Chapter
3
Obviously, Kevin hadn't premeditated
his resigning correctly. He sat slumped in the back of the cab, hands under his
chin, thinking where to go. He wished well within his heart that he had gotten
to say goodbye to Brian and Nick. In a way, he was glad he hadn't. If he had, I
might have been harder for him to leave them. Where was he to go?
"Damn," he mumbled under his breath.
They had been driving for a good
while, but it only seemed like forever because of heavy traffic. "Um, Mr.
Richardson, where would you like to go?"
"Huh?" he replied, confused.
"Where would you like to
go?" the cab driver repeated.
Kevin sat back and thought about it
for a second. Possibly regrettable, he said, "Airport."
***
The three of them, Nick, Howie and Brian, crowded in a hotel room, traumatised.
Brian was the most depressed, laying down staring blankly up at the ceiling. He
glanced over to the bottom of the bed, where Nick was sitting, all banged up
and bruised from earlier that night. Howie was glaring out the window below, at
the fans and reporters being cleared up. Johnny was down there, lying his ass
off to please the public.
"I wish, I could've gotten a hold
of Kevin," Nick announced, rubbing his sore body. Brian sighed loudly in
agreement. Howie pressed himself onto the glass of the window, staring hard.
That damn picture was right, they were mocking the picture, fading.
"Oh yeah, guys, AJ called,"
he said suddenly remembering. Instantly the others perked up excitedly.
"Is he ok?? Where is he??" Brain asked frantically.
"He's fine, he's in Orlando, but
he had another one guys, you know, the nervous-"
"Yeah, yeah, we know," Nick
proclaimed, cutting him off short. He didn't want to hear those words.
Especially not about AJ, where no one was there to help him.
"What's his number?" Brain
questioned.
Howie patted his pockets, hoping to
find where he had it. Panicked, he thought maybe it was on the tour bus. He
could kick himself. "Howie, you DO have the number, right?" Nick
asked, raising his brows. Howie swallowed hard.
"No," he mumbled.
"D.," Brian said, in a
somewhat concerned voice, almost stern.
"No, I gave it to Kevin," he
replied, ashamed to say he didn't keep the number for himself as well.
"Oh jeez, c'mon D." Brain
said in a disappointed manor, refusing to believe what he was hearing.
"I'm sorry guys! He couldn't even
remember the number, I had to star 69 him!"
"What the fuck is wrong with him
now? Lapses?" Nick questioned, aggravated, running his hands through his
hair.
"I hope not," Brian and
Howie said simantainously.
For a brief second, Nick really wanted to hate Howie for that, but he just
couldn't. Stupidly, he thought that AJ's leaving would possibly bring the group
closer together. Obviously it didn't work. Kevin had left, and by the way
things were going, he was thinking about leaving too, but he kept his thoughts
to himself. His sides were throbbing, and all along his spine, he had road
rash, from falling onto the pavement when the fans attacked him. He had his
shirt pulled up over his head in order to expose the bruises.
***
As late as it was, Johnny and Aaron were just heading for their rooms at the
hotel. He loosened his tie and pulled off his jacket. "Damn those freggin'
reporters," he said to Aaron, punching the 'up' button by the elevator
door. Johnny was far from happy, and he couldn't care less about anyone at the
moment.
Aaron nodded and boarded the elevator
together with Johnny. He flicked off his shades and pocketed them, said in
hopes of striking conversation, "So Kevin left, huh?" Johnny narrowed
his brows, but said nothing. Aaron waited patently for a reply, but gone none.
He continued.
"I'm personally glad he
left," he added.
Suddenly, Johnny couldn't take it
anymore. He was sick of Aaron's BS'ing too, and he wasn't up for it tonight.
"Shut the fuck up Aaron! You're
glad every freggin' body is droppin' outta the group!" he screamed.
"Do you know what this is going
to do to our publicity?? Your publicity!?" Aaron gaped at him, surprised.
Johnny continued. "Freggin' 'NSYNC
and 98° and Five are soaring to the top of the got damned charts! We barely
even have a group anymore!"
Aaron stepped back away from Johnny.
