btyh5

Shea:

       The music died down and Lauryn, the eight other dancers, and I held our final position. "Alright, everyone. Take a break. Cool down. I'll be right back," Fatima said, stepping out of the gym, clutchin her clipboard.
       Lauryn and I walked to the far corner where our warm-ups, towels, and water bottles sat. Lauryn wiped the sweat from her face and neck while I chugged water from my bottle like it was going out of style. We both stood there, not saying a word, nervously twisting our fingers in anticipation of Fatima's verdict. "Okay. I've made my decision. The following people are on Team Backstreet," Fatima stated as she walked back into the gym carrying her ever-present clipboard. Lauryn and I clutched each other's hands as Fatima began reading the names. "Gabrielle. Stephanie. Shea."
       My heart stopped when I heard my name. Lauryn clutched my hand tighter as the last two names were read. "Andrea. And LeSette. Congratulations! To the rest of you, I'm truly sorry I couldn't have picked you all. You're all excellent dancers and will go far in your careers. There's a meeting for new employees at 5:00 tomorrow night. It is mandatory. So be there," Fatima said.
       I completely blocked out the background noises of the four other excited dancers that were now on Team Backstreet. I couldn't believe my own ears. Lauryn didn't get chosen. I looked over at my best friend with sympathetic eyes. She looked devestated. I could tell she was upset. Tears welled up in her blue eyes and threatened to fall down her ashen cheeks. Her lip quivered as she tried to hold her sobs in her chest. I didn't know what to do or say. Her dreams had been shattered while mine were going to be fulfilled.
      Minute upon minute passed and eventually Lauryn and I were the only ones left in the gym. We sat together in our corner, not talking to or looking directly at each other. I watched Lauryn sway side to side as she sat Indian style on the floor. Her lip still quivered and her eyes still glistened with the unshed tears she had not let fall. "Are you okay?" I asked. The minute those words left my mouth, I knew it was stupid to say.
      Lauryn nodded slowly, biting her lip to keep the sobs locked deep away inside her. Finally, two tears fell from her emotional azul eyes, zigzagging down her cheeks. I scooted closer to her. "I don't believe you're okay. I've known you for 22 years. I know when you're okay and when you're not," I stated, taking Lauryn's hand in mine. More tears fell and cascaded down her face. Suddenly, she broke down. Her hot tears bursting forth from her eyes, flowing down her saddened face and dripping down her chin. She collapsed in my arms, bawling into my sweaty clothes. I gently stroked her hair and made comforting, soothing sounds in order to calm her.
      "Why?" she sobbed.
      "Why what?" I inquired, swaying back and forth with her upper body in my lap.
      "Why didn't I make it?" she wailed. "I tried my hardest and it still wasn't good enough to fulfill my dreams. Maybe I'm just not meant to be a dancer," she cried.
      I pulled her up and looked directly into her eyes. "Don't ever say that! We've been dancing for too long for you to just give up like this. You're terrific and you know it!" I snapped.
      Lauryn glared at me and abruptly stood up. "We've been dancing too long for me to give up? What is that, Shea? Huh?" she asked angrily. "Just let me quit and move on to something else where there isn't as much stress and heartbreak. You've got the gig you've always wanted. Go and just leave me alone!" Lauryn shouted, snatching up her bag and storming from the gym.
      At first I was dazed. I couldn't believe what had just happened. I felt tears begin to creep down my shocked face before I completely lost it, burying my face in my hands. In the 22 years Lauryn and I had been friends, we had never had a fight like that. We hardly fought at all.
      I couldn't say how much time passed before I left the gym. I didn't care. My best friend was hurt, angry, and sad and there was nothing I could do to help her when she blamed me for part of the problem.

