"Eat that."

I didn't need to be told that -- again. I lifted my eyes and found myself staring right at Kevin. He was looking at me with such a stern glance, I felt like a ten year old all over again.

Ever since my quick trip to the ER, I couldn't help but be forced to eat all those things I had always hoped would extinguish.

Who, in their right mind, can eat all this in breakfast? In my plate were like about a pound of scrambled eggs, three toasts, two slices of bacon with some tomatoes on the side. It was a good thing I had had fruit with this yesterday, so I didn't have to eat that today.

I sighed again.

I looked up at Kevin for a moment. "I need the chocolate syrup."

Kevin nodded and took the cup from my hand, handing me my plate, and went over to the food cart. I only had one functional hand, so I couldn't pour the chocolate and hold my plate at the same time.

"Can you pass it next Kev?"

I turned to look at Nick. For the last four days, the two of us along with Kate had been forced to eat healthy as Kevin always put it. Milk with breakfast was just the beginning. I had always hated the thing and I could barely pass it with chocolate syrup. I knew Kevin wasn't happy with it, saying that it was healthier pure, but I didn't care. If he wanted me to drink milk, then the last thing he could do was help me out with some chocolate in it. At least chocolate milk was drinkable.

Thanks God Kate and Nick felt the same way. At least I wasn't alone when it came down to this. Kate too had a very same plate like mine. We shared looks and sighed at the same time. I didn't think I'd be having much lunch.

I took a couple of bites of the toast with the eggs. I did like eggs. Kate could tell you that my policy was that eggs with everything was better. I did believe that. But I couldn't have eggs for breakfast without passing up lunch. We were getting better at this, though. At least yesterday we finished half our lunch. The first day, I couldn't even look at the plate.

"What are the plans for the day?"

Kevin handed Nick the chocolate syrup and proceeded to answer AJ's question. "We've got an interview and photo shoot after this. Lunch with another magazine and then right to the venue."

I nodded. I remembered that. Kevin had told me before going to bed last night. Oh, he had also said Leigh would be arriving today. I didn't remember the time though. I think he said something about before going to the venue, but I wasn't that sure. I had been half asleep by the time he had spoken about it.

I placed the plate in the center table as Kevin handed me my horrible cup of milk. I stared at my cast as I drunk it. Three weeks with this was going to be hell. I could barely bath and that was with Kate's help. Kevin didn't know, though. I had told him I could manage just fine. I didn't want him asking if he could help me and have to tell him I'd rather Kate did it.

I sighed softly, taking another sip and breathing deeply as not throw up. One of the things I hated the most about milk had to be their smell. With chocolate, it wasn't half bad.

I stretched my back slightly. It was starting to hurt from being all hunched over my drink. It would always hurt whenever I did that.

I maneuvered my cup on my lap, leaning over to pick up my plate and placed it by its side. I picked up a toast, biting the corner of it. I sighed softly. I could remember the day I had the accident, right after we had arrived at the venue, Kevin had received a call from Michael.

I didn't hear the conversation, as Kevin left me with Kate and Nick in the dressing room before he left for a moment. The guys signed my cast and wrote rather disturbing images and phrases while I wondered what exactly Michael was complaining about now.

Kate had understood my wondering and just gave me a small smile.

Yet, I had to agree with Michael. It wasn't safe for Kevin to go with me to the ER. I had told him that on the way over there and while he stayed with me. However, he hadn't listened. I wanted to get angry with him. I wanted to be so frustrated and mad that I wouldn't talk with him. But, at the same time, it felt good to have some caring besides Kate.

I felt Kate sitting by side and I turned around.

"Want help with your plate?"

I nodded, chuckling slightly.

She took it from my lap and placed it on hers, just by her own plate. With my left cast arm, I reached out and grabbed a piece of toast. I could move the fingers, but just barely. It hurt if I tried to pick something that was heavier than ten ounces.

I heard a knock on the door and Kevin stood up. Before he turned around, I was able to see a small grin across his face. I wondered what exactly was that and what was he planning. I knew him enough to know that there was a very tangible reason for that grin.

He opened the door and we all heard a feminine someone speaking.

"Good morning guys."

It was good luck that I saw Brian's eyes widen, a huge smile on his lips as he was faster than a lightening and was out of his chair and rushing that woman onto his arms in a second.

"Leigh! What are you doing here?" Brian placed his head on top of Leigh as he hugged. "I thought you'd get here later today."

I heard her chuckled. "I thought I'd give you a surprise."

"So that was why you wouldn't tell me when she was getting here," I said, looking straight at Kevin.

He chuckled. "I was afraid you'd say something during breakfast and spoil the surprise."

I pouted. "I wouldn't if you had told me not to."

"Oh, please, it's not Kevin's fault. I asked him not to saying anything to anyone. I didn't want Brian finding out."

I let it down, but I was hurt Kevin hadn't say anything. I wasn't anyone. At least I thought I wasn't.

"It's good to have you here Leigh."

"Been time, too. Took you long enough."

It was funny how the guys greeted her.

