A huge headache woke Aj up the next morning. He slowly opened his eyes. His sight was a bit blurry for a few seconds and he finally focus on the clock showing it was only 7 am. He groaned and turned around but collided into someone. He lifted his head up and tried to remember what had happened the night before. He remembered walking up to the dance floor... but after that...it was a total black out. But he reconized the blond head peacefully sleeping next to him. He sat up and put his face in his hands. What had he done again? How would he explain to her... He was drunk... He stared at her naked body and sighed. They would need to talk and maybe it would put a huge weight on their relationship...not that they were that good friends but, still, they were working together. He stood up from the bed and covered her with the blanket. He went in the bathroom and stepped in the shower.
When she heard the bathroom door closed, Amanda stood up, picked up her clothes on the floor and threw them on. She couldn't bear to look at Aj now. She was feeling so stupid. Not that she did not like the night she had just shared with him... but she knew it didn't mean anything to him and it just hurted her. She didn't want to hear him say that it was a mistake...that they were drunk...that it shouldn't happen again... She scribble something down on a paper and after making sure she had not forgotten anything, stormed out of the room.
When Aj walked out of the bathroom, he stopped dead on his track, realizing Amanda was gone. He looked all around the room but she was no where to be found... she had left. He sighed and scratched his wet hair. He knew it was going to be worst than ever now. He had to talk to her about it. As he walked closer to the bed, he found a little note next to the bed.
Aj,
I know it didn't mean anything to both of us so let's just forget about it... I just hope it won't get between us. Anyways, talk to ya later!
Amanda
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** A little bit later ***
"Morning beautiful.." Nick smiled, kissing Marilyne's forehead.
"Hey!" she moaned, burying her face in his neck. She kept her eyes closed and just enjoyed his scent. She just wanted to keep every little detail of him in her mind. She wasn't able to describe how good it felt to be in his arms and how sweet his kisses were.
"Slept well?"
"Hell yeah..." she chuckled. "And you?"
"Yes... " he replied with a cute little smile.
"What time is it?" she asked, opening her eyes.
"It's 8am.."
"Huh... it's too early!" she exclaimed.
"I know but ... I have to get up because we're leaving in like an hour and a half.."
"Oh that's right.." she said with a pout.
"I wish you could ride with us there..."
"It'd be great but ... told ya, we can only come tomorrow."
"Yeah I know. At least you'll come!!"
"Yup! I can't wait to see your concert!" she said with sparkling eyes. "God I feel like a teenybopper fan.." she added with a laugh.
"Who cares!" he giggled.
"I don't want you to leave.. I wanna stay here all day long.. " she smiled, laying her head on his naked chest.
"Really?" he asked, surprised.
"Yeah...why the look?"
"I don't know.." he shrugged. He didn't think she was so attached to him. Or maybe she was just saying that 'cause she was feeling good... he was a bit mixed up 'cause he didn't know where this relation was going...or even if there was a relation. Did he only want to have fun or did he want something serious? He wasn't sure. It was so hard to keep a relationship and he had been deceived so many times in the past that he didn't know if a serious relationship could really work. And what about her? What did she want? He was too scared to ask her. Anyways, he didn't know what he would tell her, whatever her answer would be. He knew he'd have to work things out with himself first.
"Well...you still have an hour and a half right?" she sexily grinned.
"Yeah....and I can tell by the look in your eyes that you have something in mind right?"
"Um...what d'you think?"
"I think I'm gonna like it!"
"Love it!" she chukled and kissed him passionately.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** That Night ***
The Backstreet crew had left in the morning and arrived in New York city at lunch time. After settling down at the hotel - where hundreds of fans were waiting - they had gone to MTV studios for a short interview and then headed to the stadium for soundcheck and concert. Aj and Amanda were both acting like nothing had happened between them, but Aj didn't know that Amanda was going through a lot of pain. She just couldn't concentrate and think straight when, as they were dancing, his hands were touching her. They had not talked a lot and everyone could feel a tension between them...they just didn't know what it was for.
"Hey...Nick!!" Aj ran up to his friend in one of the many hallways.
"What?"
"Is Lexy coming tomorrow?"