Lauryn:

      When I left the Studios, I just walked around downtown Orlando gathering my thoughts and trying to collect and control my emotions. I knew what I had said to Shea earlier was mean and uncalled for. But it was true. She couldn't possibly understand how I was feeling.
      After hours of just aimlessly walking around, I returned to the Marriott to pack. I had to leave the next morning for Manhattan. I opened the suite door, expecting to find Shea inside, but everything was dark and the room had a cold feel to it. Hostile and unwelcome. Hurriedly, I began chucking my belongings into my suitcase, not bothering to fold a single article of clothing. I had just zipped my bag closed when the phone rang. "Hello?" I answered sadly.
      "Hey, Lauryn. How are you, sweetheart?" Brian's cheerful voice chirped into the phone.
      I sighed and took a seat on the couch. "I've been better."
      "What's wrong?" Brian asked, his voice suddenly serious.
      "I didn't make it. I'm not on Team Backstreet," I answered. I could feel the tears stinging at my eyes, threatening to well up and fall.
      "I don't know what to say except I'm sorry," Brian said sympathetically.
      "It's okay. I'll be fine," I whispered unconvincingly.
      "Don't move. I'll be there in ten minutes," Brian said quickly before hanging up the phone.
      I returned the phone to its base and finished gathering my things. My suitcase sat on the bed, fully packed, but the time Brian arrived at my door. I opened the door and gazed at Brian's sympathetic eyes for only a second before falling into his arms, sobbing like a baby. Brian gently rocked me, his comforting arms allowing me to get myself under control. I pulled away and looked into his adorable face. His thumbs gingerly wiped away the tears from my cheeks, kissing each place he touched. "C'mon, Lauryn. I told Kev what happened so he's making us dinner," Brian stated, taking my hand in his.
      "Wait. Can you take my suitcase down to the car? I have one last thing to do before I leave," I asked.
      "Sure. I'll see you downstairs," Brian replied, kissing me lightly and grabbing my bag. Once he closed the door, I snatched a piece of paper and a pen from the counter top and scribbled a quick note to Shea.

Shea,
I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gottne mad because
you made it. I guess I just figured we'd always
do things together and I was jealous that I
wouldn't be living my dream of going on tour
and you would. I hope you can forgive me sometime
in the future. I'm with Brian and Kevin tonight and
since you have plans with Nick, I don't think I'll see
you. I'm on the 7:00 flight to NY tomorrow morning,
so I'll talk to you later. Hopefully.

Lauryn

      I folded the note, wrote Shea on the front, and stuck it on her pillow where I hoped she'd see it. I gazed back at the room one more time before going to meet Brian downstairs.

Nick:

       I had just walked out of the Studios when I saw her, sitting under the same tree she'd been under the day before. I slowly walked toward her, but she never looked up. "Shea?" I asked when I stopped in front of her.
      "Oh. Hey, Nick," Shea said solemnly, barely glancing up long enough to see me. I sat down across from her. It was obvious that she'd been crying. But for what reason I didn't know.
      "You alright?" I asked.
      Shea shook her head and related the entire story of what happened between her and Lauryn to me. I listened carefully, abosrbing every word and digesting what she said. "Have you gone to the hotel to see if she's there waiting for you?" I asked, sandwiching her petite hand between mine. Once again, she shook her head. "Well," I stated, rising to my feet, "let's go see." A smile spread across her face and she, too, rose to her feet. Together we drove to the Marriott in search of Lauryn.

Shea:

       I was so happy when Nick suggested we go to the hotel to find Lauryn. I needed to talk to her, but was almost afraid to do it alone. I bolted to our suite the instant the elevator door's parted and quickly shoved the key card into its slot to open the door, hoping and praying that Lauryn would be waiting on the other side to talk to me as much as I wanted to talk to her.
      However, when I opened the door, I saw nothing. I slowly sauntered through the two rooms, the tears pricking at my eyes. When I entered the bedroom, I noticed Lauryn's suitcase was no longer in the corner by her bed. Shocked, I pulled open her drawers only to find them completely bare. Her toiletries no longer sat in the bathroom cupboards. And the closet was void of her belongings. She was gone.
      I sat on my bed, dazed. The tears slowly trickling down my cheeks. I couldn't believe the entire situation. I couldn't believe that Lauryn would leave without saying goodbye. I couldn't believe she'd be that andry. "Honey, are you ready?" Nick called from the other room.
      "Yeah," I croaked, wiping the tears away with the back of my hand and rising to my feet.
      Nick met me in the doorway, taking my hand in his and kissing me lightly. "C'mon. We'll go get something to eat and try and figure this out," Nick suggested. I nodded in agreement as I gazed around the dark, unfriendly room one more time before closing the door behind me.

