Making sure no one was around, Annie tip toed out of her bunk to the Entertainment
room. She closed the door gently behind herself and took out her cell
"Hello, Mr. Lee?!" she asked, sitting down in the couch "Annie Scalis speaking. Yes, I
know it's early... This will be worth your while... What am I talking about?"
Annie let out a sadistic laugh "Let's just say I've found what we've been looking for"
**Meanwhile**
I walked down the lit hallway in an uncertain quest. I felt strange, and knew something
was going to happen. I could hear voices. My heart began to pound. My pace soon
quickened, my feet carrying me closer to the screams. I was scared of what was to come.
Before I could finish my thought, I tripped and fell face down into a dark pit. I called out
for help but was answered only by my echo. Feeling a hand on my leg, I quickly looked to
the ground. A woman lay dead, bleeding at my feet "Mom!" I shouted reaching out to
grab her. "Mommy!!!!" I scram again, this time a hand held back mine "Nooo!!!" I yelled
pleadingly "Don't leave me!" I cried as her body faded into the darkness. She was gone.
My body trembled. I turned to see who held my grip. Who ever it was, I knew I would kill. The
person wore a black cloak. I pulled it off and gasped. It was me. I watched as my other
self grinned with an ice cold glare unexpectedly lunging at me with a knife.
As the tip hit my skin I hollered, waking up in a cold sweat.
"What's wrong?" Brian panicked, waking from his peaceful slumber
My heart pounded roughly against my chest as took quick short breaths. "It was just a
dream" I said consoling myself aloud.
Brian leaned in to kiss me on the cheek "Don't worry baby, it was only a nightmare"
I looked at his caring face and felt relieved. But not enough to let myself fall back to sleep "I'm
going to have breakfast" I announced, crawling over him "Go back to sleep"
Brian held me back by my jeans "Are you Ok?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.
I nodded and stumbled out. I walked over to the Entertainment room, about to walk in
when I heard I voice say;
"Don't"
I turned "Nick" I said in a loud whisper "What are you doing up?"
He shrugged "Didn't sleep well"
He held a tall juice glass in his hand and was only wearing a pair of Ninja Turtle boxers
with a white wife beater. 'What a big kid' I thought with a grin.
"Why can't I go in?" I asked, taking a seat in the kitchen.
"Cuz" Nick laughed "Kev and Naila are in there and they did pookie-pookie"
"Pookie-pookie?" I repeated with a chuckle "You can be such a goof sometimes"
Nick smiled, his blond locks flipping back. I could see what made all those girls woo. He
was cute!
Nick watched Eli attentively. No one could look as good in a pair of baggy jeans and a
tank top as she.
"How you feeling?" he asked in reference to when she got sick from taking the pill.
"I'm not bad"
Silence.
"You're not planing on telling Brian about what happened, are you?" I asked cautiously.
Nick's eyes grew big "Not unless I want my ass kicked!"
"It was a mistake, right? It didn't mean a thing"
I waited for his answer, but it never came, for Howie and A.J barged in at that moment.I never got the assurance I needed to convince myself of what I knew should be true.
**Later**
"Tired, huh?" Howie smiled taking a sip from his Coffe.
Dawn huffed "You can say that" Putting down her cup, she continued "The tour has
scarcely begun, and already I'm exhausted."
Howie nodded "It's rough, but it's all good"
Just as Dawn was about to open her mouth to speak, her phone rang
"Excuse me" she apologized
"Hello?"
Howie watched as her face grew pale. He could hear the screams from where he was
sitting. She wasn't saying a word, only listening. Her eyes glissened and Howie put a hand
over hers as she put away her cell.
"Who was it?" Howie asked.
"No one" Dawn lied, shaking her head. She looked terrified "Um, I've gotta go talk to the
girls. I'll see you later"
Howie watched as she walked out of the Cafeteria in utter bewilderment. He had a feeling
it was that boyfriend of hers. He didn't like the way things seemed to be going between
them. The thought left his mind when he saw A.J come in.
"S'up?" he greeted, coolie taking the seat Dawn had been in.
"I really don't know" Howie answered finishing his coffe
"How are things with you?"
"I think I'm going to visit Amanda soon" he said hopelessly "When ever we have a day
off"
Howie smiled supportively "I'm sure she's going to be fine"
"D..." A.J trailed. He felt less devoted to Amanda for what he was about to ask, but felt
the need to "I've gotta ask you about something..."
"Alyssa!!!"
A.J's head flew up. How did he know?
"Alyssa" Howie repeated, waving his arms in the air.
Alyssa turned to him, and smiled. She didn't expect to find company. She walked over
and put her tray down
"Hi Howie" she said happily, purposely ignoring A.J
"Hey Lyss" A.J greeted, trying to be friendly.
"Hey" Alyssa said bitterly punching a hole in her juice box.
Howie suspected something fishy, so he stood up
"I've gotta go do, um, stuff" he said politely excusing himself from the
table.
A.J didn't know where to begin. The girl had been flat out ignoring him since he'd been
back. He figured he should be nice...
"I never thanked you for this, but I really appreciated you being there for me with
Amanda"
Alyssa felt guilt pang at her. She was being a bitch to him just because he was faithful to
his girlfriend. But she wasn't about to give in just yet. After all, she almost had him.
"Whatever" she mumbled, taking a bite out of her hamburger.
A.J's blood boiled "Fuck, what the hell is wrong with you?" he bellowed.
