After the movie, Brian, Mary, Aj and Keri joined the others in the inside parking lot so they could leave to go to the stadium.
"So, where's your girlfriend?" Keri asked Aj. He spun around and stared at her, making sure she was talking to him.
"Huh...um... I don't have a girlfriend.." he lied.
"What about the girl who was with you last week at the rehearsal?" she giggled.
"Oh..um.. well... it's...it's over..." he swallowed, wishing it was true though.
"Oh...I'm sorry!" she patted him on the shoulder. "I didn't know..."
"It's okay..." he smiled. He saw the death glance that Brian gave him but he decided not to take care of it now. He had her attention.. she was talking to him... "And what about you? Don't you have a boyfriend?"
"Nope. It's kinda hard 'cause everytime it was getting serious with someone...he was suddently jealous because of all the guys around at the job... " she shrugged.
"Yeah I know what you mean.." he said as she stared at him with a questionning look. "Well you know, it's the same thing for us! You get with someone and because of all the girls around us and running after us well...it's not easy all the time.."
"Yeah... that's right. I didn't see it that way.." she smiled.
They finally arrived in the parking lot and hopped in the different buses. They arrived at the stadium a few minutes later and got in the backstage area. They still had a few time to kill 'cause it was just 5 o'clock. Well, the Boys had the meet and greet and had to get ready but as for the others, they only had to wait. They all went in different dressing room to get some rest of just hang out when the time to go on stage finally arrived.
"Good luck guys!" Keri told them as she and the other girls walked away to get to their places in the crowd.
"Where's Lexy?" Gaby demanded.
"Probably in a dark corner with Nick.." Keri replied with a laugh, not seeing Gaby's disappointed face.
"Good luck Lily! And don't forget...if you don't feel too well.. you stop huh?!" Gaby said, changing subject as she turned to look at her friend.
"Yeah I know mommy!" Lylian laughed. Gaby sticked out her tongue and the six girls walked in the stadium, where tons of girls were already screaming.
As she walked to the 'waiting room', Lylian met Lexy in the hallways.
"Hey..can you tell me wich way to go???" she asked. "I'm a little lost in here..."
"yeah sure!" Lylian said with a smile before to tell her wich way to go to meet the other girls.
"Thanks a lot! Good luck for the show! I'm excited like a bug..." Lexy laughed.
"Thanks! Well, have a nice time!"
"I will! Bye!!!" she waved and walked away.
Lylian sighed and continued her way to the room. When she got there, they were all sitting and waiting to get their cue to get on stage. They were going to be on in about five minutes. Everyone was talking about something she coudn't really understand so she just sat down on the couch next to Nick and waited.
"So everything will be okay? You're gonna be alright?!" Nick asked her.
"Huh-uh, I'll be okay!" she managed a little smile, her arms wrapped around her stomach.
"You sure?"
"Yeah..really.." she said and sighed.
"You don't seem to be feeling too well..." he remarked staring at her. But she just kept on looking straight in front of her. "Lylian?"
"Huh?! What? Did you say something?" she asked, turning around fastly.
"Yeah... I said that you don't seem to be feeling too well.." he repeated.
"Oh...no, I'm okay!"
"If you say so..." he frowned.
"Ok everyone! Y'all ready??????????" Aj screamed suddently appearing in the room.
"YEAH!!" they all cheered and did their little routine they did before each concert. And the dancers left to get their places on stage as the Boys waited patiently backstage.
"What's up with you man?" Nick laughed.
"Nothing! Just normal stage hype!!" Aj shrugged.
"Nah... that's because Keri talked to him.." Howie grinned.
"No... I'm just hyper alright?"
"Yeah yeah.." the boys all laughed.
"Ok guys... stop it... let's get the party started!!!" he shouted as the boys jumped on the stage.
In the audience, Keri and Lexy were watching the show carefully, trying to not miss one part of it. They were both really impressed by their energy and the reaction of the fans at every move they were doing.
