I looked at Nick with wide eyes. "Go on," I said, my heart starting to beat fast.

"Something happened twelve years ago that I have never been able to forget, something that I've always felt guilty about,". He paused and looked into space, tears in his eyes. "It was a hot summers day about this time of year," he carried on. "I was out fishing in the river with my friend... Adam...". He put his head in his hands and cried.

I put an arm around him and stroked his hair. "If it hurts too much, then you don't have to talk about it," I told him softly.

He shook his head. "It hurts, but I will tell you,". He wiped his eyes and carried on. "Adam and I were fishing, just the two of us. We were in my dad's little old fishing boat and we'd found a quiet spot on the river. We'd been there all day and it was late afternoon, we still hadn't caught anything...".

"Uh-huh,". I wondered where the story was leading.

"Suddenly, Adam got a bite on his line. He could tell it was a big fish. We got really excited and he jumped up to reel it in, while I went over the over side of the boat to get the keep-net...". His voice was cracking and the tears started to flow again. "The movement made the boat tip. Adam started to slip and I rushed over to his side but that made it worse... He... he...".

"He what?".

"He fell over the edge," Nick whispered. "The current was strong and pulled him further away. He couldn't swim!".

"Oh my God," I gasped. "Did you try and save him?".

He shook his head. "I was frozen in shock! I didn't know what to do. I was only eight... I eventually reached my hand out for him to grab but it was too late. He was too far away. The last thing I remembered was... him screaming for help as he sank,".

As he cried, I wrapped my arms around him in comfort. "That must have been awful for you," I said, almost crying myself.

He nodded. "Yeah... anyways, soon he was out of sight, I couldn't see him. So I went home crying and my mom asked me what was wrong. I managed to tell her what had happened and she reported it to the police and his parents. Two days later his body was found further upstream,".

"I'm so sorry,".

"I'm to blame!" Nick exclaimed. "I could have jumped in and saved him but I didn't. It was my fault he died, I'm a murderer!".

"No you're not," I said softly, stroking his hair. "It was an accident. You were young and didn't know how to react. Of course it wasn't your fault,".

"It was my fault," he repeated.

I sighed. My dad was a psychiatrist and he'd explained to me before, that traumatic events like that in childhood can haunt a person into adult life and make them always feel guilt-ridden, playing on their conscience. I felt terrible for Nick for having gone through it.

"But where does Jade and her blackmailing come into this?" I asked him, still puzzled.

"It was last year and I'd just split up with my longtime girlfriend," he said, wiping his eyes on his sleeve. "I was pretty sad and I was moping around backstage at an event I was at with the band. Jade was there and she recognised me. She came over and asked what was up, acting all nice. We got talking and she cheered me up. I was on the rebound, feeling lonely, so I asked her on a date. She accepted and we met in a restaurant the next day. I though she genuinely liked me, but later discovered that she was out for revenge. She'd recently had a bad experience with dating a celebrity and wanted revenge, but on me, cuz I'm famous too. All she really cares about is money so she can go out and shop. So she thought by dating me she'd get hold of my money and have a good lifestyle,".

"That's terrible," I exclaimed. "So you fell for it?".

He frowned. "Yeah. We'd been dating for a couple of weeks and she was over at my house one day. I was looking at old photos from my childhood and got upset over the pictures of Adam. She asked why I was upset, and stupidly, I told her about the event and said how guilty I felt and how I'd never want anyone to know about it,". He paused. "The next day, she came over again and pressed for more details on it. I told her the whole story again, then after she turned nasty on me for the first time. She produced a tiny little audio recorder from her pocket and played back the conversation of me talking about the incident. I was shocked and asked why she'd done it. She told me that I was a murderer and if the world knew of my story I'd lose all my fans. She said that my secret was safe with her, but only if I let her live in my house and spend as much of my money as she wanted,". He looked down at his hands miserably. "I was so dumb telling her! It's ruined my life. I'm stuck with her taking over my house and spending my money, I don't think I'll ever get rid of her...".

"And her contract with your record label?" I asked. "Was that part of the deal?".

"Yeah," he said. "She said she wanted to be a singer and that no record companies would take her on. She told me to start my own company for her and said that if she ever became mega-famous then she'd stop the blackmailing,".

"What a bitch," I muttered. "Hasn't she got a heart?!".

"I wish I could get her out of my life," Nick cried. "But I can't. She'd send the tape of the conversation to the press and the whole world will know that I'm a murderer,".

"You're not," I told him. "It was an accident, you didn't kill him,".

"I did, I could have saved him!".

"You were only a kid, you didn't know what to do!".

"Can you imagine the headlines on all the newspapers if she went public? 'Backstreet Boy was a child killer'. I can't ruin the group's reputation. All the fans would turn against us. I have to keep paying her, for the group's sake,".

This was a sticky situation and I didn't quite know what to do. Nick was convinced that what he'd done was awful and people would hate him if they knew. But it wasn't his fault and I doubted the reaction would be as bad as he said.

"I'm just gonna keep paying her until she's decided that it's enough and leaves," he said. "I've got her a lot of work and she's becoming quite a success, so I'm hoping her career will take off and she'll be content with that and stop blackmailing me like she agreed," he said.

