Hard at work in her bus's office, Dawn didn't even hear the three small knocks at her door. In fact, she didn't even hear it open as someone gingerly crept in.
"You busy?"
Screaming, she jumped and cluntched her heart "Jesus Howie" she smiled "You scared me half to death".
"Sorry" he apologized, pulling out a chair and taking a seat across from her "Didn't mean to startle you".
Already returning to her papers, she happily shrugged it off. "That's alright babe" she said, feverishly taking down notes "So what can I do for you"
"Dawn; can we talk?"
"Sure honey... What about?" she asked, more preoccupied with her documents than the actual conversation.
"About Eric"
Emidiatly, Dawn froze and dropped her pen. "I thought we agreed on never bringing that up again" she said, her good whim fast disappearing.
Howie inhaled and reached for her hand across the desk; only to have her pull away.
"Baby I..."
"No!" she bellowed, raising from her chair so quickly that it was violently knocked to the ground "I said no! We are not to discuss this any further! Now get the hell out of my office!"
Still taken aback by his girlfriends temperamental response, it took a short while before he was able to pry himself out of his seat.
With out so much as a word, he left the room, gently closing the door behind himself.
Dawn's heart beat remained ragged for a couple of minutes; her chest rising and dropping like a metronome. Sitting back down, she took back her pen so that so that she could continue her work, only to send it violently flying across the room moments later.
Too angry to cry, or even scream, she buried her face in her hands. Opening her eyes, she slid open her drawer and took out the small medicine bottle; popping 2 pills in her mouth.
**Meanwhile**
"How am I supposed to do that? I can't just say 'Hey, I invited you to come, but now I want you out' "
"And why the hell not?" Alyssa answered, shoving a pop-tart in her mouth and hopping on the counter top "She's been nothing but rude and disrespectful to us all since she got here. You have every right to kick her out!"
I sighed and jabbed a fork in my now cold hashbrowns "I know. I just feel so bad about it."
"Well don't!" Alyssa said flatly, pulling her long mane up in a bun "If you don't tell her, I sure as hell won't put up with her..."
"Put up with who?" a groggy Laurel queried, stumbling into the kitchen and plopping down in a chair. Her eyes were swelled and open only to a slit. Clearly, she'd just woken up.
Grabbing another pop-tart from the toaster, Alyssa answered "Sheridan"
"Hmff" Laurel grumbled, folding her arms and resting her head over them on the table.
She was much to tired to care about anything but sleep.
Excusing myself, I exited the kitchen and returned to my bunk. Sighing, I lay down and stared up at the ceiling. If I kicked Sheridan out, I knew I'd feel so guilty. I was convinced she wasn't the horrible person she was letting on to be. After all, she was Nick's best friend, and Nick was no fool! I was also fairly certain that the reason she was acting so bitchy was because she had a crush on Nick. I wasn't stupid- it was quite obvious! Of course I knew she'd never admit to it... Surprisingly, it didn't bother me. After all, millions of woman around the world were already in love with my boyfriend- what difference would one more make?
**Later**
Inhaling sharply, Sheridan hesitantly tapped on the door. The buses had reached a rest stop, and since she knew all too well she wasn't welcome on hers, she decided to go pay the
guys a visit. Besides, she was certain none of them, asides from Nick that is, knew she was
there.
A few muffled voices could be heard before the metal door was flung open.
"Yes..." A.J answered, his head still turned back inside as he continued speaking to
someone.
"Aje..."
The voice sounded familiar- which caused him to finally face his uninvited
guest. "Oh my... Sheri? Sher- girl, is that you?" he smiled, stepping down and tightly
wrapping his arms around the petite brunette. "What are you- Oh never mind, that's not
important" he babbled, grabbing her by the wrist and pulling her onto the bus.
"Yo fellas!" he hollered as they entered the kitchenette to join the others "Guess who
decided to drop by and pay us all a visit..."
She was greeted by 'oh my gods', and 'what are you doing here's?' from
around the table. They all looked super happy to see her- well except for Nick of course.
He just stood up and and rudely excused himself, with out so much as glancing at his
best friend.
That all-too-familiar pang of guilt immediately returned to the pit of Sheridan's stomach, as
she remorsefully watched Nick's blond head disappear into the dimness of the bus.
"Sheridan, it's so good to see you" came a voice from behind, as a pair of
strong arms took her into a bear hug.
Forcing a stilted smile on her face, she returned to embrace "You too Bri- it's
been too long"
Brian nodded in agreement "It sure had" he grinned, sitting back down.
"So what brought it upon you to grace us with your presents?" Kevin asked
suavely.
