The tour began next week- the rehearsals were coming along okay, except that Fatima wasn't too thrilled with him. He sighed. Everything was turning out so screwy. When was it-
A sixth sense told him that he was being watched. Slowly, trying to make his movements natural, he turned around. He saw a glimpse of a woman staring directly at him, but it was enough. Sort of tall, with red hair; he turned back, shaking slightly. He jumped when a finger tapped him on the shoulder.
" Whoa, whoa, Nicky- it's only me." Brian said, calming him down. "Rather jumpy, aren't you?"
" You scared me, that's all." He replied, thinking, my God, I'm going paranoid- it's just a person who's keeping an eye on the people- snap out of this!
Brian gave him a 'yeah, right' look, then asked, "Where's Boner?"
Nick shrugged. "I saw him with Fatima just a minute ago."
Brian grunted. "Thanks." He was about to go, then stopped. "You sure you're OK? You can go ba-"
"I'm fine," Nick snapped, then wished he hadn't yelled so loud. Several heads turned and regarded him oddly. Luckily, Howie saved him from further embarrassment.
"Close call," he murmured when he drew Nick away. Nick leaned on the emergency exit door, closing his eyes. "Yeah. Sorry I lost it," he muttered.
"It's okay- we're used to you biting our heads off anyway."
"Jeez, thanks," he said wryly, then sighed. "I think I'm gonna go mad soon. I guess yesterday's call kinda got me paranoid-"
"Wait a minute. Yesterday?" Howie interrupted.
Cursing his own stupidity, Nick nodded.
"Again?"
Again, nod.
"Why didn't you tell us?"
Nick gave him a flat look. "I told you- it's my problem. I'm handling it."
"Not very well, obviously," Kevin said, joining them. Nick didn't say anything.
Finally, Kevin sighed. "Alright- we'll leave you alone. Now c'mon- speech time."
Nick groaned. "Oh man! Do I have to?"
"You know you do- so stop complaining." Came the unsympathetic reply.
"Great," he muttered.
Brian and AJ were already up on the stage, impatient look on their faces. "Finally!" AJ hissed. "What the hell took you so long?"
"Long story," Howie murmured.
Brian started out by welcoming everyone, and said a few words about the upcoming tour. Howie was next, thanking everyone he could think of. Nick had the slight suspicion that he had been practising in front of the mirror again.
Then he saw her- she was standing sort of at the back, watching him intently. Then just as quickly, when she had felt his eyes on her, disappeared out of sight. Nick felt the hairs on his neck standing on their edges. He felt unsteady and he actually wavered a little. A startled Brian was what kept him on his feet.
"Nick!" Kevin hissed under his breath. "It's your turn!"
He didn't know what he said, or how he got down from the stage, or how he managed to stay till the end. He could feel the gaze stabbing into his back every time he moved. He nearly cried with relief as the party ended and the limo took them back to the hotel- he was safe. For now.
Nick felt a premonition as soon as he had entered the club entrance. He wasn't that much of a social person to start with, and he was tired. Still, this was the launch party of their new album and it was a must that he attended. Sighing, he turned back to the group, his thoughts elsewhere. He didn't tell anyone that he had another call last night- and God-honest truth, he was freaked out. He seriously began to think about disconnecting any contactable numbers. The contents of the call were hideous as ever- he shivered at the memory of it.
"Eya!"
Kevin was next, outlining a few points on their next album, and thanking the producers. Nick wasn't paying attention. His eyes roamed over the crowd, dread filling his mind, afraid of that he might find there.
"How long?"
The others looked at him, puzzled. "How long what?" AJ asked.
Nick crossed his arms. "How long do I have to be baby-sitted?" he drawled.
It took a while to sink in. It would have been funny if he wasn't so tired. The others stared at him, hope in their eyes.
"Two months; see how it goes- after that, well, it depends on the results," Jeff said to him.
Nick nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. Then he got up. "I'm calling my mom- oh, and people?" he opened the door. "Don't even think for one minute that I'm considering anything. I'm just...... curious," he said, and went out.
Brian chuckled. "He's giving in."
"You're sure?" Mike asked. "Doesn't sound like it to me."
Brian grinned. "I know that tone. Mike, got anyone yet?"
Mike shook his head ruefully. "No- not yet. I'm still waiting." He frowned. "Hang on a sec. The office sent me a fax this morning. I'll go and check it." He got up and went out.
"The tour's next week," Kevin fretted.
"Calm down, Kev; Mike'll find someone," AJ soothed. "At least, I hope so. He can't go on like this. He was a wreck when we came back last night." He added worriedly.
"He was scared out of his wits. I could see it." Brian said gravely.
"Julian isn't helping either," Kevin added. "He's pressuring Nick- you know how they're on bad terms." AJ nodded.
"Give him some space- and time- and he'll come around." Howie said.
"Space? Sure. But on time-"
Mike strode in, a handful of fax paper in one hand, a funny look on his face. His eyes were dancing with silent mirth.
"We've got one." He said calmly.
"Well, who is he?" Brian asked.
To their astonishment, Mike roared with laughter. They stared at him. Laughing? Mike? Maybe this weird event was catching onto him.
"Yo, man, what's so funny?" AJ asked.
Still shaking with laughter, Mike handed him the fax paper. AJ read it, and a slow grin spread across his face. Then he was laughing as well. Bewildered, the others couldn't do anything but stare.
"Oh, this- is- too- rare," AJ gasped out between laughs.
"Boner, what's going on? What's so funny?" Howie asked, a little cross now.
"Here- read it," AJ handed him the curious piece of paper. Brian and Kevin crowded around Howie. A shocked silence prevailed for several minutes, only broken by Mike and AJ's chuckles.
"Oh. My. God," Kevin whispered, then looked up. "Nick's not gonna like this."
"Won't he just?" Brian chortled, an evil grin on his face. "Just get the camcorder ready to film when we break the news to him- oh, I can't wait!" he yelled.
Coming into the dressing room, Nick had heard the last bit. "Jeez, the tour's next week, Bri- you aren't that excited, are you?" he asked dryly. He was treated with five innocent looks. He looked around suspiciously. "What's going on here?"
"Oh, nothing," Howie said with a straight face. "Just hyped up. By the way, is the camcorder recharged? I think we'll need it."