"Yeah...I told you like a zillion times!!" Nick sighed. "They will be here tomorrow afternoon... they'll join us here, for the soundcheck!"
"You said They? Keri too huh???"
"Yeah, Keri too! Damnit do you ever listen to me??"
"Yeah yeah I do..." he laughed. "I just...wanted to be sure!"
"Anyways what do you wanna do ??? She doesn't seem too interested..." Nick snapped, but when he saw the hurt look on Aj's face, he felt bad. "But..maybe it's not true I mean..maybe she just act that way...you know, independant..."
"I don't know.." he shrugged and walked away, to his dressing room. He knew all that, he knew she didn't seem to like him much...but just to think she was gonna be there tomorrow night... and that it was his only chance to at least talk to her and know her better... he had to find something! A knock on the door woke him for his thoughts. He walked toward the door and opened.
"Oh...hey!" he smiled.
"Hey Aj... " Amanda said shyly, inviting herself in. "Listen... I'm sorry I left so fast this morning... "
"Yeah I was kinda surprised..."
"I just...well I just want everything to be like it was you know. I'd like us to be friends... I don't want this ... mistake, I guess...to get between us... and it was obvious there was something wrong earlier, during the rehearsal."
"I know, I feel the same way!" Aj replied, with a sorry smile. "Listen, I remember I'm the one who got you into this and I am really sorry..."
"It's okay! Really! I mean... if...if I wouldn't have wanted it in a certain way, I wouldn't have done it.." she said, looking at the floor. Aj stood silent, not really knowing what to reply to this. "Anyways, I just...I just want to make sure..you know...we're okay?"
"Of course we are!" Aj exclaimed, giving her a friendly hug. "Again, I'm really sorry. I know I can do really stupid things sometimes..."
"I know I can too... " she sighed.
"Hey! Wanna stay with me for a while? So we could practice a few moves for the concert??"
"Sure!!" she smiled happily. "I actually thought about some moves for The Call..."
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** Meanwhile ***
"We still have 2 hours before the concert...damn... wanna come with me grab something to eat?" Gaby asked Lylian.
"No thanks. I'm not really hungry. I think I'll just stay here and take a nap..." she replied, laying on the couch.
"You sure you'll be alright for the concert???"
"Yeah! I'm feeling fine. Just a bit tired! Wake me up in an hour alright?"
"Sure!" Gaby smiled. "See ya later!"
"Later!" Lylian replied, taking her cd player and puttin the hearphones on her head. She closed her eyes and tired her best to sleep.
Gaby closed the door behind her and made her way to another room where there was suppose to have some things to eat. After checking out almost all the rooms of the backstage area, she finally found it.
"Ah Ah! Food!!" she exclaimed, entering in the place. She was surprised no one was there. She took a plate and started filling it with some things waiting to be eaten in front of her.
"Hey Gaby..." a voice said behind her. She got a chill just to hear it.
"Hey Nick." she replied, not turning around.
"What's up?"
"Oh well..nothing much. Just hungry." she shrugged, feeling his eyes staring at her back. "...What about you?"
"Nothing. I'm bored!" he sighed, sitting on a chair. She finally turned around and couldn't help but stare at him. He was wearing baggy jeans with a white tank top showing off his strong arms, and blue cap, unfortunately hiding a bit his beautiful eyes.
"So um... ready for the concert?" she tried to make some conversation as she sat next on a chair in front of him.
"Yeah! I guess so!" he shrugged. "Where's Lylian?"
"Sleeping.."
"Do you think she'll be okay for the show??"
"I hope so... she looks a lot better than the other days though...so I guess she'll be okay."
"Good.." he replied, playing with his hands. "So...um...I heard Brian and you are old friends?"
"Huh? Oh..yeah sort of." she shyly responded. "It's not like I remember so well..." she paused. "I wish I could.."
Nick stared at her for a moment. This sad look in her eyes always there when she was thinking or talking about her past life. It was like hurting him to see her like this. He couldn't describe it... he was just feeling sorry for her. He wished he could help her in a certain way.
"Hey!" he exclaimed, having a suddent idea. "Have you ever played playstation??" he asked with a little smile.
"Yeah a little bit...why?" she frowned.
"Well I brought mine today...wanna play? We still have some time to kill!"
