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/Joan 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, A.J.'s girlfriend.
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, 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 ex 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, June Omega's/Joan Lady's boyfriend, 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.
September 25 2000 (Monday)
- It's okay Shirl, Kevin said and hugged her.
- Why are you talking like this? She muttered.
- I thought you were sad, he said surprised and looked at her.
- Does it look like I'm crying?
- Ah, he sighed, sure, if you prefer being mad then that's okay too...
- Good, cause I'm planning to be mad for the next couple of hours, we'll see if I'm going to be pissed for the next couple of days, she hissed.
- Okay, he looked at her carefully, I just always thought that when a girl almost got raped she'd be devastated...
- I didn't almost get raped, she muttered, it was Nick, there's no need to worry, if you say no he gets that even if he's drunk... trust me.
- So what are you doing to tell Nick? Kevin looked at her.
- What I'm going to tell him? Shirley looked at him, The same thing as I always do, something not so bad...
- How about the truth?
- That will only make him cry, and I don't want him to cry.
- You are so weird in so many ways, Kevin sighed.
- Thank you, she smirked.
- Weren't you going to be mad for a good while more?
- I am mad, I'm just not mad at you right now.
- Shirley? Howie hurried in to the room, You better come...
- Now what? She hissed but followed him anyway.
- Well, Nick and A.J. are fighting again and... well...
She looked in to room 19. Nick and A.J. were yelling at each other and Nick was obviously more than pissed.
- I so love my life, she muttered and hurried in, SHUT UP BOTH FO YOU!!
Nick and A.J. looked surprised at her.
- What did you and him do last night? Nick said after a moment of silence.
- We slept, she hissed, that's all...
- Why couldn't you stay at our room? Why did you change room all of a sudden and why, if I may ask, he hissed, did you choose to share bed with A.J.?
- First of all Nick, A.J. hissed, I got a girlfriend, second of all I would never...
- RIGHT!
- I WOULD NEVER TOUCH SHIRLEY AND YOU KNOW IT!
- AND I'M SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE THAT!!
- STOP THAT THIS ONCE! Shirley ran over before Nick even thought about hitting A.J. again, You are acing like two babies!
- Then maybe you could explain why you were in his bed in the morning, Nick hissed.
- Because you were really pushy last night! She hissed, That's why!
- What?
- You were harassing her, Brian said carefully, that's why she came to our room...
- Oh my god, Nick looked at Shirley, I'm sorry... I... I'm so sorry...
She didn't say a word she just looked at him.
- I'm sorry, he said and hugged her, forgive me Shirl... I never thought that... I'm so, so sorry...
- It's okay, she mumbled and gave the others signs to leave the room, it's okay...
Brian looked at them one last time, they reminded him of two kids comforting each other.
September 30 2000 (Saturday)
- Nick, Shirley sighed, there's no use waiting...
- I wanna know how it goes! He said.
- Nick, I know you wanna know how your CD sells but trust me, you can't sit here online for five hours. It won't come up until tonight!
- Maybe there will be some change of plans...
- Not very likely, she sighed, just get of that page, can't we go on some anti-Backstreet page and write hate mail to them?
- You really like that don't you? He smirked and looked at her.
- Well... yeah...
October 5 2000 (Thursday)
- Guess what! Shirley smiled.
- What? Howie sighed.
- I met this guy... he's really cute and really nice...
- Oh, Howie said, what's his name?
- Michel...
- And how about Nick?
- Well, she sighed, I mean, I don't think that he really is in love with me or anything, he's acting like he used to. And I really like Michel so... I just wanna see how it will work out...
- Well maybe you are right, he sighed, maybe he just missed you or something... or maybe he was going crazy...
- Maybe... Is A.J. still with Joan?
- Yupp, he went to visit her as soon as we got home...
- They really look cute together, she smiled.
- They do.
- How is it going with you and Claudia?
- It's fine, just fine...
- I gotta go now, sorry, my dad wants to use the phone, she sighed, I'll talk to you later.
- Sure, bye.
- Bye.
October 10 2000 (Saturday)
- I thought that you were going to work things out, A.J. looked surprised at Brian.
- We were...
- You were together for three days...
- I know, he muttered, it just... It didn't work out...
- Are you going to take her back again? he looked at Brian.
He didn't say a word.
- What?
- I don't know...