She walked over to where Kate and I were sitting, and gave a small smile.

"Sorry," Kevin said, walking over to my side. "Leighanne, these are Matt and Kate."

"So you're Kevin's boy."

I didn't say anything at that, trying not to seem as cold as I was feeling at the moment.

"Brian has told me so much about you. It's great to meet you." She offered me her hand and I shook it. I wished Kate would get a better impression of her so she could convinced me Leigh wasn't bad.

"And you Kate."

Kate gave her a small smile and nodded. "So you're the famous Leigh. Brian can't stop talking about you."

"Good things I hope."

Kate chuckled politely. "I keep hoping there's something wrong about you. You can't be as perfect as he paints you, right?"

"I'm not," Leigh said, giggling slightly and blushing. Suddenly, I had the feeling she wasn't that bad.

Her eyes fell on my cast, noticing it. "Sorry about your arm. Brian told me how Nick bumped onto you."

"I did not! It was an honest mistake."

"The mistake was me pretending to play basket."

"You can't be that bad," Leigh said sweetly.

I chuckled at her. "I am. Believe me."

"Yes, please believe him." Kate added.

Leigh laughed at it and I couldn't help but join her. "You two are just like Brian said."

Kate frowned, staring right at Brian. "I hope it was all good. And if it wasn't, then it's all a big fat lie."

"Did you have breakfast? We've got more than enough."

Kevin nodded at Brian's statement. "Have something Leigh."

Leigh thought it over, squinting a little. Finally, she nodded. "Just some eggs."

"You can have mine," I mumbled but, apparently, it was loud enough for the whole gang to listen. I kept quiet as Kevin stared at me.

 "Oh," Kate said, breaking the ice that had fallen upon the room, "don't mind him. We're both sulking over having to eat so much."

Leigh frowned and something told me that Brian hadn't filled her in in the latest group gossip -- even if I wasn't part of the group.

"Don't worry about it," Kate waved it off with a sweet smile. "We don't like having much to eat, that's all."

Leigh was smart enough not to question about it as I just looked down at my plate and decided that sulking, as Kate had put it, silently was better. I had another bite of my toast and felt so full; I thought that if I had another bite I would actually throw up.

We finished breakfast with just small talk and Brian and Leigh being all lovey-dovey. I would glance at them every once in a while.

"You could be like that."

I only sighed, my eyes falling down to my plate, grabbing the toast again and giving it another very small bite. Damn, I've seen rats biting bigger than I was. "I don't wanna talk about it."

"The stubborn bull headed one is you, not me."

"I said I don't wanna talk about it."

"Yeah, well, I don't care." At least Kate was tactful enough as to talk rather low, so neither of the guys would listen -- not even Nick.

I glanced over at Kevin, who was too busy going through the guys' schedule. I thanked the heavens for Kevin's sense of responsibility in that instant.

"You can be so stiff sometimes."

"Yeah, well, that's the pot calling the kettle black, don't ya think?"

"We're not talking about me right now," she whispered angrily.

I turned to glared at her. She bit her lower lip and used that good instinct of her as not to answer back. It wasn't the place or the time. And I wasn't in the mood for it.

"It's time for your pills."

I bit my own tongue before groaning and lashing out in anger. I had no idea what had been said or done, but suddenly, I felt so angry with anyone -- or maybe it was everyone -- that I didn't know if I could stay qquiet fully knowing I should.

I just looked up at Kevin walking over to me, bottle in hand. I didn't care if Kevin felt that inside the group were no secrets. It was his prerogative, not mine. I had never let him know it was fine by me that my private life became a public knowledge. My condition was mine and mine alone. However, he hadn't asked for my permission that day when he had arrived and answered the guys' questions. Not only had he told them that I had, indeed, broken my wrist but also that I had a calcium deficiency with need of vitamins and my anemia.

I saw Leigh frowning from the corner of my eye and hoped that Brian had had the bright thought of telling her about this, as I wasn't in the mood for storytelling.

Apparently, he hadn't, as she was still clueless about it.

"It's nothing," I said as I took the bottle from Kevin's hand, careful enough as not to snatch it. "I've got a calcium deficiency, so I gotta take calcium supplements."

Leigh continued frowning, but Brian squeezed her hand softly, not meaning for me to see, and she just smiled.

I took a pill out, capping the bottle again and placed it in my pocket. I drank it down with the bottle of water Nick handed me. From now on, I was gonna have the bottle in my possession. Not Kevin.

The guys continued chatting, but I didn't pay any attention to either of them. I didn't care. I could feel Kate staring at me, but I didn't feel like getting in an argument with her either. The next thing I knew, they had to leave.

They all said their good-byes and Kevin gave me a small kiss on the lips. I returned it, more out of conviction than anything else. I didn't feel like having Kevin worrying about anything else.

Kate probably realized that and, if I was really that unlucky, then Nick did too.

"I love you poppet," Kevin had whispered. I only smiled and answered back. I didn't want to turn around and see Leigh with her puzzled look again.