"What are you talking about?" Alyssa replied coolie. She had him right where she
wanted.
"You know just what I'm fucking talking about!" He yelled furiously "What's with the ice-bitch act you're playing me with?"
Alyssa stayed calm. She'd win "I'm not acting like anything with you Alexander James"
and took a sip from her drink.
She waited for him to respond, but it didn't come. Out of curiosity, her eyes traveled to
meet his. They were filled with rage and anger.
"Fuck this" he said banging his chair into the table knocking Lyss' juice over.
Alyssa watched in complete shock as he walked off with out even looking back. She
thought she knew how to play his game, but only ended up pressing the wrong button.
"God DAMN IT!" she cursed, punching the table with her fist.
**Right Before The Show**
Kristy, Laurel and Naila huddled for a group hug and prayer. Alyssa refused to join them,
instead taking the time to write in her journal.
"We're gonna rock da' house!" Kristy cheered, doing a stupid dance "Weda'bomb!"
Laurel laughed, then turned to Annie who was leaning against the wall watching Alyssa
"Michael's already in his seat, aren't you gonna watch the show tonight?" she asked.
Annie smiled "Of course sweetie. I've just gotta get a few things done first"
"Alright then" Naila cheered clasping her hands together
"We've got a show to do!"
Alyssa grumbled and followed the others out of the dressing room.
"Finally" Annie sighed as the door slammed shut. She ran over to the couch and opened
the diary; her fingers scurrying through the pages like a ferocious animal till her eyes found just what she was
looking for. She examined the contents and took in everything she felt necessary. "This is
all too easy" she said proudly exiting the scene of the crime.
**Meanwhile**
I'd been on stage 15 minutes, and didn't have long till the end of my performance when I
was hit by a sudden dizziness.
I looked into the crowd and all that I could see was fuzz. "Oh crap" I thought as the arena
began to spin. I couldn't take it any more and stopped singing and grabbed my head
between my hands as I watched a security guard rushing towards me. My head felt heavy and soon
everything turned black- I collapsed.
My eyes fluttered open. I was surrounded by dozens of people, but could only make out one distinct face- Brian.
"Oh thank god you're Ok" he exclaimed,taking me into his arms.
"What happened?" I asked, still feeling a bit woozy.
"You fainted" said a paramedic "Probably from dehydration and exhaust"
I heard another voice push through the crowd "Angel, are you Ok?" Miss Miller asked
kneeling infront of me.
"Yeah" I said uncertainly. I couldn't believe I'd fainted.
"Ok, everyone give her space" she said shoving the people away.
I could see Brian pleading to stay behind, but he was only kicked out along with the others.
"You're taking a break" Miss Miller said abruptly.
My eyes widened "Pardon me?"
"You're going off tour" she said, already taking out her cell to make the arrangements
"You collapsed. I can't risk your health now. You have a very busy week coming up, so
I'm sending you home for 2 days to rest"
"But..."
"No buts!" she said sharply.
**Later That Evening**
"It's so empty" Kristy whined "I'm gonna miss Eli"
"Maybe we should move to the Backstreet bus along with Naila" Laurel joked
"Oh hell no!" Michael protested squeezing his girlfriend to him "I'm not gonna spend
time with them"
Forgetting about her problems with A.J for a moment, Alyssa decided to join the
complaint list "I wish she'd chosen to spend tonight on our bus"
"It's only natural she'd wanna be with Brian" Kristy pointed out wisely.
Alyssa grimaced. She was still upset with Brian for cheating on her. He didn't deserve Eli.
Annie rolled her eyes "Stop whimpering! She's going to be back in two days"
Michael turned to Annie. He'd never known his sister to be inconsiderate. He
quickly disregarded it and returned his thoughts to Laurel. Their relationship was going
nowhere and fast, and he needed his fix.
"Annie's right" Laurel said with a smile "It's only two days". She saw the dirty look Kristy
gave her, but ignored it. Maybe sucking up to Annie would help her and Michael out.
Alyssa looked to the ground. Boy, did she ever fuck things up with A.J. But she hadn't lost
just yet... "I came up with a concept for our video..." she began as all ears were on her.
**Meanwhile**
Dawn's hands began to shake as she nervously dialed the number. She'd never been so
frightened in her life. Taking a deep breath, she waited for him to pick up.
"What?" I voice answered angrily.
She already had difficulty breathing "Eric" she stuttered.
"Dawn!!" he exclaimed "I see you've learned. You called right on time"
"That's not the reason I'm calling" she said gaining confidence "I'm calling to tell you...
It's over"
"What the hell are you talking about, woman?!"
Dawn began to get upset "It's over. WE are over! I can't let you control me any more"
"You fucking need to be controlled you bitch!" he spewed bitterly "You god damn tramp!
You need me!"
Dawn's eyes filled with tears of anger and resentment "I don't need anyone" she cried.
"It's another man, isn't it?" he scram "You fucking slut. Who is he? I'll kill him!!!"
Dawn was mute.
"Did you hear me?" Eric yelled furiously turning more and more into a mad man he was "I'll kill him!!! I'll fucking KILL HIM!"
"Bye" she stammered, choking back on tears.
"I'LL KILL YOU" he shouted right as she slammed the phone down. Breathing in her tears
heavily for a few minutes, she could hardly believe what she had just done.
"It's over" she whispered with a small sigh of relief.
