Chapter 9

The next day Brian got up and got ready. First he had to meet the guys for more recording and then they would all have to get ready to go see Grace in the ballet. He drove as fast as he could and finally got there.

He walked in and met the rest of the guys. They went into the studio to record their next song called Get Another Boyfriend. They sat down and waited for the music to begin.

Get another boyfriend. Backstreet, check it. Let's talk about one baby, you gotta hear me out. Do you really wanna be the last to know what it's all about? Let's talk about who you say is the essence of your life, but he'll eat you up from inside slow and then he doesn't wanna know I�m telling you he'll eat you up from inside, and then he doesn't wanna know, listen Miss I mean it, it's nothing that he's worthy of, just another player, playing in the name of love, I've seen enough, now this must come to an end. Get another boyfriend...

Brian thought of the words and drifted off for a moment while Nick sang his part. He hoped that Grace didn't want another boyfriend. He hoped that it was only he that she loved.

Hear me out, you must know, what it's all about, that he's just a player in love, this must come to an end, get another boyfriend...

Brian tried to concentrate on his singing but it was hard for him. Finally they finished the song. They guys looked up at their manager who was talking to a couple of other guys.

"Guys, you did a great job with the song and everything but we just don't think that we are going to use it on this cd. Maybe later on, on another cd we will use it."

Brian nodded along with the other guys, then grabbed his things together and left to get ready to see Grace.

Chapter 10

Grace and a few other girls were at her house a few hours before their performance. They were all going over some stretches and other things.

"Grace, can't we have some music or something to work out with? I mean come on, even at dance classes we have music." Olivia told her.

"Fine, go on and put some music on." Grace sighed.

Why don't I like the girl I see? The one who's standing right in front of me. Why don't I think before I speak? I should have listened to that voice inside me. I must be stupid, must be crazy, must be out of my mind. To say the kind of things I said last night. Mirror mirror hanging on the wall, you don't have to tell me who's the biggest fool of all. Mirror mirror I wish you could lie to me and bring my baby back, bring my baby back to me. I why I let you walk away? When all I had to do was say I'm sorry. I let my pride get in the way...

Grace bit her lip. It figures that they would choose a song that would make her feel even guiltier. Why oh why did I let Brian walk away last night? She wondered to herself.

"Grace are you all right?" Olivia asked her.

Grace blinked once. "Oh yeah, I'm fine. Sorry just a little nervous about tonight."

Olivia smiled. "Grace, nervous? Now that is something new. Someone should call the newspaper or something. This is a moment in time that will wanted to be remembered forever."

Grace rolled her eyes. "I can be entitled to be nervous once I'm my life now aren't I?"

Oliva looked over at Alice and together the both said "NO!"

They all fall onto the floor laughing.

"Yeah I can just see it in the news. Grace, best dancer in the New York Ballet, gets nervous for the first time in her history before a performance." Amy giggled.

Grace couldn't help but laugh along with the others. Pulling herself up she glanced over at the clock on her nightstand. "Uh oh guys, it's almost time. We should be making our way over to Lincoln Center."

The other girls all got up and grabbed their things and made their way out. Grace felt her stomach give a jump and she felt dizzy but she figured that she really was nervous. Quickly she made her way along with the others.

Chapter 11

Brian and the other guys made their was into Lincoln Center. Brian gazed around at the familiar setting; he had come to most of Grace's performances. All of the other guys glanced around in amazement for they had never been in Lincoln Center. Brian led the rest of the guys to their seats, which were in the second row, center seats. They all chatted until a young woman stepped onto the stage. She announced herself as Julia, one of the advanced teachers. She gave a short speech and then stepped off the stage saying that the show would begin in five minutes.

"So, we will finally get to see the famous Grace perform?" AJ asked Brian.

"Yup, she has got the lead in this ballet. She is the Sugar Plum Fairy."

"Wow, so young and already considered one of the best dancers in the company." Howie whistled.

