When Nick awoke the next morning, it took him everything ounce of strength he had to
get his lids to open. It hurt! Stretching, he rolled over and took in the sites around him.
"Whoa, Déjà-vu " he thought as his eyes caught a glimpse of a sleeping Eli curled up in
the love seat. Passing his fingers trough his mabgled hair, he let out a heavy sigh. She
looked so innocent- so gentle. How could anyone hurt her? It was hard to believe she'd
been through so much, so soon.
Never would he have expected himself to fall so hard for someone. "I'm so screwed" he
grumbled, letting his head drop back to the pillow to catch just a few more moments of
well needed sleep.
**Later**
"So no answering questions about the article"
"Yes, I know"
"If they ask anything, you just say: 'No comment', got it?!"
"Yes!!!" I answered indifferently.
I was on the set of the Rosie O'Donnell Show, and Miss Miller was still hysterical over
the article. She warned me not to say anything; it would only make things worse.
Howie stood behind her. He was the only one that came along, but was certain it wasn't for
my sake.
"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll do fine" he comforted with a grin.
"Thanks" I whispered as they wisked me away to the studio. Although I knew it wasn't
worth a thing, I kept my fingers crossed, hoping Brian would show up. He had promised me
he'd be here. But of course, that promise was made prior to the others being broken.
"Straight from The Backstreet Road, please welcome singing session Angel" Rosie's
voice echoed.
I performed as best I could. I had too much on my mind, and I wasn't a good enough
actress to keep smiling fraudly throughout my number.
"Wow, isn't she wonderful?" Rosie gushed, shaking my hand as I took a seat next to her
desk.
I smiled "Thank you"
"Well" she began "What a voice you have. I bet you've been singing since you've been a
little girl, haven't you?"
"Sort of" I lied. Why complicate things any further?
She looked at me with large eyes. I think she sensed that I was uneasy "So, you're touring
with those cutie-patooties, The Backstreet Boys. That must be nice"
"Oh, it's great!" I said, putting the emphasis on the "Grrr"
"It's kinda surreal"
"I can imagine" she laughed "Rumors are you're pretty close to them, am I right?"
I gulped. She was already beginning to push it
"We're all friends"
She reached for something under her desk. My breath caught in my throat as she pulled
out a news paper "Did you-"
"No comments!!!" I interrupted, nearly jumping out of my chair.
"What are you doing?" she laughed, banging her desk "I've never seen anyone so nervous
about me reading a performance review"
The entire audience looked at me oddly. I giggled awkwardly as I turned a bright shade of
crimson. Ok, so I was a little jumpy.
The rest of the interview went well. No mention of the article.
As I left the studios, I was bombarded by fans. I began giving autographs and snapping
pictures when I heard a sharp voice emerge from the crowd.
"Bitch!!"
Turning to my left, I came face to face with a teen girl that couldn't have been more than 16.
"Pardon me?" I said politely.
"Bitch! Slut!" she yelled "Fucking slut. Which Backstreet Boy are you gonna fuck next,
huh?"
I stared at her blankly. How could a stranger say such hurtful words? "I'm sorry but-"
"But this" she said arrogantly, hacking up and spitting straight in my eye.
Disgusted, I wiped the sticky slobber off with my sleeve and rapidly made my way to the
limousine.
I could still hear her shouting after me "Brian deserves better than a bitch like you and so
does Nick! Ho..."
**At The Set**
Altogether, the make up artist did a pretty good job at concealing Nick's wounds. With the right
amount of lighting, it would scarcely be visible on film.
"But try to stay in the background anyway" the director said, as he examined him.
Nick nodded. He really didn't care about the girl's video. He just wanted it to be over with,
and fast.
Alyssa was the first to walk onto the set, followed by Kristy. They were both wearing
very heavy eye make up and a leopard print tops with black leather pants.
"How are you?" Kristy questioned as she neared him.
He shrugged.