On the stage, Nick's mind was occupied by a lot of thoughts. He was really happy about his talk with Lexy a few hours earlier...he felt like he knew her a bit more but still, he didn't know if there was anything serious between them. And then his eyes were moving on Gaby and her big sparkling eyes watching every details of what was going on the stage. He still haven't found what was so mysterious about her. He shook his head a bit and moved to the other side of the stage where he started doing the dance routine for the song. As he turned around, he saw Lylian doing the best she could to smile as she danced but he could tell it was not a true smile. She was the kind of person who really loved what she was going and it was obvious when something was wrong. "Are you okay?" he mouthed her. She nodded a little with her head and kept his attention on the work.
When the guys went backstage to change their outfit, Nick decided to tell a word to Aj.
"Hey man...I think Lylian is not doing alright.." he told him.
"I know...I think she's still in pain... I mean, she's not dancing, she's just doing the moves..." Aj sighed. "Well it's too late to do anything. We should have known she wouldn't be okay!"
"Yeah...well... let's go back!" Nick shrugged as they ran on stage again.
"Amanda.." Lylian said, out of breath as they ran backstage to changed too.
"Yeah? You okay?"
"Just need to breathe...could you just take my part for More Than That? I just need a little 5 minutes to rest..." Lylian said, sitting down.
"Yeah sure.. " Amanda sent her a worried look as she put the white outfit on and ran away with the other girls to dance on the song. The boys dancers stayed in the dressing room and waited for their time to get back on stage.
"You sure you okay girl?" Deryck asked Lylian as he sat next to her.
"Yeah yeah! no problem!" she chocked, taking a sip of water. Deryck rubbed her shoulder, plunging his green eyes into hers.
"You are not doing okay...I can tell... I mean, it's obvious.." he whispered.
"Look..I'm alright...I just lost my breath for a couple of minutes okay? No big deal to do about it!!!" she snapped harshly and angry that everyone was pitying her. Deryck, taken aback by her reaction just stayed silent and walked to away to change into his next outfit. Lylian put her hands on her face and breathed deeply, trying not to let the tears flow. She couldn't start crying ...she had a show to do, it was her job, and even the pain she was feeling couldn't stop her.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** In the audience ***
"Isn't Lylian suppose to dance this part?" Mary leaned over Gaby.
"Yeah... well maybe she just wasn't feeling awright.." Gaby shrugged, wishing hard everything was okay. "So, how you girls like the show?" she turned to Lexy and Keri who both eyes were glued to the stage.
"I guess they like it.." Vickie giggled.
"Damn look at that... they got the same look of admiration than the fans!" Mary laughed.
"The same look you had the first time you saw a concert my girl!" Michelle patted her on the shoulder. "Everyone gets this look the first time they see the concert...I mean...look at them.." she added, motionning the Boys on stage. "They are just...amazing!"
"Did I get this look too the first show I saw?" Gaby grinned.
"Um... yeah you did!" Mary smiled. "Your two eyes were glued to Nick's ass!"
"WHAT??" Gaby shouted as they all laughed.
"Ah come on... Nick's ass...everyone looks at it.."
"Speak for you my dear..." Michelle giggled.
"Oh well she's right Michelle... we all looked at it once...but when I discovered what was hiding in Kevin's pants... well let's say that...Nick's ass doesn't catch my attention as much as it used to.." Vickie said with a sly grin as they all laughed.
"And it works for all of the others I guess.. except Aj 'cause only Katya could tell but she's not here... YEAH!" Mary shouted.
"What are you girls talking about ???" Keri asked, turning around. She haven't heard a word that had been told but only a lot of laughters and it had gotten her attention.
"Oh... stupid stuff!" Gaby laughed, rolling her eyes. "Those girls are whack!"
"Oh okay!" Keri shrugged and looked back at the stage when the song ended.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** After the show ***
The six girls in the audience left before the end of the concert to go in the buses and wait for the guys. The minute they were out of the stage, the five backstreet boys ran to the buses, followed by the bodyguards. The little gang left as the show has the music was still playing in the stadium.
"So...what did you think?" Nick asked as he sat next to Marilyne.
"Was great! Really! It was amazing!" she smiled.
"Damn you guys... that was just fucking good!" Keri shouted.
"Well..thanks!" they all laughed.
"I'm happy you both liked it!" Aj said. "It was just damn crazy tonight wasn't it?"
"Hell yeah!" Nick nodded. "Was fun though!"
