"I am not mad. I know you didn't want to lie to my friends and I. You had to tell us something so we wouldn't worry. Now, you have to tell him. Can I see him?"

"Yeah, but he's sleeping. We can go in and sit there staring at him. Waiting for something or someone. You want to do that?"

"I want to see my boyfriend." Denise walked into the room. She was happy to see Brian sleeping happily. He had the cutest face when he slept. Denise sat down. He cell phone rang. " Hello?" "Where is my car?" Kevin asked. "With me. You need it?"

"Where are you at?"

"You get three guesses and the first two don't count."

"At the hospital. Okay, but I need my car. Your friends want to know where you are."

"I'll have Nick come and get you, if he wants to. I have something to tell you."

"Okay, but tell Nick he better hurry."

"Okay, bye."

"Bye."

Denise hung up. She saw that Brian was up. She walked over to him. "Hey baby. What's up?" Brian asked.

"Brian, I have to tell you something."

"What is it baby? Did something happen?"

"Sort of. Nick lied to you and me yesterday. You don't have mono."

"I don't? Then what do I have? Cooties?" Brian laughed.

"It isn't funny. You didn't have a stroke either. You are really sick. The doctors don't even know what you have. It is the first case. There isn't a cure or name. Brian, the doctor's don't think you are gonna live. They are gonna keep monitoring you every hour."

"Nick lied to me? Why did he do that?"

"He didn't know how to tell us. Brian, I'm really sorry."

Brian thought about the last few sentences Denise just said. He started to cry. "I'm gonna die?"

"Oh no, do not say that. You might die, not you will. Brian, don't you dare say that. How long have we been friends? How many times have I said not to say that? Think about it. You are one of my best friends. I can't afford to lose you. Just as Nick can't. Do you understand?"

"Yes, ma'am. I understand. Can we change the subject?"

"Yes, we can. Do you know you look so cute when you sleep?"

"Only you and Leigh tell me that. I'm hungry. What's for breakfast?"

Denise laughed. "I, um, had donuts in Kev's car, but Nick took it back to Kevin. I'll go down to the vending machine to get something. Donuts okay?"

"Yeah, I'll be right here!"

"Okay."

Denise went to get some donuts from the vending machine. They had chocolate and glazed. She got Brian the glazed and herself the chocolate. She pulled out her purse and got some money. Standing behind her was AJ. Denise about to put the money into the slot until AJ scared her. "Boo!" AJ yelled.

"Don't do that! You scared me." Denise said. "Sorry, so, how's Bri?" AJ asked nervously.

"Not too good. AJ, did Nick tell you what was wrong with him?"

"No, the doctor told me. He has some unknown illness. He don't look very good. I'm scared about this. You must feel bad."

"AJ, how did this happen?" Denise cried. " He was perfectly fine a few days ago! What happened?"

AJ pulled Denise into a hug. "We don't know. No one does. It'll be okay. Don't cry."

"I have to get back to him. I have have donuts for him. He wanted them."

"Lets go. Where is everyone else?"

"Nicky took Kevin's car back to him because I stole it. Howie never came, and Bri is in bed. My friends are at Kevin's place. They'll be here soon."

Denise and AJ walked into Brian's room. " He, B! How are ya?" AJ asked. "I'm sick AJ. How do you think I am?" Brian said.

"Here are your donuts." Denise interrupted.

"Thank you honey."

"Well, you look better. Do you know what's wrong with you?" AJ said.

"Yes, I do. Do I really look better?"

"The truth?"

"Yes."

"I was just saying that to make you feel better. There, you have the truth. Now, do you want me to stay or leave you with your sweetheart and eat?"

"Stay if you want. I want everyone here though."

AJ grabbed a donut. "I'll stay. I have nothing else to do. My day is completely empty. Man, we never have anything to do anymore."

"AJ, we just recorded an album. What do you think we have been doing?"

"Well, since then. I have nothing to do, Rok! I'm bored."

"Well, you can always come and watch me die."

"Die? Who said you was gonna die?" Denise asked.

"You. You said there wasn't a cure or anything. So, that means I'm dying."

"Brian, don't you dare say that. You aren't gonna die."

"Who's gonna die?" Nick asked.

"Bri thinks he gonna die. Nick, tell him he's not gonna go."

"Frick, you aren't gonna die. I know you're afraid that there isn't a cure for what you have. Don't think about it. You'll be out of here as soon as you get better. Denise, um, Kevin wants to talk to you."

"Okay." Denise went into the waiting room. "Yes, Kevin? Oh, um, you guys can go in. AJ and Nick are in there."

Nicole and Cassie went in Brian's room. "Denise, is he okay?" Kevin asked.

"Yeah, why?"

"You sounded like something happened when you were on the phone with me."

"Did Nick tell you what was really wrong with Bri? I mean, the truth?"

"I know he told me the truth. If the doctor's don't figure out what is going on with Bri, I'm gonna be mad. Did he tell you?"

"He just told me today. He lied to me, but I don't blame him for lying. I know how it is when there is something wrong and it hurts to know the truth. Kevin, what if he does die. I mean, he thinks that he's gonna. What am I gonna do?"

"He isn't gonna die." Kevin said hugging Denise. "He'll be okay. Don't worry about it."

"Kevin, you're crying now. We better get in there before they get any ideas."

"Yeah, but stop crying. They'll know we were talking about Bri."

Denise and Kevin walked into the room. Brian was sitting up and talkative. "Hey, Kev. What's up?" Brian asked.

"Nothing. Why do you ask?" Kevin said.

"You look like you were crying."

"No I don't. So, anything new?"

"No, just sitting here, not being able to do anything."

"Just yesterday you were at the window."

"Yeah, but just yesterday, Nick was helping me stand. Kevin, I'm so weak I can barely walk!"

"It'll be okay. Don't worry."

Kevin and Brian talked for a while. There really wasn't much to talk about. They just came up with things along the way. Usually about Nick and how weird he is or how pretty everyone's girlfriend or, in Kevin's case, wife is.

"Nicole, why don't you go talk to Nick? He looks lonely." Cassie said.

"No, I can't." Nicole replied. Just then Nick came over and sat next to her. "Oh, hi Nick. What's up?"

"Nothing. Just watching AJ play with his jeans. He does that when he's nervous." Nick said.

"Yeah, I know." Nick yawned and put his arm around Nicole. Nicole moved closer to him and snuggled up next to him.

"Nicole, will you go out with me?" "What? I um, I, uh, sure!"

"Cool."

Cassie was yet to find someone. She was all-alone. She was wondering where Howie was. AJ sat down next to her. " Hey, little lady. What you doin' sittin' here all by yourself?" AJ asked.

"I don't know. What am I doing sitting here all my myself?" Cassie replied.

"Can I tell you something?"

"Sure, what?"

AJ whispered in her ear. "I like you."

"I like you too."

"Will you go out with me?"

"Sure, I will."

>>>>>

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