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The Next Morning

Brian's View

"You what?" I could tell Nick was smiling widely on the other end of the phone. I shifted the phone to my other ear as I extended my arm to grab a couple boxes of Macaroni and Cheese, throwing them into the basket in front of me.

"You heard me," I couldn't help but grin.

"Ah man, how'd it happen?" he asked curiously.

"It just happened," I shrugged as I moved the basket down the isle, smiling politely at an old lady who passed me.

"You sure are keeping out the details. Don't leave me hanging here!"

"Well, we were watching Casper..."

"Casper?" he interrupted.

"Yes, Casper, what's wrong with that?" I asked.

"Nothing," he chuckled. I rolled my eyes and said, "Anyway, we started talking during the movie, we got closer to each other, and we kissed."

"Is she a good kisser?"

I smiled and said, "Yeah, she definitely is."

"You two hooked up yet?" he asked.

"What do you mean 'yet'?" I asked as I grabbed a bag of Oreos.

"You guys are close and we're all wondering when you guys are going to hook up," he replied.

"I swear you guys have midnight meetings to talk about me. I hope you're not plotting to kill me," I joked.

"Funny, but seriously Rok, you two would make a cute couple."

"Oh my gosh! Did Nickolas Gene Carter just say cute in a sentence!?" I exclaimed. I heard him groan.

"I'm just playin'," I laughed.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," he mumbled. "I'm serious though."

"I know, but there's something about her..."

"Something bad?"

"No, well I dunno, it's hard to explain."

"Is she a serial killer?"

"What? Man, you're weird."

"I'm only kidding! I don't see anything wrong with her."

"I don't really either, but it's just a feeling I have."

"Ooooh! Brian's in love!"

I stopped pushing the cart and stopped walking, surprised at what he said, "What!? No, I'm not. I hardly know her."

"I'm kidding again, but what do you mean you hardly know her? You only spend every day with her."

I sighed and started moving down the next isle, "I know, but...gosh it's so hard to explain. I mean, when I'm with her, it's great. She makes me smile and she treats me like a normal person, but at times, when we stop talking and we're just kind of sitting there, I look at her, and something just forms in my stomach that something isn't right."

"What do you mean?" I could tell he was confused. I sighed and said, "Nevermind, forget I said anything."

"Rok, are you OK?" Nick asked concerned.

"Yeah, why?"

He was silent for a moment but then he spoke up, "I was just wondering."

We were silent for the next minute and when I went to say I'd let him go, I heard him ask something I didn't see coming, "Have you talked to Leighanne?"

I was startled at the question.

"I...I..." I stuttered.

"Forget it, I'm sorry I asked."

"No."

"No what?"

"I haven't talked to her."

"I'm sorry Brian."

"Yeah, so am I."

"Why don't you call her?"

"What's the point? She left me Nick, I didn't leave her."

"Why did she leave you?" he asked. I grew silent. I didn't know how to answer that question.

"Bri? You there?"

"Yeah, sorry, hey I'm going to let you go OK?"

"All right, I'm sorry for bringing that up."

"Nah, it's OK. I'll see you tonight at the dinner right?" I asked.

"Yup, see you there."

"Bye," I said pressing the end button on my cellphone. I stuffed it in my coat pocket and sighed deeply, trying not to cry. I don't know why I can't answer the question. No one knows the story behind it, only me. I haven't told anyone, maybe because I'm ashamed of what happened or because I don't fully understand it. How am I supposed to explain to my best friends or my family that the reason why my long time girlfriend left me was because...well I won't even say anything. I'm afraid you'd be ashamed of me too.

That Night

I strolled down the lightly lit hallway toward the sound of clinging wine glasses and the laughter of the many people that were most likely going to be wasted by the end of the night.

"Good evening Mr. Littrell," a man in a black tux greeted me as I walked past. I smiled and nodded my head to be polite.

I looked away from him and walked over to the balcony, setting my hands lightly on the railing. I looked down at the large lightly lit room below me. It was crowded, more crowded then I expected it would be, but things don't always come out as you would've hoped.

Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, letting off little light, only enough for everyone to able to see everything. Music blared through the speakers and echoed throughout the room.

This wasn't a party of a group of old people. It was a dinner for record producers and managers, artists and dancers. All the same, it was going to be boring.