Not long after, Naila and Laurel arrived. Same make up, only with a leopard print mini-skirt and leather tube tops, along with knee-high boots instead.
"Nice getup" Nick said sarcastically underneath his breath as Laurel passed by.
She turned and shot him a dirty glare "I'd stay on my good side if I were you, Carter" she
warned.
"Is that a threat?" Nick replied sharply.
"Take it as you will" she shrugged. Laurel wasn't one to keep a grudge for long, but he'd
upset her too much, too often. She was the only one that knew he was innocent, and she
intended to keep it that way until he'd treat her with respect.
"Where's Brian?" Dick, the director growled pacing around the set "He didn't show up for
make up!"
They waited nearly another hour for him, but he was no where to be found.
"This is ridiculous" Alyssa complained "If he's not here, well then too bad. We can do
this with out him."
A.J stood up "I hate to say it, but she's right. He's obviously not going to show"
"We're better off without him anyway" Alyssa grumbled as she made her way to Dick to
tell him about the changes.
Kevin got up angrily after her and caught her by the arm "You wanted The Backstreet
Boys in your video? That's 5. We're only 4. You take us all or none"
Alyssa glared at him with ice cold eyes "Well if your cousin isn't responsible enough to
show up, that's not my problem."
"Maybe he would be here if your friend hadn't cheated on him" he said through gritted
teeth.
"Well maybe if your cousin were able to keep his pants on, she wouldn't have had to
cheat on him"
Before Kevin could open his mouth again, Naila took him by the arm and dragged him to the
dressing room.
"What do you think you're doing?" she scolded "This is not the time for petty bickering"
"Well she..."
"Kevin!!" she said angrily "She's defending her friend, just as you are your cousin. I know
that. Alyssa's as stubborn as a mule. Please try to be more mature. This isn't like you"
Kevin looked the ground in shame "I'm sorry. You're right baby"
Naila inched up to him, placing her hand on his worm cheek "Just imagine what they
might be going through, huh?" and gave him a soft peck on the lips.
The video was shot without Brian. Fortunately, it turned out excellent. This way, they each had their own man.
**Meanwhile**
Annie sat restlessly infront of her PC watching her screen saver. She whimpered and
banged her head repeatedly on the table "Come on, come one!" she whined. Out of all times to
get writers block, why now? Maybe it was because of what Michael had told her. That her
masterpiece was a fraud. But it couldn't be. After all, Alyssa had clearly written in her
diary that Nick and Eli had slept together. Eli must have been the one who told her, so
why would she lie? And why wouldn't they deny it unless it were the truth? They
probably just thought they had sex. She sighed. But that still meant they didn't.
Just as she was about to give up, she had a brain storm.
"As long as they believe they did, so will others" and with a breath of relief, she got hard
at work on next work of art: A Follow Up.
**That Evening**
As they walked arm in arm through the club, Howie couldn't help but let himself take a
peek at his sexy companion. Although Dawn would look good in a old dish cloth, she
seemed particularly amazing that evening. He unconsciously licked his lips as he took in the sight of her in that tight fitted blue dress.
"You look wonderful" he whispered in her ear, suavely pulling out her seat.
"Thanks" she smiled, flirtasciously tilting her head; her golden locks falling to her cleavage.
Kristy, who had been invited to come along, suddenly felt extremely out of place.
Standing up, she politely excused herself from the table and made her way to the dance
floor.
"Wanna dance?" Howie asked quickly, barely able to wait to get his arms around her.
Dawn nodded and let herself be brought out to the crowd. The song being blasted was
some sort of Salsa Mix. Very fast. So much infact that she had extreme difficulty
keeping up with Howie rapid pace.
She moved closer to him "You're very good" she said loud enough for him to hear.
He grinned and placed his hand on her lower back, pulling her closer to him "I've been
dancing since I could walk" he flaunted.
"Maybe you can teach me some of your moves one day" she said suggestively, swaying
her hips erotically with his.
