"Where's Nelson??" Howie wondered as he looked all around the room. But he was no where to be found.
"You seen Brian and Mary?" Michelle asked, interrupting his thoughts.
"No...Nelson's gone too... Lylian, Deryck and Gaby also.." he remarked as he frowned.
"Maybe they just were tired.."
"Yeah but Nelson... that's weird.."
"Well just call him!" she shrugged.
"Yeah that's a good idea.." he smiled and took his cell phone, dialing his bodyguard's number.
"Yeah??" Nelson answered.
"Hey, where are ya at?"
"Coming down... we just had a little problem but it's okay now... just don't leave before I'm there!"
"Huh..okay!" Howie replied.
"See ya in a minute!"
"Yeah!" Howie said and hung up. "Well this is strange.."
"What?"
"He said they had a little problem..he's coming back now.. " he paused. "Anyways, I guess we'll know when he'll be there!" he said.
"Yup!" Michelle smiled and kissed him. "Let's go back dancing now!"
"Alright mylady!" Howie grinned and the two were back on the dance floor.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** Back at the hotel ***
Lylian stood in Deryck's arms for long minutes, not wanting to let him go. Again, he was there to comfort her and she just felt so good... she didn't want to leave him.
"Lily...you alright?" he whispered in her ear.
"Huh-uh.." she replied, her face still hiding on his shoulder.
"That's a yes or a no?!" he said with a little smile, caressing her hair. She shook her head no and moved away.
"What have I done again.." she sighed, whipping the tears away from her cheeks.
"It's not your fault Lily... you have the right not to believe her...I mean, no one saw him and Ally seemed to be sincere."
"I should believe her..she's my best friend... And Ally is just so bitch with me.. I understand her to be mad at me... I believe some girl who never liked me.."
"Yeah but ... I mean this story is weird anyways... how come Ally left when Gaby saw them.. but we have no proof..maybe she really wasn't feeling well and left... but she would normally tell someone..." Deryck said with a frown.
"That's what I think too.. And Gaby would not have freaked out like this for nothing!!" Lylian exclaimed, laying on the bed. Deryck looked down at her and layed on his side beside her, his head up on his hand.
"Listen...I'm sure she's not that mad about you I mean...she was just really upset.. if you go talk to her she will feel better...I'm sure."
"Yeah..I will..I'll just wait until Brian comes back.." she sighed, closing her eyes so tears would not fall again. Deryck stared at her and wrapped an arm around her, strocking her side softly. They stayed like that in silence for a moment when a suddent knock on the door broke them apart. Deryck walked to the door and opened it to reveal Brian and Mary.
"Hey... come in!"
"So???" Lylian asked, sitting at the edge of the bed.
"I think she's doing better... she's just a bit upset and scared I think.." Brian said, sitting next to her. "You should go talk to her."
"Yeah, I'm going to.." she sighed.
"I'm not sure if you really can tell us but ... who is William and why is she so scared of him?" Mary asked, sitting on the other side and wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
"He's that damn guy who screwed up her life... I don't really know where she met him she always told me it was a coincidence in a coffee shop but...I don't really believe that.. anyways.." she shuddered. "He's 25 years old so...a lot older than her...and when he met her, he gave her all those gifts and you know, made sure she trusted him and stuff... "
"Then what?" Brian asked.
"He used her... gave her drugs... made her prostitute herself... made her life a living hell!" she answered, starting to cry. "He said he loved her and you know, she believed him 'cause he got this charm when he really wants and she was feeling so lonely.. but when you really know him, he's just a damn asshole... I knew it from the start but she just didn't want to listen to me...he even told her I was not her real friend and didn't want her to be happy because I didn't want them to be together..and of course..she trusted him and listened to him... He said she should not see me anymore... so we kinda stopped talking to each other for a while... then the two moved to San Diego... but she never stopped calling me..she did it in his back and ...well I'm pretty sure he knew it and beat her.."
"He's a pimp.." Mary said.
"Yeah... but it's weird how he was just using her...well I mean... she was living with him and stuff... he wasn't acting that way with the other girls that were working for him... I think he liked her more but still... she doesn't need that kind of love.." Lylian shrugged.
