“Hey Sleepyhead. Wake up,” Erica gently shook Nick.
“Morning,” he mumbled and opened his eyes.
Erica kissed him and stood up. “Where are you going?” Nick playfully grabbed her shirttail and pulled her back onto the bed.
“I was going to go for a walk,” she turned to him, took his face in her hands and gently kissed him.
“Let me come.”
“Fine, but hurry,” she jumped up and slipped on a jacket.
Nick crawled out of bed and slipped on a pair of pants, a t-shirt and sneakers. “Ready.”
“That was fast,” Erica took his hand and they walked out the door before security saw them leave.
As they walked hand-in-hand they didn’t say a word. After about 15 minutes they stopped. “Nick,” Erica stepped in front of him and wrapped her arms around him.
“Hi,” Nick smiled his mischievous smile, leaned down and began to kiss her. (And kiss her, and kiss her, and kiss her, and kiss her.)
“You sure got over me fast Nick-y,” a voice from behind chilled Nick to the bone.
Erica pulled back and bit her lip, “Who’s that?” she buried her head in his chest.
Nick let go of Erica and turned around, “What do you want Jess?” Erica came and stood in front of Nick, she half expected an introduction. “Aw Nick, she’s cute,” Jess smirked.
“Shut up,” Nick moved protectively in front of Erica.
Erica didn’t like the looks of things and took Nick’s hand, “Come on baby, please, let’s just go.”
“What’s the matter? Are you scared of me? Nick-y you see that? Your little girlfriend is scared of me.”
“I am not!”
“Leave her alone Jess. Erica, don’t let her get to you.”
“What are you going to do about it? You wouldn’t hit a girl would you?”
“Just shut up and leave her alone.”
“Hey Jess, baby, guess what I… oh no,” Lance Bass came running around the corner and skidded to a stop next to Jess.
“Oh my god, please tell me this is some sort of joke,” Nick just stared disgusted as Jess defiantly kissed Lance. “That’s just gross.”
“Hey watch it!” Lance threatened
“I’m not watching anything! That’s just wrong.”
“Nick calm down,” Erica whispered.
Nick clenched his hand in to a fist but turned away.
“Everyone knows why she’s with me and not you… you just weren’t any good.”
Nick swung around and Lance was on the ground stunned within seconds. “I guess she just likes it better from fags,” Nick smirked and Erica stifled a laugh.
Jess kneeled next to Lance, “Are you just going to take that? Get up ad fight.”
“Yeah Lance, get up and fight. That is unless you can’t.”
Lance stood up slowly, wiping off his bleeding lip. They charged at each other and as they fought a crowd began to gather.
“Block him Nick!” Erica yelled.
“Shut up!” Jess yelled at her.
“Who says I have to?”
Jess ignored her and turned back to the fight, “Go for the gut Lance!” then laughing to herself she turned to Erica, “Let’s just hope his hand doesn’t get stuck.”
“THAT’S IT!” Erica punched Jess knocking her to the floor, unable to get back up, “DON’T EVER INSULT MY BOYFRIEND!”
Finally two of the boys security guards showed up and pulled the two men apart, but not before Nick got Lance one last time. “That’s going to be a shiner!” someone in the crowd yelled.
“Calm down you two!” one of the guards yelled.
“Nick,” Erica stepped In front of him blocking his view of Lance. “Calm down baby,” she set her hand on the side of his face, “just calm down.”
Nick took a few deep breaths and stopped struggling to get loose. “You going to be ok pal?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine if I never have to see those to again,” They let go of Nick.
Erica took his hand and they began to walk away. As they passed Jess and Lance Nick stopped. “I never want to see you again. You understand?”
“Yeah,” Jess whispered.
“Do you have any idea how much trouble I could get you in?” Lance smirked.
“For what?” Nick punched Lance in the face, “That?”
As they held Lance back Nick and Erica walked away. When they got back to the hotel A.J. was back and everyone was starring at them. “I have to lie down,” Nick whispered.
“We have to leave now,” Kevin frowned.
“Nick sunk into a chair, “Can I at least have some pain killers?”
Leigh dug through her purse and Brian got Nick a glass of water, “Here,” Leigh handed him some medicine.