Finally, it was just Kate and me. However, to my very surprise, I found myself looking at Leigh. I hadn't been counting on that one.

"So, I guess it's just us three," Leigh said with small smile. I could tell she was a little uncomfortable as well.

Kate being the politically right one, smiled politely and nodded. "It's ok. I don't think we won't get along. Actually, I believe we'll do it just fine."

"Then I guess there's no better situation to get to know someone than over some shopping and maybe even a coffee later, don't ya think?"

Kate grinned from ear to ear and I bit back the scream that seemed to threaten to come out my throat. I wanted to die. And I was so angry at... everything, I felt like killing a pet in front of a child. I know I can be devious sometimes. But that was just my evil fifteen minutes.

Kate saw this, and still didn't say anything. I think she was too sure of her way of making me feel calm and situated enough as to be able to do it anywhere with anyone along. I didn't. But I'd have to trust her on this one. It wasn't like I had much of a choice.

And so, I only nodded and clasped my hands together. It wasn't even two minutes since the three of us were alone and my knuckles were already hurting from closing my hand shut.

*****

"You've been with the guys so far this summer?"

Kate nodded, walking down the ails of yet another store. I only sighed. "Yeah.  It's been really fun this week and a half. Those five are so..."

"Different?" Leigh finished, turning around and smiling at Kate.

She giggled, nodding. "Yeah. We've seen them in a couple of meet-&-greets and they are incredible. They handle their fans so well."

"I gotta agree with you on that one. I felt the same way on my first tour."

We fell silent once again and for me, it was like dragging my feet through burning lava. Hating it wasn't enough strong word.

"Would you calm down and try to enjoy yourself?" Kate asked me when Leigh walked a couple of feet away from us.

I sighed. Loudly. "I didn't want to come and you knew that."

"Yeah, well, at least try to talk with her. Two words wouldn't kill ya, ya know?"

I looked straight at her, making sure she understood my words. "I wanna leave."

"Well darling, you're stuck here, either you want it or not." She turned around and picked something from the rail. I sighed again.

"Kate, look at this!"

Kate got a hold on my hand and dragged me where Leigh is, holding a skirt up and a very short shirt. "No way," Kate said, blushing. "I can't wear that! It's too short! Both of them."

Leigh chuckled. "Of course you can darling. You've got a great body."

I was with Leigh on this one, even though I didn't say a thing. I'd been telling Kate the very same thing for the past three years, but she hadn't heard me. I frowned and wondered if she'd listen to Leigh. If she did, I'll swear to god I won't talk with her for the rest of the month.

Kate took the clothes from Leigh's hands and looked at me. "Do you like it?"

I nodded, but Kate knew I was still mad. I was sure she didn't know exactly why I was as mad as I was. Something told me not even I did.

"Do you think it's too short?"

I looked at the clothes carefully. The skirt was just above the knee, but I knew Kate didn't like skirts. It was just because she wasn't used to them. If she'd start wearing them, she would like them. The shirt... now that's a different story. Kate is the one to wear loose clothes. This shirt was about two fingers above the belly button and rather tight. It would look really great on her.

I couldn't help but smile at the thought of seeing Kate with those clothes on. "You'll look great. You know that. I've been telling you that for the past two years."

She grinned at me, chuckling. "Are you sure? I'm not sure."

"You're never sure about changing patterns. You're as predictable as sunrise girl, but it's time for us to change positions." And suddenly my words made sense, even to me. I was wrong in where I was standing about everything I used to stand behind. I sighed. Kate looked at me and gave me a small smile. She had seen my very own enlightenment.

"You'll like it," I stated and she grinned, nodding.

She took the clothes from my hand and went over to the dresser.

"You're good."

I turned from the closed dresser over to Leigh, who was looking right at me. I frowned. "What?"

"You're really a good friend. You're great with her." She paused. "You two are really close, right?"

That would be an understatement. "You have no idea."

"Yeah, I don't, but I'm getting one."

I smiled a sincere smile for the first time in the whole day. She wasn't half bad indeed. I looked at my watch. It was barely eleven am. Gosh, so early.

"Why were you angry?"

I frowned. "What?" I hadn't realized I was so transparent -- or had become so transparent in the last two hours.

"You were angry earlier back in the hotel. I didn't understand why." She tilted her head. "I was fearing it was me."

"It wasn't you," I stated right away and found myself wondering if it really hadn't been her. Now I knew I was angry with anyone who would get in my way.

"Kevin, then."

I turned to look at her.

"I'm sorry for getting in the middle of you two, and you can tell me you mind my own business any time you want, but I can see why you'd get mad at him. He can be a little over protective at times."

"Try a lot."

She chuckled and I laughed along with her. I couldn't believe I had just said that to a half completely stranger.

"What are you guys talking about?"

I turned around as I heard Kate's words and wished I could whistle; she was so pretty. I did a couple of catcalls and Leigh did whistle.