Sheridan pondered a while. It was made quite obvious by their amiable
behavior that none of them had heard about the quarrel between she and Nick. And the
fact that neither of them knew she was here definitely convinced her that Nick hadn't
sounded the trumpets at her arrival...
"Oh well, it's a long story" she giggled, trying to divert the subject.
"It don't matter" Howie grinned, patting the empty space next to him,
signaling her to take a seat "We've got nothing better to do"
Sheridan let out a hearty laugh "I'm sure you don't Howie" she said, giving him
a friendly punch in the shoulder. Clearing her voice, she uncomfortably tugged a free strand
of hair behind her ears "Actually- umm, I really need to speak with Nick"
All 4 simultaneously pointed to the back of the bus.
Thanking them, she began to make her way to the bunks when she heard someone
call her back.
"Sher!"
Turning back, she looked down at Brian "We're gonna be stepping out to
stretch our legs- if you need anything, we'll be in the picnic area"
Nodding, she thanked him and continued her way.
Playing nervously with her rings, she scanned the section for any signs of Nick.
She was beginning to get second thoughts about this, when her ears pricked at the faint
sound of humming music. Spinning around, she noticed one of the bunk's curtain's were
open to a slit. She took in a deep breath, and pulled them open.
Inside lay Nick; his eyes sealed as his head gently bobbing from side to side as he
lip sang to the song playing in his diskman.
A small grin crept on her lips as she observed him. He looked so angelic- it would
almost feel like a sin to disturb him. Almost...
Bending over, her hand reached out and pinched his nose.
At the sudden lack of oxygen, Nick's eyes flew open, and he jumped- only to
bang his head against the frame of his bunk. "Ouchshit" he cursed, rubbing his head.
"Sorry" said Sheridan; trying to muffle her laughter.
A tad aggravated, Nick gave her the evil-eye. "What do you want?" he asked,
yanking his headphones out of his ears.
"Nick- I..." biting her bottom lip, she searched for just the appropriate words.
Admitting your wrong is always difficult to do, most especially if you're as stubborn as
Sheridan. "Nick, you know I blow at apologies, so I'm going to try to do this as straight
forward as possible, without losing my dignity." breathing in, she continued "I'm sorry
for scary the crap out of you".
Still sitting in his bunk, Nick impatiently waited for the continuation of her
amends. And waited.... and waited. But it didn't come. "Is that it?" he yelled, crawling out
so that he could stand and face her.
"Yeah..." She answered, waiting for his acceptance.
"I can't believe you!" Nick barked, his arms tightly folded over his chest "Do
you think I actually give a damn about that stupid, childish prank of yours? I want you to
apologize to Eli!!"
Sheridan frowned "To Eli? Why the hell should I apologize to her?"
Nick was getting more and more furious by the second "Because of the way
you treated her. Are you playing dumb, or are you just plain stupid?"
"What the hell is your problem Nick?" Sheridan finally snapped, infuriated
by the disrespectful manner she had just been spoken to "Don't be such a dick!"
"My problem is with the fact that you treated my girlfriend- whom I love, like
a peace of trash after she showed you nothing but hospitality. The least you can do is say
you're sorry!"
"I did say I was sorry!" Sheridan protested in her own defense.
"To me! You said you were sorry, to me! I want you to apologize to
Eli!"
Opening her mouth to speak, she instantly shut it. "Alright, I'll apologize" she
grumbled softly, deciding it would be best to just give in.
Nodding approvingly, Nick gave her a final glare and brushed by her; leaving
her to soak alone in the bus.
**Same Time**
"Who is that girl I see, staring straight back at me, why is my reflection someone I don't know..."
Mezmerized, Naila listened to her walkman in a dream like state. She had always found it difficult to comprehend how some people couldn't come to accept themselves for who they were. 'It would be just plain dumb to try to change yourself' she always thought. Little did she know she herself was rapidly turning into just that kind of person. In almost a blink of an eye, she had transformed into a health and weight obsessed nut! Not that she was anorexic... Or bulimic. At least, that's what she had been telling herself. If she had any disorder, she would be shedding pounds instead of gaining them. Every time she looked in the mirror, she appeared to get fater. She felt like a wale next to the other girls when they got dressed in the mornings. Could I wale have an eating disorder? No! A wale diets... And that was precisely what she was doing; dieting!
Too absorbed in her own thoughts, she failed to notice Kevin come up to her on the bench. "Ice cream?" he queried, holding up a spoon full of Ben & Jerry's.
Flinching, she vigorously shook her head. "No thank you" she declined.
"You sure?" Kevin asked, scratching out the bottom of the container so that he could savor every last bit.