"I hope for your sake that she stops soon. It must be terrible for you," I told him. "I noticed something was up when I first met you, you weren't the playful, happy Nick you always used to be,".

"Yeah," he agreed. "I just can't be cheerful while all this is going on. I want to have fun and relax, but I can't in this situation,". He shook his head. "What a mess I'm in,".

"Things will work out OK in the end," I said as I hugged him. "And I'll be here to help you,".

He smiled weakly. "Thanks," he whispered.

I was about to say something when I heard footsteps up the stairs. "I'd better be going home," Nick said, standing up. "Do I look like I've been crying?".

I shook my head. "Not really, you look fine,".

We left the room and went downstairs. Nick found his crown and put on his coat. "Thanks for inviting me to the party," Nick said as I opened the door for him.

"No problem, glad you could come. And your costume was very cool!".

"Yours too," he said. "You make a very pretty angel,".

I waved goodbye then went back to the party. It was late and by now most of the guests had left. The song on at that moment was The One. Hearing Nick's voice singing made me think.

"I'll be the one, to hold you. And make sure that you'll be alright. Cuz my fear is gone, and I want to. Take you from darkness to light...".

I hoped I could be the one to help Nick away from his darkness into light- help him become happier. I had been shocked at his revelation, I had no idea that was going on! I promised myself that I would do anything to help him and be as supportive as I could.

A couple of days later it was my birthday. I was sitting in the TV room opening my presents from the party when the doorbell rang.

"Delivery, are you Melody?".

"Yes," I said, taking the package from the delivery man and signing for it.

I went back to the TV room and opened the package. A smile spread across my face. My parents and Harmony had sent me some presents! That was nice of them.

I had just unwrapped the first gift when the phone rang. I picked it up. "Hello?".

"Mel?".

"Hi Nick!" I said, my heart flipping at the sound of his voice.

"I'm bored and Jade is out at a recording session. Want to come over play some video games?".

"Sure, or you could come here," I offered.

"What do you want to do?" he asked.

"I don't mind,".

"Come to my house, they're more to do here. Can you get over or shall I pick you up?".

"I can get over fine,".

"See you in a few?".

"Yeah, I'll be less than half an hour,".

"OK bye. And happy birthday!".

"Thanks! Later,".

After opening the rest of the presents, I put on some make-up and dressed in some cool new jeans that I'd had as a gift that day. I had to try and look good for Nick!

When I arrived at Nick's house, he was in the kitchen feeding the pugs. "Hi, how does it feel to be nineteen?" he asked, handing me a bunch of fresh flowers.

"Oooh thanks! Um, no different to eighteen," I laughed. "You look happier this morning,".

He nodded. "Jade's out all day, that's why!".

"Great, let's forget about her and enjoy ourselves,".

He smiled. "That's fine by me! But one thing first...".

"What?" I asked.

"Don't let Jade know that I told you. I don't want her to drag you into the mess. Pretend that you don't know anything about it. If she knew that I'd told you, she'd probably turn nasty on you as well,".

"OK," I agreed.

"And Mel, thanks for being so understanding at the party when I told you everything. You're so sweet,".

I blushed. "You don't have to thank me,".

"Now what game shall we play?" he asked.

Nick put the can of dog food into the cupboard and led me into the TV room. "You choose!" he said, pointing towards a crate of Playstation games.

We played video games for most of the day, then took in a couple of movies. It was the best birthday ever, being alone with Nick! And another thing that made it a great day was seeing Nick look relaxed. Confiding in me must have made him feel better, knowing he had someone to support him.

The end of the movie was pretty romantic. I edged myself closer to Nick on the couch and he slipped and arm around me. Feeling his warmth made my heart melt. How I wished I could be in his arms like that all the time!

But unfortunately, we were interrupted by a knock at the door. The pugs started to run around and bark.

Nick groaned and went to answer, as I paused the video. "Hi Brent," I heard him say. I let out a relieved sigh, glad it wasn't Jade.

Brent walked into the room, Nick behind him. "You remember Melody don't you?" Nick said to his friend.

"Yeah, hi Melody!" Brent said, smiling at me. "How did the tour go?".

"It went great thanks, how's your band going?".

The three of us talked about our music for a while until it was time for me to go. I had agreed to go into town and meet Daisy, to have a coffee out to celebrate my birthday. I was going to be late! I told the guys I had to go.

"Before you go, I'd better remind you about the TV show next week," Nick said. "I've made the arrangements, and booked us plane tickets. I'm meeting the guys at the studios so the two of us can fly together,".

"OK! Nick, I hope you get your roots done before you go on TV!" I joked.

I covered his head and pretended to be upset. "Hey, don't!". he laughed. "OK, I will, don't worry. It's just that since I haven't been out in public in so long I've been too lazy to do them,".

I laughed. "That's a good enough excuse! OK, see ya. Bye Brent,".

"Bye, and happy birthday," Brent said.

I walked out of the door holding my flowers, I could hear them whispering as I walked out. "She's cute!" I heard Brent whisper to Nick.

"I know! But I saw her first, so hands off, bud," I heard Nick reply.

Oh gosh! Did they really like me?! I walked to my car with a huge smile on my face. That had made the day officially my best birthday ever.

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