"Look man, I'm just sayin'," he protested, holding his hands out in
front of him. The door slid open to reveal their floor. Johnny stomped out,
heading for the room Nick and the others were in. "I just think… look at
it, Johnny," Aaron studdered, chasing after him. "I just think we'll be better off without
them! I mean, the group will be better manageable, and, we don't have to worry
about AJ going crazy on us again… jeez, I dunno Johnny… I guess I'm just…"
he held his last words, thinking of an excuse.
"…shaken up about AJ and Kevin
leaving," he said quickly, lying through his teeth. Johnny was on to his
performance.
"DON'T lie to me Aaron. I was
glad to get rid of AJ, and Kevin can just as easily kiss my ass," he
announced, reaching the room door. He held up his hands to knock, but he
brought it down and turned to face Aaron, who was staring worriedly at him.
"I guess you're right,
Aaron," he admitted.
Aaron smiled, and patted his shoulder.
"That's what I'm talking about, man."
***
Knocking was brought to the boy's
attention. "Somebody get that," Nick commanded, holding his head.
Brian lazily rolled out of bed and headed for the door, hoping that it wasn't a
fan.
He cracked open the door enough to get
a peek, but Johnny kicked it in.
Startled, Brian jumped back. "So
who else is leaving??" Johnny questioned, pacing into the room.
Aaron squeezed in and sat next to
Nick. "How's it feel, roadrash?" he asked, slapping Nick on the back.
Nick groaned in pain, then turned to glare at Aaron angrily.
"Who else is gonna screw it up
for us??"
"Woah, woah wait," Howie
protested, standing up to Johnny. "I know you're not sayin' one of us made
Kevin leave?" Johnny shook his head sarcastically.
"If anything it's, it's… it's
Aaron," he blamed, pointing a reluctant finger at him. Aaron blinked
innocently.
"Don't go there Howie, don't
fuckin' go there. Aaron made you guys NUMBERO UNO on the charts, so don't come
to me with that, tonight just isn't a good night to start with me," he
growled, warning Howie to back off. He gestured for Aaron to get up.
"Don't show your face outside
tomorrow, the press will get you," he informed, shoving Aaron out ahead of
him.
Howie frowned, disappointed by the
outcome of the situation. "Just so you'd know, Johnny, Aaron didn't get us
where were. We made it without him, we got there by ourselves," he stated
boldly.
Johnny turned around, alarmed.
"That's right," Nick backed
up.
"Shut-up Nick," Aaron
warned.
"You don't get it do you, Howie?
Hall, now," he commanded, pushing Aaron aside to hold open the door for
Howie.
A bit uncertain, Howie reluctantly
made his way into the hall. What the hell had he done? Pushed Johnny's buttons.
As far as he was concerned, he had faced the worse in the past few days. AJ and
Kevin left, and their entire world was being turned upside down, which
endangered their careers. But, nothing really mattered anymore.
Johnny closed the door behind them,
once in the hall, for private conversation. "You really don't get it do
you Harry?" he asked.
"Howie," Howie corrected.
His gaze caught Howie in such a way, he knew not to interrupt him again.
" In a matter of days, years of…
of... of EVERYTHING I've done for this group has practically fallen
apart. I don't give a rat's butt about you or any of the other guys. Which
means since nothing else matters, you don't have to take shit from me. You can
stay or go, and it won't make a difference, the group is no more. So are you
gonna quit?" he asked Howie, staring seriously.
Howie swallowed, not knowing what to say.
Johnny was blowing off hot air, what was he talking about? The group DID
matter! Being a Backstreet Boy was an honor, any and everything they did
mattered. He was damn proud to be part of the group, over the years their
friendship blossomed into a bond, they were his family, his brothers. He was
determined to stick with them, whether they left or not, sickness and health,
death will they part. Probably not even then.
"No," Howie replied, "I
won't quit." Johnny rammed his hands into his pocket and nodded,
impressed.
"Well then. You're fired."
Howie's jaw dropped, expressing a look
of surprise. The words surged through his body and sliced through his heart
like an ice pick. Once it hit there, he jerked back with shock. Wordless, he
gaped blankly at Johnny and hoped that by his expressions, he could explain to
him why.
"Uh huh," Johnny mumbled,
non-verbally, as if to say, "thought so." He patted Howie's shoulder
reassuringly, then headed down the hall to his sweet, said, "Whenever
you're ready, Howie. No rush."