"So what then? Why is he running after her?"
"She left without saying a word...she joined us on tour without telling him... she took some of his money and well..maybe he was scared she would denounce him...and he must knew she went with me...I don't really know how but...I was her only real friend so I guess he just knew... "
"So he probably wants her back?!"
"Yeah maybe... I know he was often telling her he was proud of her 'cause she was making a lot of money for him...but you know... what a way to make money.... drugs and prostitution.. " she cried. "I tried to help her... I really tried...I couldn't stand seeing her hurt with bruises that he had done when he was hitting her and stuff... but she got to a point where she could only help herself... and she did in a way, by joining us on tour.. but she just ran away.." she sighed.
"Damn bastard!!" Brian exclaimed, his two hands moving into fist. He felt so angry suddently...how come that sweet little girl he had known had went through such things... prositution, drugs, alcohol, getting beat and probably raped...plus no parents to help her...only a nice friend who did her best but it wasn't enough... and she was only 18 years old...
"He doesn't deserve to live... he just deserve to die from a damn gun like he already killed other people.." Lylian said angrily.
"What??? He killed?? Who??" Mary shrieked.
"Well Gaby really never said anything about it but I think that's what made her realize she must leave him... about two or three months ago one of the other girls working for him was found dead in a garbage trash ... she had been shot..." Lylian explained, tears still falling slowly down her cheek. "And well... Gaby had seen the two arguying like an hour before it happened so.."
"Damn...that's not a life!!" Mary exclaimed. "And the worst is that she's not the only one living this.. there are tons of girls who are living the same thing.."
"Yeah you're right...but it's scarier when your bestfriend is living it..believe me.."
"Well..thanks for telling us sweetie.." Brian said with a warm smile as he rubbed her shoulder.
"It feels good just to know I'm not alone to know it ... maybe we can all help now.." she smiled weakly.
"Yeah maybe!" he replied. He and Mary then left the other couple alone and went to their room for the night.
"I have to go talk to her...she must know I'm there for her!" Lylian said, suddently standing up and looking at the door.
"You sure you're gonna be alright?" Deryck asked with a worried look.
"Yeah..." she answered and then turned to look at him. "Thank you for everything..again.."
"You're welcome." he said, pulling her for a hug. "Don't forget I'm right here..if there's anything you want...you just come here alright? I'm here for ya." he whispered in her ear. She looked up and stared at his eyes for a moment...he was so sincere.. she smiled a bit and kissed him softly.
"Good night.."
"Good night ... see ya tomorrow.." he smiled, watching her leave.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** Meanwhile ***
"It's the dirty boogie for meeeeee..." Nick sang before to crack up hysterically as he walked in the hotel with his bodyguard, Aj, and a few dancers. They were the last one coming back from the club and were all pretty waisted.
"Man...shut the fuck up!" Aj laughed, trying to walk straight.
"That song is sooooo whack!!!" Nick giggled stupidely as he shook his butt. "Man, you seen that chick dancing with me? Man..she was hot.."
"Yeah!! Man, why didn't you ask her to come over?"
"Dunno... couldn't really see her straight after the last beer.." Nick laughed.
"Anyways, she wasn't as hot as Keri and Lexy.."
"Duh...of course she wasn't!" Nick giggled.
"Yo guys.. shut up and get to your rooms!" Billy told them, helping Nick to walk in the elevator.
"What man? We're alright...aren't we Nicky?" Aj slurred.
"Damn yeah we're okay... we're like two little tortoises.." Nick replied as Aj gave him a confused look before to burst into laughters.
"What the fuck are you talking about man? tortoises???" Aj laughed.
"Dunno that's the first word that came into my mind.." Nick shrugged and then cracked up again.
"Damn you guys.." Billy sighed, shaking his head. "Ok now... in your bedrooms and have a good night!" he added, pushing them toward the doors of their rooms that were just one door away.
"Good night Bill! Man...tortoise.." Aj waved, walking into his room still giggling.
"Night Billy!" Nick then said as he opened his door. "It's the dirty boogie for meeeee.." he kept singing out loud.
"Shut up!!!" Aj screamed as the two started laughing and closed their doors.