"Not only is she a great dancer, but also a very beautiful person." Nick added.

"Yeah, and she is taken" Brian said trying to hold back a smile as he glared at Nick.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah" Nick said rolling his eyes.

The lights began to dim and the dancers stepped on stage. Brian and the rest of the guys watched in awe at the beauty of the dancers. They all had such talent that the people in the audience couldn't tear their eyes off of them.

Soon, it came time for Grace to do her dance. The music changed for her piece, the lights dimmed to a soft pink and Grace stepped onto the stage, and started to dance.

At first it seemed as though everything was all right but after a few moments, Brian could see that something was wrong.

"Brian, is Grace alright?" Kevin asked turning to his cousin.

"No, no something is definitely not right. Something must be wrong." Brian answered gripping the seat.

Suddenly, to his horror, in the middle of one of her leaps, Grace collapsed on stage. Gasps swept through the audience, Julia ran on stage and knelt next to her. Two men ran on stage after. One of the men lifted her up after a few moments of checking her and carried her backstage. Julia started speaking to the audience but Brian didn't listen, He jumped out of his seat and ran backstage.

"What's going on with her?" Brian asked Julia's husband Jacques.

Jacques looked up from Grace and at Brian. "I'm afraid we have a case of anorexia. We are going to have to get her to a doctor."

Brian felt sick to his stomach. Worse he felt anger. He couldn't believe Grace. He nodded at Jacques and then walked away. He walked past the guys who were waiting for him. Kevin ran and stopped him.

"What is it cuz? What is wrong with Grace?"

Brian shook his head in disgust. "She has anorexia." He sighed, "I guess it is really over for good with Grace and I." then he walked out.

Chapter 12

"I can't believe that Brian is just going to walk out on Grace, especially when she needs him the most." Kevin sighed

"We have to talk to him" Howie said in a desperate voice.

"I already tried." Nick whined.

"Well we have to think of something." AJ pointed out trying to think of something to do.

Brian was in the hospital. He watched Grace sleeping. "I can't believe you did this to me, to us." he thought out loud. "I love you Grace, and you don�t care, you just go out and hurt yourself. You hurt me." Brian looked at her once more then turned and left.

Kevin went to Brian�s house. "Bro, you have to talk to her. You know you love her and you are willing to throw this all away, you guys have been together forever."

"Kevin you don't understand. She really hurt me. I cannot believe that she did this to us. Do you realize how much this hurts me, how much I wish that we were together right now? But we are not, she is the one who wanted me out."

Kevin sighed. "But that doesn't mean you have to give up so easily. You have not lost her. I know she loves you just as much as you love her. Stop being a baby and just go talk to her."

"I wish I could Kevin. I really wish I could."

*3 Months Later*

Grace sat in her room looking at the pictures of great ballet dancers on her wall. She closed her eyes and thought to her self. �Was it all really worth doing what I did to myself?� she wondered. No, it wasn't. Because I was so selfish I lost Brian and my parents made me drop out of the company for a year. Graced hugged her ballet bear that Brian had bought her. Oh how she wished that he were here right now. But that wasn't going to happen. Brian and the rest of the guys were a success. Now the Backstreet Boys, they were the most popular band in America. Brian probably has another girlfriend by now. Grace thought tears coming to her eyes.

There was a knock on her bedroom door.

"Come in!" she called out. She looked up and there stood Brian.

"Hey, how are you doing?" he greeted her.

"Not great, but I'm working on it." She answered deciding that being truthful was the best thing she could do.

"Grace, I am really sorry that I walked out on you during a very hard part of your life. Of our life. You are a part of me and I should have taken better care of you. Instead I walked out when you needed me the most. Is there anyway you can forgive me?" He looked at her his heart pounding, him being terrified.

"Yes Brian, I forgive you." She leapt into his arms and hugged him.

"Baby, I am so sorry" He started but she hushed him.

"All that matters right now is that we are together." She said looking at him.

"And together we will be forever." Brian answered.

Epilogue

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