- She must be really good in bed! Why do you keep insisting in staying together with that girl? She's nothing but a big heartbreak.
- I know...
October 11 2000 (Wednesday)
- Hi Nick! She smiled and hugged him.
- Hi, he smiled, come in Shirl...
- Thanks, she stepped in, are you alone?
"I have to tell her" he thought.
- Yeah... and um... there's something I wanna tell you...
- I gotta tell you something too! But you go first.
- No, go ahead, he smiled.
- No really, you first.
- Ladies first...
- Fine, she smiled and rolled her eyes, I told you about this guy I met, Michel.
- Yeah.
- We are together! She smiled.
- Oh, he said surprised, Congratulations...
- Thanks Nick, she smiled, What was it you were going to say?
- What?
- You were going to tell me something...
- I was? Not that I remember...
- You don't? she looked at him for a while.
- It probably weren't anything important... I would have remembered it then...
- Yeah, probably, she said after a moment of hesitation.
- But... um... Shirl I don't... I don't feel so good right now...
- Oh, what's wrong?
- Headache, he mumbled.
- Do you want me to leave?
- That would be nice, he said, I need to be alone for a while...
- Okay, she sighed, see you later then.
- Yeah, bye Shirl.
- Bye Nick.
She walked out and down the street.
"There was something, and he surely didn't forget it" she thought.
October 11 2000 (Wednesday)
- Nick? Jane walked in to the house, Are you home?
Nobody ansered her.
"I love you
I never told you but I really do
And you don't have to say you love me
Cause I know we are meant to be
You and me
We are trapped but still free
You are mine, and I am yours
Not to be torn apart by any force
It's an adult love
It's there, stormy and mature
It's a teenage love
It's there, free and insecure"
- And that annoying music is on, she muttered and walked over to Nick and Aaron's room.
"It's an adult love
It's there, stormy and mature
It's a teenage love
It's there, free and insecure
It's a friendship love
It's there, but never have to be mentioned
It's a childhood love
It's there, pure and untoched"
- Nick? She said surprised, I didn't think that you were home... What's happen?
He just shook his head.
"It's a friendship love
It's there, but never have to be mentioned
It's a childhood love
It's there, pure and untouched
You and me
We are trapped but still free
You are mine, and I'm yours
Not to be torn apart by any force"
- What's they matter Nicky? She sat down beside him.
- Nothing, he mumbled.
"You and me
We are trapped but still free
You are mine, and I'm yours
Not to be torn apart by any force
I love you"
- But...
- Nothing, just leave me alone...
"Last time I saw you
You saw me too
But you ignored me
I guess that you couldn't see
And it hurts so bad
It shouldn't be aloud to be this sad"
- Okay, she said carefully and got up, if there's anything Nick...
"The rain keeps falling
I wish that you would hear my calling
I'm calling for you
No one else will do
No, no one else will do"
- I know.
- Okay, she left the room.
"And the rain keeps falling
Like my tears they are falling
Wish you knew about it
I can't picture you ignoring that bit"
He sighed and looked at the CD player. He knew Jane didn't like June Omega, even though he had told her that she was A.J.'s girlfriend, it almost had seemed to have the opposite affect. Still this was how he felt and he couldn't really manage to change CD.
"And the rain keeps falling
And I keep calling
Calling your name
Now there is no use to place the blame
We are both as guilty for it
And we both know it
And the rain keeps falling
I wish that you would hear my calling
I'm calling for you
No one else will do"
- Mom?
- What? Jane looked at Aaron.
- I think Nick's crying...
- Just leave him alone, she sighed.
"Time gave you to me
That was how it was suppose to be
You to me, and me to you
It still hurts, yes it do"
- Do you want me to change the CD? Aaron looked at Nick.
- No.
"Cause time had a change of heart
And before we had been able to start
Time ripped you away from me
I wish it had let us be"
- Okay, he sighed and left his big brother alone.
"A time comes for everything
There is time for nothing
A time comes for everyone
There is time for no one"
"With you by my side
I can say what I really mean
I can climb the highest mountain
I can swim the stormiest ocean
But without you
I'm weak, I'm scared and I'm suffering"
- Nick? Lesley looked at him.
- What? He muttered.
- Phone...
He looked at her.
- It's A.J....
- Tell him I'm not in the mood for talking...