"What is going on??" Kevin asked, peeking his head out of his room.
"They are just drunk...they'll fall asleep in a couple of minutes..." Billy told him. "Good night Kev!"
"Night!" Kevin sighed, getting back into his room.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** The Next Morning ***
Everyone slept late that morning and the guys then left for a radio interview before the rehearsal. They joined the crew at the stadium in the end of the afternoon and did the sound check, a little dance rehearsal and other little stuff. They were all a bit tired from the night before..especially Nick and Aj who both had major hangover...but they tried their best not to show it. But they weren't the only one tired, Gaby and Lylian were both exhausted too, from a night of talking and crying. The others had just come back late and weren't feeling to well anyways so it was a hard rehearsal for everybody, even the technicians.
"Come on guys... " Lylian sighed. "If we get through it once, it'll be over..."
"Can we just go get a little sleep and have it right during the show? We know that part anyways.." Nick groaned.
"Fine!" she exclaimed, jumping off the stage. She hated when he was acting like that but she didn't feel enough strong to argue with him today so she just took her bag and went in the dressing room to sleep. They all did the same, hoping to get an hour or two of sleep so they could feel better for the concert.
Gaby stayed sat on the little bench, watching everyone leave one after the other. She wasn't really seeing them 'cause her mind was so busy thinking about the night before. What had happened? Everything had gone so fast... she now wasn't sure if she had seen William... maybe Lylian was right and she was just so filled with all the events that she thought she had seen him...like an hallucination. But in another way...she was pretty sure of what she had seen... he was there..kissing Ally. Again, in her mind, it was clear...it was him! But why the doubts of her friend then? "Maybe I'm really getting crazier everyday..." she thought with a sigh. Without even realizing she had moved, she found herself sitting behind the piano on the stage. How long had she been there, staring in front of her. She couldn't control herself... she extended her hands and gently brushed the notes, what echoed a little noise in the small speakers around her. "It's been so long.." she whispered, staring at the white and black shinning notes in front of her. Her hands layed over the piano for a moment... and when she felt she was gonna cry, she closed her eyes and played her heart out.
Right now I feel like a bird
Caged without a key
Everyone comes to stare at me
With so much joy and rivalry
They don't know how I feel inside
Through my smile I cry
They don't know what they're doin' to me
Keeping me from flyin'
That's why I say that
I know why the caged bird sings
Only joy comes from song
She's so rare and beautiful to others
Why not just set her free
So she can Fly, fly, fly
Spreadin her wings and her song
Let her Fly, fly fly
For the whole world to see
She's like caged bird
Fly, fly Ooh just let her fly
Just let her fly
Just let her fly
Spread wings
Spread beauty
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** Meanwhile ***
Nick walked quietly in the silent hallways, hoping he'll get some sleep elsewhere than his dressing room...that was next to Brian's and well...he didn't know what they were doing in there but laughters, giggles and shrieks were disturbing his sleep.
As he walked, he got closer to the stage and heard a soft music coming from there. It wasn't loud... it was a soft melody that could lull anyone's spirit. He tip toed to the first door he saw, the one at the right edge of the stage. He peeked in and saw Gaby, playing this beautiful music and singing with it. He couldn't hear her because the sound of the piano was louder but... just to see her was enough to make his heart sink. She was crying as she played... this was such a beautiful and sad picture at the same time... he stood there a minute and then sat on the floor at the edge of the stage and closed his eyes, his mind drowned by the song.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** During this time ***
Gaby did the song a couple of times, singing her pain away. She was just feeling in another world...lost in some place alone..but it felt so right. As she played, tears fell on her cheeks and a little smile appeared slowly on her lips. Singing this song was making her feel like she really was free... that she really could be free...like a bird. When she felt that her eyes were dry and her crying was over, she stopped and opened them. She knew she was not free yet and that there were still a lot of things to work out but she felt her mind lighter and inside of her, she had a little hope that things would get better soon.
"That was amazing.." a voice said, what made her jump and turn around.
"Huh...thanks.." she replied fastly, whipping the tears away from her face.
"I didn't know you could play... " Aj smiled, sitting beside her.
"Oh...yeah I do...a little...but it's not that good I mean... " she started but he cut her off.