"Yup!"
"You never wait for the rest of the crew when you leave???" Keri asked.
"Nope... well, sometimes we stay after but not in New York and those big cities 'cause the fans are just crazy. And anyways, since it's our last show here.. they'll probably stay there all night to get all the equipment packed... " Kevin explained. "The dancers will be there in like an our or so but the musicians and technicians well...we'll see them in Philadelphia.."
"Oh! Ok!"
"At what time are we leaving tomorrow Kev?" Brian asked.
"In the late afternoon.. we have a few interviews and then we get back on the road.."
"Ok thanks!"
"So, are you girls staying in town tonight?" Mary asked the two barmaids. Keri glances at Lexy who stared back and shrugged. They didn't even know.
"We actually..didn't even think about that..." Keri giggled. "But it's kinda late so I guess we'll stay! Anyways, we also have a few more days off ... "
"We decided to take some vacation!" Lexy smiled.
"How long?"
"A week or so."
"That's cool!" Aj said. "So who's running the club while you are gone?"
"Um...it must be closed... except if the manager of the club found some girlies to replace us... but...I wouldn't think so.." Lexy grinned.
"You kinda forced him to close didn't you?" Kevin said with a little laugh.
"Sorta.." she grinned again.
"Well, there must be some rooms free in the hotel.." Howie said as he wrapped his arms around Michelle's waist. Nick whispered something in Marilyne's ear and she nodded with a smile.
Gaby stood in the corner of the bus living room, watching the landscape passing by in front of her. The high buildings and the lights were just making her think of the nights in San Diego... something she still wished she could forget but she knew it was impossible. Not now that William was watching. 'Cause she knew he was watching her... all the time... he knew where she was and what she was doing...and he was mad... she could feel it. She had always felt it when he was mad... a strong and weird feeling in her stomach. She watched everyone talking and laughing, and she wondered if they had never been sad or scared in their lives.. they were all looking happy.. they all had a happy childhood with at least one parent with them... why did she has to be the one with a fucked up life? She sighed, wrapped her arms around her knees and looked back at the window.
They arrived at the hotel and Lexy and Keri rent a room for the night even though, Keri knew Lexy probably wouldn't be there all night. Even though the concert was unbelievable, she wondered a bit why she was staying there...she wanted vacation with her friend she was going to be locked up in some hotel room alone...just great... And the guys were all heading to their room 'cause they had to get up at 6 am in the morning.. just great again... She went up to the room as Lexy, grinning, followed Nick into his. Keri sighed and threw her bags on the floor. Watching the blue walls, she decided she wouldn't just stay there all night long so she went to the bar downstair the hotel and ordered a drink.
"How does it feel not to be the one behind the counter?" a voice asked behind Keri. She turned around and smiled.
"Feels damn great!" she giggled. Aj smiled and sat next to her
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** In the stadium ***
"Hey Lily..you okay?" Amanda asked as she sat next to her on the couch.
"Yeah...damn.. do I look like I'm gonna die or something?" she snapped, a bit harsh.
"No but you look in pain and that's why everyone is worried about you.." she softly replied.
"I'm fine... " Lylian said, taking a sip of water.
"I don't believe you... but if you wanna keep it all to yourself ...than it's your problem..." Amanda told her, still with a soft tone. She stood up and walked away to join the other who were packing the outfits in the bus.
"Fuck.." Lylian sighed as tears started falling slowly on her cheeks. She brought her knees up to her chest, wrapped her arms around and buried her face on them as she cried. She don't know how long she stayed there, but she finally came back to reality as two arms pulled her for a hug. Who was that? She couldn't see, her vision was blurred with tears.
"Sssh..it's okay...everything will be okay..." a voice whispered in her ear. She held on the person and let everything out. After a few minutes, the tears stopped but she stayed like this, her face hiding on someone's t-shirt. "You alright?" the voice she now
reconized said.
"I'm sorry... God I'm so sorry.." she sighed, still looking down. "I'm so sorry for the way I acted with you earlier... "
"It's okay.." Deryck smiled. He put his index finger under her chin and lift her head up. There eyes met and he whiped some tears on her cheek with his hand. "Feeling any better now that you let it all out?"
