Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2001 21:11:53 -0500 (CDT)
From: Chica
Subject: The Next Day-Sequel to I Need You Tonight-chapter 1

I'm back, everyone cheer for me.  Damn it, I am incredibly sorry for not
sending even a scrap of a chapter in.  You probably don't wanna hear me
bitching, but what with school and my really personal life, I can't
squeeze it all into one schedule and I had to throw that away.  Ok, I'm
through bitching.  Here's the sequel to I Need You Tonight, The Next
Day. Clever, eh?

DISCLAIMER:  No, surprisingly I don't own these incredibly sexy men.
They might be gay, they might be not, a little from colum A a little
from colom B, whatever.


The Next Day-Sequel to I Need You Tonight


     "How could he say he doesn't love me anymore?!"  Nick cried,
sobbing lightly into Amanda's chest.  Amanda rubbed Nick's back, feeling
sorry for her close friend.

     "I don't know, Nick.  I mean, maybe it was meant to happen this
way..."

     "He said he would never leave me.  He lied.  And now he's with
*her*."  Nick said bitterly, crying harder.

     Amanda sighed.  "I know.  I don't believe he did it because he
doesn't love you.  You know what happened when he told his parents.
Brian loves them and the fans..."

     "That's just it Amanda."  Nick interrupted.  "He still should love
me.  Not some blonde bimbo.  I can't...why did he...oh god..."  Nick
buried his face deeper into Amanda's chest and all Amanda could do was
sigh and get mad at Brian's actions.  The bedroom door opened and I
walked in, closing the door behind me softly.  Amanda mouthed 'hold on'
to me and I stood back obeidiently.

     "Nick, I have to go to work now.  AJ is here to take over.  I'll
talk to you tonight when I get back."  Amanda kissed Nick's forehead
assuredly and left the room.  I went to the bed and held Nick in my
arms, holding him close.  I almost broke down when I heard him sob.  I
could just kill Brian for what he did to Nick.  But then again it was
kind of a good thing they broke up because...oh great, why am I thinking
this now?  Nick needs me and I'm going off into one of my egocentric
modes.  I held Nick tighter and smelled his hair.  Mmm, kind of like
candy in a strange way.  Nick pulled away from me, wiping his red rimmed
eyes.

     "AJ, what do I do?"  He asked innocently.  My heart broke.  How
pure and innocent he still sounded.  I don't think Nick could ever not
sound pure and innocent.  I adjusted my sunglasses, making sure Nick
couldn't see the vulnerability in my dark eyes.  It was my Archellie's
heel:  I could be a hardass all the time in my nonverbal communication,
but as soon as my eyes were seen all my emotions were revealed.  I found
that blocking it I could be more effective.  Maybe I was right.

     "Nick, the best thing to do right now is to show him that you're
not hurting.  No matter what it takes, prove to him that you're not one
to be taken advantage of.  When he sees what an amazing man he's lost
he'll be clawing at your door and y'all will be doing it like two
squirrels making whoppee in a wool sock."  I cracked, trying to use my
wacky humor to cheer him up.  It did.  I saw a small smile form on his
face.

     I gasped.  "Is that a smile, blondie?"  I turned my head sideways,
picking my nose. Nick laughed.  I smiled myself, pleased that I could
make him happy.  He was still the same guy before Brian dumped him.  I
mean, what kind of lame ass excuse is "I think we're better off as
friends"?  Brian didn't deserve Nick as far as I could tell.  No one
did.  I snapped my head up sharply, noting that Nick was starting up the
nintendo.  Oh he still was upset.  He would always be.  Now it was my
exclusive job to pick up those pieces and make Nick into a fighting
machine.  Maybe I'd do a really good job and make Nick give up on Brian
entirely.  Maybe, just maybe, he'd realize his feelings were only puppy
love and find better love.  My mission was clear; and I had the best of
intentions.  I always do.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yep, I untied the knot.  So sorry it's so short.  But just remember,
it's only the beginning.  Gee, wonder what's next...

=) =) =) =) =) =) =)