Sighing deeply, I stepped away from the railing and walked down the marble staircase to the crowd below, wondering how I was going to find anyone I recognized. I would most likely be approached by numerous girls asking if we're making a new album any time soon, and of course, if I'm single. I don't go to these things to get laid. I don't go to anything to get laid. I'm not like that. Now AJ on the other hand...

"Brian, you don't want to be here so might as well turn around and go home. You can still catch SNL if you leave now," I muttered to myself as I stepped off the last step. I smiled politely at a red headed woman as she walked passed. I hope she didn't hear me, that would be embarrassing.

As much as I wanted to just haul ass out of there, I couldn't. I was invited to this and I'm not one to turn invitations down, it's just how I am. Now if I had a tragedy going on then I wouldn't have to go, but there isn't a tragedy going on and they all know that. Well, there is a tragedy, but I'm the only one that knows about it. Besides, I wanted to see Nicole.

Walking across the room, dodging giggling women with wine glasses grasped in their hands, and waving to people that I didn't know that waved to me. I looked around me trying to find any of the guys. No such luck.

"Brian!" I heard someone yell from behind me. I turned around and scanned the crowd. I saw no one.

"Babe, you really gotta get your eyes checked or something. I'm right here," I heard Fatima's voice from next to me. I turned my head and smiled warmly at her, giving her a hug.

"Hey 'Tima, you look great," I complimented. She smiled a thank you and grabbed a wine glass from a passing waiter. She was wearing a long black gown, with spaghetti straps, that was open in the back.

"You look pretty damn hot yourself I must say," she winked. I looked down at my black suit.

"Nah, it's nothing special. I didn't want to dress up too much," I shrugged, moving out of the way for a rather large man with a plate full of food.

"I think it looks good, I like how you don't go full out in these things."

"Thanks, hey are any of the guys here?" I asked. She took a sip of her wine and nodded, "Yeah, they're all here. Kevin is over talking to Mariah Carey, Howie's talking with his mother of course, AJ's over flirting with some blonde bimbo chick, and Nick, he's over there talking with Justin Timberlake."

My mouth dropped open at that, "Are you serious?"

She laughed, nodding her head and taking another sip.

"Strange," I said shaking my head.

"You want to know where Nicole is don't you?" she asked. I looked at her oddly. How did she know that?

"Uh...well, yeah, I do actually," I nodded. She smiled and said, "She went to the ladies room. She'll be out here soon and boy, she's gonna knock your socks off."

I couldn't help but grin when I heard that. Of course she was going to knock my socks off, she always does.

"Well, being the social butterfly that I am, I'm going to go talk with some other people OK?"

"All right, see you later 'Tima. Don't drink too much," I warned.

"You know I won't," she playfully slapped my arm and walked off. I pulled out a chair from the table that I was standing next to and sat down gently.

I sat there alone just looking around uncomfortably. Usually I wouldn't be uncomfortable in a place like this, but I've changed, not by choice.

I reached across the table and grabbed the glass of water sitting there. I started to sip some when I was hit in the back.

"Hey boy!" AJ greeted slapping my back and falling into the seat next to me. I jumped and slammed the water down, wiping off the water that had fallen into my lap.

"Whoops, sorry about that," he cringed. I looked up at him and said, "It's all right."

"What are you doing here all alone?" he asked concerned. I set down the napkin and shrugged, "I don't know many here."

"Yeah, that's why you mingle and get to know these people," he said drinking from his wine glass.

"I don't feel like mingling. I don't want to be here to be truthful," I stated bluntly. He stared at me for a moment and said, "Are you sick?"

I shook my head.

"Rok, what is up with you? Seriously, is something wrong? You usually enjoy these types of things, and now you don't even want to be here? Will you please tell me what is going on? You are starting to really worry me."

"I'm fine AJ," I replied.

"Sure as hell doesn't seem like it. We've had this conversation before so I'm not going to repeat everything, but we're always here for you, and we're willing to help. We can't help though unless you tell us what is going on."

"All of you think something is wrong?"

"Pretty much," he nodded. "We didn't think so at first, but ever since Nicole came, your face seems to show more emotion and it's easier to pick up things. Before she came, you were fine. Did she do something to you?"

I shook my head quickly, "Of course not! If anything, she has made me happier."