"With you by my side
I can say what I really mean
I can climb the highest mountain
I can swim the stormiest ocean"
She sighed and went back to the kitchen.
"But without you by my side
I can't utter a word, or they'll hate me
With you by my side
I can say what I really mean
I can climb the highest mountain
I can swim, oh I can swim the stormiest ocean"
- A.J.? She sighed.
- Yeah?
- He doesn't feel like talking...
"Without you by my side
I can't move, or I might fall
But, oh, with you by my side
I can say what I really mean
I can, I can climb the highest mountain
I can swim the stormiest ocean"
- What?
- I don't know, she said.
- What's happen?
- I don't know... he doesn't wanna talk to anyone...
"Without you by my side
I can't go near water, or I might drown
With you by my side
I can, oh I can say what I really mean
I can climb the highest mountain
And I, I can swim the stormiest ocean"
- Any idea what it might be?
- No idea...
- He's playing June Omega isn't he?
- Yupp...
- And Jane doesn't mind?
- He's a little bit too sad for that, she sighed.
- It's that bad?
- Yeah...
"With you by my side
I can face anything
Without any fear
With you by my side
I can do anything
Without any guilt of regret"
- Do you think it would change if I came over?
- Not really... he's really blue...
- Oh...
October 15 2000 (Sunday)
- Hi, Brian smiled, is Nick home?
- He is, BJ sighed, but... he's still very sad...
- What? Can I talk to him?
- Sure, she sighed, I hope that he'll be better afterwards, I've never seen him so depressed in my whole life...
- Oh? Brian walked in to Nick's room.
"Empty that's what I am
Not lonely, not sad, not happy either
I'm just empty
There's no other feeling
I'm just completely empty
I'm all empty
Completely empty
There's nothing left
I gave you all I had"
- Hi Frack, Brian smiled, What's up?
Nick looked at him but didn't answer.
"I'm all empty
Completely empty
There's nothing left
I gave you all I had"
- What's happen to you? Brian said confused.
He could really agree to what BJ had said, he had never been this sad before.
"Used to be full of thoughts
Now I'm all empty
The opinions used to be plenty
Now I'm just empty"
- This is too depressing music for you right now, Brian said and turned of the CD player.
Nick didn't even react.
- Do you wanna tell me what's wrong? He sat down beside him.
Nick just shook his head.
- Okay... do you wanna hear something nice then?
- Whatever.
- Hey you can talk! Brian smiled, Well, Tara and me are back together again.
- Oh, he sighed, that's nice...
- No 'she isn't good for you'? No 'she'll only hurt you'? Brian looked surprised at him.
- No.
- What's wrong Nick? Brian said confused.
- Nothing...
- Something is wrong, you are not like you used to be. Do you want me to go and get Shirley? Maybe she can cheer you up?
Nick just looked at him.
- No?
- No.
- Is it about her?
- Why would it be that? Nick mumbled.
- Cause last time you became really weird it worked out as soon as Shirley came...
- It did?
- Yeah, are you sure you don't want me to call her?
- She's probably out with her boyfriend...
- I think we've found what's wrong here, Brian looked at him, Come on, you can tell me everything...
- His name is Michel and she loves him, he muttered, that's all.
- And you love her?
Nick didn't anser him.
October 21 2000 (Thursday)
Shirley opened the door.
- Nick?
- Shirley? Jane smiled, I haven't seen you in a long while.
- I know, she smiled, I've been spending quite some time with my boyfriend...
- Oh? What's his name?
- Michel, he's 19, and really cute. Is Nick home?
- Yeah... he's pretty depressed though...
- What? She stared at her.
- Brian have been coming over for three, four days now, all of the guys have been here but it doesn't seem to help, she sighed, Maybe you can make him okay again?
- I'll do my best, she said seriously.
- Good, she smiled, he's in his room.
- Thank you Mrs. Carter.
Shirley walked over and opened the door.
- Hello there, she smiled, guess who!
- Shirley? He sat up and looked at her, Hi... why are you here?
- Why I'm here? She said and looked at him a bit surprised, Aren't I aloud to visit my best friend?
- Sure you are but... How's Michel?
- He's fine, she smiled and sat down beside him, guess what.
- I don't feel like guessing, he mumbled.
- Okay, read this then, she handed him a teenage magazine.