The skirt was tight around her legs, showing them off, and so short, it made her look taller. The shirt was also tight around her breast and letting everyone know that she got her mother's beautiful body and plain stomach. Any girl would have been jealous of her. She was barefoot because, lets face it, the brown flat sandals she had been wearing with her shorts wouldn't have looked good with this.

"My god darling, you'll get a date right outside the store."

Kate blushed bright red, looking down at her legs, lifting them one at a time. "Gosh, it feels like I'm gonna fall right on my face with this skirt."

"It's just a matter of getting used to it, you know? Are you used to high heels?"

I laughed right out and Kate glared at me. "Sorry sweetie, but you'd cry your eyes out if you had to wear shoes higher than an inch."

"Well, then some strip sandals with that could work out as well."

"Should I buy it?"

The question was to me and I felt like laughing. I could be so territorial when it came down to my friends sometimes, it wasn't funny. "Sure. Lilyan has been trying to get you to wear a skirt half your life, so why not?"

Kate jumped up and down, squealing at the fact that she was getting herself a new wardrobe. She was always like this when it came down to clothes.

We walked towards the cashier as Kate asked, "What were you actually talking about?"

"About Kevin's mother hen complex." I said dryly and Kate laughed. "What? I love the boy, don't get me wrong, but he can be so annoying sometimes, I wonder how the guys stand him."

"It's just a matter of getting used to it," Leigh spoke up as the guys' advocate. "That and getting out of the way by playing Nintendo."

We all laughed at that one. Kate paid the lady with the beauty of plastic and we were out the store.

"He can over react sometimes," I surprised everyone by speaking up. Kate turned around and faked a gasp at me. I only shrugged. What could I say, Leigh had that way of making you feel comfortable.

"I know what you mean. He's been like that forever, so don't get your hopes up about him changing that." Leigh paused, looking at one dress in particular in the window of yet another store. "He was even worse with Nicky. Poor Nick, he got all Kevin's attention being the youngest one."

"Not anymore," Kate murmured under her breath, purposely for Leigh to hear.

She turned around and frowned. "That's right. You two are younger. How old are you?"

"Eighteen, both of us."

Leigh nodded. "Brian said something, yeah. But you two have been getting along so far, right?"

"But when I broke my arm, it all got worse. I could stand him worrying over where I was and everything, but this is too much. He acts like..."

"You're a child?"

I nodded at Leigh's question, even though it sounded more like a statement. I sighed. "I'm younger, I get that, but he doesn't have to act all father on me."

Leigh smiled softly. "I think he's trying to get used to having you here with him. He's never been so open about a relationship, I guess."

"He's not the only one."

Leigh nodded knowingly. At least Brian had told her that part. "I know. I think he just tries to have you as protected as he can. It's probably hard on him too. He's trying to take care of you with the group there. He'll screw up eventually."

"Eventually, I can handle. But not everyday. And the last week has been unbearable."

"Why?"

I sighed and let Kate answer that one as I walked a couple of feet in front of them. I started looking at this or that, not really caring about what I was staring at.

"You see," Kate said lowly, "with Matt having anemia and everything, I think Kevin feels like he has a responsibility over Matt getting better."

"Well, Kevin is probably acting like a dog with a bone. Give him a good excuse to be over protective, and he'll hold onto it for dear life." She chuckled slightly as she caught up with me and dropped her arm around my shoulders. "You shouldn't worry sweetie. He's just like that with everyone. I'm sure it'll calm down with time."

I gave her a small smile and wondered for a moment why in the world I was telling this woman all this? Maybe it had something to do with the fact that she had this best friend aura. No wonder Brian was so into her -- she was lovely.

"Uh, I love that blouse," Leigh said out of the blue and I had to chuckle.

We walked into the store and looked some more. Kate kept looking funny at all the shirts and skirts that were just a little bit above the knee. I knew she had the itch to buy some of them, but decided against under better judgement. I'm not particularly sure about the better judgement thing, but for her it probably was.

When we walked out of the store, I saw these three girls staring at us and giggling. I shook my head and thought paranoia was in the air and just chuckled at my own thought. Mulder would have said that it isn't paranoia if there are out there to get you. I wouldn't know about that one, but I could have sworn they kept staring at us.

Once again I shook my head. Kate turned around, frowning. "What's wrong with ya now?"

I took a couple of steps, catching up with her and whispered in her ear. "There are these three girls looking at us."

Kate snorted. "You've been watching too much X-Files darling, I swear."

"I'm not kidding."

But before we could continue in the disjunctive that the subject was, the three girls walked upon us, right in front of Leigh who stopped in middle step and one of the screamed.

"Oh my god! It's you, isn't it? You're Leigh!"

Leigh only chuckled. I think that was enough answer for the three of them as now they yelped.

One of them produced the lyrics book of the Millennium album out of thin air along with a pen, placing it in front of Leigh. "Could you please sign this for me? Please? I think you're so great with Brian. You're the best."

"Thanks girls. Really," Leigh said. She turned around and with one look asked us to help her out with one of her bags. I got it as she turned around and took book from girl's hands. "What's your name?"

"Betty."