"Then what the hell is wrong?" he asked getting frustrated.

"Nothing is wrong! If there was, wouldn't you think I would have told you by now?" I exclaimed glaring at him.

He stared at me hurtfully for a moment and then nodded his head, "All right, I won't push it anymore, but Rok, I know there's something wrong and I know that you are not alright."

With that, he got up and walked away. I sighed deeply and watched as he walked away. Am I really doing a bad job at covering things up now? I didn't think I was. I thought I was acting the same even before Nicole came.

"I have something for you," I heard a familiar whisper in my ear. I jumped, surprised, and turned around to come face to face with the most beautiful woman that I have ever met.

"What do you have for me?" I whispered back with a smile. She grinned and raised her hand that contained a single white rose. I took it and smiled, afterwards, getting to my feet and wrapping her in a hug, kissing her cheek.

"I'm glad you're here," I said.

"So am I! I've gotten to meet so many famous people, it's unbelievable. Thanks for inviting me," she said as we pulled away.

"No problem, I'm surprised you found me."

She smiled lightly and said, "Nah, it wasn't that hard. You kind of stand out when you're sitting all alone."

"Oh, thanks. Sit down," I said as I slipped back into my chair. As she sat down, I finally noticed how beautiful she did look tonight. Her hair was in curls on top of her head, and she was wearing a blue sparkling dress. It had spaghetti straps and it reached to her knees. It really brought her eyes out.

"You look incredible," I complimented as she sat down.

"Thank you," she smiled. "You look very handsome yourself. How are you?"

"I'm doing pretty good," I lied. She stared at me as if she knew I was lying and then nodded, "That's good to hear."

"How are you?" I asked.

"Pretty good," she replied. "Are you having fun?"

"Nah, it's pretty boring."

She looked surprised, "I heard you like these things."

"Yeah, I guess I'm just tired, you know?"

She nodded and said, "I know what you mean. When did you get here?"

"About 10 minutes ago, nothing exciting is going on from what I can see."

"Well, over on the other side of the room, these two old people were dancing like they were chickens. I think they had one too many drinks," she laughed. I couldn't help but smile.

"Can you dance?" I asked. She nodded and said, "Yup, I love dancing."

"Same here, do you want to dance?" I asked, beginning to get up.

"Nah, not yet," she said. "I want to talk a little first if you don't mind."

I sat back down in my seat and nodded slowly.

"What do you want to talk about?"

"You of course!" she grinned.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"You just did."

"I'm serious," I laughed.

"I'm just playin'. Shoot," she said.

"Why are you so interested in me?" I asked slowly.

"What do you mean?"

"We're always talking about me, and if you think about it, I know nothing about you."

She became silent and then smiled, "What's wrong with trying to get to know my buddy Brian?"

"Nothing, it's just that...I would like to know some things about you, you know?"

She nodded her head and sighed, "All right, what do you want to know?"

"Everything," I stated.

She laughed lightly and said, "Can you be a little bit more specific?"

"OK, um do you have any siblings? Wait that was a stupid question..."

She only laughed.

"OK, I got one, you know I'm religious right?" I asked. She nodded and waited for me to go on.

"Are you?"

She nodded her head again and said, "Very much so."

"So you believe in God?"

"Yup," she smiled.

"Do you believe in angels?" I asked. Her smile faltered for a moment, but went back, "Yes. Do you?"

"Yeah, I think there is. I'm glad you think the same thing, a lot of people find it stupid to believe in them."

"I'm happy to know you believe in them too. It's good to believe in something," she smiled. "Can I ask you a question now?"

"Go ahead."

"This may sound stupid, but I'm just wondering..."

"No question is stupid," I shrugged.

"Well, do you ever think that you've met one?" she asked, looking into my eyes.

I was taken aback by the question. I didn't know how to answer that.

"Yo Bri! Come over here!" I heard Kevin's voice come from across the room. I shifted my eyes from Nicole's intent stare and toward the voice. I saw Kevin waving at me to come over.

"I'll be right back," I said, getting up and walking over. As I left, I couldn't help but actually feel uncomfortable for the first time in the presence of Nicole. I'm guessing it was her question. I've never been asked that and I really didn't know how to answer it. I believe in angels, but to think that I could have met one is just way out there. But what if I have? What then?