"What? Damn, not a lot of people can play and sing with that much ...emotion!" he said and she only shrugged as response, staring at the notes again. "You must have a huge weight on your mind to do that..." he added after a little moment of silence.
"Yeah.." she mumbled, looking down ashame.
"But you have the right way to deal with it.." he smiled again, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. She looked up at him and smiled too. "It was beautiful.." he added and kissed her on the cheek.
"Thanks.." she smiled.
"Wanna do it again... for me?!" he asked with a big grin.
"You want me to?" she almost whispered. He nodded his head yes and she turned to the piano, took a deep breath, closed her eyes and sang again. After that, Aj left her, knowing he had to take a nap before the concert. She stood behind the piano for a moment, not knowing what to do...until she heard a weird noise coming from the front of the stage. She walked slowly toward the edge of the stage and looked down. There was Nick... his back leaning against stage, eyes closed, mouth half open, snoring a little. She kneeled down and couldn't help but giggle at this cute sight. "Why can't we have a camera when we need one!?!" she thought, giggling again. Nick suddently opened his eyes, waking up by her small laughters and looked all around to know where it came from. She laughed again so he looked up and stared at her.
"Hey there sleepyhead!" she smiled. "Must be really tired to fall asleep in here!"
"Huh...yeah... I guess I was.." he mumbled, running a hand in his hair. "Why did you stop playing?"
"What?!?" she exclaimed, jumping off the stage.
"Why did you stop? It was beautiful.." he replied, staring at her eyes.
"For how long have you been hiding there???"
"Dunno... I fell asleep... But I went 'cause I heard you... " he said. "So, why did you stop?"
"Because I was feeling better... I guess..." she shrugged, looking down. "Anyways.. you shouldn't stay here, in case some crazy fans walk in and see you there..." she said, giggling as she streched out her hand to help him stand up.
"Yeah..." he took her hand and stood up.
"Why didn't you sleep in your dressing room? Must be a lot more quiet than here.." she spoke after a little moment of silence.
"Man...I wish!" he exclaimed with a little laugh. "The little couple in the next dressing room was a bit loud..."
"Oh.." Gaby smirked. "I see!"
"Those two sometimes..." he giggled. They kept walking silently for a moment when Gaby finally spoke out.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure!"
"Ya know...last week... at the club...can you just tell me once and for all what it meant to you?!" she asked before to let out a sigh. Finally, something that could maybe clear her mind. Nick stopped walking for a moment, speechless...what could he tell her...he didn't know himself! "It's okay you know if you tell me it was just...you know...on the moment but...I just want to know... " she added, feeling he was uncomfortable.
"Um..well... " he started but had no idea what to say. She stood there staring at him, waiting for an answer. "What was it for you?" he finally asked.
"It's not me we are talking about...it's you.." she said with a little laugh. "I wanna know what it meant to you! You're the one who kissed me anyways... so... was it just... a simple kiss like that or did it meant something for ya?"
"Huh.. well.." he started again and fell speechless.
"Seems hard to say!" she said, still smiling. "Well it's okay...if it didn't mean anything... I understand..."
"It's not that.." he suddently bursted out. She turned to him and stared.
"Then what? I mean, you kiss me..and then you invite that barmaid to rehearsals and stuff.. is she your girlfriend?"
"No... well...I don't know.. I don't think so..." he sighed, rubbing the side of his forehead with his fingers. "Really Gaby I'm sorry I'm just really mixed up these days..." he added, looking up at her.
"It's okay... I just wanted to know..." she said. "Don't worry... I didn't take it like a love sign or something... but I have to admit it felt good.." she added with a little smile.
"Yeah... it did!" he replied with smile. They stood there, in front of Nick's dressing room, looking at each other for a long moment.
"Well um...you should sleep if you wanna be in shape for the concert.." she told him.
"Um..I...yeah...I should.."
"See ya later then!" she waved and started walking away.
"Gaby?"
"Yeah???" she stopped and turned.
"Um... See ya later.." he said. She smiled and he watched her leave. When she was out of sight, he walked in his dressing room and jumped on the couch, closed his eyes and tried to get some sleep again.
