The rain thundered in a ferocious manner above the roof. Nick's head throbbed each time the earth shook with the venom of the storm. The Heavens were angry, and Nick hoped it was because of Kevin.
Nick tightened the blankets around his body and listened to the rain fall from above outside. A clap of thunder made him jump and remember Kevin's booming voice in his ears. He rolled over and looked outside the window to watch the silver droplets fall onto his window pane.
Nick sighed. He always loved the rain, he was always thought weird to love such gloomily weather. But in Nick's eyes, it wasn't gloomy, it was a sign of new life and prosperity. He could only hope it was true for him. He needed to be renewed that night.
However against his will, Nick stayed in bed. He knew that Kevin might still be there, he had heard him and Howie arguing before. The chance of him being at Nick's house was slim, but Nick didn't want to take that risk.
A cold cruel shiver fell down his spine. Pulling the blankets part way over his head, he began to cry softly. His bruised face would heal, but his shattered soul and broken trust with Kevin would remain scarred forever.
With these thoughts in his head, Nick fell into a light sleep. He fitted in and out of nightmares, dreaming of monsters he hadn't thought about since he turned fifteen.
* * * * * * *
In the his own kitchen, across town, Kevin sat with an empty beer bottle in his shaking hands. Running his thumb over the label he replayed what had happened in his mind. Why did he have to be so stupid? Why did he let himself get out of control? More then anything, Kevin wanted to rewind time and take back the things he did to Nick.
Kevin had broken his promise. Four years ago, he had promised to watch over everyone in the group and never hurt them. Especially Nick, he was the youngest, and he promised him so... But he had broken his promise. The distraught Kentuckian thought of how to talk to Nick and perhaps beg him for forgiveness. However he knew how Nick was. Nick had an uneasy trust, and because of that retched ghost the blonde no longer trusted Kevin
'I hate you Andrew...' he thought with venom against Andrew Cartelle. All this happened because of him. Nick was mad at him because of Andrew. The other guys were petrified for their lives because of Andrew. Kevin was miserable, because of Andrew.
It had to end, it all had to end now.
Grabbing the phone, he dialed a number he knew all to well. Brian picked up, his voice tired sounding and groggy.
"What do you want? Can't you let me sleep Kev..." His cousin didn't sit up in bed, he lay with his eyes closed, wishing Kevin away.
"No, This has to end, and it has to end now..."
"What?" Brian's eyes opened fully and filled with curiosity of what Kevin was saying.
"We've got to end this...It can't go on ANY longer, if we don't get rid of Andrew, we'll all be miserable for our remainder years with this house. Nick will suffer even more.."
"Kevin, no, stop. Don't you think you caused enough trouble for today?" Brian shook his head even though he knew his cousin could not see him. "I mean look at poor Nick, look at what you did to him!"
"No. We'll defeat Andrew..."
"Kev, you make it sound like a war..."
"You know what I mean...We'll beat him at his own game..." Brian, puzzled by his cousin's words, fully woke up. Had he gone nuts? "Get the others...this is over...now... Tell them to meet me at Nicky's house." He hung up without saying goodbye. Brian groaned and called AJ and Nick. AJ groaned when he heard and Howie answered at Nick's and told him he'd leave the door unlocked for them because he wanted at least several more minutes of sleep.
After flipping through the phone book for a couple of minutes, Kevin found the number he was looking for. He dialed it and hoped she was still awake.
"Hello?" The old lady's voice entered the phone.
"Uh-yes, Mrs. Sandaminne?"
"Yes?"
"This is Kevin Richardson, one of the bo-"
"Yes, I know, I've been waiting for your call." She said in a singly manner.
"Uh- Okay well, I want to know, how does one get rid of Andrew?"
"Simple. He must finish his concert."
"But how?"
"That's for you to find out. Goodbye..."
"Wait! Ma'am!" But the phone had already gone dead. Kevin cursed under his breath as he hung up the phone. Standing, he stretched and then made his way over to Nick's house.
He sat alone in the kitchen for some time before someone else entered.
Howie sleepily stepped into the room, rubbing his eyes. He had heard the door slam and had awakened again. "What do you want Kev? I wanna sleep..." He stopped and looked at Kevin who's eyes were blood shot from crying. "well, don't we look pretty tonight?"
Kevin looked at him and sneered, "Don't be a wise-ass..." Howie narrowed his eyes at him, still mad about the episode that happened that day.
"Shut-up child abuser..."
"For your information, Nick isn't a child."
"For you information, he's still younger than you." As Howie said that, Brian and AJ walked into the house and then the kitchen.
"What Kev, You’re gonna beat up Howie now too?" AJ said matter-of-factly
"No.." Kevin looked down feeling defeated.
"You guys, leave him alone, he feels bad enough," Brian said coming to Kevin's rescue.
"You’re only saying that because he's family," AJ answered back.
"AJ, quit it, he knows what he did, and he feels bad about it. Isn't that enough?" Brian folded his arms.
"That's no excuse!"
"I'm sorry..." Kevin looked up at them. A light glisten of tears stuck his eyes.
"Tell that to Nick," Howie said coldly. And that coldness is what made Kevin feel even worse. Howie wasn't the type to get mad at people. He never chose sides and never gave anyone the cold shoulder. Kevin knew he was in trouble.
And then Nick walked into the room.
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