Feeling her stomach churn, she rapidly refused once more.
After he had finished licking up every last drop, he placed the pot on the unmowed grass.
"We should be arriving at the arena in about an hour and a half" he began "And I was talking with Dawn, and she said that she wanted to speak to all of you after the show and.... What the heck are you doing?" he questioned as she watched his girlfriend pick up the empty ice-cream container.
Naila carefully examined it, and then gasped "Kevin, do you have any idea how much fat there was in this junk?"
He looked at her in disbelief "Excuse me?"
"There are 16 grams of fat and 256 calories per serving" she pointed out in disbelief.
"So?"
With bulging eyes, Naila looked at him. Kevin was in un-parallel shape- built and everything. The last thing he needed to worry about was his figure "I'm just saying..." she tried to excuse "I just wanna try watching what I eat from now on"
"Baby" he smiled "You don't need to lose weight. You're perfect just the way you are"
Well if that wasn't a dimotivating response, I don't know what is. Forcing a grin, she excused herself by making up some story about needing something from the bus.
Before Kevin could even conceive that something may possibly be wrong, there was a loud interruption.
"2 minutes!" Tyrese, one of their security guards hollered.
**That Evening**
"Hey, watch it four eyes!"
"Brit! Chill- it's just a kid" Justin said, putting a restraining hand on Britney's shoulder as the little boy ran away in tears.
"The brat stepped on my shoe!" she yelled, smacking him so that he'd let her go.
Ignoring his two friends squabbling, J.C continued his way down the unfamiliar arena.
With a little convincing from Justin and Britney, J.C had decided "he" wanted to come and pay Alyssa a surprise visit. The other two just came along for the ride...
Finally, having heard put up with just about enough of his friends argument, J.C spun around. "Would you both just shut the hell up?" he yelled.
Justin and Britney both opened their mouths, then shut it the moment they saw the severeness in J.C eyes.
With a grunt, J.C spun back and was about to take a step when he saw two figures emerge from around the corner.
Before he could say so much as a word, Justin did.
"Well-well" Justin smiled cockily "Lookie what we have here"
A.J looked up and almost gasped! What the hell were they doing here?
Alyssa, who had asked him to accompany her back to Reflection's dressing room, immediately let go of A.J's hand and ran up to J.C; throwing her arms around his neck
"J!" she squealed "What are you doing here?"
"Just thought I'd pay my fave pop-star a visit" He said, watching A.J's expression as flames and smoke appeared behind his ears. If he couldn't succeed in getting Alyssa, he thought, the least he could accomplish was be to piss the shit out of his top rival.
"Jealous much?" Justin whispered snidely in A.J's ear.
Snarling like a rabid dog, he took a few steps forward "Is there anything I can do for you?" he said; his teeth and fist firmly clenched.
"Actually McLean" J.C began, letting go of Alyssa, yet still keeping an arm around her shoulders "Me and Just were in town, and we remembered 'hey, ain't Backstreet performing tonight?' And so we decided we just had to come and see the best pop act doin' their thang live" Coyly, he shifted his gaze to Alyssa "So when is REFLECTION taking the stage babe?"
Alyssa began to shift uncomfortably from leg to leg. She thank god her ankle was better, or she'd be in excruciating from all the wabbling. A.J had that raging bull look glazed in his eyes, and she certainly didn't feel like being around when they'd pull out the red flag.
"So, um, you guys have seats?" she asked, slowly stepping away from J.C and creeping over to A.J, who rapidly took her into his arms.
"Of course" J.C grinned
"Well then" Alyssa chuckled, trying to ease the tension building around them "You'd best get in your seats. I was just about to change"
J.C winked "Alright, have a good one baby"
A.J and Alyssa watched as the 3 walked away. Once they were out of sight, he angrily turned to her "What the hell was that all about?" he demanded.
Alyssa just shrugged, planting a soft kiss on his nose "Come on baby" she purred "We've got a show to do"
As they made their way back to her dressing room, A.J couldn't help but worry about J.C's true intentions. All he knew was that if Justin and Britney came along, they sure couldn't be good.
**Not Long After**
I had just finished performing, and was busy toweling off, when there was a knock at the door.
"Come in!" I yelled, pulling a dry T-shirt over my head.
The door slowly crept open; revealing a timid looking Sheridan.
"Hey" she whispered.
I looked at her coldly "Hello" I said, returning with an apathetic greeting.
Sheridan bit her lip. this was going to be even more difficult than she thought.
"I'm sorry for the way I treated you Eli" she murmured unconvincingly.
"Ok"
She looked up from the floor with a bewilder expression on her face "Ok?"