He sighed and looked at the article.
- So A.J. and Joan have told the press that they are togehter, he sighed, so?
- You really are depressing, she sighed, Did you already know?
- No.
- Don't do that!
- What? He looked surprised at her.
- You are depressing me when you're acting like this. I was happy when I got here and now I'm all blue...
- Sorry.
- You're forgiven, she smiled and hugged him, Why are you so sad then?
- No reason.
- No reason? Find that hard to believe.
- I'm not sad, okay? He looked at her, I think I'll call Kathleen actually...
- Kathleen? Her voice became a bit hostile.
- Yeah, Kathleen, he said, do you have a problem with that or?
- With you having a girlfriend, no. With Kathleen, yes.
He just shrugged his shoulders.
- Look, if you are calling Kathleen, that's fine, she sighed, Make her really depressed.
- Actually I was thinking about going out with her, if she isn't doing something else that is...
- Oh? Well that's great, Shirley said, then you won't be needing me anymore.
- What?
- Well, if you are happy enough to put up with Kathleen then you won't be needing me trying to cheer you up now will you? I'll go home or visit Michel perhaps...
- Yeah, that's fine.
- Good.
They looked at each other for a while.
- You really don't like the thought of me having a boyfriend do you? She smirked.
- Not really, he said hoping that she'd understand why.
- Don't worry, he's nothing like Chris was. I don't think that you have to worry about me getting hurt, she smiled and got up, You... you be good okay?
- I will, he said and got up too.
- Good, she smiled, bye.
- Bye.
October 22 2000 (Friday)
- Hello? Shirley answered.
- Hi Shirley, Jane smiled, I just wanted to call and thank you for whatever you did. Nick's okay now.
- Good, she smiled.
- Who is it? Michel looked at her.
- It's a friend's mother, she said to him.
- You got a visitor? Jane said.
- Yeah.
- Your boyfriend?
- Exactly, she smiled.
- Then I won't disturb you anymore, bye.
- Bye.
December 5 2000 (Saturday)
- Are you okay? Brian looked at Nick.
- Yeah, I mean it was just Kathleen, he sighed, No big deal. And you?
- We are two dumped Backstreet Boys, he sighed, I'm feeling kind of blue.
- We couldn't really expect too much now would we?
- Not really, Brian smiled, well, at least I know one thing now.
- And that is? Nick looked at him.
- That you don't love Kathleen, you love Shirley.
- What?! Nick stared at him.
- It's true isn't it? Brian said seriously.
- What? No, no, it's not.
Brian just looked at him.
- Okay, Nick sighed, it is true... happy?
- Not really.
- What?
- No, I'm just a little sad... this whole thing with Tarantella...
- It's for the best, Nick said and looked at him, it is... She's not good for you...
- Where were you when I got together with her again?
- In the depressing land far from here, he sighed, You aren't going to get back together with her, right?
- I don't think so, but I'm not sure... I won't be asking her to come back though, if she wants me back then she'll be the one coming to me this time.
December 14 2000 (Thursday)
- She'll come to you? Nick looked at Brian.
- Well... I missed her...
- Oh, you missed the girl that throw things at you? The girl that hits you? The girl that probably left your dog in Sweden where it almost died?!
- You have no proof of that! Brian hissed.
- Sorry, Nick muttered, but I still don't get it. She hits you, she throws things at you, she yells at you... You got a scar beside your right eye and another scar in your forehead because of her!
- I love her Nick! Why do't you just understand that and then tell Shirley that you love her.
- Cause she got a boyfriend, Nick sighed, and she's happy. Besides, you know how I was... I highly doubt that she'd want me anyway...
- Nothing risked, nothing gained.
- I know... but she does deserve someone that doesn't got two other girls at the same time...
- You don't anymore...
- But I did at one time and I wish that I hadn't, Nick sighed, I weren't fair to Kathleen, Jenny nor Ashley... and Shirley knew it all and still she didn't tell them...
- Cause she's your friend, and she's of a very loyal nature, Brian looked at him.
- I know, I know, he looked at Brian, but I was such a sleaze then, there's no way that she'd want me. I mean she were there, she knew it from the start...
- Maybe so, but maybe she know that you wouldn't do that to her.
- How can you be so sure that I wouldn't?
- Cause I know you, you wouldn't hurt anyone you love on purpose, Brian smiled.