"Yeah! Why not?! But I'm warning you, I'm not really good..." she chuckled.
"No prob! I'll give you some tricks!" he winked as he stood up.
"Okay!!" she smiled widely and followed him to his dressing room.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** During this time ***
Mary waited for Brian to come back with some food in his dressing room. She looked all around and sighed with a smile. They had just arrived and the room was already a mess. She shook her head and started picking up some clothes that were on the floor. As she took a pair of jeans, a little paper fell from the right pocket. She took it and unfolded it. There was nothing but a simple phone number on it. She wondered where it was from. It was obviously a girl hand writting...and not hers... but maybe she was just hallucinating things...
"Hey Baby!" Brian smiled as he opened the door, a plate full of food.
"Oh Hey!" she replied.
"You cleaning up my dressing room?" he giggled, seeing her arms filled with clothes.
"Yeah...it was a real mess in here!"
"You know, you're not oblige to do this.."
"I know but I wanted to!" she said as she put his clothes back in his suitcase. She walked back to him and sat close to him on the couch. "Oh yeah, it fell from a pocket!" she simply said, giving him the little paper. Brian took it with a very little smile.
"Oh...thank you!" he replied, putting in his pocket.
"What is that number for?" she asked, taking a sandwich from the plate.
"Oh..it's just.... it's just ...someone working in one of New York's studio who gave it to me ... you know, in case we'd like to record there.." he lied, looking at the plate and then back at her. He hated lying to her...he didn't know why he had not told her the truth... what was happening to him?
"Oh... that's cool!" she replied, trying to be convinced. But when he looked at her in the eyes, she forgot everything and kissed him. "I love you" she whispered in his ear.
"I love you too baby!" he smiled, putting the plate on the floor and leaning closer to kiss her.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** Meanwhile, in the hallways ***
Ally was walking quietly in the hallways, to join the other dancers fooling around in the stadium when she arrived face to face with a tall handsome black-haired guy.
"Sorry miss.." he spoke with a deep low voice.
"Yes? May I help you?" she offered him her beautiful smile.
"Yes maybe..." he answered, laying his dark eyes on her. "I'm looking for Lylian Deakings..."
"Oh! Um... she must be in the dressing room ... you turn right, and then right again and it's the fifth door on your left..."
"Thanks a lot!" he grinned and followed the direction she had given him.
Ally watched him walking away and groaned. If he was Lylian's boyfriend, she had all rights to be jealous of her. She shrugged and hoped he was a psycho going to scared the hell out of her and ran to the stage where the others were jocking around.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** An hour later ***
"God.. you sure you never played?" Nick laughed.
"You're the one who gave me the tricks.." Gaby smirked.
"Yeah...I guess it was a mistake!" he smiled.
"Oh look at the time! I have to wake up Lylian!" she said as she stood up.
"In what room is she sleeping?"
"Um... a dressing room that no one is using... at the end of an hallway, somewhere!" she chuckled.
"I see...well, I'll go with you...I'll go grab something to eat on my way!" he stood up and followed her outside. As soon as they got out, they were stopped by Billy.
"You two, in the meet and greet room right away!" he instructed.
"Why?"
"No time to talk...you go in the meet and greet room, it's an emergency.."
Both didn't argue and followed him. But when they passed in front of the hallway of the room where Lylian was sleeping, Gaby's eyes went wide and she started walking into the direction of the room but Billy stopped her.
"You can't go there..." he said.
"Why??" Gaby asked, looking behind him. There was a big comotion, people walking in and out of the room...where Lylian was sleeping. "What's going on??" she asked again, her heart starting to beat really fast.
"Listen, just go to the meet and greet room... you can't come here..."
"Bill, what happened??" Nick asked.
"I told you to keep walking...I can't say anything for now!!!" Billy shouted.
"Cut the crap!! What the fuck happened?? Lylian was sleeping there...what happened to her???" Gaby yelled, trying to push him so she could go but he was too strong for her.
"I don't even know! I'm sorry! She'll be okay! She just won't be a part of the concert tonight!!"
"Why?? Fuck Billy, tell us!" Nick exclaimed, getting scared.
"Listen, you go in the meet and greet room and when I'll know something I'll come and tell ya!" Billy said with a really authoritative tone.
