Chapter 1

"Rise and shine!" Kevin Richardson's loud voice echoed through the aisle of the drafty tour bus.

His small cousin Brian Littrell peaked out his head from beneath his numerous blankets. "Hmmm.....What time is it?"

"Five o'clock."

Sandy-blonde haired man yawned. "In the morning?"

Kevin cocked an eyebrow speaking slowly. "Brian, is the sun out?"

"Ah!" Brian sighed squinting. "Yes!"

"Then, it must be morning, right?"

"Yes, Master Richardson."

The older man shook his head. "Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning!"

"Humph!" And with that said Brian flopped to his opposite side burying himself beneath the warm layers.

"I'll give you five more minutes-not one extra!" Kevin informed him as he walked through the aisle. "Wake up, guys!"

Nick lifted his quilt showcasing his tangled blonde mane. "I don't feel good!"

Kevin rolled his eyes. "Nick, you never feel good during wake up call!"

The 15-year-old crossed his arms. "Who DOES feel good when they wake up at five o'clock!"

"Would you just shut up and get ready?"

"I bet Lou Pearlman doesn't have to wake this early and he gets more money than we do!"

"Blondie, now isn't the time to be politically, just get you're ass out of your bunk."

"Fine," the young teen mumbled dragging himself to the bathroom.

Howie sat up. "Man, I hate this job! Hasn't management heard of 9-5 by any chance?"

"They're only thinking of promotion regardless of time, Howie D."

The Latino shoved his legs over the bunk. "We've been spent all of '95 in Europe between gigs and recordings."

"It'll all be worth it someday, I just know it."

"I hope than comes soon." He tilted his head. "Man, is Nicky already in the bathroom?"

"Yep. Quick thinking." Kevin ventured further down the aisle. "AJ! AJ! Yo, Alex!"

"Mmmmmm.....Hmmmmmmm....Nhhhhh" a raspy voice whined hiding his multi-colored head under his pillow.

"Come on, you know you gotta' get up!"

"Yeah.....yeah....in five more minutes!"

"You already got that because I got to you last, which reminds me..." He took a deep breath. "BRIAN THOMAS LITTRELL GET UP!"

AJ jumped covering his ears. "Why in the hell did you have to do that?"

He shrugged. "Something Aunt Jackie taught me, always worked for her. Use his middle name and it's clear sailing."

"I bet. Why can't your family reunions be quieter?" the teen hissed getting out his bed. "Damnit! That little shit got to the john!"

Kevin took a deep breath. "Watch the language, J."

"Sorry, Kev, I don't obey rules until after twelve noon."

Brian joined them. "How long has Nick been in there? It's not like there's a shower to take up valuable time."

Howie stood outside the small door banging against it with all his might. "Come on, Nick, time's up!"

The youngest member stumbled out rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Sorry," he yawned.

AJ shook his head. "Were you playing with yourself again, Nicky-Boy?"

"No, Gay-J, I fell asleep creating number two!"

"Did-did you hear that, Kev?" the rebel growled putting up his fists. "Did you hear what he called me?!"

Kevin forced him into the small restroom. "Yes, I did and you deserved it, however, that doesn't excuse it."

Howie's jaw dropped. "Kev, I was next!"

"Sorry I just wanted to shut him up!"

The Puerto-Rican moped back to his bed taking a seat. "What does it matter, anyway?"

Kevin smiled. "Thanks, Howie."

Nick returned to his bunk wrapping a blanket around himself. "It's too cold on this bus."

"I'll agree with that," Brian replied with a shiver. "Can't you do something about it, Kevin?"

Howie looked up. "Yeah, can you, Kev?"

Kevin massaged his temples. "Why do you always come to me with these things? Who put me in charge?"

The three singers exchanged looks speaking in unison. "You did."

AJ exited the restroom. "Damn freezing metal piss holder!"

"AJ, language."

"Suck dick."

Howie hurried to the small latrine. "Ah, it's all mine!"

"Hey, guys!" the bus driver's thick accented voice called. "We're here. You might want to make yourselves presentable."

"Why?" Nick questioned. "It's only a recording day, Conrad."

The old man shrugged his tired shoulders. "Just an idea...ACHOO!"

"Bless you," Kevin said changing his shirt. "You okay, Rad?"

"Yeah, just a touch of the flu, I reckon."

"Sorry dude," Brian whispered tying his shoelaces.

"Guys, try to stay away from Conrad," Kevin instructed.

"Why would we do that?" AJ asked turning his cap backwards.

"Simple. You guys don't want the flu, right?"

His cousin grinned. "I wouldn't mind if it would mean a few days off."

"As if that would happen," Nick bellowed.

"The kid's right," AJ replied. "But, Train, we had our shots before we came over, right?"

He nodded. "Yeah, but being in a whole different country the rest of you are still at risk."

"What do you mean 'the rest of you'?" Nick repeated.

Kevin laughed. "Aw, come on, as if I could get sick."

Brian rolled his eyes. "Who knew we were singing with Superman over here. Besides, how can we stay away? It's 16-foot bus. Not much room to hide."