January 4 2001 (Thursday)
Nick opened the door.
- Shirley? He said surprised, What's happen?
- Can... can I come in? She said and wiped away the tears that was rolling down her cheeks.
- Sure...
She nodded and stepped in. After a moment of hesitation she threw herself in his arms and started crying again.
- What happened? He said and hugged her.
- Michel...
- What did he do?
- We had a fight...
- It's okay, Nick said and looked at her, it will work out...
- He's at my place right now... can I stay, just for the night?
- You know that you can, he smiled.
Nick looked at Shirley one last time before he got up from the couch and walked over to the front door.
- Yes? He looked at the guy who was standing there and suddenly realized that it was Michel.
- Is Shirley here? He said.
- Yeah... she's sleeping though...
- I tried to find her but she weren't at any of her friends' houses... so her mother gave me your address...
The tone in Michel's voice made it clear that he was still mad, but surley more mad that Shirley were at Nick's place and not with some girl.
- Well, we are best friends, Nick tried.
- Obviously, he muttered, I just wonder why I didn't find out about you until now.
- Cause I'm a celebrity and Shirley doesn't exactly brag about it...
- Can I see her? Now.
- She's sleeping and I'd prefer if you didn't wake her up...
- So she's staying here?
- She's stayed the night before, he sighed, we are just friends, you don't have to worry.
- Could you tell me one thing, Michel said and looked at him, do you have a girlfriend?
- No, I don't.
- Okay, bit if you did, how would you feel about her staying the night with some 'friend' that you never even heard about?
- I'd be as jealous as you are right now, Nick sighed, You don't have to worry about Shirley, or your relationship with her. She's my friend, nothing else.
After a moment of hesitation Michel handed him a set of keys.
- She dropped them, he said and left.
January 8 2001 (Monday)
Shirley unlocked the door and walked in.
- Nick? She went in to his room.
- I'm in the living room, he said and put the tape on hold.
She walked over to him.
- What's happen? He said and hugged her.
- We broke up, she sobbed.
- What? He said surprised.
Even though he didn't like Michel, and he hadn't exactly wanted them to be together, he hadn't hoped that they'd break up, mostly because he didn't wanna see Shirley cry. He hated to see her cry, it made him feel guilty somehow and he always tried to make her smile again.
- You know what, he said after a while.
- What? She looked at him.
- I got Scream 3, if you wanna see... you can pretend that it's Michel that gets killed...
She smiled and nodded.
- I think that that would be nice, she said.
January 14 2001 (Saturday)
Nick looked at her for a while, she'd stayed the night again. Michel had come over and tried to talk to her two days ago but she'd just got mad and yelled at him, after that he hand't tried to contact her at all.
He sat down beside the bed and kissed him softly on the lips.
She opened her eyes and looked surprised at him.
- Good morning, he said a bit embarrassed.
- Did you just kiss me? She looked at him.
- Um... well... there's been something I wanted to tell you...
- That you forgot? She smiled and sat up.
- You remember that, he sighed, well, yeah...
- Okay, she smiled.
- It's... I... um, he looked at her.
She smiled and kissed him. She understood what he meant even though he hadn't said it.
- Weren't you asleep? he said after a while.
- I was pretending to sleep since you were so cute tiptoeing around trying not to wake me up, she smiled.
- Oh, did I wake you up?
- Not really...
- Good, then you won't kill me, he smiled.
- Nope, not this time.
January 20 2001 (Saturday)
- Bye hun, Nick said and kissed Shirley.
- Bye, she sighed, I miss you already...
- Ditto.
- Nick! Now! Kevin said.
- I'm coming! Nick turned to Shirley again, See you again in February or so...
- Yeah... call me...
- Promise.
- Nick!
- I gotta go now, he gave her one last kiss and hurried after the others.
- Well there they go, Tarantella said.
- I wish I could go with him, Shirley sighed.
- I'm so glad that they finally are leaving, she muttered.
- What? Shirley looked surprised at her, Brian's your boyfriend.
- And? He's really annoying, besides, I've met a guy, he's nice and all...
- Are you cheating on Brian?!
- No, I just said that I met this guy, he's younger than I am though, kind of annoying. Don't tell me that the thought of cheating on Nick haven't crossed your mind at least once.