***
Howie gradually opened the door to
their room, looking down, not glancing up for a minute. He attempted to conceal
his sadness, but it was clearly detectable in those saddened, wounded brown
eyes. Though smiling crookedly, everywhere else wasn't. It was just too obvious
not to detect something unjust.
"Aaron, um, Johnny's..." He
pointed his thumb behind him to the hall, searching for words. "He's,
he's… You ought to go now," he mumbled. Aaron grinned up at him, pleased
at the fact that something was obviously wrong with Howie. He got up and left
them, not even bothering to show compassion and ask Howie his troubles.
"D., what'd Johnny say out there, man? You look traumatised," Brian
informed curiously, eager look about him. Howie looked up, suddenly realising
that his depression had obviously been detected. He smiled to protect himself.
"Nothing guys, just, you know,
nothing to worry about," he lied, dragging his feet over to his bed.
Undoubtfully, Brian and Nick dropped
the subject. Howie, not wanting to be questioned again, crawled into bed and
propped the pillow over his head, so not to be discovered sulking.
***
Kissimee Airport, Orlando Florida
2: 42a.m.
So far so good. Kevin managed to get
through the airport in NY undetected. The older generation had absolutely no
clue on who he was, they could stare him right square in the eye and be totally
clueless about his identity. Everyone that knew him was at the Holiday Inn. But
now he was back in his hometown. Already the flight attendant had recognised
him, but she swore not to tell anyone.
Tired as hell, and a migraine forming
in his head, he stared out of the window at the landing strip below. At this
hour, he'd be lucky to find a motel. He yawned and arched his back, trying hard
not to kick the seat in front of him. The loudspeaker clicked on, rousing
Kevin's attention.
"Attention passengers, we are now
300 feet above the Kissimee Airport. Hi, this is your pilot speaking and I'd
like to welcome you to Orlando, home of the spectacular Backstreet Boys."
The passengers clapped and howled at the mention of the group name. Kevin
slumped in his seat, feeling as if he was standing out. " Please fasten
your seatbelts and prepare for landing." He paused, obviously focusing on
landing the plane correctly.
"While in Orlando, you might want
to swing on by to Universal Studios, or Disney Land. Also, just a few miles
away in Tampa, Busch Gardens, fun for the whole family. Thank you for Flying
American Airlines, this is your pilot Ryan Morrison signing out, please enjoy
your stay here in Orlando."
The loudspeaker clicked off again, and
Kevin struggled to fasten his belt. Damn pilot, he just had to say it didn't
he? The plane tilted forward a bit, just slightly, and Kevin felt the effect as
the wheels touchdowned on the landing trip. The plane bounced up again and
touchdowned for a second time. Seeming an eternity, the plane came to a
complete stop. Without hesitation, ignoring how tired he was, he grabbed his
luggage from the compartment above his head and sat back down, staring at the
people lazily move about to get
their things. Luckily, not many people were going to Orlando. Probably twenty
people on the plane tops.
The flight attendants announced that
it was now safe to exit the plane, and to do so in an orderly fashion. Kevin
glanced around the chair in front of him, watching the flight attendant attempt
to open the door. He frowned at the sight, shook his head and glanced down at
his watch. Almost 3 a.m. He signed, already regretting what he'd done and
shoved his hands into his pockets.
He raised his brows when he felt the
paper in his pocket. What was that thing Howie had given him? Laying back to
better reach into his pocket, he pulled out the tattered paper and squinted at the
inscription:
A.J
240-7051
Kevin smiled happily, knowing that he was holding his salvation. "Jeez
Howie, you're a lifesaver!" he said, a little too loudly. He scanned the
plane quickly to see if anyone had seen him. No, everyone was leaving the plane.
Quickly, he shoved the paper back into his pocket and headed for the exit.
***
It had been approximately four days
since the boys had arrived in Orlando. The entire town was flustering with
Backstreet News. Everyone in Florida knew about AJ's disappearance and Kevin's
resigning.
If they decided to watch TV, they were the highlight of the News. Channel 7,
MTV, Disney Channel, the Newspapers, everywhere. Unbelievable, yet
unmistakable.