Lauryn:

       "Thank you for dinner, Kevin," I said, putting my fork down and wiping my mouth with my napkin. "I haven't had a home-cooked meal since the last time I was in Sedgwick," I stated.
       "Hey. No problem, Lauryn. Any time," Kevin replied, taking the dirty plates to the dishwasher. Brian sat on my left, holding my hand under the table and stroking my thumb with his. I had to admit that I felt better about what happened earlier. But not totally at ease. I wanted my best friend. I wanted to take back that silly argument and pretend it never happened. But it did. And I knew it. "Would either of you like a drink?" Kevin asked Brian and me.
       "Yeah. Sure. Whatever you're having," I answered. Brian nodded in agreement.
       "So," Kevin began, handing Brian and me our drinks, "what now? Top Gun or Ace Ventura?" he asked.
       "I don't care. Either is fine with me," I replied.
       "You know what I'm going to say," Brian laughed.
       "Okay. We'll flip for it," Kevin stated, fishing a quarter from his pocket. "Call it," Kevin said, flipping it high in the air.
       "Heads!" Brian yelled. Kevin caught the quarter and peeked under his hand. The look on his face gave the answer away. Ace Ventura it was.

Shea:

       I sat with Nick in a quiet corner booth, stabbing at my ravioli with my fork. Nick stared at me with worried eyes, watching me poke at my food without any enthusiasm to eat what I had ordered. I sipped my water and gazed out the window at the small swarm of girls congregating outside the restaurant hoping to catch the smallest of glimpses of Nick. "Can we go?" I asked quietly, touching Nick's arm. "That crowd is looking at me strangely and I just don't want to be here," I explained.
       "Of course, Shea," Nick replied. He summoned the waiter and he brought the check to our table. Nick slid is credit card inside the booklet and upon the waiter's return, he signed the slip. "Let's go," Nick said, offering his hand to me. I stood up and walked past him, disregarding his hand entirely, and out the back door to the Durango. We hopped into the Durango just minutes before the small crowd of fans came around the alley corner where Nick had parked.
       I fastened my seatbelt and stared ahead straight-faced. Looking through the windshield, but not really looking at anything. Nick honked the horn and the mass split down the center like the parting of the Red Sea, allowing us to leave. He reached over and held my hand once we had entered the thick downtown traffic. "Is something wrong, Shea?" he questioned, his blue eyes clouded with confusion and concern.
       "I just have a lot on my mind. I'm tired. Stressed. And a little depressed," I answered, the sadness and exhuastion evident in my voice.
       "I'll take you back to the hotel so you can rest," Nick stated, putting his hand back on the wheel.
       "No," I said quickly. "I'm sorry for being such a pain, Nick," I said, placing my hand on his thigh. "I don't want to stay there alone tonight. I want to be held as I sleep. Your arms helping to supress my feelings of anxiety and depression," I explained, my thumb gently stroking his leg.
       Nick didn't say anything, but continued to drive. His face and body void of emotionless. I turned his face toward mine and stared pleadingly at him. "I want to stay with you," I whispered. Nick studied my face and saw the truth and honesty, as well as the trepidation and hurt, in my eyes. He kissed my hand gently and turned on the Interstate toward his Tampa home.

Lauryn:

       Brian roared with laughter, his stomach muscles jerking causing my head to bob up and down. I sat nestled between my man's legs, my head resting on his abdomen. He twirled a strand of my copper hair around his finger absent-mindedly, his eyes glued to Jim Carrey's on-screen antics. I knew I had a wide smile spread across my face. But it wasn't because I found Ace Ventura side-splittingly funny, but that Brian did.
       I gazed over at Kevin sitting in the recliner across the room. His handsome, structured features were slightly illuminated by the television, the light bouncing off his face. A bright screen filled the room with light and I noticed that Kevin's eyes weren't looking at the TV. But fixed on me. They seemed to follow the slope of my neck, across my torso, and down to the tips of my bare feet. Absorbing me in to be locked away in his memory. I felt myself blush and although neither Brian nor Kevin could see the crimson hue my face had become, I turned my head quickly. Rolling on my side, my back to Kevin and my cheek resting lightly on Brian's stomach. Brian began to stroke my hair, relaxing my tense body. But I couldn't shake the vision of Kevin's intense stare drinking me in out of my mind.

