Everyone was in their tour bus, sleeping or relaxing. They were all coming back from their last concert in Philadelphia and were now heading to Pittsburgh. Aj had decided to invite some of the dancers in his bus...so Lylian, Deryck, Amanda and Gaby were with him. And even if they knew they should have slept or relaxed, they were all laughing and joking around.
"Man... you guys should have a show only for yourselves!" Aj laughed, pointing at Gaby and Lylian who had been joking and making funny faces and imitating Britney Spears for the last 10 minutes. They were both feeling better now that they had talked and explained some things to each other. Gaby was still scared when she was alone...as was Lylian but since nothing had happened since that thing at the bar... they were starting to forget a little.
"No really... we like Britney...ain't that true Gaby?" Lylian giggled, sitting down on the couch.
"She doesn't dance... she shake her ass...not the same thing dude!" Lylian replied.
"But it damn works out well.." he laughed.
"I didn't say the opposite.. anyways...she looks a bit bitchy!"
"A bit? man that girl is so snob...well, when we met her...wasn't she Deryck?" Amanda exclaimed.
"Yeah...exactly like Ka...like...like.. Christina.." he replied, realizing fast enough Aj was in the place and he should not say that Katya is a bitch in front of him. The three girls understood and giggled to themselves.
"Well she's not that bad when you know her better.." Aj shrugged. "But it's true, when Justin is around..she's really snob! But you know who's a really good dancer??"
"You!?" Gaby smirked.
"Man... you realized? That's cool!" he smiled.
"No really, who were you talking about?" Amanda asked.
"Well, me!" he shouted as they all bursted out laughing. "What?! I'm the best of the five...all fans says so!"
"You're modest.." Deryck giggled.
"Yes I am...I'm also really realistic! Man, just ask your girlfriend and she'll tell ya I'm the best... ain't I Lily?"
"No... I am the best.." Deryck said, turning to her with a grin.
"Oh no please, don't ask me to choose!" she exclaimed. The two boys stared at her, waiting for an answer. "No I'm not doing this.."
"Can I answer for her?" Gaby said.
"Only if she already told you.." Aj replied.
"No please, don't do that...that's not fair!" Lylian said with a laugh. "Ok first, who's the best girl dancer then?"
"I don't wanna know!!" Amanda shouted.
"Why? Maybe it's you..." Aj grinned, wiggling his eyebrows.
"Maybe not!" she snapped with a laugh.
"Is you say I'm the best dancer, I'll say you're the best.." he said with a sly grin.
"Ok guys stop that!" Gaby interrupted. "I'll tell you who is the best... Fatima is 'cause she all showed you, and me, how to dance... so you can't argue with that!"
"She's right!!" Lylian and Amanda exclaimed at the same time and then bursted in laughters.
"You're right smart ass.." Aj said. "Damn, I wanted to know who was the best.."
"You said it was yourself...just keep thinking that, we don't care!" Gaby giggled as he sticked out his tongue.
"Well, I can tell you who has the cutest ass in the crew.." Aj said.
"We don't wanna know.." Lylian laughed.
"He'll say it's him again anyways.." Gaby whispered in Amanda's ear and the two laughed again.
"Amanda does!" he said as she blushed.
"Shut up!" she threw him a pillow.
"What? It's the truth...and I know Deryck used to think the same thing before Lylian arrived.." he grinned mischeviously as the three girls turned to Deryck, raising an eyebrow. Aj cracked up, seeing Deryck's red cheeks as he looked at Amanda and then Lylian. "This is so damn funny.."
"Ok! Enough...you deserve to get a serious ass kicking ya know that??" Gaby spoke, standing up with her hands on her hips. Aj stared at her with a huge smile as she walked closer and closer.
"What are you gonna do little girl?"
She smirked and took a pillow and started hitting him as they all laughed. After a moment, he finally pushed the pillow away and they started wrestling playfully on the floor. The three others kept watching them, laughing hysterically.
"Aj man..she's kicking your ass, do something!" Deryck shouted as Gaby kept hitting him playfully.
"Well you guys could help me instead of laughing!!!" he shouted between two hits.
"Aj's getting his ass kicked...Aj's getting his ass kicked.." Amanda sang. Aj was now laying on his stomach, his arms covering his head 'cause Gaby was hitting him with the pillow again.
"He doesn't even have a ass..." Gaby smirked, staring at him as she stopped to hit it for a moment to take her breath.
"What did you say???" he turned his head.
"Oh you heard me!" she grinned.
"You'll regret that!!" he shouted and jumped on her. They rolled on the floor for a few seconds and stopped when she was now laying on her stomach and Aj sitting on her legs, his two knees on each of her sides. The three others were laughing so hard they couldn't talk. "Ha-ah! What am I gonna do to you now..?!" he said, doing like he was thinking about something.
