It took every inch of strenght to get my eyes open that morning. I had a hard night, even in my sleep. And what was all this screaming about? It felt like someone were taking a drill through my temple. Then came the realization. 'Oh man' I grumbled. I just recalled how loud girls my age could get early morning.
"Shut your bloody mouth" Alyssa yelled, chasing a giggling Laurel around the bus. She regretted the use of the word "ironic" infront of a 15 year old, only causing her to burst into skin-crawling rendition of Alanis Morissette's 90's hit.
"Isn't it ironic, don't you think..." Laurel sang stupidly. Her eyes soon widened as she saw an object flying at her. Thankfully, her agile body permitted her to duck immediately.
"OUCH!!!"
Both girls exchanged looks of fear and ran behind the couch.
Kristy came out with Alyssa's shoe in hand with a red mark on the forehead
"Ok" she said angrily, glaring at the terrified girls "whose shoe ?"
Before any blood could be shed, Naila ran in to the room
"Girls, calm down. Eli's still sleeping"
"Wrong" I corrected, walking in droopily; my hair barely pinned to the top of my head and wearing a short robe.
"It's kinda hard to sleep when a homicide is about to go down"
"It's all Laurel's fault" Alyssa blamed.
Laurel sprung an innocent look on her face "Oh sure, blame it on the young one. Everything's my fault anyway..."
"Oh Laur, don't be such a baby" Kristy scoffed.
Laurel stuck out her tongue and let herself drop in the couch.
I bit my lip and made my way to the coffee pot.This was going to take some getting used to.
Naila attentively watched Eli pour herself a cup. Something about her reeked of sorrow. She couldn't put her finger on it, but she could tell that she was carrying some sort of heavy burden on her shoulders. Maybe the way she kept her distance, regardless of how friendly she had been. But she didn't worry about it too much. After all, she had months to discover the true Felicity.
**Meanwhile, On The Backstreet Bus**
Nick woke up feeling more confused than ever. He knew that he had to get over Felicity, but he just couldn't deny his feelings for her. He knew that it was wrong, considering that Brian said that he loved her and all.
"Why does love have to be so damn complicated?" Nick thought as he got up to get something to eat.
"Hey buddy, what’s up?" AJ greeted, as Nick walked into the kitchenette.
"Nothing much, just got a lot of things on my mind that’s all. What about you? I've noticed that you haven't spoken to Amanda in awhile, what’s up with that?" Nick asked, relationships still in mind. as he got some cereal from the cabinet.
"Yeah, I know. Its just that something’s changed between us. I know that something’s wrong with her, but she won't tell me- won't talk to me about it at all." AJ hadn't yet told anyone about storming out on her the night before she left.
"Do you think that its serious? Whatever’s bothering her?..."
"Yes ! " A.J admitted "She was locking herself in the bathroom and acting all strange before we left for the tour. I still love her, its just that she used to tell me everything, and if she feels that she can't tell me what’s bothering her...then I don't know what to do to help her out" It felt nice for him to be able to confide in someone about what he'd been keeping bottled up for so long.
"I think that you should call her and talk to her AJ, if you love her"
Love ? Nick thought... then continued
"Which we all know you do. Then you need to tell her that you wanna help and that you'll be there for her" Nick advised. He wished he could tell him about Eli, but it wasn't the right time. Not that any time would be right for him to avow how he trully felt.
"Thanks buddy. Hey, are you sure that you are alright? Wanna talk about it?" A.J questioned at his friends gloomy face.
"Naw, thats okay. Thanks though. I think that I'm just gonna go watch some TV."
"Alright. See ya later"
"See ya" And with that, Nick got up and went to the entertainment room
only to find Brian talking to Eli on the phone. He looked at the way his
best friend smiled and laughed while he spoke to her. His face would literally light up in her presence. There was no way he would jeopardize that. After all, he was his best friend.
Nick soon stepped out, deciding he needed to get some more
sleep. He vowed that he was going to get over her, one way or another. It just wasn't going to be easy.
**On The Girl's Bus**
"I miss you too, Brian. I wish I could be on your bus... These girls.."
I checked to make sure none of them were around "are driving me kinda
nuts! I mean, I woke up this morning to hear screaming coming from them cuz
they decided to play a game of tag on the bus!!" I complained.
"Oh honey, don't worry. I'm sure you'll get used to them, just give it
time. Try to get to know them" he proposed.
"But its only been one day and their already bugging me. I don't know
if I can take it anymore. " I tried to shake it off "So anyway, enough about me, how’s it going over there? I already miss you guys! There’s still no way I can get on to your bus?" I whined, already knowing the answer but still hoping that trying again wouldn’t hurt.
"I wish ! " Brian laughed "But you can come during the day and visit, but you can't stay and
live on this bus. I would have tried to get you on if I could, but if the management found out, we would both be in serious trouble. We can share hotel rooms though!" Brian said with a smile. He wanted to be with Eli badly, but knew that she wasn't ready and didn't want to pressure her into anything yet. He wanted their first time to be special and meaningful.
"Yeah I know what you want to do in the hotel room Brian!" I joked knowing
exactly what he was hinting at.
"What are you talking about, I'm a good boy!!" Brian smiled wickedly. They were perfect for each other in all the right ways.
"But not good enough to get me on that bus with ya, huh?"
The two went on chatting until the buses reached the next venuet.
**Next Morning**
Laurel always woke up on the right side of the bed, and
Alyssa wasn't exactly known for being a morning person.
She grinded her teeth as she watched her young friend trot around the bus.
"Could you please sit down" Alyssa pleaded, raking her nails on the table.
"Don't be such a grouch" Kristy scolded "Let her be happy"
"I don't mind her being happy, she's just giving me a bloody
head ache" she grunted, letting her English drawl fly.
