Element
Of Dark
Chapter Thirteen
"Welcome back to TRL and today we've got some very special guests
here to promote their new album Black and Blue. Everybody welcome the Backstreet
Boys," Carson Daly announced. We ran through the door greeted by the
enthusiasm of the surrounding fans. We sat ourselves in the provided bean bags.
Personally, I would have preferred standing but over the last few days Nicky's
health had been decreasing so much that he couldn't have managed it and we were
told that suspicions might arouse if he was singled out like that.
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"Yo, what's up?" The crowd squealed as AJ roared into the mic.
"So guys, you're on tour now."
"Yeah," Kevin said and the rest of us nodded.
"How's that going?" Not wanting to repeat the events of the
last interview I had participated in, I pulled my microphone close to my face.
"Good. Really good."
"How are the fans enjoying it?"
"They've been really supportive and we love them for that,"
Howie declared as he blew a kiss toward the camera.
"Okay, well we're going to go to audience questions for awhile. You
guys ready?" I gave the fans a goofy smile.
"Bring it on." Carson laughed.
"You're a nut." I took a mock bow.
"Why thank you." The questioning began. Most were the typical
ones we expected but a few presented quite a challenge to answering. After about
ten questions one guy, probably mid-twenties stood up and directed his question
to Nick.
"Yo, dawg. What happened?" Nick looked up confused.
"What are you talking about?"
"I used to be able to win my girl over in an argument that she
couldn't ever sleep with you cos you were just a fat little pretty boy but now I
can't use that excuse." I looked at Nick in surprise and then I suddenly
realized what he was talking about. I had never considered Nick fat, or even
overweight for that matter, just stockier than the rest of us. Yet the fans and
the media made such a big deal out of it. Nick might have been a bit chubbier
but that was just baby fat. I knew the teasing had hurt inside but he'd always
smiled it off. And now, he sat beside me, almost as thin as AJ; our skinniest
member. His clothes were baggy as they hung off his frame. He paused a moment,
thinking to himself and then lifted his mic slightly.
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"Well, for starters you shouldn't even have to worry about me
sleeping with your girlfriend since I've never even met her…," his voice
trailed off. When he continued he raised his head and his bangs parted revealing
the black mark. It was now a deep ebony and the fans gasped. Nick continued his
voice softer. "And I haven't been eating as well because of all the touring
and everything. You know. I guess hot dogs and french fries just aren't the same
as mom's cooking. I just haven't been hungry." Carson was speechless.
"Nick…what happened to your…your eye?" A startled look
crossed Frack's face and he quickly covered the mark.
"N..nothing," he muttered. "It's nothing really."
There was a tremendous silence. Kevin was the first to break it.
"Along with the whole weight issue," he drawled as though we
heard this every day, "we lose up to seven pounds each show from all the
dancing on stage. It can be really hard to stay at one level."
"But isn't it all water weight that you're losing?" Carson was
puzzled and I could feel the light of the cameras just staring upon us waiting
for an answer.
"I'm fine, ok?!" Nick exploded and some of the fans jumped back
in their seats.
"Nick," Howie began but Frack cut him off.
"Maybe, just MAYBE, I'm tired of being called the fat
one," his voice grew with each word, "and maybe I wish you'd all mind
your own business!"
"Frack…." I jumped up and raced over to him. He stared at me
with his round blue eyes and I hugged him tightly.
"I don't feel good," he whispered shakily into my ear. Not
knowing what to say, fearful of the future, I walked back to my seat. I've
admired Carson ever since that incident. As soon as I had sat down he continued
as though nothing unusual had just happened. I was sure the cameras had caught
what Nick had said to me on film but he never lingered on it. He just picked up
right where we had left off.