"Get off me!" Gaby yelled, moving her arms and her body, trying to push him away.
"Stop moving girl.. you won't be able to escape..I'm used to take my girls like that.." he joked.
"Ewww!! Get off me! Now!"
"God guys...please... stop!" Lylian said, unable to stop laughing.
"Anyone wanna play some tam-tam??" Aj grinned.
"Oh no you won't..." Gaby said, still trying to move away.
"Hey, you're just paying back for what you said! Maybe I don't have an ass but you do girl... and we'll use it for a moment.." he said with a evil laugh.
"Leave my butt alone!!"
"And 1, 2, 3.." he counted and started smacking her butt lightly, doing the beat of a song. "Everybody, rock your body, everybody, rock your body now, backstreet's back alright!!" he sang. Gaby couldn't stop giggling and finally lost her strenght to fight so she just layed there, laughing.
"There's no tam-tam in this song!" Deryck laughed.
"Now there is!" Aj shrugged with a giggle. "You know, it's pretty fun actually!"
"Oh please... " Gaby whined.
"If I stop, you won't jump on me and hit me again right?!" he asked.
"If you stop playing tam-tam on my ass right now... I won't do anything to you.." she answered, turning her head a little to look at him.
"Ok...say you are sorry for what you said first.."
"I'm sorry! You have the cutest LITTLE ass in the world.." she replied.
"Huh...that's better than nothing I guess.." he stopped and stood up. "Anyone else want me to practice my tam-tam on them?"
"No thanks!" they all said. Gaby stood up too and pushed him on the couch behind him before she walked toward the other one where Amanda was sitting.
"God... Look at those teenagers now...so violent!" Aj shook his head. "You didn't like me playing tam-tam with your butt?!"
"Oh shut up!!" she exclaimed with a laugh. "Now he'll go around and tell everyone.."
"Hell yeah! Something to be proud of ya know!" he smiled.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** In Brian's Bus ***
Brian and Nick were playing some football on playstation and Mary was watching them and reading a magazine.
"Hey Rok... know what would be cool?!" Nick asked.
"What?"
"Since we'll be in Pittsburgh for like three days, it'd be cool to go see a hockey game..."
"Yeah I thought about it too! It's been a while we haven't gone to one...Well, we should check out if there's one while we're there.." Brian said, his eyes glued to the tv screen. "In fact, because we're there for some concerts...I'm not sure if there will be one 'cause of the stadium and stuff.."
"We only have 2 shows... maybe the third day there will be one.." Nick shrugged.
"We should check this out.."
"Mary, could you take my laptop and go check?" Nick asked her.
"Can't do it by yourself?" she snapped..
"Ok.. I'll do it...no need to be rude.." he replied with a sigh. Brian turned to Mary and gave him a 'please' look. She sighed and rolled her eyes.
"Sorry..where's your laptop?!.." she apologized, knowing she had been a bit harsh for no reason.
"In my bag in the bunk room... Thanks!" he smiled.
"Alright...be right back.." she said and walked in the other room, closing the door behind her.
"So Nick... " Brian started.
"Huh.."
"You feeling alright man?"
"Yeah.."
"Sure?"
"Yeah I'm okay"
"Ya know, since we left New York, you seem kinda down.." Brian remarked. Nick shrugged and kept playing. "Man...what's wrong?"
"Nothing!!" Nick exclaimed.
"You still mixed up? Didn't get your ideas straight yet?"
"The more I think about it, the more I get mixed up so... "
"Had any news of Lexy?" Brian asked.
"No... maybe I'll call her in a few days... 'cause they are still in vacation so I guess they are not back home yet.." he said. "I don't know if I'll call her anyways.."
"Why not?!"
"Well...we had fun you know...and that's it.."
"Do you want more?" Brian asked and Nick shrugged again.
"... No... I don't think so... man I don't know!" he whined, rubbing his face with his hands. "There's also Lylian and Gaby who like stopped talking to me!"
"Lylian has a boyfriend now...it's a bit normal.."
"Yeah but she haven't spoken ONE word to me since ... damn last time was the last rehearsal two days ago or something!" Nick exclaimed. "Ok so maybe we're not a couple or anything but she can still talk to me.. "
"Talk to her!"
"I try but she just... reply fastly or just one or two words...and I don't know what to tell her after that.."
"You miss her as a friend?!" Brian demanded.
"Yeah I guess so...you know when she was showing the dance moves in private...it was really cool we had a lot of fun...and yeah we were a bit flirting but still..it was just fun..." he said.
"Yeah I see...and what about Gaby?"
"Like...three days ago she asked me what that kiss was about...because you know, Lexy and all..."
"What did you say??"
"She said it was ok if it didn't mean anything but I said it wasn't that... that I was mixed up and didn't really know right now.."
"Then what?"