- No! I love Nick, Shirley protested, I would never cheat on him ever!
- Do you think he's faithful to you while he's on the road or something? I mean, you know that he had three girlfriends last time they were on tour...
- He wouldn't do that, not to me, she hissed, and if you cheat on Brian Tara, don't expect me to keep your secret.
Mars 2 2001 (Thursday)
Joan looked at Brian.
- You and Tarantella got problems again?
- Yeah, he sighed.
- Okay, but you do wanna break up with her, don't you?
- I do, J I do, but I don't know how to...
- Okay, she smirked, how come?
- It's so hard to say no to her, he said, I can't reject her and... it makes it so hard.
She nodded and looked at him.
Joan smiled and kissed him.
- What are you doing?! Brian stared at her.
She smiled and kissed him again.
- I want you, right here, right now, she whispered.
- What?
- I do...
- But... you're A.J.'s girlfriend!
- He won't find out, she smiled.
- But... no! It's wrong, no!
- See, she smiled and got up, you just have to do like that with Tarantella too. No big deal.
- So you were only testing me? He sat up again.
- Yeah, she smiled, I wouldn't cheat on A.J., promise.
Mars 4 2001 (Saturday)
- You broke up with Tarantella? Nick looked surprised at Brian.
- Yes, he muttered.
- What happened? Shirley said even though she could guess the answer.
- I just found out that she's been cheating on me, Brian sighed, that's why. I don't want a cheating girlfriend and this time it's final, I'm not taking her back again.
- Good, Nick said, she's no good for you anyway.
- I know...
- It will be all right again, Shirley sighed, you are better off without her.
- I know, Brian sighed, even though it doesn't feel like it right now...
Mars 29 2001 (Thursday)
Shirley opened the door to Nick's house. Brian hadn't been home when she called him and she hoped that he'd be at Nick's place instead.
- Hi Shirley, Lesley smiled.
- Hi Lesley, is Brian here?
- Yeah, he's with Nick in his room, they are playing Nintendo again...
- Thank you, she smiled and hurried over to Nick and Aaron's room.
She opened the door and walked over to them.
- Brian!
- What? He said and put the game on hold.
- Read this, she handed him a magazine.
- Shirley, he smirked, a teenybopper magazine?
- Well I am a teenybopper, she sighed, read!
[Note: You guys all know how much I just looooove *N Sync and all it's members... *evil smirk*]
- Okay, he sighed, *N Sync member Justin Timberlake have pronounced that he got a new girlfriend, her name is Tarantella Caster, former girlfriend of Backstreet Boys-Brian Littrell...
- What?! Nick stared at him.
- That's what it says...
- There's a couple of pictures too, Shirley said and turned the page.
- It really is her, Brian said stunned.
- No there's a lot of Caster families that names their children Tarantella, Nick said and looked at the picture.
- Now *N Sync isn't only copying you, Shirley sighed, they are taking your ex's too...
- Well, Brian sighed and gave Shirley the magazine again, I'm happy that she's moved on, that's that.
- That's that? Nick looked at him.
- Shouldn't you be mad that she got together with another celebrity, and a member of *N Sync for that matter?
- No, he can have her, I don't want her anymore.
April 7 2001 (Saturday)
- Oh my god, Joan mumbled to A.J., Tarantella is here...
- Well since *N Sync are here too...
- I know but still, I'm going to talk to her... I'll be right back, she muttered and walked over to Justin and Tarantella.
- June! Tara smiled, Hi!
[Note: Justin talks like NORMAL people in this story, I don't feel like fighting with my computer over this again.]
- Hello, Justin smiled.
- Hi, she said coldly, Tarantella, I need to talk to you, now.
- You two know each other? Justin said a bit surprised.
- We are cousins, she muttered, Tara, now.
- But... Hi Brian, she smiled.
- Hi Tarantella, Brian forced himself to smile, I didn't expect to see you here...
- Well, I'm here with my new boyfriend, she smiled and hugged Justin.
- I can see that, he said, It's nice to see that you've moved on. Justin, can I talk to you?
- That would be perfect, Joan said, I have to talk with my cousin, now.
She walked away with Tarantella before she was able to argue.
- Justin, Brian said and looked at him.
- Yeah?
- You know that Tarantella is my ex, right?
- I do.
- How long have you two been together?
- A little more than a month actually, he smiled.
