with us and she looks out for her too. She got a mother, four big brothers and her best friend here, there's no need to be worried at all.
September 24 2000 (Sunday)
- Nick! She hissed and pushed him away from her.
He looked surprised at her. She didn't say another thing instead she just opened the door and left the room.
- OPEN RIGHT NOW! She yelled and banged on the door.
Brian slowly opened the door.
- What? He said drowsy.
- You and me are changing room right now, she muttered and went in to his room.
- Now what? A.J. mumbled and looked at her, Hey, nice legs Shirl!
- Shut up or I'll kick your sorry ass to the moon! She hissed and turned to Brian again, I'm sleeping here with the not so drunk A.J. and you are sleeping in room 21 with the really drunk Nick.
- He got pretty drunk didn't he? Brian looked at her carefully.
- When he starts to harass me then he's pretty drunk, yes! She hissed and turned to A.J. again, I would appreciate if you didn't let him get that drunk, this isn't the first time you know!
- Why do you think it was I? A.J. looked surprised at her.
- Cause neither Howie, Kevin nor Brian is stupid enough to get into a drinking competition!
- Okay, calm down Shirley, Brian sighed, Are you okay?
- I'm fine, she muttered, but I'm just terribly lucky that he got some respect for me even when he's drunk, otherwise I'd been raped by now!
- Okay, Brian looked at her, you are mad, Bone's over there, hit him as much as you want. I'm going to go to Nick and make him go asleep again... okay?
- Just go!