Brian, being the first to reach Orlando was mobbed by fans and reporters the
instant the plane touchdown on the runway. He refused to answer most of the
questions being heaved at him, which eventually, the reporters ended up making
responses to please themselves.
At the moment, Brain was seated comfortably on his couch in his condo just
outside Kissimee, watching some stale news.
"Days ago at the Virgin Record Music Store in New York City, Backstreet
Boy Kevin Richardson left the Boys for good after earlier announcing his
resigning from the group. This was only a day after member AJ McLean was
proclaimed, 'missing.'
Brian pouted. He stared wide-eyed at
the next footage of Howie being attacked at the airport a few days ago. He was
fighting his way through a crowd of reporters, blocking his face from cameras,
like a criminal.
In bare boxers alone, Brian shook his head in disbelief at the riot Howie's
appearance had caused. They couldn't even check their mailbox without being
recognised. Wasn't their fault the people wanted answers. The entire story was
ridiculous.
Way back when it was just the, 'original five,' (AJ, Nick, Howie, Kevin and
Brian,) everyone loved the Backstreet and the Backstreet loved each other.
Without a shadow of doubt, quitting never crossed their minds. Then
Aaron entered the picture. The Backstreet Boys were unstoppable with their Nick
and Aaron Carter duo. Everyone loved Aaron, especially Johnny; Aaron was his
million-dollar golden-boy.
But since everybody loved Aaron, they were blind to see that ever since Aaron
joined the group, the trouble started. During concerts, where was AJ? In a
mental Institution, or in a hospital somewhere. But no one knew. Why were the
boys less brotherly than before? And more bitchy? Why did it seem like it was
less and less Backstreet and more and more Aaron? Since that faithful year when
Aaron Carter joined the group, why did the boys spunk, love and excitement
suddenly start downhill?
Actually, rolling downhill. The answer was simple, obvious. Aaron. But everyone
loved him so much they were ignorantly blind and had so much disbelief that
Aaron would be the cause of this. Things were fine before he joined the group.
What could the public now do? Blame the rest of the group as an excuse to their
blindness. The others were jealous prics because Aaron had the ability to
replace them all.
***
Brian had every square inch of his house closed. Not a ray of light shone into
his house. That morning, when he awoke, about six people had made it over his
fence taking pictures of his house. He was in desperate need to see Kevin
again, and AJ, if he was alright. But he couldn't go anywhere. He figured he'd
rip the license plate off his car, but what sense would it make? He'd be the
only one in Orlando without a tag, which would make him even more recognisable.
The cops were swarming his place with police lines all over his front lawn. He
turned off the TV and sighed, glaring at the letter for Kevin propped under his
feet on the coffee table. He stared curiously at it, wondering what business
Kevin had with Aaron.
Worried about what it might be, he
snatched it up from under his feet and begun a small tear along the side of the
envelope. Halfway through, he begun to feel guilty about nosing in Kevin's
business, despite the burning hole of curiosity swelling up in his chest.
Deciding whether or not to finish rip it open, the telephone rang.
He sighed, relieved to have an excuse for leaving the letter. He slid into the
kitchen with his socks and grabbed the phone off the hook.
"Hello?"
A hushed voice replied, "Hey
Brian, Howie."
"Thank God. Any word from AJ
yet?" he asked hopefully.
"No? but I spoke to Kevin. Right
now he's staking out at AJ's."
Brian smiled happily, glad to know
that they were ok. "How about Nick?"
"Nick? Yeah he's fine. Listen, we're gonna try and make it over at
AJ's tonight, wanna tag along..."
"Yeah, yeah, most definitely,
um.." he paused, running his hands through his hair. "You think you
guys can swing by here and get me?" Howie laughed doubtfully, despite
himself.
"We’ll try. Be ready by
seven."
***
Brain was so psyched up, by 6:45 he was ready. He expected them at seven, he
knew, but he couldn't help but peering out the blinds to see if the car was out
there.
He was disappointed everytime, all he
saw were the police lines and the cops sitting out on the patrol vehicle. He
couldn't wait to see AJ and Kevin again. It was an awesome feeling for him to
be able to reunite with his old band mates. Funny, he was acting as if he
hadn't seen them in years. Still psyched, he collapsed onto his couch awaiting
the arrival of Nick and Howie.
