“So, do we need to call a surgeon?” Kevin was asking.

“Huh?” He had no idea what Kevin was talking about and frankly he really didn’t care. He just wanted to be left alone. He was here for rehearsal, wasn’t that enough? Couldn’t they just accept that as fair participation and move on? Apparently, not; or else Kevin wouldn’t be here bugging him about some stupid surgery for God knows who or why.

“A surgeon. You know, to remove what ever it is that has crawled up your ass?”

“Fuck off.”

“See that’s what I’m talking about. What’s wrong Nick. You and Brianna have another lovers fight?” He was teasing.

“See, that’s the problem. You all think you know more about us then you really do. There is no US. No lovers, hence no lovers’ quarrel. Got it?”

“Geese man, don’t bite my head off. I get it, you two aren’t a couple. Though why you aren’t none of us can figure out. It is obvious, and has been for a long time, how the two of you feel about each other.”

“Kevin stop trying to play God, or what ever it is you THINK you know how to do. It is obvious that we, as in Brianna and I, have always been JUST FRIENDS. Nothing more is ever going to come of it. And as it is now I’m not even sure if we are still friends. So just go fuck off, fuck Kristin, fuck someone, but leave me the fuck alone. Got it?” He didn’t wait for an answer before storming off to get some fresh air away from everyone else. He just wanted to be alone.

“What the hell was that all about?” Kevin said to himself.

“Something happened last night with him and Brianna.” Brian answered.

“Well no shit. What was it? What happened?”

“Don’t know exactly. All I know is he was banging on my door about 1 o’clock this morning. He looked exhausted and close to tears. Didn’t say much except to ask if minded if he slept in my room. I let him in, he went to couch without a word. That’s all I know.”

“He didn’t say anything? Not even this morning?”

“Nope. And as a matter of fact, after he went to his room to get dressed, when he came back out he seemed to be in even a worse mood. So I guess something more happened then. But again, he hasn’t said a word about what’s going on.”

“You think it’s Brianna?”

“Who else could it be?” Brian was puzzled, did Kevin think there was someone else in their room?

“No, I mean, you don’t think she’s jerking him around or anything? You know, pulling shit like, well, you know.” He hated to even think about it. They all liked Brianna. But the fact was they all had noticed subtle changes in her over the past year or so.

“Kevin! Of course not. I just think they are going through some growing pains, you know. Like all the stuff that’s been going on with us and her being in college. I know Nick had mentioned one time before that she seemed to be struggling a little in school. So, you know it’s probably just stress and stuff. They’ll get past it, I’m sure. They always do.” Brian was sitting next to Kevin sipping on a bottle of water when AJ and Howie walked up.

“Whoa, what set Nicky-boy off? He flew out of here like a firecracker.” It was Howie.

“Dunno, D. Your guess is as good as mine. He’s been upset all day.” Kevin answered.

“Well technically since last night, when what ever happened, happened.” Brian added.

“What happened?” AJ asked.

“Weren’t you listening?” Kevin went on. “We don’t know. Something happened to piss him off, but he’s not talking. So until he does we do as usual. Try to deal with his mood until he opens up.” The four agreed that was probably the best and only option at this point.

As they were walking back to the stage a light went off in Kevin’s head. “When you said he flew out of here, which way was he going?”

“Out of the arena.” Howie answered. They all four looked at each other, and started yelling for Eddie and the rest of the security. It was going to be an interesting afternoon, yes indeed.

<~ Chapter 74 or Chapter 76 ~>

In the End

Karina 2003