It was opened in one of the Brian's pictures and I assumed they wanted her to sign it there. She did and handed it back to them.

"He loves you so much, you know? And I know you do as well," another one said.

"Oh, yeah, and you're so nice to all the fans. No like..." Betty hit the other girl on the ribs and this girl coughed.

"You're great," Betty said after a moment.

Leigh nodded, thanked her once again and it was like those three finally saw us. "Who are you?"

Kate and I looked at each other and felt like giggling. Maybe this would be the first time for us to actually use our cover.

"Friend's of mine." Leigh stated seriously and I think even the girls got that. They nodded, thanked again and left.

"You weren't supposed to say that," Kate said. "We're supposed to say we're Nick's friends, or didn't you know that?"

"I knew it the moment Brian was told that," a smile appeared on her lips and I knew there was more to that story than what she was telling us. I'd make sure to ask about it later on. "And I would have said that if I had just met the two of you. But I haven't."

I would have replicated at that, because she had just met us.

She smiled again. "You're my friends too, now. So there's no point in lying about that. Unless you oppose, of your course."

Kate and I looked at each other once again and just chuckled -- again. "No," Kate said, "no opposition here."

We walked towards a small café on the second floor of the mall and I couldn't help but see the Architecture of it. Kate was gonna have to take that subject next semester and we had been reading about it. The minute that thought crossed my mind, I couldn't help but turn around and stare at her. Apparently, she had thought of the very same thing at the very same time. I sighed. We'd have to have that check out later today. I did a run through and felt like groaning in frustration. I didn't know if we'd have enough time today. Then tomorrow -- but soon.

I heard Kate sigh and I nodded at her. She lifted her eyebrows like saying there's nothing much to do about it now, and I knew she was right.

"That was weird," Kate stated as we reached a table.

I had to nod about it. I knew what she was talking about. "Yeah. I didn't know you had fans too. I thought only the guys got asked for autographs."

"Mostly, yeah, but with time, some of the girls started asking for my autograph too."

"They must really like you."

Leigh smiled happily, her cheeks taking a rosy color. "Yeah, and that's really great. It has happened before that the fans hadn't liked one of the guys' girlfriend and..." She shrugged. "That had been a problem on the long run. But, so far, both Amanda and I are good with the fans."

I nodded at her, trying my best to smile. I closed down my brain, forcing myself not to think about her statement and the implications of the same. I didn't want to wonder whether the fans would like me -- eventually -- whenever it was they would find out about me, if ever. I didn't want to think about that and torture myself. So I didn't.

A girl came to the table and took our orders. Leigh ordered a cocktail I hadn't heard of -- not that I had heard of many, but still -- while I had a coke and a sandwich I was gonna split with Kate.

"You two really eat very little, don't you?"

Kate chuckled enough for the both of us. "We're just like that."

"Specially you Matt. For a boy, that is. I've seen how the guys' eat and it's like..."

"There's no ending?" I asked and this time Leigh chuckled. "I know what you mean. Nick almost always has seconds and I've seen him a couple of times having thirds. That's like... what Kate and I eat in three days."

"You've gotta be kidding," she said, trying to control her laugher.

"We're not! We're just used to eating very little," Kate shrugged.

"Well, not always. There are times when we just eat so much ice-cream, it looks like we're gonna explode."

"Or that time we fried to many nuggets, we ended up having them for breakfast too?"

I chuckled at the memory. Who knew that fifty nuggets were too many as dinner?

"Can I ask you something personal Matt?"

I nodded at Leigh, leaning slightly on the table, wondering what she wanted to ask.

"Ask away," Kate said, "there's really nothing personal with him. He doesn't have privacy."

"With you, how could I?"

Kate only stuck her tongue out.

Leigh chuckled. "Did I hear right back in the hotel and Kevin called you poppet?"

I paused on the right second as the girl came back with our orders. It was better that way. I didn't want her hearing something that was really none of her business.

"Yeah," I said after she left. "It's... Kevin took it as a word of endearment."

"He calls Matt that rather often."

"Kate," I whispered sternly.

"What? It's not like I am lying," she asked stated right into my face with that innocent posture of hers. She turned around and looked right at Leigh. "Brian didn't tell you?"

Leigh shook her head. "He said there were some things I better see on my own, so I'm guessing this was one of them."

"Why?" I was really curious on that one.

She shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe because Kevin is showing a side I hadn't really seen before. Remember, I've never seen him with anyone, so there was no way of telling how he'd act. Now I know."

I wanted to say that me too, but kept quiet. After that, we did your classical chat. Talked about school and homework, she told us about her career as an actress and just had our cokes -- Kate had ordered one too. It was fun.

*****

I bit back my yawn, not wanting Leigh to believe I was bored to death. I wasn't, not to death at least, but it was rather boring to see the guys do sound check for the fifteenth time already. Don't get me wrong, the guys are great on stage. But a couple of times it's more than enough.

I stretched my arms, trying to touch the sky. I looked down at my computer once again.