Laurel grabbed her pop tart and left for the entertainment
room, not even the slightest bit disturbed by her friend's comments.
Alyssa, still unsatisfied, stood up and returned to her
bunk. She secretly kept 2 pin ups behind its inner curtains.
1) Of the Backstreet Boys
2) Of A.J
She was a huge music fan, and she loved almost any band or
group, but she'd always had a preference for The BSB's.
Especially A.J. Something about his tattooed, pierced, died
body and rusky yet incredibly sexy voice turned her on to
no extent. She also knew that Laurel kept a picture of Nick
in her bunk, and would slobber all over it before going to
bed each night. That wasn't Alyssa's style though. She
refused to fantasize till she knew that what she wanted was
within her grasp. But unfortunately, he wasn't... For the time
being, that is. With that final thought, she giggled with delight and
hugged her pillow.
**That Evening**
"Are any of The Backstreet Boys single?" Naila asked her
eyes never once leaving the monitor.
"The majority!" I answered knowing that the 3 others were
also curious "Only Brian and A.J are in relationships" I said trying to show indifference as I said Brian's name. But it didn't work- I blushed.
They didn't seem to care though. Laurel appeared quite joyous
"You mean, Nick is single?!" she squeaked.
"Yep"
"And Howie?" Kristy asked
"Yup"
"...and... and Kevin too?" Naila asked holding back her breath as she pried herself from the screen.
"Yes" I laughed "Why? Any of you interested?"
Kristy shook her head "I'm not into chasing celebs. My
boyfriend back home is still good enough for me" she declared proudly.
"And what about you, girls?" I asked Laurel and Naila.
Both sat there innocently, stuttering out a few jumbled words.
"Well then I'm sure there are no objections to I having
invited them for a girls against boys basket ball game
tomorrow afternoon once we reach town, now is there?"
Silence.
I smiled satisfactorily "Thought so. Good night girls"
And went in for an early sleep.
**The Next Day**
REFLECTION, The Backstreet Boys and Angel were all in sweats
doing warm ups.
"Let's go. 3 on the court"
Kristy, Laurel and I formed the first team
Kevin, Brian and Nick the second.
The ball flew up, and Nick whacked it over to Brian who
effortlessly dribbled it to the other side and scored.
"You sure you girls are up to this?" Nick teased.
I had no idea that they were so good. But none the less, I wouldn't settle for second place "Bring it on"
The game continued that way for a while. Those guys were
good! Finally, Laurel caught the ball. "Oh my god" she gasped
"DRIBBLE!!!!!!" Alyssa yelled from the bleachers.
And that's exactly what she did until a blonde head popped infront in to her view
"Hey, pass me that ball, would ya??" Nick said, flashing a
blinding smile in her direction.
Panic stricken, she did just that.
All jaws dropped, including Nick's.
"Thanks" he laughed pushing her to the side to score yet another basket.
"What the hell?" Kristy barked, smacking her on the back of the head.
Laurel felt stupid. Nick just took her off guard, and well,
it was Nick, after all, wasn't it?! Oh god, why did that boy make her weak at the knees?
"Wayda go Frack" Brian cheered giving him a high five.
Nick smirked "Never thought I'd get it by asking, but
thanks" he said, winking at the embarrased 15 year old.
Placing my hands on each side of my waist, I took a seat
next to Naila on the bench.
"Beat?" she asked.
"Not yet..." I said out of breath.
"You know, you're good." she said all friendly "where did you learn to play like that?"
I wiped the sweat off my forehead "My father and I always used to play when I was younger"
"He must really miss playing with you" Naila smiled.
I shivered at those words. The memory came back and hit me
like a ton of bricks. "yeah" I said as tears began to fill
my eyes "Um, please excuse me"
Naila watched as Eli ran away.
"Where did she go?" Brian asked as he approached the bench.
Naila shrugged "Beats me. One minute we were talking about
her and her father playing b-ball, next thing you know she
runs out of here like if it were dooms day"
Brian needed no further explanations. He knew precisely what
had happened.
"Hey, where you going?" Naila yelled getting up after him.
'Why is everyone running away from me? Does my breath smell funky or something?'
**~~**
I sat in my bunk, weeping and clutching to my locket which
contained my once families portrait. It hurt so much to think
of them. My parents... My brother and sisters who I had left behind.
When I shivered, the curtains flung open.
Even though my eyes were puffy, and my vision was blurred by
tears, I knew it was Brian and I let myself collapse in his
arms.
Brian held her tight against himself, caressing her soft
long hair as uncontrollable sobs racket through her body. He
placed his cheek on top of her head as she lay on him.
"Shh... don't cry, I'm here baby" he consoled his hearth
aching for her. He could only begin to imagine what she had
to be going through.
"I wish I could take the pain away from you" he whispered as lump began to form in his throath, doing his best at pushing it down.
She shook her head vigorously "I wouldn't want you to Brian.
I would never want you to hurt for me. I love you"
Realizing that was the first time she had admitted that to
him, she pulled away.
Brian looked at her, puzzled "What?"
Eli looked at him blankly.
It took him a short while to realize. "Oh, God, no, I mean"
Still motionless, Eli waited
"I mean, ah, heck" Brian pulled her back in for a kiss
"I just didn't realize why you backed off" he said sheepishly
"But I love you too. I love you with all my heart" he said,
sweetly taking her soft hand in his and placing it over the left side of his chest "I love you"
That night, Felicity told REFLECTION about the accident that took her parent's lives and
they were all greatly sympathetic. "So that's what was withdrawn about
her" Naila thought.
Part of this chapter was written by my former co-writer, Tamara Evans + retouched by me.