- Good, Brian smiled, then you might have noticed something special about her.
- What do you mean?
- You know exactly what I mean, Brian muttered, that scar on your cheek that's what I mean...
Justin just looked at him, he didn't say a word.
- Exactly, she was like that with me too, Brian said calmly, She isn't going to change...
- I don't know what you are talking about, Justin said and looked around to see if he could find his girlfriend amongst the other people that were there.
- You do, he said, I got one advice for you, run Justin, just run.
- What?
- You heard me, Brian said and left him alone.
Joan walked over to Brian.
- Well? She said and looked at him.
- I don't think that he will break up with her.
- At least you tried, she sighed.
June 4 2001 (Monday)
Shirley closed the book and got up.
- Where are you going? Nick looked at her surprised.
- I'm just gonna... um... the kitchen... I'm a little bit hungry...
- Okay, Nick said and watched her as she left.
This weren't the first time she did like this in the middle of the same book. He slowly picked it up and opened it. She'd been on page 78 for a long time now, she'd been backing a few pages, reread them and then stopped at the same place again. He looked throught the text, he could understand that you'd get a bit upset as it was about a girl who got abused but still...
- Shirley? He got up and walked over to the kitchen.
- Yeah? she said and opened the refrigerator.
- Well... are you okay? He looked at her carefully.
- Um... yeah, she mumbled and looked at him.
- Your book, he said and handed it to her.
- Yeah, she looked at it for a while and put it down again.
- You're not okay, Nick said, is it the book?
- You read it?
- Looked through page 78...
She nodded.
- Shirley, he said and looked at her, you can tell me anything, you know that...
- I know, she smiled and stepped over to him, but... you are right, there is something I haven't told you...
He nodded and hugged her.
- And... it's not... it's not that I don't trust you, Shirley looked at him, It's just... I can't tell you.
He didn't answer, he had a hint of where this was going.
- It's... I trust you, and I love you with all my heart, she said and sighed, it's just... it hurts.
- You don't have to tell me if you don't want to, he mumbled and held her closer, but if you want to, I'm always right here...
She smiled and kissed him softly on the lips.
- I know you are, you've always been...
He nodded, there was something in her eyes that told him that she weren't meaning that in a good way.
- I'm sorry, she said, I just... I just got really tired all of a sudden...
- You can take my bed, he said and walked her to his and Aaron's room.
- No turtles on the floor I hope, she looked at him and smirked.
- Not this time, he smiled.
She sat down on the bed.
- It feels like I should tell you, she said and looked at him.
- You can tell me anything, but you don't have to if you don't wanna...
- I know, she said and looked at him, but I don't wanna keep you in the dark...
He nodded and sat down beside her.
- You know that we haven't... you know...
He nodded.
- Well it isn't really that... or it is... kinda... It's... You remember Chirs...
- All too well...
He knew he reacted in the same when he thought about Chris as Shirley did when she thought about Kathleen. Chris and Kathleen would have made a nice couple, both a little too much.
- Well... you know that Chris and I...
- Yeah, Nick interrupted her.
He hated the thought of Chris coming even close to Shirley, he had hated the guy as soon as he'd seen him for the first time, so the thought of Chris and Shirley having sex weren't exactly his favorite picture.
She nodded.
- It changed a lot in our relationship, she said and looked at him, I know you aren't like Chris in anyway but... I'm scared that it will happen again...
- What did he really do to you, Nick looked at her, you never told me...
- Chris weren't nice, she started, I mean, he was nice in the start and so but... After all that he got worse... he hit me a few times...
- That was why you had your bruises...
- Well I did walk in to stuff all the time too, she sighed, I wouldn't call it abusing but... it made it pretty clear that he didn't love me. You don't hurt someone you love...
Nick nodded and pulled her closer in to a hug.
- I mean... that was kind of the problem with Michel...
- Did he hit you?! Nick stared at her.
- No... but he said things like "you'd do it if you really loved me"... those sorts of things...
- Look Shirley, if you're not ready don't worry, he looked at her, I love you, and I'll wait 30 years if that's what it takes... I won't push you, I promise...
- I know, she smiled and stroke his cheek, I know Nick... I didn't do it though... slept with Michel I mean...
- Good, Nick smiled and kissed her softly on the lips, good...
She nodded.