To my surprise, I hadn't really been in the mood to read. I have no idea why, but there are times when you just can't handle another written word. It has happened to me more times than not, so I knew not to force it. However, I didn't know what else to do to entertain myself through sound check.

As usual, I found something that would keep my attention focused on something. I had clicked on the little map like icon that stood for Architectural Desktop. This was usual Kate's specialty, but I had gotten really fond of it as well.

During the thirty minutes that sound check had been so far, I had been designing the venue in my computer. It wasn't that hard, not really. Just a couple of walls here and some doors and windows there. Nothing a good computer can't handle. Kate, who was on my right, had been glancing at the screen every now and then, giggling all the while. She, too, was a little bored, so she had been listening to her Discman all the while.

A little while later, I could hear the sound of the guys goofing around and wondered if they had finished or just taken a break.

The guys walked towards where the three of us sat down. Brian kissed Leighanne deeply and I sighed softly.

"How was your morning?"

I lifted my eyes to Kevin and gave him a small smile. We were in a rather public place -- even if it was just the venue -- so we couldn't really be that comfortable with each other. "I can't say we didn't enjoy ourselves."

"Yeah, it was a lot of fun," Leigh added. She slapped Brian on the shoulder and the guys chuckled at Brian's complains. I chuckled along, but thought about asking either Nick or Kevin about that one. "Why didn't you tell me Kate and Matt were so much fun?"

"I did!"

"No you didn't. You said they were nice. You didn't say I'd end up liking them so much."

Brian was looking like he had no idea what Leigh was talking about -- and I knew the feeling. Or actually, I always produced that feeling in a lot of people. Finally, Brian sighed. "There's no way I'm winning this one, is there?"

Leigh smiled sweetly and I knew Brian wasn't buying it. "Of course not darling." She turned around to me. "They like being kept on a short leash, don't they?"

I chuckled as the guys whistled. "Can't say they don't."

"I don't really understand why."

I grinned at Leigh. "Me either, but that's just the way it is." I turned and batted my eyelashes at Kevin. "Isn't it, honey?" I whispered the last part for the guys' alone.

The guys, even Brian, started slapping Kevin on the shoulder and the back, making so much noise.

Leigh, Kate and I just chuckled.

"Oh, quit it!" Kevin said after a little while, pretending to be bothered by it. I laughed.

"What were you doing?"

Kate frowned at Nick. "What are you talking about?"

"I looked towards here a couple of times and you didn't seem me."

Kate just lifted her eyebrows at Nick, shrugging as she did so. "Can't really tell."

"What's that?"

The question was directed at me, turning to look at AJ. "What?"

"That," he said, pointing at my computer.

Suddenly, all six of them including Leigh were looking at my screen. I sighed.

"It's really nothing."

"I don't know what that is Matt, but I can tell that's not nothing. What is it exactly?"

I moved the mouse to the Shade toolbar. I clicked on the Gouraud Shade and the place came to live. It was rather visible that the 3D graphic on the screen looked very similar to the venue we were in. The guys gasped and Kate smiled proudly.

"Is that the venue?"

I nodded at Howie's questions. "Yeah."

"You did that?"

Again, I nodded at Nick's question. "Yeah. I didn't know what else to do, so I started playing with AutoCAD a little bit."

"That's not playing!"

I chuckled. Brian seemed surprised and that felt good. Leigh was smiling brightly. Apparently, she was just as surprised.

Kevin frowned. "How did you do it?"

"It's not that hard." Nick looked at me like I had insulted him. "Not really. I mean, you just gotta know the software. You click here," I said, clicking on Design, then on Wall, New wall and typed in the length and high and it appeared. "See. A couple of walls, some doors and the place it's almost done. I don't have the exact measurements, so I was just guessing. This isn't an accurate design in the least."

"It's great," Kevin said in awe, rather proudly, I might add. "I didn't know you could do this."

I shrugged. "It's no biggie. Kate was gonna need to know AutoCAD, so we took a couple of starting classes and it was just pure investigation from that."

"To my surprise," Kate said to break the ice, "Matt ended up liking the program a lot more than me. I like it, sure, but Matt's the one who started designing our place in Architectural and then everything he could think of."

"You're good at this."

I blushed at Alex's compliments. It was weird to hear that kind of things from anyone but Kate and her parents. And it surprised me even more coming from Alex. We hadn't really had a clean start. "Thanks." I saved the design in one of the zips I had. I didn't want to fill the laptop's memory.

"If it isn't good to see my boys together."

All eight of us turned around, staring at the person in the middle of the stage. She stood high, grinning slightly, table with papers in one hand while the other was against her waist. Jeans and a loose shirt was her wardrobe.

"CJ!" Howie yelled, smiling all the while.

The rest of the guys were grinning as well. So this was CJ. Kevin had told me about their Press Liaison and how she had to take the first week of the tour off ought to personal issues.

She walked down the stage, walking toward us. "It's certainly been a while, but it's good to know you all haven't destroy the peace I've worked so hard to achieve."

Nick glared at her and she chucked.

"Hi Leigh."