"Just try your best not to get sick."

"Try?" Howie chuckled as he re-joined them. "You say that as if we have the power to stop it."

The eldest member laughed. "I wouldn't know. I don't get sick."

"Hey, you guys gonna' record today or not?" Conrad laughed.

The boys grabbed their jackets. "We're coming!"

**********************

"Man, I just can't get it today!" AJ shouted kicking the floor in frustation.

"Just relax," the songwriter assured him.

"But, Max, I never do this bad!"

Max Martin sighed. "You're not doing bad. Your voice just sounds tired, kinda' strained. I'm afraid if you push it you'll lose it completely."

Kevin frowned. "He could be catching Conrad's flu bug."

The teen shook his head. "Nah. I feel fine."

"I doubt it's anything serious. It's probably just from singing so much lately. I'll tell you what we'll do. AJ, you just sit back and look over some lyrics and we'll get down some other solos, okay?"

AJ sank into his chair. "I guess."

"Okay, Nick, you take over."

****************************

"Damn, I'm ready to leave!"

Howie set down his tea. "What jumped up your ass, AJ?"

"I've been sitting uselessly in a recording studio for four hours doing nothing productive," the rebel bellowed.

"Well, you've got down the lyrics."

He shrugged. "Yeah, lyrics Max won't let me sing."

Kevin glanced up from his magazine. "It's for your own good."

"I know," he grumbled.

"Hey, guys, we have to cut this short!" their tour manager explained entering the studio.

"Why, Johnny?" Brian asked facing away from Nick's gameboy.

"Conrad's sick. So, we're putting you boys in a hotel."

"I thought we were doing press in a different city tomorrow?" Kevin stated.

The man nodded. "Yes, and because of that we're leaving now to get you guys there in the van."

Nick wrinkled his nose. "The cold van? As in colder than the bus?"

Johnny rolled his eyes. "Yes, Nick. Everyone get your stuff from the bus and haul out."

"What do you know," Kevin whispered to Howie, "the slave-driver let us out of recording early."

Johnny cleared his throat. "Recording will resume after press tomorrow morning!"

Howie sighed. "You spoke too soon."

**********************************************

"ONE ROOM!" Kevin fumed.

"It's all the hotel had left," Johnny replied. "Besides, the room has two big beds."

"Yeah, TWO and there's FIVE of us!"

"Calm down, Kevin, it's only one night!"

The Kentuckian crossed his arms. "That's one night too many!"

Johnny turned walking away. "Suck it up, Richardson!"

Kevin gritted his teeth. "I really don't like that man."

Brian shivered. "We can tell, and I think his feelings are mutual. However, could we move along this lobby is freezing."

The five unhappily made the journey to the small hotel room. Kevin fumbled with the key opening the small wooden door. Howie frowned as he peered inside. "It's so plain. No refridegator, plastic table, a tiny tv..."

Brian threw himself against the bed. "Who cares? It's warm and has blankets!"

AJ settled himself. "Brian has a good point and I'm tired."

"What are we gonna' do about dinner?" Nick asked massaging his tummy.

Kevin glanced at his watch. "I dunno......find vending machines, I guess."

AJ removed his coat and hat. "Do they have those in Europe?"

The eldest member shrugged. "I guess we'll find out."

Brian snuggled in his blankets. "Who cares about food! It's warm!"

"Cousin, you have issues," Kevin sighed digging through his wallet for his newly transfered money.

Howie repeated the same action. "What do you guys want?"

"Anything, I'm not picky," Nick responsed.

"That's a matter of opinion," Kevin grumbled. "AJ, Bri, what do you two want?"

AJ rested his head against the pillow. "I don't care."

Brian shrugged. "Whatever."

"You wanna' come with me, Howie?"

The Latino nodded. "Sure. Be back in a few guys."

***************************************

"I hope this is edible," Kevin mumbled as he re-entered the hotel room.

Howie stared at the white boxes. "Did the guys downstairs say what this was?"

Kevin open the large containers. "I think it's potatoes.....maybe eggs?"

"Europeans have wacky food," Howie determined.

Nick glanced at the boxes. "What's that smell?"

Kevin frowned. "Dinner. Whatever the hell it is."

Nick took a seat. "Well, I'm hungry enough to eat a horse."

Brian gasped. "For all we know that just might be what we're eating...."

"Spare us, Bri. Where's AJ?"

"Asleep."

Kevin pressed his hand against the mattress bouncing it up and down. "AJ, get up."

"Mmm.....Marissa...Marissa....Make me bounce!"

"AJ!" Howie and Kevin shouted in unison.

"Huh?" AJ gasped his eyes opening widely.

"Dinner."

Nick picked at his mystery meal. "So, what are the sleeping arrangements?"

Kevin turned away from the horrid creation on his place. "Brian and Nick, Howie and AJ and I'll take the couch."

"I have to share with Nick?" Brian complained. "He kicks!"

AJ groaned. "Howie snores!"

Kevin's nostrils flared in frustation. "If everyone is so unhappy one of you can bunk with me!"

Brian and AJ exchanged looks of disgust. "The arrangements are fine."

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