"She said it was okay and then left but we haven't spoken a word since!! She doesn't look mad or anything... but now she's always hanging out with you or Lily or Aj.."
"Yeah ... but maybe you hurt and she just doesn't wanna show it. You know, she've been through a lot..more than you can ever think..and well I think she's used to hide her feelings..." Brian sighed.
"But I would just like her to talk to me...you know like she talk to you... she seems so upset sometimes and I'd just like to help her.."
"Really?"
"Yeah! The other day I heard her sing and play piano in the stadium...she was crying as she was playing and it was just... so sad and I'd like to help her but I just don't know how!"
"I don't really know either... but maybe she'd like you to help her...I mean, she never told anyone what happened to her for the last years... Lylian told us... but she never opened up to anyone... maybe she would do it with you...I don't know.."
"Maybe.." Nick said with a little smile.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** An hour later ***
"We're finally there!" Brian exclaimed as he stepped out the bus. It was really early in the morning and there were only a few fans in front of the hotel, waiting for their idols to arrived.
"So, in two days, we're going to the game?" Nick asked.
"Yup, it'll be cool! And we could leave right after and join everyone to the next venue.."
"Sounds good to me!" Nick smiled.
"What sounds good to you?" Aj asked, walking toward them.
"Hockey game in two days.."
"Really? Man..that sounds really cool! We should go with a little gang...it'd be fun!" Aj exclaimed.
"Yeah maybe!" Nick replied, taking his loggages. Aj saw Gaby and Amanda leaving his bus and smirked. He ran behind them and smacked Gaby's butt.
"MCLEAN!!!! YOU ARE A NO ASS DEAD BODY!!!!" Gaby yelled. She threw her bags on the floor and ran after him. They all stared at them laughing, as they both ran after each other in the lobby.
"What's that all about??" Nick asked with a frown.
"Oh man, you guys missed something in the bus.." Amanda said giggling. "Those two wrestled.."
"Really??" Mary laughed. "Who won?"
"Gaby was winning ...but then she told him he had no ass and he got mad.." Deryck explained.
"And then he took her over and played tam-tam on her butt?" Nick finished.
"Yeah...how d'you know?" Lylian asked.
"Nicky here already made that mistake too..." Brian giggled.
"What??!?!" she exclaimed with a laugh. "Aj played tam-tam on you??"
"Huh... yeah... " Nick groaned but kept his smile. Mary, Lylian and Amanda bursted out laughing.
"God I would pay to see that again!!" Amanda said between two laughs.
"I end up hitting him and almost broke his nose so...." Nick replied, shaking his head no. The girls laughed again and turned to look in the lobby, where Aj was laying on his back, Gaby with her legs on each sides of his chest, smacking his cheeks playfully as they both laughed.
"Those two are happy today.." Brian giggled as he walked in the hotel.
"They have not slept enough I think.." Lylian smiled.
"Ok everyone! Go to sleep we have a big day tomorrow!" Kevin spoke out. "Time to go sleep babies!" he added, turning to Gaby and Aj. The two stood up and took their loggages. They went in the second elevator with some of the dancers, Mary, Brian and Nick.
"Good night my little tam-tam!" Aj grinned as Gaby stepped out of the elevator with some of the dancers.
"Good night 'No Ass Man' ..." she sticked out her tongue before the doors closed.
"Man!" Aj laughed as they went up to another level where the Boys room were.
"You two seems to get along great since a few days.." Nick remarked, a bit harshly.
"Yeah... you jealous?" Aj snapped.
"No..."
"Then what is your problem?"
"Don't have one.."
"Yeah right!" Aj rolled his eyes. "You've been on my back for the last week! damn! I didn't do anything to you and if you're scared that Gaby end up in my bed then stop worrying, it never happened and it won't! I can be friend with girls... " Aj shot angrily.
"What's that suppose to mean?? How many girl friends did you have and never screwed?? I'm sure you can count them on one hand..." Nick asked.
"Ok guys please.." Brian said. "Let's go sleep... "
"Yeah maybe but at least I'm not broking some really sweet girl's heart!" Aj spatted and stormed into his room. Nick stood there, looking at the closed door.
"Nick man...let's go sleep.." said Brian, really softly as he put an hand on his friend's shoulder. "We'll talk about this later.."
"Yeah.." Nick sighed sadly and went to his room.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** In the morning ***
"Yo D! What's up man?" Aj called, running to the elevator where Howie was standing.
"Nothing much...what 'bout you?"
"Nothing either... so, how are things going on with Michelle? It's been a while since I haven't talked to ya about it.."
"Yeah...well things are great!" Howie said with a little smile.
"And..?!" Aj raised an eyebrow. Howie sighed and walked in the elevator.