I smiled and nodded "Apology accepted" I said plainly.
With her jaw almost hanging on the floor, Sheridan watched as Eli finished getting dressed. She never expected anyone to, most especially after what she had done, to so quickly accept and apology.
Once I finished changing, I started making my way towards the door
"You coming?" I asked.
"Uh, ok"
As she made her way by me as I held the door open, I stoped to give her a grin.
Despite the numerous attempts to persuade me to kick her out by my friends, I was convinced that the right choice would be to keep Sheridan with us. As I said before, to be able to be Nick's best friend from childhood, it would be simply impossible to be a bad person. And her apology had proved me right! And there is no better feeling in the world than knowing you made the right decision...
"I'm going straight to the hotel" I explained as I walked down the hall "You wanna come?"
"No, it's alright. I'll wait out the show" she courteously declined.
"Ok, so I'll see you later Sher" I said, giving her a friendly hug before leaving in search of my body guard.
Sheridan shook herself in disbelief. She still could not believe how sweet Eli was being. 'Either she's the nicest person on the face of the earth' she thought to herself 'Or...' Pausing she realize there were no 'or's'. Eli was nice- simple as that.
Was that ever a difficult notion to swallow...
**Later**
After everyone had arrived at their hotel and taken the time to settle in, Dawn summoned all the girls to her room. The Boys were all invited to join the meeting aswell, but they all graciously refused, using their fatigue as an excuse.
"I'm sure you're all wondering why I asked you here" she said, standing up infront of 5 young girls.
"Sorta" Kristy yawned, her voice even more muffled by the pillow she was hugging.
The nights had not been kind to her lately...
Dawn smiled, taking out the video cassette she had been holding from it's pouch
"Any one care to take a guess at what this contains?" she waved it; taunted them.
"A porn flic you and Howie shot one night?" Alyssa teased.
"Well if you don't wanna know..." she trailed, placing it back in it's box.
Everyone protested in unisons.
With a satisfied smirk, Dawn pushed the cassette in the VCR "This aired earlier today" she explained, as the video began to play.
"Hello and welcome to TRL..." Carson Daily's voice greeted enthusiastically.
"Why are you showing us TRL?" Laurel inquired loudly.
"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh" the others hushed
"... In addition to your usual faves, MTV has just received two bran spanking new videos by the newest artist to hit the pop scene..."
Laurel jumped up screaming on the bed "Oh my god, that's us!"
She was silenced once again by Kristy's pillow being thrown at her head.
"Both have spent the last couple of weeks touring with one of your favorite boy bands, The Backstreet Boys. These girls have been slandered to be the next big thing to hit the pop world: REFLECTION, with their soon-to-be hit single "What I need"...
But first, a girl who has been no stranger to recent headlines- She's been called the next Mariah... Here's Angel with "All Over You".
As the song began to play, the whole room broke out into screams.
"Oh my god! Oh my god! Our video's on MTV! We're on MTV!" Alyssa shrieked, jumping up and down like a maniac.
Dawn gave them a few minutes to settle down "Alright girls- that's enough!" she scolded.
"I know you're excited, but this only means more work from now on! You're on your way to become celebrity’s, and with that comes responsibility. I want all of you to reflect on what direction you want your careers to be headed in. Your future is in your hands..."
*******
"I can't wait to tell Aje about this" Alyssa squealed, as we walked back to our room.
As we passed by room 602, she stopped "Come to think of it" she laughed "Why wait? I'll see you tomorrow sweetie"
"Night" waved as she entered A.J's room for the night.
I was still floating on air from seeing myself on TRL, and was even a bit shaky as I unlocked the door to my room. As my foot crossed the frame, I immediately stepped back. Why should I stay by myself when I could be sharing my excitement with Nick? I locked my door and skipped down the empty hall. As I reached the door, I snuck a peek behind my shoulder to make sure no one would see me.
I knocked, and a few seconds later, Nick answered.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, smiling.
I unconsciously licked my lips at the sight of him. The only clothes he had on were his jeans and white wife beater- his tattoos wildly exposed. He had that all around bad boy look going on, and I must admit, he never looked better.
Giving him a devilish grin, I jumped into his arms as my lips conlided with his in a fiery embrace.
His hands rapidly roamed up my shirt, and he didn't waste any time kicking the door shut.
*******
Like if someone had cemented, his feet to the ground, Brian remained paralyzed infront of his room. He had wanted to get some ice for his drink, but instead witnessed the most horrific and heart wrenching site of his life!. A single tear rolled down his cheek as the image of the woman he loved kissing his best friend replayed in his mind...
