The bus rattled like an old rusty boat navigating through fierce seas as the wholesome bunch was brought to the next venue. The crossroads over to the nearest state had been less than pleasant due to the lack of pavement, and so most of the passengers had retired to their bunks for the afternoon.
Not being one for napping, Rick chose instead to retreat to the kitchenette and prepare himself something to eat.
"...You better rock your body now, everybody, yeaah, rock your body, yeaah ..." he sang, reaching inside the cupboard and pulling out a bowl as he gaily pranced around the deserted room.
As he finished pouring the smooth milk on his rice crispies, he turned around and went on singing the popular tune.
"Everybody, rock your body right, backstreet's back al-aaaah!"
Squealling like a pig on hormones, Rick stumbled back against the counter as the dish went crashing to the ground.
"Hey, looks like Howie's got some serious competition up ahead" Kevin laughed at the traumatized boy's expense.
With a mortified simper, Rick looked down to the puddle at his feet and watched in horror as the bubbly mess snap-crackle-popped; blazenly mocking him straight to his face.
"Sorry I startled you man" Kevin apologized, reaching over his shoulder to grab the paper towels.
"Oh, that's ok" Rick said, trying hard to keep the crimson from attaining his face. He could feel the humiliation burn holes through his cheeks as it crept upwards and slowly began to nib at his ears. He only prayed the mess he made would keep Kevin occupied long enough for him not to notice his blushing.
They both rapidly finished cleaning up, and as Rick was about to leave, Kevin called him back.
"Hey, wait a minute!" he waved "I wanted to talk to you. Come sit down"
Nervously, Rick took a seat across from Kevin and wondered what on earth he could possibly want to speak to him about.
"The other night, when you performed at the banquet, well, the fellas and myself were quite impressed with your vocals and the overall show you managed to pull of at the spur of the moment!" Kevin began, still not sure if he was going about this the right way. Scratching his growing goatee, he went on "Anyways, as you may know, the five of us have founded our own record label, and considering you left such a strong impression on us; without forgetting the fact that you have not yet joined a record company, we were wondering if you'd be willing to sign up with us?!"
Rick was mute. He just sat there, with a stupefied expression on his face as he stared back at Kevin in disbelief. He couldn't have heard right. Did he? Did Kevin Richardson just as him to join the Backstreet Boys' record label? It just couldn't be! He fantasized about this day for so long- Impossible! This wasn't happening...
"Um, Rick? You still with us buddy?"
As Kevin's hand waved before his face to catch his attention, Rick's arm jerked and grabbed him by the wrist.
"Where do I sign?"
**Meanwhile**
Time was passing at a slothful rate as we traveled through the bumpy roads. I was beginning to think my boredom would eventually eat me alive as I drearily stared up at the ceiling. Finally, I gave up and rolled out of my bunk. There had to be something better to do. At least, I hoped there was!
I made my way to the entertainment room, figuring it would be the most logical place to find any sort of diversion. I opened the door, and to my surprise, Nick was sitting Indian style on the couch.
He looked up and smiled.
"Hey" he greeted, flicking back his blond locks.
"Hey" I said nervously. After the way he had been behaving recently, I found myself fearing which Nick-mood I'd be encountering next! Looking down at the note pad he held in his hand, my brow arched. "What ya up to?" I asked, sitting down in the single seat next to him.
With a silly grin, he turned the white sheet to me "Mr. Loco Doodoo Dickie Monkey" he said very seriously as he presented me his bizarre drawing "Vit tits gigga than ya mutha and asshole blearier than yo papa's..."
We both exchanged glances and immediately cracked up. "What on earth was that?" I laughed hysterically.
"I don't know!" Nick chuckled, ripping the paper to shreds "I'm just tired and bored"
"And crazy!" I added, wiping a tear from my eye as my breathing returned to normal. That doodle of his had sure lightened the atmosphere.
Once again, Eli's smile shattered Nick's heart in to a thousand guilty pieces. He betrayed her! By signing that God forsaken contract, he had selfishly sold the person he loved more than life itself's world away. Every glance; every word; every touch from her reminded him of what a disgusting crime he had committed. If only she knew! Lord, if she knew... The thought alone killed him.
