| Chapter 11 Nick sat on the couch in the backstage area. The guys had already run through sound check, and were resting before having to get ready for the nights show. Everyone was excited, and a little nervous. First shows were always like that. You knew at some point in the show, you were gonna mess up. It was a given. You just hoped it wasn't to bad, or you could cover it up and make the audience think it was part of the show. Nick leaned back and closed his eyes. He was feeling much better after his nap, having slept for another two hours before having to come for sound check. It was the first time in a long time he didn't dream, and he was glad. He actually felt rested, and ready for the nights events. A.J. came over and plopped down next to Nick. "Man, you asleep?" he asked. "No, just resting my eyes," Nick said, his eyes still shut. "Oh, OK. Um, I've been thinking bout the show. It's your first time back and all, you know it's gonna be insane. Are you gonna be OK with it?" A.J. asked. Nick looked over at him, "I'm gonna do my best with it." "I know, but you know sometimes it gets nuts and all...." A.J. started. Nick put his hand on A.J.'s arm, "Man, I'll be alright, and if I get a little overwhelmed, I'll leave the stage. Why are you so worried about this? We've planed for it, it should be fine," Nick said. "I know, but you know me. I worry about these things," he said, smiling. Nick laughed at him, "Yeah, I know. Don't though, everything is gonna be fine." A.J. stared at him for a moment, then got up and headed for the game room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian and Tara were sitting by themselves in a small room. "So, how is he really doing?" Brian asked. Tara sighed, "He's doing better. He really had it under control at the hospital this morning." "But?" Brian said, seeing that look in her eyes. "But he's still not where he needs to be yet," she conceded. Brian looked at her for a moment, playing with her hair, "And how are you doing?" She smiled at him, "As well as I can. I feel like I'm responsible for him, ya know?" Brian nodded. "And sometimes he just flies off in left field, and I have no clue what he's doing," she said. "Don't all teachers feel that way about their students though?" he asked. "Yeah, I guess. I know there were times that Tracy wanted to slap me," she said, laughing. "Well, see there, you're not feeling anything different than any of the other teachers felt," Brian said. Tara looked down, "Yeah, but none of the other teachers had to deal with Nick. He's so different than the rest of us, it's hard for me to teach him sometimes." "He'll learn," Brian said, taking her hand and squeezing it. She looked at him, "Yeah, but will it be in time?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The opening act was almost done with their set, and the guys were pacing backstage. The crowd was already insane, and they knew it would get worse when they took the stage. Nick had left for a few minutes, finding a quiet place where he could be alone and gather his wits about him. When he came back he was much better, but the longer they waited the more nervous he got. He was leaning against a support beam, Tara standing near him. Lyn and the rest of the guys kept their distance, letting Tara help him work out his emotions. Finally the opening act was coming backstage, and it would only be a few minutes before the guys would have to take their places. "Tara, there are to many people out there," Nick said. She shook her head, "Don't start this, not now. Focus. You have to focus, and not get distracted." Nick closed his eyes and took several deep breaths, calming himself down, and sorting out his emotions. "Good, keep doing what you're doing," Tara said, feeling him get a grip on it. Stephen walked up to the guys, seeing Nick to the side with Tara. "Not another attack?" he asked. "We're trying to avoid one," Kevin said, glancing over at the two. Tara caught his look, and signed OK to him. "Looks like we have," Kevin said, smiling. Stephen looked at them both, then hurried backstage for his final prep work before the show started. Nick and Tara joined the others. "You alright?" Brian asked. "Yeah," Nick said. "OK, first show. Lets make it a good one," Kevin said. "Don't we always?" A.J. teased. "Guys we gotta get to our spots," Howie said, seeing one of the crew wave them over. They all took a deep breath, then went to their assigned spots. "Lyn, I'm gonna stay back here, just in case," Tara said. "OK, I'll go out and watch the show. If he comes back here, I'll be here in a minute," Lyn said. "Alright," Tara said, watching her head down the hall. