Nick leaned his head against the headrest in the plane. He had been dozing on and off for the whole trip from New York and they were soon approaching Florida and Orlando. It had been a long journey that was finally starting to come to an end.
The journey had been filled with lots of happiness but also sadness and frustration. It had been strenuous and there were times when all Nick had felt were aches and pains. But thinking back to the past months there were also lots of laughter and love. Their concerts had been a real success and there were hundreds of fans waiting for them wherever they went. They were in at their highest level of success and none of guys could believe how big they were starting to become.
And soon he would be back at home again. Back to being Nickolas Carter and living a life as far as could be from the pop star that the fans thought he was. Thinking about his family there were lots of mixed feelings and emotions and there was a tear in his heart when he thought that his own family hadnīt come to visit him when he was in the hospital. They had called, often several times a day, but that didnīt make up for the fact that they chose to be with his siblings instead of taking the time to be with him.
When he had told this to Brian his older friend said that they probably wouldnīt be anywhere else but with him and that they had tried all they could so they could go and see him. Nick had swallowed the excuse down but when he overheard Johnny talking to Lou that the management had paid the Carters trip to NY but still had decided to go to a charity event that Aaron performed at in Las Vegas he had doubted that they cared for him.
This was just another nail in the coffin since his parents and family had spent less and less time with him and instead spent a great deal in Los Angeles instead. This was mainly when Aaron had got his record deal, BJ started to model and Lesley was trying her hand in the entertainment business. There were times both at home and on the road when he felt so alone even though he had people surrounding him 24/7.
Pushing the disturbing thoughts away he was happy that Kevin had managed to persuade the doctor that he could go back home with them because otherwise he would have been so alone. Neither Lou or Johnny had touched the subject and both managers had left shortly after it was clear that Nick was doing so much better and just needed the rest. Johnny had looked very sorrowful and he knew that the black man felt bad for all that had been happening and shouldnīt be blamed. It was like the manager knew something but was stopped from saying anything. AJ had said when they had talked the other day that he suspected that Lou had something on him and therefore he couldnīt do anything to act for their best. At first they had laughed at it but now Nick was starting to think that maybe it wasnīt so far fetched after all.
Lou and the management would be sued that thing was for sure but neither of them knew when it would happen. One thing was for sure though; this was one battle that they intended to win.
His thoughts were soon interrupted by the loud speakers, "Ladies and Gentlemen we are now preparing to land in Orlando International and.." The female stewardess talked with a thick southern accent.
Looking at the rest of the guys he noticed that they were all busy with their own. Brian was writing a card to Leighanne to give away with a present that he was going to give her. It was a ring with a big diamond and he was very nervous that she wouldnīt like it. AJ was also nervous. But that was from a whole different matter. He was scared that Amanda would find out about all of his love affairs being on the road and now he was seriously trying to figure out how to act without getting her suspicious. Howie had felled the comment, "Jay it would be better to tell the truth!" while he had looked at him like he was something the cat dragged in. Now he was biting his nails, while trying to figure out a way to make her happy. Kevin and Howie were the calm ones as usual and both of them were taking it easy, reading a magazine but Nick knew that they longed as much as the others to come back home.
It was only Nick that felt a bit sad about it all. Even if it had been a strenuous tour on all sides, possibly the hardest of them all, he still thought it felt weird not being with the guys. They would have a break for a few weeks before they would be back in the studio again. He would miss them so much even if it would feel good to have some free time too, spending it with Mandy and all.
The more he thought about it the more he became certain about one thing. He had survived. At least for now and he felt rather good inside too. But if the guys hadnīt been there for him during the hardship on this tour there was no telling what the outcome could have been. They had proved to be his friends, his real family and he loved them with all their heart.
But the best part was that they loved him even with his faults and mistakes. He didnīt have to prove anything any longer. He didnīt have to be perfect.
The end
