Chapter 2
"Ow! Nick stop kicking me!" Brian whined.
"I'm not kicking you," the small blonde mumbled into his pillow.
Kevin rolled his eyes. "I don't care if he was or not kicking- it's time to get ready."
Howie shivered. "AJ, you brat! You stole the covers all night!"
"So, you were snoring in my ear! I couldn't sleep at all!" AJ's raspy voice bellowed.
"At least, you won't have hypothermia."
Brian raised an eyebrow. "Hey, AJ, you losing your voice?"
"No," the teen squeaked.
"N-ooooo!" Kevin mimicked highering his pitch.
Howie shook his head. "Man, AJ I thought your voice already changed."
"Shut up, Howi-E!"
The two oldest members burst into uncontrolled laughter. Kevin sighed. "Good luck in the interview today, kid." He paused staring at the beds. "Um....guys are you gonna' get ready? Or do you want to stay in bed together?"
AJ threw off the covers jumping out of bed. "Dud-ee! You are sick-k!'"
Howie bit his tongue to keep from laughing in the rebel's face. "AJ, do we need to talk about the birds and bees?"
AJ brought a hand to his throat realizing speaking would only encourage their humor. He grunted flashing his middle finger entering the small bathroom.
Brian glanced at his Bible. "Do you think God sees everything? Cuz if so.....that boy is in trouble."
"Only Brian would think of that," his cousin chuckled.
Howie pointed a finger at Nick's bed. "Is he alive?"
"Nick......Nick wake up," Brian begged shaking his shoulder.
"Hmm....Mmm.....I don't feel good," he pouted.
Kevin glanced at his watch. "Of course, you don't-it's 5:15. Nice try."
Nick sat up with a grimace. "One day it'll work, I swear."
"Uh huh, when pigs fly," Kevin replied adjusting his belt loops.
Nick stood outside the bathroom. "AJ, I gotta' piss!"
"Watch your language," Kevin instructed.
"Oh, as if you don't cuss!" the young boy whined . "AJ-J-J-J! HUR-R-R-RY!"
AJ sighed. "One min-UTE!"
Nick laughed. "Okay, Kermit."
"Ker-MIT?" AJ asked slamming the door open.
"Yeah, you've got a frog in your throat!"
AJ made a dash to tackle the young blonde. "Ha, ha!" the fifteen-year-old sang ducking inside the restroom locking the door.
Howie buttoned his top. "What type of interview is this today, Kev?"
"Tennybopper magazine. Cheesy all around."
AJ tossed his t-shirt aside. "Are we recording to-DAY?"
Kevin chuckled. "Well, some of us are. I don't know about you."
"Hey, I will b-E just FI-ne!"
His band continued to laugh at his expense.
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"We're going back to the hotel after the recording!" Kevin complained as he buckled his seat belt.
Johnny started the van's engine. "Calm down. The hotels near the studio are full sorry, tough break."
Brian sighed. "Another night of kicking."
"Another NI-ght of Howie's s-nooorrrring," AJ squeaked.
Howie shook his head. "You know, AJ, the best cure is to rest your voice."
Nick looked up from his gameboy. "AJ, what Howie means is shut up."
Brian patted his shoulder. "Kid, I think he could figure it out."
Kevin looked at Johnny pleadingly. "You don't understand! We CANNOT take another night together in one room!"
He shrugged. "Kevin, if it upsets you that much you could always sleep in the hallway."
"Ernnnhhhh....." Kevin growled biting his teeth together outside his small window.
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"Man, all that travelling for a day of recording that truly sucked ass," Howie whispered entering the small hotel room.
"Yeah, what's even worse it's that we have to eat the mystery meal again," Brian added staring at the smelly boxes.
Nick set at the table. "Man, it makes me feel bad that I ever complained when my mom gave us TV dinners.."
Kevin passed out the lumpy creations. "Maybe we can actually identify what we swallow."
"Don't count on it," Howie said filling five glasses with water.
Brian glanced at his meal. "Um........Guys, I think this needs a prayer."
"Agreed," they answered in unison.
They brought their hands together as Brian guided them. "Dear Heavenly Father, WE thank you for this meal.....whatever it may be. And for the strength we give each other. Please guide us through our struggles and help us to keep this meal down Amen."
"Amen," the other voices echoed.
Howie lifted his fork. "Well, the day wasn't a total waste. We got in some interviews and Brian landed down some great solos."
Kevin shrugged. "I guess it was tolerable."
"That an eyeball?" Nick asked lifting up a piece of the food.
Brian dropped his napkin. "So much for that meal."
"Come on, Brian, you need to eat," Kevin lectured.
"Sure thing, Kev, as long as I know what I'm eating!"
Howie stared at his plate. "I might have a package of crackers in my bag anybody want some?"
"ME!" Nick, Brian and Kevin shouted immediately.
Howie frowned. "What about you, AJ?"
AJ massaged his throat. "It hurts too much to swallow."
"Man, you've almost lost your voice completely."
"I know." AJ stood. "I don't feel good I'm going to bed."
Kevin relaxed his arms behind his head. "What did I tell 'ya? I knew ya'll would get sick!"
Brian groaned. "Shut up, Superman. That's only one member."
Kevin laughed. "Face it, cuz. These things work in numbers!"