| Kendal stayed in her bunk all night, and well into the next morning. No one saw her again until she slipped into the soundcheck, 15 minutes late, dressed in baggy olive drab pants and a tight-fitting black tanktop. Her hair was thrown up in a quick ponytail that hung lopsided on the side of her head. She slid down into a chair near the back of the auditorium, and watched the Boys soudcheck. Openers always went last, and she'd forgotten how long the first soundcheck of the tour always was. She leaned back in her chair, wishing she'd brought her book, wondering how long she could last, watching these boys prance around the stage and sing their poppy, emotionless songs. One of them was kind of cute, she had to admit. Howie, with his little kid smile and clumsy dancing. He reminded her a little of her younger brother. She thought back to what she'd accidentally overheard them talking about last night, and remembered that she'd thought it was Howie who was standing up for her, saying that it was just Nick's prying questions that upset her. And after all, what right did he have to go digging into her private life like that? She didn't go around asking people she barely knew about their love life. Midway through their eleventh or twelvth song, her cell phone began vibrating wildly in her bag. She stood, and slipped out of the room in to the hallway. "Hello?" "Kenny!" A deep voice answered her, and Kendal smiled for the first time since she'd boarded the bus the day before. "Erik." She said, focusing on keeping her voice cool and distant, like she always did when she talked to him. She was glad this was a phone conversation, and she didn't have to keep her eye and body language in check, too. "What's up?" He laughed. "Same thing that's always up, Ken. Nothing. You know that. Nothing ever goes on here. You're the one who's out leading an exciting life, cruising cross country on a security-protected bus packed with popstars. You're the one making a name for herself. On her road to fame." "I don't think I'd go quite that far." Kendal told him. "Anyway, put that jealousy away. That blond guy, Nick, he's a total jerk. He digs into my private life upon knowing me for a couple of hours, and then he tells his friends that I'm a bitch, and that he'd like me in the sack." Erik let out a long, slow whistle. He seemed to be thinking of the right way to console her. "Well, he's right about one thing. He probably would like you in bed." Kendal let out a growl into the phone. "Sorry, sorry, sorry!" Erik said immediatly. "Don't get mad. I'm just kidding. Anyway, don't let him get to you. You're prettier than him, any day." She laughed, in spite of herself. "I'm not letting him get to me. I don't give a damn what he thinks of me. I'm not about to spend my time worrying about the impression I'm making on some blond pop star." The door to the arena creaked open, and a stage hand stuck his head out. "You're on, Kendal." He told her. She sighed. "I'm on now." She repeted back to Erik. "I'm in soundcheck." "Alright, then, babe. Call me if you get a chance later, okay?" "Sure." She promised, and hung up. Kendal walked back inside, this time passing all the way down the aisle and to the stage. She grabbed a hold of the edge and hoisted herself up with all the grace of a ballerina. The stage was all ready for her, the band behind her arranging their music, and a single microphone in the center of the stage. "Whenever you're ready." Came a call from one of the wings. She nodded, and took in a deep breath. The band struck the beginning cord of one of her fast songs. She looked down at the almost-empty auditorium while she sang. Five rows of chairs were dotted with people, most of whom belonged to the crew, and two of which belonged to the Backstreet Boys. She offered the tiniest of smiles to Brian and Howie before she burst into the chorus. |
| You were perfect and I almost let you take me Your voice was velvet and I almost gave away me You touched me like the sunset touches the winter You took my breath, you took your breath, away from me I gave my heart and you just crushed it Like the softly falling snow Under your feet, did you even feel remorse? I gave my all and you just laughed at me Can't you see what you've done to me? Can't you taste the pain you've left with me? Walk away from me I won't let you see me cry |
| Her voice was strong and beautiful, loud and amazing, irradescent and perfect. And so full of pain, it was a wonder that it didn't cut her throat. |
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