"I'm so sorry"
"Sorry for what, baby?" I asked, curiously.
Nick didn't answer; only blinked hard and shook his head. Something was obviously troubling him, and from the looks of it, he wasn't planing on telling me about it any time soon.
I lifted my hand and softly caressed his cheek "Nick, if this is about the way you've been acting lately, it's Ok. I understand that you've been under some stress. Don't worry. What ever it is, I'm here for you. I love you." With that, I tightly wrapped my arms around his neck "I love you" I repeated, planting a soft kiss on his tender lips.
Nick help her body close; inhaling her sweet scent as she rested her head on his shoulder. He fought back tears, and prayed he'd never, ever lose her. No matter what...
**~~**
Muffling her gasp, Kristy clasped her hand around her mouth and bit her lip. She had certainly not been prepared to see what she had just witnessed. She hardly had time to make sense of it all, when she felt two fingers come up and poke her sides.
"Aah-no! Brian! Hi! Move-" she rambled, desperately trying to keep him away from the room. "Here! Come with me. I-uh-I wanna show you something"
As she frantically attempted to pull him away from the scene, she felt his hand drop from hers, and knew that it was hopeless. He'd seen it all!
Fearing his reaction, she winced and turned back to look at him.
Instead of finding him shocked, or even horrified, Brian had a quirky grin spread across his lips. He watched Kristy's flustered face, and couldn't help but chuckle at her innocence.
"I've known about Eli and Nick for some time now" he explained "It's cool. As long as she's happy." he chuckled again "I couldn't expect her to remain celibate forever, could I?"
"Yeah, but with Nick?!" Kristy blurted accidentally. Smacking herself in the head, she immediately apologized "I'm so sorry"
Brian laughed "That's ok".
They both stood in awkward silence; neither knowing quite what to say to ease the tension mounting between them. Out of pure intrigue, Brian quickly snuck a peek at the mirror in front of him so that he could catch a glimpse of the scene that was going on behind his back. The sight of Eli and Nick engulfed him in nostalgia, and, like countless occasions prior, he pushed down the anguished lump building in his throat. He loved Eli so much- the question was no longer how he was going to let go, but did he want to let go? She was all he needed, and so much more...
"I wonder why she didn't tell us anything?"
Being brought back to earth by Kristy's query, Brian snapped his head up"Huh?"
"Eli" Kristy said as she walked over to the bunks "I wonder why Eli didn't tell any of us about their relationship. It's a little weird, don't you find?" she asked, puzzled.
Brian shrugged "Beats me!" he sighed, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I would have appreciated her telling us" Kristy confessed. She was a tad hurt by the fact that her supposed friend hadn't so much as mentioned this to her. This was not the way she wanted to find out about Eli and Nick. Looking up at Brian, she wondered how he had learned about them.
It wasn't exactly the most delicate question to ask, but she would have to come up with some subtle way of finding out.
**Same Time**
"Now, are you sure about this?"
"Positive!"
"Because once you sign, there's no going back. You understand?"
"I understand" Rick answered anxiously "Now lemme sign the damn paper!"
Dawn giggled "Alright then". She pulled the contract out of the folder and handed it over to the young boy. She watched as he eagerly marked his name on the sheet and wonder if he knew precisely what the magnitude of his actions would be. In fact, she herself had no idea. The Backstreet Boys had just started this label, and lord only knew what kind of entrepreneurs they would be. Time alone would tell.
"Thanks Dawn" Kevin smiled as she stood up from the table where the three had been gathered.
Nodding, she left the two behind so that they could privately discuss all which needed to be settled. Business was a cold and heartless craft, and it is always best to solely keep those who are regarded involved.
Noticing a familiar form slouching on the entertainment room floor, a mischievous grin appeared on her lips. Quietly, she tip-toed towards it.
"Guess who?!" she sang, covering his eyes.
Removing her clamped hands from his face, Howie spun around and smiled.
"Hey baby! What's up?"
