Chapter 2

 

The next evening, around five thirty, it was time to leave for the concert.   Heidi was driving me there and bringing me home, so Josh was just going to hang around somewhere and see me when I got home. 

 

“Bye, baby,” I told Josh, hugging and kissing him. 

 

“See ya, sweetie,” he replied, kissing me back.  “Have fun, okay?”

 

“I will,” I said, grinning.  He grinned back and kissed the tip of my nose.  “Well, I gotta go now.  I don’t want to keep Heidi waiting.  I’ll see you tonight.”  I hugged him one last time and headed out the door, not knowing that that could be the last time I would ever see him.

 

***

 

Two hours later, Heidi and I sat in our seats, which were in Row H.   They were great seats, not extremely close to the stage, but on the floor of the arena.  We had a great view, and we knew the concert would be awesome.   The opening act had just finished, and we were anxiously awaiting the Backstreet Boys. 

 

As we waited, the fans began chanting, “Backstreet Boys!  Backstreet Boys!”  Feeling like a fifteen year old again, I joined the chant.  Heidi just looked at me, grinned, and began chanting herself.  

 

Finally, after awhile of waiting and getting annoyed by the teenyboppers’ shrieking, the lights dimmed, and I knew it was time for my idols to take the stage. 

 

Suddenly, smoke started to rise up from the center of the stage, and eerie music played as a platform in the middle of the stage rose up from beneath it.  Once the smoke cleared, I could see five coffins standing upright on the platform.    The music for “Everybody” started, and as the coffins burst open, Brian began to sing.  

 

“Everybody…rock your body…Everybody, rock your body right…Backstreet’s back, alright!”

 

Everyone, including Heidi and I, began to scream, as the five Boys jumped out of the coffins and out onto the stage.  They sang the entire song and danced wonderfully. 

 

The night went on, and they sang all of their hit songs from all their albums.   Towards the end, they sang “Quit Playing Games”.   Just as I had hoped, in the middle of the song, they were raised over the crowd on harnesses, which was what they had done at the shows on the “Into the Millennium” tour.   Only this time, I was a lot closer and could see them much better.  I had a pretty good view of all of them, but Nick happened to be nearest to Heidi and me.  He was almost right over our heads. 

 

We screamed and sang along with the guys as they sang from over our heads.   But then, something terrible happened.   In the middle of the last chorus, a terrible scream sounded through the arena, and I looked up to see something plummeting down from above me.  I screamed as Nick Carter fell from his harness and landed with a heavy thud just a few feet away from me.

 

 The music had stopped, but there was still screaming.  Only now, it was not excited, happy screams from the fans.  Now it was screams of terror. 

 

Horrified beyond words, I could barely think.  But suddenly, my senses kicked in, and I knew I had to react.  I looked to where Nick had landed and saw a group of people crowded around him, mostly younger girls, who were hysterical.   I pushed through them and gasped at the sight that lay before me.  Nick lay sprawled on his back, blood puddling around him, his body not moving.  I felt panic rising in me, but I knew I had to do something.

 

“Stand back, I’m a med student!” I exclaimed, pushing past the crying fans.  I wanted to cry myself, but I knew I had to remain calm and do my best to help Nick, or he could die, if he wasn’t dead already.  Luckily, without any words, the crowd stood back to let me get through to Nick. 

 

My whole body shaking, I knelt next to his body and pressed my fingertips against his neck to feel for a pulse.  I got nothing.  Frantically, I grabbed his wrist and checked there.  Still nothing.  I leaned over him and pressed my ear to his chest, but I heard nothing, no breathing, no heartbeat. 

 

Tears spilled down my cheeks, but I knew I couldn’t give up.  Maybe he could still be resuscitated.   Without any hesitation, I pinched Nick’s nose closed and put my mouth over his.   I gave him mouth to mouth first, but he still wasn’t breathing.  Then I started CPR.  

 

I was in a sort of daze the whole time, but I can still remember the shock and horror I felt as I did chest compressions on a famous celebrity, a man I had loved ever since I was a teenager.  I had always wanted to meet him and all of the others, but I had never wanted to meet him this way. 

 

It was only a matter of minutes before some paramedics came through.  They had me continue CPR as they put in an IV.  Growing frustrated, I stopped and put my head to Nick’s chest, willing his heart to beat again.  There was still nothing.  Choking back sobs, I started the chest compressions again.

 

 Suddenly, one of the paramedics cried out, “He’s got a pulse!”  I shot my head up and saw the paramedic holding Nick’s wrist.  “It’s weak, but you got him back,” he said to me.  “Good job.”  I nodded, as tears flowed down my cheeks. 

 

***

 

Meanwhile, security was getting everyone else out of the arena.  The fans tearfully and solemnly filed out, not knowing what else to do.  Luckily, they had the respect and common sense not to rebel against the security guards. 