Leighanne smiled. "Hey there CJ. Took you some time to get back, don't ya think?"

"A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do." She turned around, looking at Kate and me. I always wondered if there'd be a time when I wouldn't have to be introduced to people, when I'd know everyone regarding Kevin's business. "I see new people here."

Kevin nodded. "These are Matt and Kate."

"I'm CJ Lyman. So you are Matt. Kevin has told me very good things about you."

I smiled at her. At least she didn't say Kevin's boy.

"You're Kevin's boy, that's good to know," she said lowly.

Well, there went my hope.

She grinned at me and she seemed rather nice, truth be told. "Anyone who puts that smile on one of my boy's face," she said turning around and I had to admit Kevin had the greatest smiles, "is good in my book."

I blushed. "Thanks."

"I'm Kate," Kate said with a small pout, suddenly feeling forgotten.

"Why is it that you remind me of Nicky?" She turned around and Nick glared at her. "I'm sure you two make quite a pair."

I was about to say something about it, but Kate hit me in the ribs and the pain was more than the wish of a remark.

"I heard what happened to your arm as well. I told you Nick, you gotta watch where you're going. Next time, Matt might not be so lucky."

The guys started slapping Nick and she laughed.

"Well, it seems like my job here is done." CJ turned around and looked right at Kevin. "How was the interview?"

"Fine. They tried to pry into the relationships too much, but I just waved it off. Right now, the only ones with someone are Brian and AJ." Kevin said sternly, but something told me CJ knew there was something else into it.

I'm sure it wasn't pleasant for Kevin to deny me. However, to tell the truth, I didn't matter that much.

"I got a call from Teen Beat. They wanna do a contest."

"Another one?"

CJ nodded. "Yep. I told them I'd run it through you guys and then I'll call them back. However, you know it's publicity."

"I know."

CJ checked her watch. "Damn, it's already five. I knew I should have taken the earlier flight. I gotta check with security and talk with Skip. It was great to meet you two. I'm sure we'll get along as long as you don't play any pranks on me. Ask Nicky. I don't take pranks so well." With that and a small smile, she left as quickly as she had arrived.

"It was nothing!" Nick yelled after her.

CJ just lifted her hand above her head and waved it off, not even turning around to look at Nick.

"I didn't." Nick pouted.

"Sure you didn't," AJ patronized, placing his hand on Nick's shoulder.

The blond just turned around and glared.

I chuckled at the interaction. CJ was really nice. And I had finally found out who this Skip was. He was the Tour Management. It was great to be able to recognize names.

"We're running a little late guys," Kevin said to the boys. "We better get going."

That was enough for the guys to nod and Kate and me to gather our stuff and followed them to their dressing room.

*****

I went over to the food table, looking around at what I could choose. The guys had a great variety when it came down to food and candies. It didn't cease to amaze me how specific they could be. There was a bowl of M&M I have yet to see empty in any venue I've been so far. There were chicken sandwiches, cokes, beer, bottled up water, Gatorade of two flavors and so much more, I didn't know where to begin with.

I picked up some M&Ms and a coke. I wasn't that much hungry, but I didn't know what else to do. I wasn't in the mood for reading and Kevin was busy with CJ doing... God knew what. And there wasn't really much to do as Kate, Leigh and I waited for the guys to be call on stage.

"Want something Kitty?"

"Would you stop that?"

I chuckled. When I was bored, I had a tendency of bothering Kate. It was... like I hobby one seeks when you have nothing else to do. "Well, do you want it or you'll come and get it?"

"A sandwich. And a coke."

I nodded. "On the way."

"Matt, do you have a camera here?"

I, being the very intelligent being I am, placed one of the cokes in my buttoned up shirt, while holding the sandwich and the coke in my right hand. You gotta use your imagination when you only have one good hand. I turned around, nodding as I did so. "Yeah. Why?"

"It's always good to have pictures of the tour. You can end up with some rather good stuff."

And I knew exactly what he meant. Incriminating stuff was the best.

"It's in my backpack. But it's digital. Kate has the film one."

"It's okay," Nick said, walking over to the couch where my backpack was. I was always very careful about it. After all, it did content my dear laptop.

"Where exactly?"

I chuckled as I saw Nick looking at it with a puzzled expression in his face.

"In the large zipper." But Nick had already opened the small one. "Not there Nick."

However, as was usual by now, Nick didn't listen. He opened it and looked inside. He got something from there, staring at it confused. "I didn't know you had a gameboy."

I squinted my eyes as I tried to figure out what exactly Nick was holding. I could only see a blur of a rather greenish-grayish color. I blinked a couple of times. My head hurt all of a sudden. I took a couple of steps closer and, finally, realization drawn upon me. "Oh, that's not a gameboy. That's my HP."

Nick's frown deepened. "What?"

"My HP. It's short for Hewlett Packard scientific calculator."

Nick unzipped the HP from its own grayish bag. I always kept it there to protect it. It was like a treasure of mine and rather helpful if you ask me. I loved it.

Looking at the electronic device carefully. "This is not a calculator. It's huge."