Kevin:

       'God, is she beautiful!' I thought silently. It was the first thought that entered my mind on the first day we'd met. And was still the first thought that entered every time I saw her. I watcher her, nestled between my cousin's legs, her face illuminated no only by the light from the TV but also by the perfect smile that graced her lips.
       I felt myself staring at her. Her flawless face. The smooth curve of her neck to her shoulder. Her ample breasts rising and falling with every gentle breath she took, the material of her sexy tank top clearly defining her voluptuous curves. I know Lauryn caught me staring. She turned her back to me shortly after she looked in my direction. If I had been thinking, I would have averted my eyes like any other normal guy scared of being caught staring at the girl they are attracted to. But I couldn't. She was too mesmerizing to take my eye from. I hope she doesn't think I'm some sort of creey psychopath now. I'd really like to get close to her. Even if it is only friendship.

Shea:

       I woke the next morning and looked at the clock. Early. Too early. I smiled over a Nick's sleeping angelic face, his arms holding me tightly like they had when we first fell asleep. I kissed his perfect lips tenderly and a small smile formed at the corners of his mouth. I snuggled up against his chest and he wrapped his arms tighter around me, his warm breath hitting my neck softly.
       I laid there, cuddled in the comforting arms I was falling in love with, but I couldn't think of my happiness at that time. I could only think of Lauryn. She still hadn't talked to me and I didn't know where she was, so I couldn't get a hold of her. 'Why can't things go back to the way they were before the tryouts?" I asked myself silently.
       I knew deep down inside I didn't really want that to happen. I would have never met Nick and fallen in love if Madame DuBois hadn't asked us to go to Orlando. But if we hadn't, Lauryn and I would still be friends. I felt a tear escape the corner of my eye and fall silently to the pillow. I was happy here in bed with Nick, but I knew that I would never be truly happy until I patched things up with Lauryn.

Brian:

       I walked Lauryn to her departure gate, holding her hand and never wanting to let go. I knew I had found my match, the one God had set aside for me, and now I had to let her go. We stopped at the gate and stared at each other, not knowing what to do or say. How could I say goodbye to the one I loved? "So, you call me when you get home, all right?" I half-asked, half-ordered, still holding Lauryn's hand, rubbing her knuckles lightly.
       "I promise. As soon as I get in the door," she answered. She leaned forward and kissed me lightly, yet passionately, before removing her hand from mine and walking toward the boarding ramp.
       "I'll see you next week!" I hollered after her.
       She turned and smiled. "I'm looking forward to it," she replied. "If you see Shea, tell her I'm sorry and that I love her," she added before disappearing from my view.
       I nodded, mostly to myself, as I watched her walk down the hall to the plane. I wanted to run after her. Tell her not to go. Tell her to stay with me, marry me, so we could be together for all eternity. But I knew I couldn't. That's not what she wanted right now. But someday soon, I hoped she would return to Florida to make our two different lives one.
       I left the airport and went back to my Orlando home, saddened and missing my Lauryn already. I called Kevin, hoping he'd want to shoot some hoops to take my mind of my girl, but he wasn't home.

Lauryn:

       I walked down the boarding hall, the tears stinging my eyes. I wanted to stay, but what was the point since the Boys and Shea would be leaving for tour in three short weeks. I rounded a corner and saw Kevin standing there, waiting for me. I slowed my pace until I stopped in front of him entirely. "Hey," he said quietly.
       "Hey," I said back.
       "I just wanted to tell you that if you ever need someone to talk to--whether it be something really important or just to shoot the shit--you can call me," Kevin stated, handing me a slip of paper with his cell phone number scrawled across it. "You call me. I'll call you back That way you don't spend a small fortune in phone bills," he added with a smile.
       "Thank you, Kevin. This is really appreciated," I replied, taking the slip of paper from his fingertips. I hugged him tightly and he kissed my cheek, his lips close to mine, before pulling away and walking in the opposite direction of the plane.
       "Any time," he said, walking away. I stood there for a moment, dazed, my hand resting on the place his lips had just been, before picking up my back pack and boarding the plane.