"Yeah... so much! Thank you so much!" she said softly and she hugged him again.
"No problem.. but don't forget that we're here for ya you know... " he started. "I'm here for ya.." he added, whispering in her ear. She closed her eyes and hugged him tighter, not wanting to let him go. She felt so much better in his arms. He stroked her back a little and after a few other minutes finally spoke again. "We should go now...everybody's gone.."
"What?" she exclaimed, moving away slowly. "What time is it?"
"Well... it's almost 1:00 am.."
"Shit... I'm sorry..." she said, shaking her head. "Yeah, let's get back to the hotel.." she added but none of them moved. They stared at each others and slowly leaned down. Their lips touched and they softly kissed each other. It wasn't a long kiss but when they pulled away they both had a little smile on their faces, but since they were both shy, they weren't really looking at each other.
"I prefer to see you smile ya know.." he told her. She blushed and her smile grew bigger. He then took his hand as he stood up. "We better go..."
"Yeah... you right..." she replied, still wishing she could be in his arms on the couch. "Well, how are we gonna go back now that everybody's gone?!"
"There's a van left... and Billy is waiting for us.."
"What is he doing here?" she asked as they walked down the hallways.
"He didn't leave with the guys 'cause they needed help with the loggages and packing I think.."
"Oh ...okay.." she shrugged. "Damn..Gaby must be worried sick.." she suddently said.
"We called her... she knows you are okay.."
"Okay... good!" she smiled as they hopped in the vans.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** At the hotel ***
Keri and Aj were still chatting 'bout things and others. As weird as it sounded, Aj was sure he already knew her...or known someone that really had a similar personnality... except her smile.. 'damn smile..' he thought, getting a chill everytime she was just looking at him. They were both having fun... Keri giving her tricks to make good drinks and him just listening to the music of her voice. He was trying to listen the best he could but he was just getting lost in her look. Was it finally happening? Was she having fun with him? Or maybe she was just using him to have some company...but Aj felt great even. He just wished he could touched her... please her...but he didn't know if she would want and worst... he didn't if it'd be able to say anything! He was losing his words evertime she was asking him a question. What was wrong with him?
"Hey.. Aj?!?" she waved her hand in his face.
"Huh?? Damn..what? Sorry..." he apologized, shaking his head.
"It's okay!" she giggled. "I just said..isn't that some of your dancers?" she repeated, pointing at the two people standing in front of the elevator smiling widely. Aj turned around and saw them.
"Oh yeah...that's Lylian and Deryck..." he frowned. "What are they doing here so late?" he added, watching them step in the lift.
"Are they a couple?" Keri asked.
"No...no they're not.." he answered, still frowning. "Well.. were not.."
"You sure? They were both looking like two happy bunnies.." she giggled.
"Yeah that's why I was thinking too.." he replied, a smile suddently appearing on his face. "Well, was about time!"
"Why?"
"I knew Deryck had a eye on her but damn guy is just so shy ..."
"How cute!" Keri grinned as Aj looked at her funny. "What?"
"Nothing.." he giggled.
"To be shy can be a quality sometimes... when you're used to have damn machos telling you what they think about your ass all night long... believe me, you like shy guys!" she said seriously.
"I believe you!" Aj said. "You know...shy guys... my style too.." he said seriously. She stared at him for a while...
"You're... you're bisexual or something?" she asked as he bursted out laughing.
"Man..why can't I have a camera when I need one!" he exclaimed.
"What? I respect that... " she shrugged.
"Nah, I was kidding, I'm not gay or bisexual or whatever... " he replied, still giggling.
"We never know...with the way you dress...man we can ask some questions!" she said with a grin.
"Well geez...thanks!" he said, laughing again.
"You welcome baby!" she said with a smile.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** Meanwhile ***
Lylian and Deryck walked in the hotel silently but both with a little smile on their faces, lost in their little world.. They went in the elevator and finally stopped at their level. They stopped in front of Lylian's room and looked at each other. "Thanks a lot.. .for everything.." she sincerely said, her eyes not leaving his. He leaned down and plant a passionate and slow kiss on her lips. She kissed him back, wrapping her hands behind his neck.
"Ahem.."