"And it's just hard sometimes ya know... medias are always around and spreading tons of gossips...it's getting really annoying! I can't have a moment alone with her... and if we go out in public, there's always someone who reconizes us and then report it to the medias... it's pissing me off! Plus we always need the bodyguards... they're almost sleeping in our bed ya know!" Howie explained, shaking his head. "I'd like us to go out once, and be left alone... no one around..."
"Yeah I understand that man.."
"I don't think you can... you know, we all whine about our love life being in the open all the time ya know.. but believe me, it's really REALLY different when the girl is famous too!" Howie groaned.
"Then I'll pray that Katya's record deal doesn't work.." Aj giggled.
"Talking about Katya...how is she doing? Where is she?" Howie asked with a laugh.
"L.A.! Recording some songs.." Aj answered. "She said she'll call when it'll be over and she'll come back.."
"Oh I see! When was the last time you talked to her?"
"Like...yesterday.. why?" Aj asked as the two friends walked in the empty restaurant of the hotel.
"Just asking... " Howie replied and paused for a moment. The two sat down and ordered breakfast. After a moment, Howie finally spoke again.. "Aj..."
"Yeah?"
"Do you love her?" Howie demanded, looking at him straight in the eyes.
"Why are you asking this?"
"I mean.. I don't know...you doesn't seem to care much about her... you know she's acting bossy and bitchy all around...no one really likes her... and you are flirting too... something happened with Amanda, I know.."
"How do you know that?" Aj shouted, wide eyes.
"That's not the point, ya know it... you flirt, you're being unfaithful to her... so I mean...if you would really love her, I don't think you would do that...I guess... And you know she is acting the same way toward you so... really, where is this relationship going??" Howie said, always keeping his kind tone.
"I...I... " Aj fell silent for a moment. He knew Howie was right... man, this guy was always right. "I know all that... I just... I.. "
"You're not oblige to say if you don't want it's just... I'd like to see you really happy with someone... 'Cause I know you can... You just need to find the right person! But Katya... I don't think she is that person..." Howie said with a sorry smile.
"I'm gonna tell you something ..."
"What?"
"I don't love her... man...I don't even know if I care for this girl...she was sweet at the beginning and now that she has her record deal..damn I know she's using me but... I'm scared.." Aj said with sad eyes, looking at his plate.
"Scared? Aj's scared? Of what??"
"Of being alone... I don't like to be alone... it scares me... "
"Aj, it's not because you don't have a girl to be with at night that you are alone... who do you think we are? You have your friends, the band, the dancers....your family!"
"Yeah but it's not the same thing... D, I've always been with a girl... man I think I can't say I've already been single for the last 5 years or something... "
"But maybe that's what you need!!" Howie exclaimed. "Anyways Aj, maybe you were always with a girl but you weren't always acting that way! I think you flirt even more when you're going out with someone.." he added with a laugh.
"What...I'm a ladies man.." Aj chuckled.
"Yeah but seriously, think about it... or at least break up with Katya 'cause we both know she's not the kind of girl you need.." Howie said.
"Yeah, I'll think about it." Aj smiled weakly and ate the food that was waiting in front of him.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
*** Before the concert ***
"Aj..." Nick started, tighting his outfit around himself.
"What?" Aj mumbled, not turning around. The two had not talked of all day and Aj was still pissed. Well, they both knew they had argued about something silly but they were both too stubborn to apologize. But now that they were alone...Nick couldn't help but ask.
"You know...what you said yesterday before you went in your room... did Gaby tell you about that? I mean...did she... did she tell you that.."
"You broke her heart?" Aj finished, finally turning and facing his friend.
"Yes..."
"No she did not.." Aj replied, running an hand in his short black hair. "It's just...I mean...I'm sure she feels a bit hurt... but at least you told her the truth.." he added, shrugging.
"Yeah... "
"Anyways! Ya ready for the show?" Aj bounced.
"Sure! I'm always ready ya know that dude!" Nick laughed.
"Awright! I dunno why...I feel weird tonight! Like a really high of energy but in the same time, like I shouldn't get too excited...that's whack man...I don't like that feeling!" he giggled.
"Man, push that away! You're just a bit stressed...that's all!" Nick smiled.
"Yeah! Awright! Let's PARTAY!" Aj shouted, running out of the room to join the others. Nick finished getting dressed and followed him out the room. As he walked closer to the stage, he also felt a suddent high of energy...like something great would finally happen. He smiled and joined the little gang that was bouncing and laughing behind the stage.
A few minutes later, they all ran on stage as loud screams filled the stadium. They did their routines and sang their songs like they usually were doing. Nothing seemed different except Aj and Nick that were particulary in shape that night, making the fans screamed and danced all night long.
Aj was singing is part of "More Than That", staring deeply at the crowded, scanning the faces when his heart skipped a beat. He couldn't believe his eyes... what was she doing here? That apparition made him forgot the words of the song and he just stood there, staring in front of him...