Although Howie was regularly the romantic one, he suddenly found himself more
involved with dirty dancing than sweeping her off her feet with sweet nothings. But then again,
change was good.
Moving her even closer, he made sure that they were as close as two people would
possibly get while dancing. All the while, trying not too get over aroused. Dawn leaned
forward, letting her lips fall into the crick of his neck, her mouth moving slowly down as
she nibbled at the tender skin. Even over the loud music, she could hear him moan. A
small grin crept onto her lips as she began to feel just exactly what she was doing to him.
Catching him off guard, she lowered her hands and gently squeeze his firm behind.
His eyes rolled to the back of his head as she continued to work her magic. She was
definitely worth the wait. Using all his inner strength, he lifted his head, his gentle brown
eyes catching her sky blue ones. They'd never actually kissed, and both knew that now
was the time. Her lids fluttered and then sealed in anticipation of what was to come.
Leaning in to her, he almost teasingly approached her, wanting the moment to be just
right. His soft lips met hers and just as he was about to slip in his tongue, he was met by
air.
He looked up. Some man was standing next to her. He eyed them both.
"Excuse me lady" the young man said "But there's an urgent phone call for you at the bar"
Dawn dropped her head, unwilling untangling herself from Howie's grasp
"Okay" she sighed. She looked back at him. He looked devastated. She smiled, stepping
up to him, she murmured something in his ear "We can resume this after- somewhere a
little more secluded"
He nodded mindlessly.
Fuming, she turned and walked to the bartender who held out the phone for her
"Dawn Miller, what do you want?" she answered pressing her hand to her other ear as to
block out the noise.
No answer.
Annoyed, Dawn began to lose patience "Who the hell are you?"
There was a short silence, followed by what sounded like a gun shot.
Out of shock, she dropped the phone and scram, her heart beating rapidly. Her eyes
wondered the room aimlessly for an answer. Picking up the phone, she began to shout "Look you
freak, you better stop calling me or I'll call the police, you hear? This isn't funny!"
But she was only answered by the tone.
Shackingly, she slammed the receiver down, and held it that way for a moment- staring
off into space. She felt a hand on her shoulder and jumped.
"Whoa, it's just me" Howie smiled, rubbing her soft cheek with the back of his hand.
She span around, clutching on to his arms. She let her head drop to his strong chest for
support.
"You scared me" she said with a bit of relief.
He grinned "Sorry" looking down at her, he tried not to sound to horny when saying "I'm
still willing to take on your offer"
"Yeah" she agreed, obviously less aroused than she was just a few minutes ago. But still
turned on enough to take Howie on.
The two left to return to the hotel.
**About An Hour Later**
After dancing for what seemed like forever, Kristy let go of what must have been her
fifth partner in order to take a short brake. Wobbly, she made her way through the crowd and
collapsed on a bar stool. "How could I be so...so...so out of breath from this when I'm on
tour?" she panted. She giggled to herself and snapped her fingers.
"Yes" the bartender said.
Trying as best she could to catch her breath, she knocked the counter "Screwdriver" she
managed to say.
The bar man eyed her oddly "I'll need to see some ID"
"What?!" Kristy shouted "How insulting! Don't I look 21?" . Even though she wasn't even
19 yet, she was convinced she could easily pass for even a 24 year old the way she was dressed.
"No ID, no drink" he said firmly.
"Come on" Kristy pouted puckering her rubby lips, leaning over the counter, purposely pushing up her
boobs in his face "I'd appreciate it"
The bartender rolled his eyes "Fine!" he sighed, taking a small glass to prepare the drink
"Here. But that's all your getting" and walked away.
Kristy smiled victoriously.'Being a girl can be so handy at times'. Her Right hand reached out for the bearnuts, when she felt another hand in the bowl. She turned to apologize, but instead gasped.
"Brian!!!"