 

Heidi was allowed to remain behind, since she was with me, and I was still helping the paramedics.  Inside, I was in a state of panic, but on the outside, I must have seemed like I knew what I was doing, for they let me stay with them. 

 

Finally, they loaded Nick onto a stretcher to take him out to the ambulance.   His heart was beating again, but he still wasn’t breathing.  As I backed away to let the paramedics get through, a hand touched my shoulder.  I thought it was Heidi at first, but when I turned around, I found Howie standing there.

 

“Thanks for your help,” he said shakily. 

 

“I… uh…” I stammered, not knowing what to say.  Suddenly, unable to contain my emotions any longer, I broke down and began to sob.   Howie immediately pulled me close to him and hugged me.  His hug brought me comfort, not because it was Howie from the Backstreet Boys, but because I needed a hug, and he was the one that was compassionate enough to give it to me. 

 

“Do you want to come to the hospital with us?” Howie asked, as I let go of him. 

 

“Really?” I asked, my voice trembling.   He nodded.

 

“The guys are getting changed really quick, and then we’re going.  It looks like you were the first one there to help him, and I think you deserve to come with us and find out how he’s doing,” Howie said.  “I can’t thank you enough.”

 

“I didn’t do anything really.  I just reacted.  I was in shock the whole time,” I mumbled.  “I’m still in shock.”

 

“We all are,” Howie said, his eyes filling with tears.  “How could something like that have happened?”

 

“I don’t know,” I whispered.  Just then, I saw three other figures hurry over to us.  My eyes widened as I saw it was Brian, AJ, and Kevin.   Kevin had his arm around Brian, who I could tell was nearly hysterical, or had been.  Kevin and AJ looked panic stricken as well.

 

“Did they take him to the hospital?” Kevin asked worriedly.  Howie nodded.

 

“We’re going now,” he replied.  “She’s coming with.  Let’s go.” 

 

“Wait!” I cried.  “Heidi!”

 

“Who?” Howie asked.

 

“My friend, she…” I looked around to find Heidi.  At first I didn’t see her, but then I spotted her sitting in an aisle sobbing.   I immediately ran over to her and hugged her tightly.  “Come on, Heidi, we’re going to the hospital now,” I whispered.  She looked up and nodded.  I held out my hand and helped her up. 

 

Howie motioned for us to follow them, and so we followed the four guys out a back door to their tour bus, which was parked behind the arena somewhere.  We ran to the bus, among the Boys’ bodyguards and got inside.

 

 I barely even looked around once we were inside.  This all seemed like a horrible nightmare.  Here I was, inside the Backstreet Boys’ tour bus, with them inside, but Nick was not.  Nick was on his way to the hospital, dying, maybe dead already.  I couldn’t think straight. 

 

The driver started the bus and flew out onto the road, heading for the hospital where the paramedics had told us they were taking him.  At first, we were all silent with grief, but finally, AJ spoke.

 

“So, what are you guys’ names?” he asked.

 

“I’m Julie Lewis,” I replied.

 

“And my name’s Heidi Jennings,” Heidi said. 

 

“Cool, nice to meet you.  Sorry it had to be in such a horrible situation,” AJ stated.   I nodded sadly. 

 

“So, Julie, I didn’t see you much, but I did watch you start working on Nick like that.  Where did you learn to take charge and do CPR and all that stuff?” Kevin asked.

 

“I’m a med student,” I replied.

 

“Wow, that’s lucky.  I’m glad you were right there when it happened then,” Howie said.

 

“I don’t think I helped him much,” I replied sadly. 

 

“Are you kidding?  I heard you were the one who got his heart started again,” Howie replied.  “If you hadn’t have done CPR or whatever you did, he could be dead right now.  At least he was still alive when the paramedics took him out of there.”  I nodded, but I knew that with Nick not even breathing, it didn’t look good.  I couldn’t have told the Boys that though.  They were trying hard to think positively, and I knew I had to too.

 

A few minutes later, we pulled up to St. Joseph’s hospital.  It was the hospital where Brian had been born and had nearly died in when he was five.  But now it wasn’t Brian that anyone was worrying about.  This time, it was Nick.

 

The driver of the bus pulled us up close to the main entrance.  The guys stood up and hurried out.  Heidi and I followed close behind them, along with three bodyguards.  Luckily, no one recognized the guys as they ran inside. 

 

Once we were inside, Kevin was already at the front desk, asking about Nick, I supposed.  Howie and AJ both had their arms around Brian and were leading him to some chairs.  Heidi and I went and sat down next to them. 

 

When I looked at Brian, my heart nearly broke.  He was slumped down in his chair, his face buried in his hands.  I knew he was crying, for I could see his shoulders shaking.  I wanted to throw my arms around him and comfort him, but I knew I couldn’t.  AJ and Howie tried to comfort him, but I don’t think it was working.  I knew how upset I would be if my best friend was seriously injured, and I didn’t know how she was doing, whether or not she was even alive still. 

