chapter three
...Friday, 11.03am, Sheffield Arena, Sheffield...
"One, Two, One, Two, Testing, Testing." Mark sat laughing at Bryan as
he stood centre stage, attempting to impress everyone with his professionalism.
"You're such a prick Bry," shouted Kian from the far end of the stage.
"You're just jealous cause I'm better than you" replied Bryan.
"Better than me at what?" asked Kian. "I'm sooooooo much better
looking than you are and you know it!" Bryan answered Kian's question.
"Whatever you think lard-arse," spitted Kian spitefully across the
stage as he lunged for Bryan.
"Well, I'm better looking than all of you put together!!!" interrupted
Nicky, walking onto the stage with Shane. Mark and Shane pulled Bryan and Kian
apart from each other. Bryan gave Kian a malevolence look from behind Mark's
head as they walked towards the front of the stage. Kian mouthed "Arsehole"
back to Bryan. He was not amused by Kian's comments about his weight.
"I want to hear you sing loud, proud and Irish," screeched Anto in
high-pitched voice from below the stage. "Great, just when I thought he was
actually returning from planet Mars, he goes and pulls a stunt like this,"
whispered Kian to Bryan. Bryan laughed. They were back mates again.
"What shall we sing then guys?" asked Shane. Nicky jumped up and down
and screamed "Open Your Heart, Open Your Heart!!!" "Calm it Nix,
you'll wet yourself!" chuckled Bryan. "Okay then Nix, you win."
Shane smiled at him and punched him in the arm. "Arrrrggh, My arms gone
dead now. Thanks Shay." Nicky rubbed his arm. "Anytime Nix."
Shane cheekily grinned at Nicky.
They all laughed and began to walk towards the microphones, which were placed
right at the front. The music began and they started to sing. "I didn't
mean to let you down, you have to believe it." Shane's mind was elsewhere,
He wasn't in the mood to be singing songs about love.
"I don't know what went, through my mind, but now I can see." What IS
going through my mind? Shane asked himself. "That I waited too long, to
tell you how much it matters, just to be right here with you." What was she
doing now? What was she thinking? He thought quietly. "But I couldn't think
of anything better, I should have told you so." She'll be eighteen now. I
wonder if she's got a boyfriend? Questions plagued Shane's mind as he sang.
All the voices around him faded, the only thing he could hear was the beating of
his heart. He was aware of himself singing, even though he couldn't hear the
words. It seemed like an eternity.
The song finally ended. Shane returned to reality. "Great lads, super,
brilliant, go have lunch and I'll see you all at show time!" said an over
hyped Anto.
"Are you okay Shay?" asked Nicky with concern in his voice. "Yeh,
I'm just hungry that's all Nix," replied Shane. He lied and Nicky knew it.
Ever since the band hit the big time he and Shane had become the very best of
friends. Nicky knew Shane better that he knew himself.
The lads quickly ran through some final checks, sorted out the schedule, finally
packed up and then went back to the hotel to eat.
...Friday, 2.10pm, Aston Hall Hotel & Restaurant, Aston Restaurant and Bar,
Sheffield...
"Touring really sucks y'know that don't you?" blasted Kian "I
wanna go home! NOW!" He folded his arms and sulked. "Last show tonight
Kian, and then you can sod off and quit giving me a headache" replied Nicky
sounding pretty pissed off.
Tempers were higher than usual. Living in each other's pockets for nearly four
months was bound to cause problems for their friendship. Everyone wanted to get
off the tour and away from each other. It was only natural.
"I bet you can't wait to get home, back to Dublin Nix," said Kian
sarcastically. "And why's that Kian?" asked Nicky mocking Kian.
"Well" he paused "I bet your Georgina's been keeping the bed nice
and cosy for you, y'know waiting for you." Kian nudged Nicky and winked.
"No thanks, she snores like a steam train," Nicky said laughing.
"And besides, me and Shane aren't going home," finished Nicky.
"What? Are you insane?" Mark said looking completely confused by
Nicky's statement. "We're gonna do some shopping and sight seeing."
"Sightseeing?" asked Kian. "Yeh, y'know look at things, Christ
you really are as dense as you look aren't you?" said Nicky sarcastically.
"Don't you agree Shay?" Nicky turned to Shane who was busy making
strange shapes out of his remaining fries. "What?" Shane vaguely
replied. "Never mind" Nicky slapped Shane playfully round the head.
"Hey watch the hair Nix, It took me ages to get it right this morning."
"Liar" whispered Nicky into Shane's ear. "Let's get back to our
rooms like good little boys or else Anto will probably hang himself," joked
Bryan. "Good, he's been a right pain in the arse lately" said Kian
grumpily, still sulking from Nicky's insults. "P.M.S" laughed Mark.
...Friday, 2.49pm, Aston Hall Hotel & Restaurant, Room 182, Sheffield...
Shane crashed out on the bed. Nicky sat down on his own bed on the opposite side
of the room. Shane was knackered. He could barely keep his eyes open and within
a few minutes, he had fallen asleep. Nicky looked at Shane asleep and decided
that he'd better go and apologise to Kian or else he'd have to suffer with
Kian's childish sulking all night. Nicky looked at Shane, asleep on the bed. He
smiled and closed the door behind him.
Shane could feel her hand touching his face and slowly, she pulled him closer.
he could feel her warm breath against his skin. then her lips. Shane's eyes flew
open. His chest felt tight and he was struggling to breathe. He closed his eyes
again for a second.
When he opened them again he could see Nicky walking though the door. "Time
to go on with the show Shay" Nicky handed Shane his jacket and they both
walked down the stairs and into the waiting car.