Epilogue:

 

Standing Tall

 

A.J. drew in a deep breath, trying to relax. Nervousness was nothing new to him, but near-paralysis was. He crept closer to the stage, straining his ears to pick up the chant of the crowd, and a new feeling crept in to the pit of his stomach, one of delirious joy.

 

The opening acts were done, and the crowd was ready and waiting. They had picked up a steady chant, demanding to see their Boys. They had waited long enough.

 

“You ok, Bone?” Howie asked, putting his hand on the back of A.J.’s shoulder. A.J. jumped.

 

“Yeah, I’m fine.” He broke into a smile.

 

“What is it?”

 

“Will you listen to that?” he asked, pointing toward the stage and the screams of the audience. “That is for us.”

 

“I know,” Howie said with a laugh.

 

“Damn,” was all he said.

 

Whoohoo!” Nick hollered, running up behind them. “Are we ready to rock this house?”

 

Brian watched his best friend for a moment, with a far away look in his eye.

 

“Brian?” Nick asked questionably.

 

“Do me a favor,” Brian said.

 

“What?”

 

“Don’t ever let me see you in a hospital bed again. I like you this way much better.”

 

Nick grinned, and punched him affectionately on the shoulder. “Deal.”

 

“BSB what time is it?” Kevin yelled.

 

The spark in their eyes was infectious. The small crowd backstage began to clap in rhythm.

 

“It’s time to go to work y’all!” they shouted.

 

“What kind of work?” Kevin hollered.

 

Hard work!”

 

The determination of five young men swelled together, creating a confidence that was unbreakable. They lined up together and prepared to take the stage.

 

“Lets do this!” A.J. yelled.

 

 

They ran out onto the stage to the thunderous cheers and yells of the packed arena.

 

“Hey everybody!” A.J. screamed. “Backstreet’s back all right!”

 

Feeling the rush of the crowd crawl its way through shaking up his heart and soul, and the love that seeped in from all around them, Brian threw his arms out to the side, welcoming it. They had made it. They were back. They had stuck by each other, and they had survived. The joy that flooded every pore of his body was a feeling he never wanted to let go of. He felt his voice fill his lungs, and when he let it go, it reflected the long road they had been down, and instilled the firm belief that they weren’t afraid to travel the rest.

 

“Everybody…”

 

The End

 

***

 

 

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