"Well" she began, placing one leg at each of his sides and wrapping her arms affectionately around his neck "I was thinking that since we haven't been out for a long time, well, we should go to a club on our next stop. It would be great! My treat! I have all this energy, and I can't wait to spend it. Oh, speaking of spending, I was on line last night, and I found this incredible beach side house, and since it was such a steal, I bought it! You'll love it! We'll have to go check it out the second w-"
"Whoa-whoa-whoa!" Howie chuckled. "Slow down a bit! I can hardly keep up with you"
"Mmm, that's Ok" she giggled, planting sweet butterfly kisses down his jawbone "I can keep up for the both of us. So, as I was saying-"
"Dawn!
"What??" she muttered.
Cupping her face in his hands, he looked her straight in the eye. They were clouded with emotion and it was getting increasingly difficult for him to read them. It used to be he just had to glimpse in to them, and he could tell exactly what she was thinking. He was getting sick of her rouses.
"Baby, what's the matter?" he asked gently, hoping not to provoke her.
"Nothing's the matter!" she shouted, her mood transforming in the blink of an eye "Why are you always asking me that? It's so annoying! You're so annoying!"
As she abruptly pushed herself off of him, Howie held her back "Quit lying to me Dawn! What's wrong?"
"Nothing!!" she yelled, lurching herself away from him. As she did so, accidentally bumping his injured arm.
"Ouch!" Howie winced, clasping his hand over his wound and coiling over.
"Oh baby, I'm so sorry" Dawn apologized, rapidly hovering over him to make sure he was alright. "Are you Ok?"
Howie nodded and looked up at her worried eyes "Are you?"
Her face curdled and her petite hands clenched into tight balls "I'm fine!" she barked furiously, finally brought to her very last nerve "I'm fucking fine Howard!" she yelled, beating all her frustration and anger into the hard wall with her fist.
Within seconds, the room was filled with concerned people wondering what all the fracas going next to them was about.
"What's going on in here??" demanded A.J, glancing back and forth between a disturbed looking Howie and a enraged looking Dawn.
No one seemed willing to answer, so A.J began to lose patience.
"Dawn, what's the matter?"
Having already gathered herself, Dawn looked away from the accusing eyes surrounding her as she brushed her hair behind her ears. "Just leave me alone!" she grumbled, whisking by them and disappearing in to the washroom. Right away, she broke down in to uncontrollable sobs.
"I told you you needed me" a voice whispered.
"Shut up!" she scram, as tears continued to stream down her face.
"Dawn, you know you still need me"
Spinning around, she started to shake. "Shut up! Just shut up!" she yelled with a quivering lip. "Go away! Eric, just go away!"
The tormenting voice disappeared, and Dawn fell to her knees in desperation. Curling up against the wall, she continued to cry, and all she could do was pray for the pain to go away. But deep down inside, she knew it never would.
**Meanwhile**
After spending at least an hour holding Eli in his arms, Nick's mouth grew so dry that he could think of nothing else but quenching his escalating thirst. Not being able to withstand any more waiting, he gently excused himself and dashed full-speed to the kitchenette.
Hurling the fridge open, he reached in; twisted off his beer-cap; and gulped down the bubbly fluid as fast as he possible could. Once the craving satisfied, he smacked his lips contentedly and kicked the door closed. To his surprise, he was no longer alone in the room.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, snidely.
"I was thirsty. I wanted a sprite" Sheridan answered, contouring him and reaching for the can sitting on the counter top. She popped it open and eyed him oddly "What's. the big deal?"
Nick shrugged his shoulders, and was about to leave when Sheridan spoke again.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Nick let out an annoyed sigh and turned around.
"I'm going. What does it look like I'm doing?"
Rolling her eyes, Sheridan marched up to Nick and removed the beverage from his hand
"Don't smart ass me Carter! You know precisely what I'm talking about! What the hell do you think you're doing with this drink?"
"Ok, first of all" Nick snapped, irritably grabbing back his bottle "I was thirsty, and this was all I could find. And second, it's just one, single, measly beer! So chill"
Sheridan angrily shook her head and once again snatched the drink back from him "Nick you know just as well as I what one beer can do! Are you really going to take that risk?"
"Man, just forget it!" he groaned, throwing down his arms in exasperation "All the booze in the world isn't worth your shit"
Before she could do so much as utter one word in her difference, her pager went off.
"Ugh!" she moaned, removing the device from her belt. She checked the number, and smiled mawkishly.
"Who was it?" Nick interrogated, his intrigue luring him back to another dangerous discussion.