7:45pm, Brain was still collapsed on his couch, staring up at the ceiling. He
frowned and glanced at his watch again. He sat up, folded his arms. What was
keeping them?
"Mr. Litteral?" Someone called from outside, knocking on his door.
Mr. Litteral? "Yeah? He answered back, opening the door carefully. A lanky
police officer stood towering over him, humble look about him. "Mr.
Litteral, your band mates are outside. Are you-"
"Expecting them?" he finished.
The cop nodded and motioned for him to
follow. "Yeah, ok hold on," he said, signalling a minute with his
finger.
He ran back over to the coffee table
and snatched up Kevin's letter, before switching off the lights and following
the officer outside.
***
Howie and Nick were already waiting for him, but they couldn't get into his
driveway. They were parked across the street surrounded by cops, waiting for
the officer to come back with Brian.
Nick popped up from the backseat
between Howie and the passenger side.
"There he is, I see him
coming," he said, pointing out towards Brian running up to the car.
He grinned as wide as the Hudson upon approaching Howie's car, and making
himself comfortable in the passenger side. "What's up Frick?" he asked,
strapping on his seatbelt.
Brian's excitement and psychness had
evidently sent a phenomenal telepathic message to Nick in the backseat because
he was his usual wild self tonight, with a suspicious demeanour about him.
"Nuttin'Frack!" Nick exclaimed,
clashing fists with Brian in a gestural form of 'hello.'
The very instant they begun their descent over, Nick and Brian were fighting
and carrying on as they used to do. It was an odd, yet familiar feeling for
Howie, them all actually, they'd be together without Aaron for the first time
in years, and it truthfully felt good. A renewal feeling, as if a heavy burden
was being lifted off their chests. And they could breathe deeply with a
carefree mentality.
Caught up in the spirit, (despite being rather quiet) Howie managed to smile,
actual, not forged. And for a minute, he dreaded having to tell them that he
got fired. He wanted to stall them as long as possible, but tonight they'd all
be together, which was the best time to confess. Confess all the hurt and
misunderstanding Howie had eating at his soul and someone had to know how he
felt and who else better to tell then his brothers?
***
Nestled in the safety of his condo, AJ
silently yet anxiously awaited the arrival of his bandmates. Remaining nonchalant,
he concealed his happiness behind a solemn expression, about to spontaneously
combust with overwhelming schoolboy titillation. He hadn't felt this great in
years. And though he
didn't mention it, he appreciated having Kevin over to steady him in times of
woe. But Kevin knew he was appreciated, AJ didn't have t proclaim it.
Kevin entered the living room with a pair of pants in his hands, where AJ was
slouching on the couch. Just out of sight, he smiled at the sight of AJ.
Kevin as well as the others, had his own condo to go to but he enjoyed being
AJ's roommate and he hadn't kicked him out yet. Frankly, it gave him a feeling
of reassurance to know that he was there to take care of AJ in case anything
should go wrong. Seizures or a nervous breakdown, he'd be there for him and
vice versa.
"How we feeling tonight
Boner?" Kevin asked, pulling the pants on over his boxers. AJ looked
around to see where his voice was coming from.
"We be fine," he responded,
peering over a lampshade at him.
Kevin nodded approvingly at his
answer-zipped up his pants. Unlike AJ, he wasn't going to conceal his
excitement. He was in every way possible, glad for the reuniting of the group.
***
All for the better he had hoped, the instant Howie's car rolled up in AJ's
driveway. Kevin hopped off the couch and headed for the front door. "AJ,
they're here," Kevin announced.
Excited as well, AJ sprung off the
couch and ran into the dining room to retreve two extra chairs so they woudn't
have to squeeze on the couch.
Nick was the first to exit the car,
glad to see Kevin again. He lept up into Kevin's arms in a playful mannor,
grasping onto him. He still acted like he was eighteen years old. Kevin
staggered back, swung him around and let him go inside.
Nick's spirit had returned to him, his stubble goatee was gone and he seriously
looked like a kid again, the sparkle in his baby blue's shining. He ran around
the house looking for AJ, screaming, "AJ! AJ! Where are you man?!"