- He thought that I had sex with you, she said, and he thought that that was why I didn't do it with him.
- What? Nick looked surprised at her.
He had noticed that Michel had doubted his word when he had told him that he and Shirley were friends and nothing more, but that he had thought that they were lovers...
- That's why we broke up... he called me a slut and we had a fight and... he got even more upset when I defended you...
- Would you take him back if you had the chance? Nick looked at her.
- No, never, she said and ignored the tone in Nick's voice.
- If we weren't together I mean...
- Well I'd love you anyway, she sighed, don't worry Nick, I won't cheat on you, and definitely not with someone that calls me a slut.
He smiled.
- You're not a slut, he whispered, and I love you...
- I love you too, she smiled.
June 4 2001 (Monday)
Nick got up and pulled the cover over Shirley. She'd always been pretty sleepy, not like any of the guys or anything, but really sleepy all the time. He had asked her father about it and all he had said was that it was some kind of lack of vitamins, and Shirley weren't taking her pills for that.
Nick hurried out and locked the door behind him. The whole story about Chris had made him so extremely mad that he needed to hit someone or something.
Before he knew it he was standing outside Chris' door and it opened.
- Nick, Chris said surprised, what...
Nick looked surprised at Chris, he was about A.J.'s lenght so he really hadn't had any chance when it all came around but neither had Shirley had when Chris decided to hit her.
Chris didn't say a word as he got up.
- Now why did you hit me, he muttered and looked at Nick, oh wait, I think I know why... You're little call girl said something didn't she?
Nick just felt how he had to fight the urge to hit Chris again. Before he lost control again he turned around and walked away from Chris.
- She did, Chris muttered, she did...
Nick had thought that Chris would have reacted in some other way, maybe get angry, hit back, just something, something that would give him a good enough reason to hit him a couple of more times. But he hadn't, he had just realized what it was about and let it be, like if he knew what probably would have happened if he had done anything.
Nick stepped in to his room again and looked at Shirley. She looked like an angel where she was laying...
July 24 2001 (Tuesday)
- Okay, Jane smiled and hugged Nick, take care of her. And Shirley, take care of Nick...
- I will, she smiled, at least I'll do my best.
She smiled and stepped in to the car.
- I can't believe that we are goingt to live together now, Shirley looked at Nick.
- Well, unless you would have wanted to go with your parents to Norway and live out in the middle of nowhere then this was the only thing we could do.
- You could have moved with your parents...
- To California? He looked at her and smirked, And leaving you here?
- I meant as in me going to Norway and you to California.
- So we'd be even further apart? He smiled, I'd much rather live with you.
December 19 2001 (Wednesday)
- I'm sorry, she said, but it's over A.J.
- What? He stared at her, but... why?
- I... no, it just is. Okay? Over, forget about it.
- But I love you...
She just shook her head and left.
- What happened? Brian opened the door to A.J.'s room.
- She just broke up with me, he mumbled, I... Joan... she... she broke up with me...
"Christmas time
Time to share our love
Come and join
The tidings to the world
Christmas time
The best time of the year"
- What? Brian stared at him, but weren't you going to...
- Yes... on Christmas day...
"Yes it's Christmas time
You and me together
To stay right in the part
Loving is straight from the heart
Straight from the heart"
- Can you please turn of the radio...
Brian nodded.
December 23 2001 (Saturday)
- A.J.? Shirley said carefully.
- What? He mumbled.
- There's a live concert on TV... its Joan's... I thought if you wanted to see it...
- I will, he sighed, I will...
It was quiet for a while.
- I've sent her the ring, A.J. said.
- You did?
- Yeah... I don't know why... she probably haven't got it yet though...
- I'm sorry for you...
- I know... I'll see the concert anyway, he mumbled, you and Nick have a great Christmas, okay?
- We'll try, she smiled, you can come if you want to...
- No thanks, I need to think... Bye.
- Bye.
He hung up and turned on the TV. He was alone right now, Brian and LeighAnne had got back together and he was spending the week there. He was happy for their sake, Tarantella and Justin were still together even though there had been some stormy times for them too. More than one time had Justin got hurt and been on the hospital to get something patched back to what it was before Tara had decided to go frenzy. They had warned him, both Joan and Brian, but he just hadn't listened. Tara was doing it all over again, but with Justin instead of Brian this time.