Sorry for the delay, everyone, but here is the next instalment.
This story involves members of the bands Backstreet Boys and N'SYNC. I am in no way implying anything about the sexuality of any of their members. This is purely a fictional story. Enjoy!
This is my first attempt at writing a story like this so please bear with me. Please send any comments and/or suggestions to jaclarke@hotmail.com (ICQ #7964029)
Loving Nick - Part 15
By the time dinner was over, everyone was quite exhausted and they all went back to their rooms to get some much-needed rest. Kevin arranged to have Darren live on the same floor as everyone else to make him feel welcome.
"So, how long have you known Darren?" Nick asked as him and Lance entered the elevator.
"We used to go to the same high school," Lance replied.
"Reunion of high school buddies...cool." Nick laughed a little at the thought. At times he was a little envious of Lance. After all, he never had a chance to go to a regular high school, so he wouldn't even know what a high school buddy was supposed to be like.
"Nah, we weren't really that close."
"Well, he sure seems to be a nice guy. It should be fun having Darren around for the rest of the tour."
Lance didn't answer, and he just sat on the bed staring out the window. Nick slowly walked up behind Lance, sat on the bed beside him, and placed his arms around Lance's shoulders. "What's wrong, Lansten?"
"Nothing..."
"I've told you before, you're a horrible liar."
"Really...I'm okay."
"I hate to see you like this, Lansten. Ever since dinner, you haven't smiled one bit. It kills me to see you like this."
Lance leaned close to Nick. He felt so safe yet at the same time he felt so torn. He hated keeping things from Nick, but he was afraid to see Nick's reactions if he told everything that was on his mind. "I...I..."
"It's okay," Nick whispered. "I don't want to push you into anything. You don't have to say anything if you don't want to."
"No, I want...I need you to know," Lance replied. "It's about Darren."
Nick smiled and gently held Lance's hand, quietly assuring him that it was okay to continue.
"Darren and I...we were involved while we were back at school." Lance closed his eyes, not wanting to see Nick's reaction.
Nick's hand did not let go of Lance. "Is that what was bothering you? Seeing him must have stirred up memories and feelings."
"NO!! I only have feelings for you, Nick!" Lance exclaimed.
"Calm down, Lansten," Nick said as he placed Lance's head on his shoulders. "I'm not accusing you of anything. It would only be natural if seeing Darren brought back old memories."
"I'm sorry, Nick, I didn't want you to misunderstand..."
"Hey, do I look like a jealous freak to you?" Nick said jokingly.
Lance could not help but smile. Somehow Nick always managed to solve Lance's problems.
"Are you going to be okay touring with Darren?" Nick asked with concern in his eyes and his voice.
Lance sighed lightly. "I don't know...we kinda ended things on a bad note. It's going to be hard."
"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll handle the situation amazingly."
"Thanks, Nick. I love you so much," Lance whispered as he snuggled up to his lover.
Nick gently brushed Lance's blond hair. "Aren't you going to go say hi to Darren? You haven't said a word to him since he arrived."
"Is it okay if I go and talk with him for a while?"
Nick smiled and laughed a bit. "Lansten, you're my boyfriend, not my prisoner. You don't have to ask me. If you want to do something, then do it." Nick gently kissed Lance on his forehead.
Lance smiled as he heard Nick's response. He slowly got up from the bed and walked towards the door. "I won't be long, Nick."
Lance slowly walked to Darren's room. His heart was pounding so hard and he was sweating. "Why am I feeling so nervous?" Lance thought to himself. Taking a deep breath, Lance gently knocked on the door.
Darren opened the door and was surprised to see Lance. "Come on in, Lance. I wasn't expecting you to come over."
"Did I get you at a bad time?"
"No, not at all." Lance sat down in one of the chairs in the room while Darren sat on the bed. There was an awkward silence in the room. Finally, Darren broke the silence. "So how have you been, Lance?"
"I've been doing pretty good. You?"
"Things have been going okay, I guess."
Again, there was silence.
"Lance, are you okay with me touring with you guys? If you're not, I can ask them to put me somewhere else. It won't be a probl..."
"Don't be silly, Darren. Of course I'm okay..."
"You sure? You didn't seem to pleased to see me during dinner. I don't blame you though..."
"Darren, that's all in the past. Let's not talk about it."
"No, Lance. All these years I've wanted to say this to you and I won't be able to feel happy again until I say this. I'm so sorry about what happened. I was a jerk and you didn't deserve to be treated that way. I'm so sorry, Lance."
Lance could see images of the past flashing in his mind. The hurt that he felt, the anger that ate away at him. "Darren, you were my best friend...and when I found out what you did, I was devastated. I couldn't believe that you would betray me..."
Darren could see that even after all these years, Lance had not completely recovered from the hurt that he caused. "I'm so sorry, Lance. I jeopardized our friendship and caused you so much pain. I can't even hope that you will forgive me, but if..."
Lance got up and walked towards Darren. He slowly extended his hands. "We grew up together, Darren. And I don't want our friendship to go down the drain because of something that happened in the past."
Darren slowly looked up at Lance. "I don't know what to say, Lance."
"How about 'I'd love to give our friendship another chance?'"
"I'd really like that, Lance. That would mean a great deal to me."
Lance pulled Darren into a hug. "I've missed you, Darren."
"Same here, Lance." Letting go of each other, Darren finally took a good look at Lance. "Wow, look at these clothes that you're wearing now. I can't believe that shy Lance is now a mega-celebrity."
Lance blushed at Darren's comment. "Hey, don't make fun of me. I'm still the same shy Lance."
"Just kidding!! Although you do look so much hotter than before." Lance lightly punched Darren's arm and they both laughed. "I'm very happy for you, Lance."
"Hey, being a celeb is good but it's not all that glamorous all the time, you know."
"I know. What I meant was that I am happy to see that you've finally found the man of your dreams."
Lance could do nothing but smile. "Thanks, Darren. I'm really happy right now."
"I can see that!! You must love Nick a lot and he must be making you the happiest guy in the world. I see the way that you look at him. I've never seen you so happy before."
"You're right. You really have to get to know him. He's the most amazing guy."
"I'm sure I'll get the chance. But now, you should get back to him before he starts wondering what the hell you're doing with me."
"What? You're kicking me out?" Lance pretended to pout.
"Yeah, whatever, Lance. Now go running back to Nick."
Lance gently opened the door to their room. The room was dark except for a dim light by the bed. Nick was already asleep. He looked so peaceful in his sleep. Lance changed into his boxers and gently kissed Nick before climbing into bed. He snuggled up to Nick as he soon fell asleep.
"No!! Stop!!! No!!! NO!!! STOP!!!!! NO!!!!!!!!!!!" Nick screamed. He sat up in his bed, his hair and face damp with sweat. His heart was pounding like crazy.
Lance, hearing Nick's scream, woke up and sat up beside Nick. He turned on the bedside light and held Nick in his arms. "It's okay, Nick. Just a nightmare..."
"But...it was so real!!"
"It's okay now. I'm here for you." Lance held Nick in his arms and gently rocked him back and forth until he was asleep again. Lance smiled as he saw Nick again sleeping peacefully. He bent down to kiss one more time before going back to bed. "I love you, Nick..."
...to be continued....
WHAT??? NO CLIFFHANGER??? Hey, we all need a change of pace once in a while. For all cliffhanger lovers, don' fret...more are on the way.
Sorry for the short segment. I'll try to get another instalment in as soon as possible, hopefully by mid-week.
As always, any comments/ideas/questions are welcome. E-mail me at jaclarke@hotmail.com (ICQ #7964029)