Kevin smiled at his behavior, feeling a little spunky himself. "Hey
Kev!" Brain exclaimed, running up for his hug too. The fusion was
beautiful, as if the connection between them was restored. They were more
lively than they'd ever been since nine years ago. And how great it felt for
Howie to be able to actually see AJ in a healthy state of mind.
"Boner.." Howie started,
eyes smiling stareing at AJ. He sighed. "You look great man," he
complimented, throwing his arms around him. He felt tears of upmost happiness
swelling up in his eyes.
Not in a million years, with and IQ of
440 and all the dictionaries and thesauruses in the world, none of them could
explain the feeling they had, it was unexplainable, yet equal between the five
as if they were the only ones in the world who could understand how the other
felt.
No words, just by expression and
gesture alone it was possible.
Backstreet's Back.
***
For the entire night, the boys sat around each other in the living room,
filling in for lost time. Howie was still slient, glad to be there, but
unwilling to leave without telling them he got fired. He felt awful, why did he
have to be the bearer of bad news in this happy situation? For the first time
in NINE years, they were all getting along and smiling, laughing even, he had
to shatter that and bring the hard reality back to them. He wasn't a
Backstreet Boy anymore, he was like Kevin and AJ now.
He almost broke to tears looking at them. Nick, they thought they had lost him
for sure when his lively hood was destroyed. Destroyed but appearently not
killed.
Kevin, he looked relaxed actually, not
pissed at all. Grinning and being silly, carrying on just as bad as Nick.
Brain, he kept his head through this
entire Aaron thing. He became the peace maker, the rationalizer. At times
though, Aaron would get to him, but he never cracked. That always bothered
Howie. He figured Brian was going to end up like Nick, keep it all inside and
let his spirit die. But it didn't. AJ, a complete improvement and turn around.
The very first time he had a breakdown they were scared out of their
wits. Howie remembered it like yesterday;
It was right after a concert, right after. Still sweating and still hoarse,
they had just boarded the tour bus. Aaron and AJ were screaming at each other
at the top of their lungs, Howie trying to separate them before they ended up
fighting.
No one was helping him, not even
Johnny. Then it happened. AJ snapped and it took the four of them to wrestle
him down to the bottom of the bus, him fighting and spitting like a caged
tasmanian devil.
It was an awful night. Kevin was screaming at Johnny to go get help but he
didn't want the fifty thousand fans out there to think AJ had lost his head. Or
the reporters to find out. Awful.
Howie thought Johnny would help them,
or drive them to the hospital, but he didn't. He shut the bus windows so no one
would hear AJ screaming, put Aaron in a separate room and told the driver to
get outta there. That's when they knew Johnny didn't care about them anymore.
Uncontrolable tears of anger streamed down Kevin's cheeks, but he couldn't
move. He was on top of AJ holding him down with his weight. Howie was
frightned, they were all scared, they thought AJ was dying.
Doctors called it a nervous breakdown but it actually wasn't. AJ'd have needed
constant medical attention. Just to screw them out, they stuck him in a mental
institution. AJ knew he wasn't crazy but no one was listening. Too worried
about him they cancled all furher tours and concerts, told the public it was a
medical condition, and left AJ there for three months.
He didn't even belong there. In
actuality, it was the institution that set him on every pill under the sun. And
Aaron just added to the problem, the stress he caused, how upset he'd make
them. AJ wouldn't tolerate him anymore, they thought he was mental, then he'd
give them something to believe.
Now look at him, a major breakthrough tonight. Howie just didn't want to upset
him. And Howie, he himself had just been in existance since it happened.
"Howie," Kevin's concerned voice said, bringing him back into
reality.
"What?" he whispered softly.
"You orright?"
Howie nodded, but they all sensed
something unjust about the way he was acting.
"Yeah right D., what's up?"
Nick asked, being serious.
That was it, Howie had to tell them now. Now or never. He leaned over, scooting
to the end of the couch, sighed. That pratically got everyone's attention.
"Look, I don't' mean to be the
kill joy, but I got something to tell you guys."
They fell silent, waiting for him to
finish.
"The day Kevin left, Johnny took
me out in the hall to lecture me about something. He told me he didn't give a
crap about us anymore, and that we could stay or leave; didn't matter..."