And it was. It was almost twice the tick of a normal one and it had a rather complex liquid screen.

"It's calculator Nick. I've got one too."

Clicking on the ON button, Nick frowned again. "It's got so many buttons."

"That's why it's scientific Nick," Kate said. "Not a standard one."

Nick pressed 7 then + to add it to something but it gave him an error. "Well, whatever this thing is, it doesn't work."

I chuckled, recognizing the distinctive beeping sound. I knew what had happened. It was a classical. One Kate and I had by the millions when we first got it. I saw Kate smiling softly. She knew too. I walked over Kate, handing her all the food I had on me, then over him and took the thing from his hands.

"You press the number, enter, the next number and then the function you want."

Nick continued frowning and I wondered if he'd ever stop. "I don't like it."

"It's really great."

"I hate it."

"It's got games too."

Suddenly, Nick's eyes lit up. "It does?"

I nodded. Pressing the green button, then Memory and variables, I reached my Games files. I put it on Tetris, even though I also had Poker and a Battle ship one, knowing how much he liked the game.

"I didn't know you had brought your HP," Kate said after a while. Nick sat on one of the couches and I joined Kate in another one, taking my coke from her hands. She, being the sweet heart she is, had opened it for me.

"I didn't. I guess I didn't empty my backpack like I should have. It must have staid there from my last exam. I remember taking it to Biology."

"And you haven't opened that zipper since then?" Kevin asked, looking at me.

I had no idea he had been following our little encounter with my calculator. I shrugged. "What can I say? I thought it was empty, so I didn't pay any attention to it."

Kate chuckled at me. "You're one piece of work Matthew."

"I would have found it," I said defensively, "eventually."

"Yeah, right."

"I would!"

She patted my shoulder, rather patronizingly for someone who was three months my junior. "I know."

I wanted to stick my tongue out, but that would have come out childishly and I wanted to be the better man. So I just settled for glaring at her. She giggled at me.

Just then there was a knock on the door. "Two minutes guys!"

I recognized the voice as Adrian's. I was getting better at the recognizing the bodyguards with time. I was feeling rather proud of myself.

The guys stood up and started gathering the last things together. Kevin walked over me and gave me a soft kiss. "I love you."

I smiled at him. "I love you too."

"You sure you don't wanna watch the concert?"

I nodded. Kate, Leigh and I had decided to stay inside for this one. We would catch the next. It surprised me that Leigh didn't want to watch Brian on her first night here, but she had told us that once you watch one show during a tour, you've watched enough during a tour.

"Yeah, we're sure."

Kevin gave me another kiss. "I'll see you after the concert then."

"Of course." I smiled proudly. I didn't know why exactly but, even if it was just for a second, I felt rather happy about my life at the moment. "Knock them dead." I had no idea what came over me to tell him that, to take the privilege of being part of the whole thing, of being someone important in the production of the show. I know what was that, but it felt good.

As all of us walked out of the dressing room, I hit my left shoulder against the threshold. Kate chuckled at the sound, not even bothering to look at me. The guys were too buys with their own thing to realize I had crashed rather shamefully. I rubbed my shoulder and thanked the fact that at least I could use my good hand.

I walked into the hallway, still rubbing, as the guys huddled together in the middle of the hallway. They said their prayers while Leigh, Kate and I just stood to the side. The three of us were sporting very similar dazzling smiles at seeing the ones we loved over there, in the beginning details of the show. Leigh was looking lovingly at Brian, I couldn't take my eyes of Kevin's hung head and Kate, to my very own surprise, was gazing at Nick.

When they ended the prayers, the musicians, technicians and dancers gathered around in the hallway. As it was somehow of a habit -- or maybe even tradition -- by now, Kevin turned to look at me as his nose wrinkled and his eyes danced.

He turned around and the chanting started

"BACKSTREET, WHAT TIME IS IT?!"

By now, Kate and I had gotten used to this and felt part of it.

And so, we yelled with them. "IT'S TIME FOR ME TO GO TO WORK Y'ALL!"

We chuckled afterwards, looking at each other, Leigh smiling at us. She had yelled with us as well.

"WHAT KIND OF WORK?!"

"HARD WORK! WOH!" We finished with all with our arms raised above our heads, cracking up like a couple of maniacs.

Kevin walked over me. "I'll be right back."

I chuckled at Kevin's statement. Yeah, right. An hour and forty minutes right back. "Take care."

Kevin nodded, blowing me a kiss. I turned to look around. Everyone was minding their own business, so many things needing to be done before the guys left for the stage, and so I blew him another.

He smiled, turned around and Tim nodded at him. It was time. The five of them looked at each other and walked over to the other side of the stage to get on their airboards.

Leigh was looking after Brian, who was already out of sight.

"Does this ever stop being so exciting?" I asked out of the blue when the sounds had tuned down.

Leighanne turned around, a smile on her. She shook her head and I saw truth in her statement. "No. Never."

I nodded in agreement. Somehow, I could see that.

Kate sighed pleasantly, I felt like doing the same.