Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 10:50:50 -0500
From: joey miller <pandora0071@lycos.com>
Subject: 'Learning how to Fly'     Chapter 11

LEARNING HOW TO FLY

Chapter 11
~ Endings and Beginnings ~

Back, once again. Sadly, this is the last Chapter. An Epilogue will follow
shortly though. As always, comments, praise and criticism are greatly
appreciated and should be sent to Pandora0071@Lycos.com.

Disclaimer: You've made it this far, you should know this part by
heart. This story is purely fictional and in no way represents the actual
personal beliefs, opinions or sexualities of any of the celebrities
mentioned.

If you are underage or reading this sort of material is illegal where you
live, don't let `em catch you. Or just don't read.

***

	They had quietly reached the decision of staying at the Hotel until
the day before the Concert. Partly because they were not quite sure how to
face the press, but the true reason was that everyone was mentally waiting
for some sort of miraculous, peaceful resolve of the situation.
	However, two days before the Concert they knew that it was too
late. They would have to pack up and move out.

	Nick silently moved around the room, pulling clothing out of the
drawers and the closet, throwing it on the growing pile on the bed. Two
big, empty suitcases stood on the floor next to the bed, a pair of jeans
that had missed its destination draped across them. When all the drawers
were empty he picked up the books and CDs that were strewn about the room,
adding them to the pile. Finally he pulled up a suitcase and started
folding the clothes. It was hard trying to make it look neat when his hands
were shaking and he was trying to fight down tears. He chewed on his bottom
lip furiously, folding and refolding his favorite T-shirt, the one Brian
had brought back as a souvenir from a trip.
	"Dammit." He muttered under his breath, his movements growing more
and more frantic until he balled the cloth together and threw it across the
room in a sudden rage.
	Brian was sitting on the couch, his legs crossed on the coffee
table, staring blankly at the TV screen.  The T-shirt flew past him and
Nick could see the muscles in his face twitch, but Brian did not more.
	"What the fuck is wrong with you? How can you hate me like that?"
Nick asked, his voice almost breaking, the tears finally flowing. He walked
over and stood right in front of the TV, blocking Brian's view.
	"Huh? Can you tell me that?" He screamed, wiping the tears off his
face. Still no reply.  Something snapped in Nick. In a blaze of fury he
surged forward, hands balled into fists, screaming and cursing and crying,
throwing punches wildly at Brian. Brian made no effort to retaliate. He
simply caught Nick's fists and held on to them firmly, trying to stop
him. Nick grew weaker, until he finally gave in and collapsed against
Brian's chest, sobbing uncontrollably. Brian seemed taken aback for a
second, but then he closed his arms around his former best friend and
gently held him.
	"I don't hate you, Nick." Brian whispered. "I can't hate you ^Ö I
love you too much for that. You're my little brother, my best friend. I
just want to protect you, don't you understand that? I just can't let you
do this when I know how wrong it is."
	"It's not wrong!" Nick choked out between sobs. "And if you truly
loved me you'd accept me the way I am."
	"I can't, Nicky. I just can't." Brian said, trying to keep his
voice firm, but failing miserably. Nick got up quietly.
	"If that's how you feel, then I guess that's that." He said. He
wiped away the tears, stepped over to the bed, and quickly stuffed his
belongings into the suitcases, not bothering with neatness this time. When
he reached the door he looked back at Brian, who was pretending to be
engrossed with the TV again. Looking closely, Nick could see tears rolling
down his cheek.

	The Dragonflies were waiting in the hallway. Dave was sitting on
his suitcase, going through the room-service bills they'd have to
pay. Colin was standing next to him, impatiently jumping from one foot to
the other.
	"I should not have let him go in there alone!" He muttered, trying
to stay calm. Dave looked up.
	"Colin, he can deal with this himself. He has to." He said.
	"I know, but ...". Colin ended his sentence with an exasperated
sigh.
	"It's gonna be okay, hm?" Nicky said, covering mouthpiece of the
cell phone he was holding against his ear. In an attempt to cheer his
friend up, Nicky nudged Colin in the rips and pointed at Jamie and AJ, who
were standing at the far end of the hallway and talking quietly.
	"What do you think those two are up to?" He asked, grinning. Colin
smiled halfheartedly and continued jumping up and down. With a sigh, Nicky
returned his attention to his phone call.
	Then a door slammed shut and Colin whirled around. Nick ran towards
him as fast as the two suitcases he was dragging would allow. Then he let
go of them, abandoning them in the middle of the hallway and running
towards Colin, enveloping him in a tight hug. Colin sensed his lover's
agitation and rubbed his back gently, trying to calm him down.
	"How'd it go?" He asked. Nick shook his head.
	"I'm not sure." He replied. "He can be such a stubborn jerk. What
am I going to do now?"
	"That's easy." Colin whispered. "You're coming with me and taking
some time off to sort things through. Then we'll see." Nick looked up,
allowing a small smile to grace his features. Then he raised himself on the
tips of his toes and covered Colin's lips with his own.

***

Hi. This is Kurt Loder with an Mtv News Update. We have just received word
from the Backstreet Boys' Management that the Band has officially split
up. Their world tour, set to start tomorrow, has been canceled. Fans will
receive full refunds for tickets. According to the official statement, the
band broke up over personal differences. A source close to the band reports
heated arguments between some of the band members, though the reasons
remain unclear at this point.
	The Backstreet Boys issued an official statement, apologizing to
their fans and thanking them for the years of unwavering support. `We are
really sorry to cause grief and disappointment. However, things have
happened recently that make it impossible for us to go on as a band.'
	This is all the information we have for now. Stick with us for all
the latest as the story unfolds.
	This was Kurt Loder with an Mtv News Update.


End of the Backstreet Boys?

According to official statements issued by both the Recording Company and
the Band itself, the most successful boy band of all times is calling it
quits. The break-up came suddenly, just a day before the band was set to
launch its World Tour in Miami, Florida. Although the reason was explained
as simply `personal difference', rumors have been flying high since the
release of the first press statement this morning. Talk centers around
heated arguments that have allegedly taken place between some members of
the band. A maid working at their Miami Hotel says she heard the word `gay'
mentioned several times and mused that one of the members might have come
out.

According to the Recording Company Statement issued this afternoon, Kevin
Richardson of the Backstreet Boys will hold a Press Conference sometime
tomorrow, offering an explanation for the break-up.

`It's very sad news for all of us, but apparently they had no other
choice.' An official of the Company states.

***

The End. Or almost, anyway. Hope you enjoyed it.
Much love
joey