Brian, whose head had been laying lifelessly on the counter, lifted his head heavily and
squintingly looked at her "What?" he grumbled.
"Oh my god" she spat, taking the stool next to his "Brian, are you Ok?"
"Okay... Ok. Let me tell you something, m'kay" he slurred, shoving his index finger in her
face "There's no such thing as being Ok. I can't be that now, can I? No sirry bob..."
Kristy's eyes caught the empty glasses circling him "No wonder you're not making
any sense" she laughed light heartedly.
Brian burped and shook his head "I'm making sense, that's what I'm making" he then open
his arms wide "It's the whole damn world that's not making sense!" he declared.
"You do realize how stupid you're acting, don't you?" she said watching as he tried to get
just one word out of his drunken mouth. But he quickly turned green, an Kristy grabbed
him, rapidly making her way to the exit. The moment the door flew open, Brian stumbled
over the ram and threw up all over the green bushes.
Waiting for him to finish, Kristy sat down on the stairs.
"Better?" she asked, as he squatted next to her.
Brian ignored her query, and gazed vacantly up at the stars.
"Why are you doing this to yourself?" Kristy questioned, trying to understand what was
going through that head of his "You're only making things worse for everyone"
"My life is ruined anyway" he shrugged
Kristy turned to him "You can't spend your days in bars because your having problems
with your girlfriend!"
"Oh, and why not?" Brian protested, bolting up "She ruined me. She made me fall
helplessly in love with her and then she rips out my heart, chews it up, and spits it out" he yelled, gesturing everyone of his accusations.
Kristy stood up after him so that he wouldn't fall "You're pathetic!" she spat "Stop
feeling sorry for yourself. You fucked up too, so stop blaming everyone else fo-"
"I know!" Brian interrupted, covering his ears and swerving around "I know, know, know.
I messed up too! But they were worse"
"That's not true, and you know it!" Kristy said bluntly.
Brian spun around and looked her in the eye. Harsh words came to him, but he couldn't
bring himself to speak them. Instead, his eyes welled with tears and he shattered to the ground
sobbing on all fours.
Kristy was a bit taken back. She'd never seen a grown man cry before.
"Why? Why? Why?" Brian shouted pounding his fists into the hardwood deck "I don't want
to hurt any more"
She walked up to him, and knelt down at his side, taking him into her arms for a well
needed embrace "It's Ok" she tried to soothe "I'll take you back to the hotel"
**Same Time**
"It's about time!" Alyssa sighed as Felicity finally fell asleep. Something had upset her, but she
refused to talk about it. She couldn't understand why on earth she was being so distant.
Just as she was about get undressed, there was a knock at the door.
She ran over to open the door before Eli would wake up. She soon frowned
"What do you want?" she said bitterly.
"I want to speak with Felicity" A.J said plainly.
"She's sleeping" Alyssa said, shutting the door.
A.J placed his foot in the doorway, leaning on the wall "Look" he sighed, rubbing his
tired eyes roughly with his palm "This is hard for me to say, so I'll do it as quickly as
possible." he paused "I'm sorry"
"Good for you!" Alyssa said, attempting to push him away.
"What's with you?" A.J snapped. After all, he was man enough to come apologize; who
the hell did she think she was by not accepting? "I said I was sorry!"
Alyssa grimaced, pushing him out into the hall "And so I'm just supposed to forgive
you?" she asked closing the door behind her as not to wake Eli "You were a jerk!"
"And you were a bitch!!!" he retorted.
"Oh fine-"
"God, you're so stubborn!!" A.J interfered, grabbing her by the shoulders "I don't want to
fight with you any more, Ok. I'm sorry!"
Alyssa stared deep into his chestnut eyes and felt herself go weak. God, why did he have
this affect on her? "Ok" she mumbled shrugging him off.
"Good" A.J said, forcing a smile on his lips
"Yeah" Alyssa said uncertainly. She just couldn't win with him.
'But I always win' she thought, flustered.
