“Okay is everyone here?” Denise called from the front of the bus. No one answered. “Well I guess you all are but if I’m wrong it’s your fault”

“Yes we’re all here” Kevin finally called back.

“Good. It’s not like you could have answered me the first time” She mumbled under her breath. They all heard and laughed.

“Ahh you gotta love the cramped up buss” Nick said as he walked into the ‘living room’.

“It’s not that bad” Becca said looking up from her journal.

“Maybe not. What’cha writing?”

“Nothing much. Just some spare thoughts of mine”

“I have those moments too. But I don’t write. Not that I can. That’s what Mandy says”

“So? It doesn’t matter how good it sounds. Sometimes just writing things makes you feel better”

“Yeah you’re right. Wanna play Nintendo?”

“Sure” She threw her journal into her bunk. Or so she thought was her bunk. Mandy was peeking around the corner He’s flirting with her. He’s gonna pay for it.

“Hi baby” She sat down next to him. “What are you doing?”

“Trying to play a game. No! You can’t win!!! I’m gonna kick your ass!!”

“Whatever Carter!!”

“NOOO!!!! You’re gonna get it girl!!” Nick leaned over and started tickling Becca.

“Help me Howie!! Kevin!! Brian!! AJ!!”

“Have no fear, Brian’s here!!” He ran into the room in like superman. (you know what I mean)

“Great! Now who’s supposed to save Brian??” She got out between giggles.

“You’re gonna get it” Brian joined in the tickle wars.

“Okay, leave the poor girl alone.” Kevin pulled Becca up off the floor. “See now Kevin saved the day”

“My hero” Becca threw her arms around Kevin’s neck.

“You are one strange cookie” Kevin shook his head and walked back out.

“We’re here!” Denise called out. Everyone herded out. AJ grabbed his stuff out of his bunk but noticed there was something else. He grabbed the journal and flipped through a few pages. It was Becca. Curiosity got the best of him and he stuffed it in his bag. “We’re meeting for dinner at..” Denise glanced at her watch. “7 which means you have 2 hours to do whatever you want.” Everyone want off to their own room hoping to get the last bit of quiet time for the night.

*******************************************************************
Nick and Mandy’s Room...

“I saw what you were doing with that hoe” Nick looked up from the video game.

“What?”

“That hoe, Britney..”

“Becca”

“Whatever. Are you cheating on me with her? Are you?” Her voice rose with every word.

“NO! Can I do anything without you questioning it?”

“No! You can’t! I own you, got it?” She demanded through clenched teeth.

“You don’t own me Mandy!” He stood so he was facing her.

“Yes I do” She raised her fist and smacked him in the arm. “You got it? Don’t leave this room” She stormed out. He laid down on the bed and let the tears fall. Why does she always do this to me? There was a soft knock on the door.

“Nick?” He wiped his tears away. “Can I come in?”

“Yeah” he sniffled.

“I heard yelling. Are you okay?” He shook his head no. “What happened?” Should I tell her? He lifted up the sleeve of his shirt. There was only a small bruise but no doubt in a few hours it would have been bigger.

“Did she do this?” Becca whispered. He nodded yes. “Nick, this isn’t safe for you”

“I know but what am I gonna do? If I break up with her she’ll probably stalk me”

“That’s a risk you have to take sweety”

“I know. You should go now. We have to leave for dinner in an hour” She got up from the bed and walked to the door. Be he stopped her. “Becca..?

“Yeah?”

“Don’t tell any of the guys”

“Okay” She shut the door behind her. “Please help him” she prayed.

*******************************************************************
AJ’s room....

“I should do this but I gotta” He opened her journal and began reading. Half of him wanted to put it down but the other wanted to know more about her. “Omigawd... the poor girl” Despite what horrible things he had read he kept on not stopping until the end. “I wonder if Howie knows?” AJ glanced over to the clock. ‘6:48’. “I gotta go” He slipped on his clothes and met the others downstairs.

*******************************************************************

Becca’s Room

“Uhhh! Where is it!” She threw down her backpack in frustration.

“Where’s what?” Howie asked as he walked in the room.

“My journal. I threw it in my bunk with the rest of my stuff”

“Maybe it’s still threre”

“No I would have picked it up. Maybe someone found it and...” she trailed off.

“You don’t think?”

“Maybe...Oh g-d what if someone reads it. It had everything that I’ve been through”

“Honey don’t worry. It’ll be okay. Now come on, let’s go to dinner.”

“Okay” He lead her out the door.

*******************************************************************

Resturant....

“Man, I’m hungry” Nick rubbed his belly.

“As usual dude” Brian playfully punched him in the shoulder, right where Mandy had hit him. Nick winced but Brian didn’t notice.

“This way ladies and gentleman” the waiter grabbed some menus and lead everyone to the table.

“Nick have you done it yet?” Becca whispered to Nick.

“No, but I will”

“I sure hope so”