'Top of the Pops'


“Oh god….we’ve got to stop Holly from leaving….” Becca and Cassidy rushed to Holly’s room early the next morning.
“Not to mention….telling Howie that she is leaving!” They both busted into Holly’s room flustered.
“Holly?! Howie!?” Cassidy gasped, embarrassed.
“Hey guys….we were just uhh…” Becca blushed as Holly and Howie sat up contentedly from Holly’s bed.
“Just going to persuade me to stay….” Holly grinned.
“And to tell me that Holly was planning to leave this morning….” Howie replied.
“Uhhh…something like that yeah….” Cassidy replied sheepishly.
“Thanks guys…” Holly smiled.
“Uh yeah…well we’ll just leave you two alone….” Becca grabbed Cassidy’s arm and began pulling her out of the room. Once out of the room they collapsed into giggles.
“Come on…..” Becca giggled as they continued down the corridor.

Cassidy stopped short as Nadine approached them timidly. Becca’s face dropped and she suddenly felt bad for Nadine.
“Hey Naddy….how are you feeling?” Cassidy said a little unsurely, wondering if Nadine still hated them.
“I’m hanging in there….” Nadine nodded with a little grin.
“That’s good…” Becca smiled.
“Uhh…look, I’m so sorry for the way I treated you the last couple of days……I just had a lot of stuff going on…” Nadine gushed, looking embarrassed at her hands.
“Hey, don’t mention it…” Cassidy said smiling.
“You sure?” Nadine said timidly.
“Come here…” Becca said giving her a hug.
“Lets go get some breakfast…” Cassidy smiled.
“That’s right Cass….even in an emotional situation, always thinking with your stomach…” Becca rolled her eyes.
“I resent that comment…” Cassidy laughed as they three girls linked arms and headed to the elevator.

ONE WEEK LATER

“I’m going to kill her…..” Leighanne said bitterly as she watched Brian and Becca cuddle each other in the front rows of the empty arena they were now in, at a sound check for that nights concert.
It was now not an overstatement to say that Leighanne was now a desperate woman. Her passion for Brian had only grown after being around him and his beautiful personality again. She missed what they had, the way he had loved her….and was determined to have it back, uncaring for who she may hurt in the process.
The boys had gone a record 8 days without a break, making up for lost time and the amounting demand from sellout shows and media coverage. All the pressure was beginning to take its toll.
An exhausted Cassidy watched Nick from the side of the stage below where he was standing when a bubbly blonde approached him.
“Nick, Nick…..I’m Lucy from ‘Top of the Pops’…could I just get a little talk with you??” She asked excitedly.
“Uhh…I really…” Nick thought he was going to cry right there. He missed home, he missed his family, he was physically and mentally exhausted. He was extremely experienced in the pressures of touring…but that by no means made it easier. “Great! Just let me get my camera man…” The reporter smiled brightly.

Cassidy shook her head, she admired the boys so much for the way they continued to push themselves for the fans and their music. Kirstie walked up to Cassidy, she looked tired and drawn.
“AJ wearing you out..” She joked.
“Everyone’s a comedian…” Kirstie replied dryly.
Cassidy laughed at everyone’s energy levels lately. ”So this is what it’s like to be ‘Top of the Pops’…..”
AJ soon joined them. He wrapped his arms around Kirstie’s waist, planting a small kiss on her shoulder.
“Have you lovely ladies seen Kevin around??” He asked.
“No, where has he been lately…..I’ve hardly seen him at all….” Cassidy’s eyes scanned the arena for Kevin.
“Come on….we’ll go find him…” Cassidy said dragging Kirstie off with her.

Becca laughed softly, “Bri that tickles…..”
“What you mean this…..” Brian wriggled his eyebrows and continued to plant little kisses on her neck.
Becca suddenly stopped laughing and clutched her chest slightly. A small groan escaped her lips.
“What is it? Becca are you ok??” Brian looked at her worried.
“I dunno, my chest hurts…”
“Are you ok??” Brian asked concerned.
Becca let out a small sigh and rested her head on Brian’s chest, “I’m ok…..it was probably just something I ate…”
“Becca it could be something serious…you should get it checked out…” Brian looked at her concerned.
“Brian really, I’m ok….” Becca replied.
“Rebecca!”
“Yes Brian…”
“ God Becca you can be so stubborn sometimes!” Brian said exasperatedly and got up to leave.

Leighanne watched as Brian stormed off. “Hmmm could there be some trouble brewing in paradise….” She observed.
“But as always Miss perfect is there to make everything better….” Leighanne scowled as Becca got up and followed Brian backstage.

“Umm…could he be in one of the dressing rooms??” Cassidy wondered aloud.
“I don’t know…let’s look….” Kirstie shrugged as they walked down the backstage corridor.
“Kevin’s been so….uhh…spacey lately..” Cassidy shook her head.
“Mmm…I hope he’s ok…” Kirstie said as she pushed the door of the boys dressing room open.

“Brian…what is wrong with you?” Becca had to jog a little to keep up with Brian’s determined strides.
No reply.
“Brian can you just slow down….ahhh…” Becca came to a halt and grabbed her chest as the searing pain returned like a knife through her heart.
“Becca….” Brian rushed to her.
“I’m fine…” Becca said meekly, gritting her teeth together.
“Rebecca! I know what its like to be seriously sick and just keep pushing yourself…” Brian tried to help her but she pushed him away slightly.
“I said I’m fine….” Becca stood up a little straighter.
“Fine….but if you start to feel any worse you tell me ok….” Brian gently lifted her chin so that her eyes met his.
“I promise…” Becca nodded, and kissed him sweetly.

“KEVIN??” Cassidy gasped at the two minumumly dressed people on the dressing room couch.
Kevin looked up, his face registering shock. Another face appeared from beneath him.
“KRISSY?!?!?!” Kirstie’s jaw dropped as Krissy’s face flushed red.
“Umm…oh my….Uhh…we’ll leave you…” Cassidy’s eyes dropped to the floor.
“Yeah..uhh..you’re needed for a soundcheck Kevin…” Kirstie quickly said before rushing out the door, Cassidy following closely.

Krissy looked at Kevin horrified as the door shut.
“Umm…well I guess that was one way of telling the gang huh….” Kevin bit his lip slightly.
“This isn’t funny!” Krissy slapped him playfully, giggling slightly.
“Don’t worry about them…” Kevin said sweetly, kissing her hungrily on the lips…Krissy responding eagerly.

“Why do you have to go….” Howie whined as he held Holly tightly.
“Because my time off work is up, and I don’t wanna get fired….” Holly laughed a little.
“I’m gonna miss you….I’m gonna die without you…” Howie said dramatically.
“I’m sure you’ll be fine….its only 2 weeks…” Holly smiled at Howie’s cuteness.
“Take care of yourself you hear…..” Howie said sincerely, rubbing Holly’s stomach lovingly.
“You too……Howie, I….I…” Holly knew exactly what she wanted to say there, but the words would just not come out.
“I love you too Holly….” Howie grinned.
“How did you know that was what I was going to say….” Holly said indignantly.
“Because I know you….and I love you very much….” Howie said seriously.
“I love you too Howie….” Holly said quietly, tracing her fingers along Howie’s jawbone.
“That’s your flight call….” Howie said sadly.
“I know…” Holly whispered, not taking her eyes off Howie’s.
“I’ll be home soon…” Howie said before kissing Holly passionately.
“You’d better be….” Holly grinned before kissing Howie once more.
“Ok…gotta go…” She said as she pulled away.
“I love you….” Howie blew her a final kiss.
“I love you too…” Holly mouthed as she entered the boarding ramp.