Chapter 15
The sound check ran without a hitch, and so the boys all had a little time to relax before the show. AJ went off with Marcus to the game room, where he played some pool with his long-term friend and security. Marcus had suspected that something was wrong before they started playing. By the time they were half way through the second game, and he was well on his way to winning again, he knew that something was definitely wrong. AJ was well known for his prowess on the pool table, and would usually wipe the floor with Marcus, or just about anybody else. But today he was missing even the most basic shots, and he was no where near as talkative as usual.
Marcus leaned against his pool cue and watched as AJ lined up another shot. He considered trying to talk to his young friend. But he quickly dismissed the idea. He had observed enough of AJ's interaction- or lack thereof, with the other four boys during the sound check, and so he knew that AJ wasn't up for a conversation.
AJ sent the cue ball spinning into a group of balls, and sent them across the table, before one of the stripes hit the 8 ball and sent it into the pocket, ending the game. Marcus watched AJ, waiting for some kind of explosion. He didn't get it. Normally AJ would throw his cue down, or at the very least let out a few colourful swear words, but this time there was nothing. AJ simply sighed and began putting the balls back on the table, getting set to rack them up again. Marcus sighed as well. He only hoped that Howie, or one of the others could help AJ through whatever the problem was, and soon.
AJ wasn't really paying attention to what he was doing. All he knew was that he needed to be away from the others, especially Howie, so that he could clear his thoughts. He was confused, and a little frightened by what had nearly happened earlier. The strength of the emotions flying around in those brief moments had scared him. He could see the depths of Howie's emotions swirling in his eyes. That was not what had scared him though. What had, was the strength of his own emotions, which had almost broken free, and probably would have if it weren't for the interruption. He was confused because he didn't know what this meant. He needed the alone time to sort out his head, and to try and rationalise what had happened, and so he was hiding out in the game room, playing pool with Marcus, who he knew wouldn't start questioning him, unlike the others. So he finished racking up the balls, and picked up his cue, leaning on it whilst Marcus lined up to take the first shot.
The game went on like this for over an hour, until it was time for AJ to get ready for the show. He slowly wondered back down to the dressing room, and grabbed a bottle of water, downing half of it in one gulp, before picking up his bag and beginning to get ready.
The others were all already in the room, and they watched AJ come in. All except for Howie. He found himself unable to look AJ in the eye, and so he busied himself with getting ready for the show. Kevin and Brian looked across at the two, and noticed their reactions. They didn't know what had happened between them, as neither one was talking. Kevin opened his mouth to speak to them, but his cousin elbowed him in the ribs, mouthing the word 'later' to him. As much as they wanted to find out, they didn't have time, as show time was rapidly approaching.