 

Kevin came over to us a few minutes later.  “The receptionist said that he had probably been taken down to the ER and that she would have somebody come to take us down there.

 

We all nodded silently.  Finally, Brian spoke.  “Did she say how he’s doing?” he asked, his voice choked up with tears.

 

Kevin shook his head.  “She didn’t know,” he replied.  “She said whoever is working on him will tell us soon, after we get to the ER.”

 

“Oh,” Brian said, sighing.  I looked into his blue eyes and saw the pain there, and my heart ached for him.   I turned to Heidi and saw her gazing at Brian too.  Her brown eyes had filled with tears.  Seeing her cry made me start again, like a chain reaction. 

 

Finally, a few minutes later, a young nurse approached us.  “Hi there, my name’s Colleen, and I’m going to take you down to the ER now, ok?”

 

“Thanks,” Howie said, as we all stood up.

 

“You’re welcome,” she replied.

 

“Do you know if our friend, Nick, is ok?” AJ asked suddenly. 

 

“I’m sorry, I don’t know, AJ,” she replied, and I suddenly realized she knew who the guys were.  AJ offered her a little half smile when he realized it too, and she smiled back.   I saw just a glint of starriness in her eyes, but she was doing a great job of keeping her cool around them.  I was surprised I was doing so well around them too, but I guess it was because we were all in the midst of a tragedy.  This was no time for autographs and screaming fans, and I, as well as Colleen, knew it. 

 

“I think the doctors are still working on him right now, but I’ll be sure to have one of them come talk to you as soon as possible,” Colleen was saying.

 

“Ok, thank you,” Kevin said. 

 

“No problem.  Follow me,” she replied and started down a hall.  We all followed behind her. 

 

AJ now had his arm around Howie, and Kevin walked right behind Colleen, oblivious to Brian, who was walking behind the rest of the group, his head hung.  He had stopped crying, but I knew he must be still upset.  I wanted to go up and talk to him, but I didn’t know if I should or not.  I definitely didn’t want to make him more upset than he was already, but his other friends weren’t paying any attention to him now, and I thought he needed someone to be with him, to help him through this. 

 

Finally, feeling brave, I gathered my nerve and hung back so Brian would catch up to me.  I gently put my arm around his shoulders, which I noticed were slightly shaking.  He glanced up at me, and said nothing, but offered me a sad, tiny, smile.  I smiled back, and we walked on, my arm never leaving his shoulders.  He held his head a little higher, and I hoped I had comforted him a little.  Heidi, who was walking in front of us, turned back and smiled when she saw us.  Brian wasn’t looking, but I smiled back at her. 

 

We made it to the ER, and Colleen led us down a hall, past the large waiting room, to a room much smaller, with two couches, some chairs, and a TV.   “I figured you guys wouldn’t want to wait there in the big waiting room, since someone might see you, so I brought you here,” she explained.

 

“Thanks,” Kevin said, smiling. 

 

“You’re welcome,” she said, smiling back, her blue eyes lighting up because he had smiled at her.   “One of Nick’s doctors should be in soon to talk to y’all,” she said, and left the room. 

 

We all sat down, Brian, Heidi, and I on one couch, and AJ, Kevin, and Howie on the other.   I sat in the middle of the couch, with Brian on one side of me, and Heidi on the other.  I couldn’t think of anything to say to Brian, so I just rested my chin in my hands and sat there. 

 

Finally, Brian spoke.  “Julie, I know the other guys have already said this, but I haven’t gotten a chance yet, so I just wanted to tell you thanks for everything you did for him.”  His voice shook with unshed tears, but he was being sincere. 

 

“Thank you,” I said.  “I just did what I had to do.”

 

“Well, you did it very well.  Because of you, Nicky’s still alive.  If it had been me in your place, I would have been so panicked I wouldn’t have known what to do,” he said.

 

“I was panicked too, inside, but I guess I knew I had to do something for him,” I explained.  “I may have looked calm, but I was a wreck inside.  I don’t even remember exactly what I was thinking, I was in sort of a daze the whole time.”  He nodded.  “What about you?  I can only imagine what you were thinking.  Did you see him fall?” I asked.

 

“Yeah, kind of.  I was just singing and not even watching him, but then I heard the scream, and I knew right away it was Nick.  I looked over just in time to see him fall,” Brian said.

 

“That must have been horrible.  But what happened?  Did the harness break or something?” I asked. 

 

“From what it looked like, the cord ripped.  The harness part went down with him,” Brian said.

 

I vaguely recalled that Nick still had that harness strapped on when he was lying there. “How could the cord rip?” I asked.  “Don’t they check those things?”

 

“Yeah, they do,” he said. 

 

“I don’t know how someone could have missed something like that.”

 

“I know,” he said sadly.  “It was just a horrible accident.”

 

He had no idea how wrong he was.

 

***

 

 

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