Sheridan clipped her pager back and bit her lip "No one" she taunted.
Catching her off guard, Nick reached out and took the object off the rim of her jean pocket.
"Hey!" Sheridan wined, trying to catch it as he waved it in front of her.
"Oh common" Nick teased, "Who you hiding from the Nickster?"
"Nick!" she chuckled, letting down her guard and giving in to his childish games. At least they weren't fighting...
Sticking his tongue out at her, he looked down at the number and read it out loud "911- 587846". His brow arched "Who the hell is 587846?"
"None of your beeswax" she answered snidely.
"Psh-fine! See if I care" he said nonchalantly; tossing her the pager.
Not wanting him to walk out on the only descent conversation they'd shared in ages, Sheridan was quick to give him the response he wanted to hear.
"Well, if you must know..." she began slowly to insure she had his attention "It was Justin"
Nick features hardened, and a cinical glaze fell over his eyes. Not quite the reaction she was looking for...
"Justin?" he spat "As in nsync's Justin?"
"The one and only" she smiled.
"You're dating that creep?" be asked in disbelief.
"He isn't a creep! And no, we're not dating." she retorted, upset with his disrespectful tone. "And even if we were seeing each other, what's it to you?"
"It's nothing to me" he mumbled as he angrily stormed away.
Sheridan let out an aggravated shriek at her friends juvenile conduct. He was getting more and more impossible to deal with by the day. She really had arrived at her wits end with him! Moreover, she chose to not even care about having caught him drinking. From now on, it was him problem, and his alone!
Picking up the phone, she let out a heavy breath and started dialing the number.
"S'up?"
"Hey Justin, it's me..."
**That Night**
Right after my performance that evening, as planned, I was brought back to the hotel by security so that I could have time to prepare my stuff before leaving for the awards.
I felt both exited and nervous about presenting. This was the first time I'd be partaking in such a grandiose event, and I only had a very vague idea of what to expect.
As I zipped up my backpack, there was an unexpected knock at the door.
"It's open" I hollered, tossing the bag over my shoulder and reaching for my camouflage hat.
Timidly, the door crept open and in stepped a very bashful looking Rick.
"Are you ready?" he queried nervously.
"Hey! Yup, I am!" I smiled giddily, clapping my hands and rubbing them together "Let's go!"
On the way down in the elevator, Rick kept sneaking involuntary peeks at Eli. The whole situation was still so surreal to him. Like some sort of marvelous dream you'd hate to wake up from!
'I'm in a hotel; with Angel; and am on my way to an award show' he repeated to himself, barely able to contain his enthusiasm.
"Well, looks like we're on our way" I grinned as we made our way through the body-guard brimmed lobby "Excited?"
"Oh yeah!" he nodded eagerly. To what extent, that, she had no idea!
Despite our tardiness, we still managed to make it to the air port in the nick of time! Traffic was murder on the way over, and somehow, our tickets were misplaced, and we came seconds away from missing our flight!
"Thank God we made it" I sighed, letting myself fall in the window seat.
"I know!" Rick agreed, settling down next to me.
Crouching over to tie his laces, it came to his attention that he was the only one that had left his duffel bag in the isle. Not wanting to look foolish, he picked up his belongings and crammed them in the overhead.
He was about to sit back down, when he realized that he had left his note pad in his lugage. 'Crap' he grumbled, getting up again to take it out. That note pad was practically his bible! He dragged it everywhere with him, and its contents were priceless. It was where he wrote his music! Every lyric to ever crossed his mind was jotted down in to that very booklet.
Plopping down, he started flicking through the scribbled pages. He could hear Eli's breathing near his ear, and he wondered if she'd maybe like to see his work. No one had ever laid eyes on it asides from himself, and since he had so much admiration for Angel, he figured he might aswell ask for her opinion. After all, it was as valid as any other...
"Felicity, I was thinkin-"
He stopped mid-track when he noticed Eli had already dozed off.
"Oh well", he chuckled, taking out a pen to start writing some new material "It can wait"
What could be more inspirational than having a beautiful woman sleeping at your side, anyway?
"Ladies and gentleman, flight 300 to Toronto, Canada will be departing in 2 minutes. Please fasten your belts, and prepare for take off..."