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick was praying as he waited to pop up from under the stage. He could feel the energy from the crowd, and was basking in it. It was the most incredible feeling, and he tried not to let it consume him. He opened his eyes, hearing the music swell to the point they jumped on stage. They heard their cue and all five were launched onto the stage to the screams of over sixty thousand fans. The sound was deafening, even with their IEM's in. Nick could see the guys glancing over to make sure he was OK. This was the hardest thing he'd had to do so far, and Nick was keeping a grip on it. The first few songs went by in a flash, and it was coming to the point in the show that each guy got a chance to be alone on stage, and talk to the audience. Nick waited backstage as Howie finished, then Brian went on. Tara and Kevin were standing close to him. Finally it was Nick's turn, and he walked out. The cheers and screams were completely insane. Nick smiled, and motioned for the crowd to quiet down. It took them several minutes to do so. Nick grinned, scanning the crowd as he waited. There were several signs in the crowd, he laughed at some of them. He got to two girls sitting in the third row. They had a very creative sign, it even had lights on it. That's cool, Nick thought, then realized he was starting to get distracted and pulled his thoughts in. The audience finally quieted down. "Um, hi guys, long time no see," Nick said. The crowd erupted in cheers. Nick laughed, "Um I want to thank all of you for all the support you've given me and the guys over the years. These last few years have been trying for us, and without your support we probably wouldn't have made it through. Thank you for all the cards and letters when I was away. It meant so much to me to know that you guys cared about how I was feeling. Well, as you can see, I'm better, and ready to make up for some lost time." The crowd went nuts, and Nick laughed again. "Um, I'm gonna get off here and let Kevin talk to you. Have a good time, and thanks again," he said, then walked off stage. Kevin walked out, as Nick made it back to where Tara was standing, and dropped to his knees. Brian and A.J. were there, and went over to see if they could help. "I'm OK, just let me sit here a second," Nick said, closing his eyes and making himself focus. Tara watched, but didn't offer any help. He was going to have to learn to do this on his own, and not rely on her so much. Howie walked up, "He OK?" "He will be," she said. Kevin finished, and it was time for them all to take the stage again. Nick pulled himself up and walked with the rest to finish the show. After the show, the guys showered and grabbed their gear. They were gonna be on the buses all night, and arrive at the next venue in the early morning. Tara had wondered on how to arranged the bus schedule. Usually each guy got a bus to himself, but with her needing to be near Nick at all times, that wasn't possible. The guys decided to split up like they used to when they first started out. Brian and Nick would share a bus, Kevin, Howie and A.J. on another. Management thought it was a great idea, because it saved them money. The guys headed out to the buses. There were a few die hard fans waiting outside, so they stopped and signed a few autographs. Nick noticed the two girls from the third row, waiting next to his and Brian's bus. He told Lyn to go ahead, and walked over to them. "Hi girls, you have a good time?" he asked. "Great time!" one said. "Yeah, you were awesome," the other commented. "I noticed your sign, that's neat how you got it to light up like that," Nick said. They both smiled, "Thanks." "Well, I gotta go," Nick said, taking a step toward the bus. "Oh Nick, could you sign this for us?" one of the girls asked. "Sure," he said, taking the pen from her and signing the cd cover she handed him. "Thanks," she said, smiling. Nick grinned, "Bye girls." "Bye," they said, as he got on the bus. Brian was grinning at him when he stepped on. Nick looked at him, "What?" "Nothing like starting out with some groupies huh?" Brian said. "Groupies? Naw not groupies," Nick said, sitting down and grabbing some of the McDonalds off the table. "Yeah man. Don't tell me you didn't notice how they were looking at you and only you during the entire show," Brian said, downing a fry. "To be honest, I was to busy concentrating to notice much of anything," Nick said. "Speaking of, you did very well," Tara commented. Nick looked up at her, "You think so?" "Yeah, I really do. You're starting to get it," she said. "Yeah, better late than never huh?" Nick said. They all laughed. "Exactly," Tara said. Chapter 12 |