Already, the guys happy expressions
begun to change gradually.
He continued. "Then he gave me a
choice, said I could stay or quit, didn't matter to him-"
"DAMN! Howie, you didn't quit did
you!?" Nick bellowed, face reddened. He was angry already, convinceing
himself that Howie had decided to quit. Howie shook his head.
"No, I didn't quit. I told him I
wouldn't quit." Simantainously,
they all sighed, releaved. "So he fired me."
Silence.
***
Howie's eyes jumped form each of them, with angry, confused, and unbelieving
expressions. The atmosphere was still and heavy, sudden change from just a few
minutes ago. AJ seemed confused, longing to say something, but Kevin spoke
first.
"What the hell is wrong with Johnny!? I don't believe this…" Kevin
was completely pissed, he couldn't believe him… Johnny, Aaron, any of them.
Brian sighed, not knowing what to say. Suddenly he remembered the letter for
Kevin in his pocket. "Oh yeah, uh… Kev," he started, pulling the
letter out of his pocket, and leaning over to give it to him.
Kevin mumbled something under his breath and snatched the letter away from
Brian. Complete silence as Kevin ripped open the letter and read it to himself.
Just by looking at him, they could tell that he was getting angrier and angrier
with every line.
"Well, look Howie, you'll be ok… I'm sure Johnny didn't mean it,"
Brain reassured, placing a hand on his back.
"I don't freggin' believe this.." Kevin said flatly. "Aaron's
sueing me for 50, 000 dollars. He's got some shit on here about emotional
distress I caused when I hit him… and, and..ARRGH!"
He snarled angrily and threw the
letter away from him. Slouching lower in his chair, he crossed his arms and
remained silent, staring ahead. Slowly, Nick picked up the letter and read it
to himself. That morbid
feeling was back again, why couldn't anything go good for them anymore? Howie
took it upon himself as the cause. Feeling like crying, he excused himself and
disappeared into a bedroom.
The heavy silence cast over them like a dark cloud of mist hoovering over their
heads.
AJ covered his face with his hands,
blew out in an anguished sort of way.
"What the hell is wrong with you
guys?" he asked quietly. Silence. "Kevin quit and, and Howie gets
fired… why the hell can't you keep a job? What's wrong with you guys?!"
AJ, he honestly didn't mean it, but he was just feeling so confused… someone
had to be pinned the blame on.
"What are you talking about AJ?? You were the first to give up on
us!" Kevin growled, in a rather stern voice.
"You quit, I left!" AJ pointed
out, growling back at Kevin.
Astonishingly pissed, Kevin rose up in
an angry state on AJ. "At least I was a man about it! I didn't just get up
and go without tellin' nobody where the hell I'd be! Everyone knows I left,
nobody knows where the
hell you are!" he spitted.
Kevin dropped back down on the chair,
trying to maintain his temper. AJ couldn't believe he was argueing with Kevin.
But he was stubborn.
"Shut the fuck up Kevin! I can't
believe you threw that at me!" he bellowed, once again angering himself.
"Calm down AJ, please.." Brain warned.
Kevin paid AJ no mind, which made him
even more upset. He just sat stareing ahead, eyebrows forming a concerned line.
He didn't mean to get AJ so upset, but the best thing he could do was just
ignore him and hope that the whole thing would drop. And AJ would calm himself.
But AJ didn't calm himself down. He was pissed at Kevin, pissed at Johnny,
Aaron, Howie, the world. But mostly himself, he was pissed at himself.
"You left for the same reason I did, you couldn't take it anymore!"
he snapped, getting himself all psyched up.
"AJ, AJ, please, calm down,"
Brain begged, getting up to go over to AJ. He put his hands on his shoulders in
hopes of sitting him down. "You know what happens when you get mad-"
AJ shoved Brain away from him, not
wanting to be touched. Brain was stunned, AJ had never gotten physical with him
before. "Yeah Brian, I know… that's why I'm getting the hell outta
here," he growled, heading for the door. He slammed it shut behind him,
swearing loudly to himself about Aaron once outside.
Catching himself, Kevin went after him
to apologize. But by the time Kevin went to protest, AJ was out of sight.
***