They abruptly stopped and turned around to see a smiley Gaby leaning on the entrance of the door. They both blushed and looked a the floor shyly.
"Well...good night.." Deryck smiled at Lylian and then turned to Gaby.
"Good night.." Lylian replied, still smiling.
"Good night Deryck.." Gaby sang with a cheesy grin. He left and the two girls walked in the room silently. But the minute the door was closed..
"AAHHHH!! What the fuck was that ???" Gaby exclaimed, wide eyes, still grinning.
"What do you think? We were playing hockey?!?" Lylian laughed.
"Full contact hockey yeah baby!!" Gaby laughed too as she jumped on the bed. "Oh my God!!! This is soooo damn cool!!!"
"What? Why?" Lylian giggled, putting her pajamas on.
"Well...you and Deryck! Probably the cutest couple that could exist!!!" Gaby shouted, excited like a little child. Lylian looked at her with a questionning look but didn't say anything. "This is soooo cute!!!"
"Ok..I got it!"
"Man... at least one of us will get some during this damn tour!" Gaby said with a sly grin.
"Oh shut up!" Lylian said with a laugh, as she threw her friend a pillow. "Child..always have a dirty mind.."
"Yeah..." Gaby shrugged. "I can't deny it!"
"At least you admit.."
"Yup! So tell me...are you feeling any better? ...when they called they said you weren't feeling too well... but I guess you are feeling damn muck fucking better now!"
"Well.." Lylian replied, looking at the ceiling.
"Well yeah!! Damn yeah! Fucking much better yeah!" Gaby exclaimed as Lylian bursted out laughing.
"Shut up! But yeah, I'm feeling better.."
"What was wrong?" Gaby asked, suddently getting serious. "I didn't see you during More Than That.. were you still in pain?"
"Yeah... I still am... my stomach damn hurt.." she finally admitted. "And all this stress for getting back at work... and this damn William that I always think I'll meet when I turn a corner in the hallways.."
"I'm sorry Lily... it's my fault.." Gaby said shaking her head.
"It's not... but don't worry...I'm feeling damn much fucking better now!" Lylian joked as the two girls bursted out laughing. They chatted for another hour and finally decided it'd be better to cal it a night. But Lylian couldn't sleep. She still had those kisses running in her mind but there was also something else...Nick. She wondered why she had felt angry when she had seen him walking in with those two girls. Maybe it wasn't jealousy... maybe she had just felt angry 'cause of everything that had happened and the pain she was feeling. Anyways, she could not deny she didn't like Deryck 'cause since her first day on tour he had been the one she was the closest to and she had always felt something special between them... maybe not love... but still, there was something. She thought again about what had happened earlier and drifted into a sweet sleep.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** Meanwhile ***
"Nick stop!!" Marilyne giggled. "It tickles!"
"I know, it's the damn point!" Nick laughed as he continued running his fingers on her sides.
"Aaaah please!" she begged, trying to move away from him. "I'm gonna kick you in the nuts man ..." she added, still laughing.
"Well if you do that, it will be your lost for tonight my dear!" he smirked.
"Well I already had round one and two.."
"Yeah but wouldn't you like to have round 3, 4, 5 and 6?" Nick grinned, wiggling his eyebrows.
"If you really can go that far... then I'll be nice!" she exclaimed. "Damn stop!!!" she shrieked as he continued tickling her.
"Ok ok.." he smiled and stopped. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.
"That's much better!" she said. He smirked and buried his face in her neck and mumbled something. "What the hell did you say?" she laughed.
"I said, you smell good!" he repeated, now facing her.
"Oh! Thank you!" she smiled, wrapping her arms behind his neck.
"So tell me...is that our last night together?" he asked.
"Well... you're leaving tomorrow... so...I guess so.." she shrugged.
"Yeah... "
"Well...it was fun!" she smiled. Nick considered this for a moment. So...it was fun..now it was over. She didn't seem much upset about it so...he guessed she wasn't much into a serious relationship either. Well, maybe it was better that way... 'cause he knew he had a lot of problem being faithful to someone on tour and stuff... 'well, let's enjoy this last night..' he thought.
"The fun hasn't begun yet.." he whispered in her ear before to pushed his lips against hers.