"Please!! Let me go see her!!!" Gaby pleaded.
"I can't alright? You stay away and join the others ... no one is allowed to come in the backstage area...everyone is going to the fucking meet and greet room and you two too!!!" he screamed, pushing them away.
Gaby was about to give up and walk away but suddently put an hand on her mouth when she saw her friend coming out of the room on a strecher, followed by two ambulance drivers. Her eyes were open but she looked in real pain, bruises covering her little face. "Let me go!!!" Gaby cried, trying to pull away from Nick's hands around her waist.
"Gaby..come ... come with me..." he softly said, pulling her away. She tried to let go off him but she finally lost all kind of strenght and fell on the floor, crying. Nick picked her up and walked as fast as he could to the meet and greet room where everyone was waiting.
"What is going on??" Brian exclaimed, rushing to his side and helping him with Gaby. They sat her on a couch and Mary immediately took her in her arms.
"Something happened to Lylian but they don't want to tell us what.." Nick sighed, rubbing the side of his head.
"Really? Shit... " Deryck said. "We were just hanging out in the stadium and Raoul told us to come in here... "
"Yeah same thing for us.." Aj spoke. "They said it was an emergency.. but we didn't have time to ask of anything.."
"Did you see her?" Kevin asked Nick.
"Who?"
"Lylian.."
"Yeah, really fastly... on a strecher.." he swalloded hard and looked at Gaby who didn't stop sobbing on Mary's shoulder. They waited during a few minutes, hoping someone would explain then what was going on. Kevin finally decided he couldn't take it anymore and walked out of the room and arrived face to face with Billy.
"Finally!! Will someone explain to us what the fuck is going on??" Kevin shouted.
"Yeah yeah... go in.." Billy sighed, and entered in the room, getting everyone's attention.
"So???" Nick asked.
"Okay... First, have any of you seen a stranger walking in the hallways???"
"Billy, there's always tons of strangers walking in the hallways!" Howie groaned.
"Yeah but someone looking weird...I dunno! We're just trying to figure out what happened!!" Billy shouted back. Ally stood silent, white as a ghost, unable to speak.
"Just tell us !!" Nick said.
"Okay..." he sighed. "Marcus was walking in the hallway when he heard someone screaming for help...and he found Lylian laying on the floor... she has been beat up.."
"What???" everyone said in shock. Gaby started crying even more and Mary did her best to comfort her.
"She was a bit mixed up when we found her but she seems to know who attacked her... We looked all around the area to find him but it looks safe now... So just go straight to your dressing rooms, get ready and go on stage. No time to fool around or whatever... girls please try to stay together.."
"There's a concert even after what happened???" Vickie exclaimed as Kevin wrapped his arms around her.
"Yeah.. we don't think anything wrong will happen...everything looks safe now and security will be really stricted. We don't have time to cancel it anyways...you have to be on stage in an hour!" Billy said. "Now everyone go and get ready!"
"Wait! What am I gonna do?" Aj said. "I don't have my dance partner.."
"Well you're usually the one singing so... you just sing to the fans or improvise something.." Kevin sighed. "Come on everyone... " he took Vickie by the hand and walked out of the room.
"Damnit!!" Aj exclaimed and followed them. After talking a little about what they were gonna do for most of the dances, the dancers finally left to get ready.
"You're gonna be alright?" Brian kneeled in front of Gaby.
"Why can't I go see her???" she cried.
"I promise you we'll go after the concert okay?" he softly told her, pulling her for a hug. He then turned to Mary and hugged her tight. "Be careful okay?"
"Yeah, you too" she said before he put his lips on hers. "Have a good show..."
"I'll try!" he weakly smiled and walked out.
"Nick...you should go get ready.." Michelle patted him on the back.
"Huh?? Oh...yeah I'm going!" he said coming out from his thoughts. "Stay together.." he told the girls before to leave.
"Gaby...stop crying, everything is okay! She will be alright.." Mary said, trying to comfort her friend. "We'll find who did this and everything is gonna be alright.."
Gaby stayed silent and wiped away the tears on her face. That was what she was the most scared of...find out who did it... 'cause she didn't know why but she had this strange and scary feeling she knew who had done it.
