The next day, things were a little...tense between Natalia and Nick. Not that the kiss the night before was bad or anything, but now, they didn't really know what to say to the other.
They were at the final rehearsal before the show that night and were both kind of trying to avoid one another. AJ and Nick had been talking and someone had overheard what they had been talking about, which meant that Michelle (by the end of the afternoon) knew that Nick went back to Natalia's room after they left the club. Of course, details had been added in and emphasized for the story after whoever heard it from AJ.
Natalia was getting tired and annoyed of the looks and whispers she was getting. She put her hands on her hips and turned to look at Nick, who was behind her, "Why is everyone suddenly talking about me like I got caught in the school bathroom with the quarterback in a precarious position?"
He looked around, noticing the way people averted their eyes from his, "I have no idea."
"Who have you told Nick?"
"AJ, because he asked. But he wouldn't tell anyone, trust me."
"Then why does everyone suddenly seem to know my business?"
He shrugged, "I don't know Nat, you gotta trust me on this."
"Ok...I trust you."
Nick was walking in the backstage area looking for Natalia to see if she wanted to get something to eat with him before the show; they really needed to talk. He stopped in his tracks when he heard voices; female voices.
Michelle had backed Natalia into a corner and was pretty close to over-stepping her boundaries. Natalia wasn't stepping down though, Michelle didn't scare her. She had been in more frightening positions than this, she could handle herself. Natalia, in fact, looked bored with Michelle.
"I just think you should...learn where not to step Natalia."
"Oh? And that's where Michelle?"
"Leave Nick alone."
"I'm not doing anything he doesn't want to."
"I heard you two went back to the hotel together..now, doesn't that violate a part of your contact?"
"Doesn't that make you a little more nosey than you should be?"
Michelle was backing down a little, Natalia noticed. She wasn't as heated as she was. But Natalia still was.
Michelle stepped closer to Natalia, her finger nearly in her face, "I'd just watch it if I were you."
Natalia stood up straighter, "And I'd watch where you put that hand of yours."
"And what are you going to do about it?"
"Not a damn thing unless you get that thing out of my face."
"Ooooo Natalia, a little feisty, aren't we? I'm not trying to be violent."
"Yea, well, I'm about to be."
"Now, Natalia, there's no need..."
"Oh there's no need? Okay, whatever! You come over here and get in my face and call me some names that I don't care to repeat and then don't expect me to say anything back or not do anything? I don't fuckin' think so Michelle! You've had it in for me ever since you found out I was being paired up with Nick, why? What does it matter??"
Michelle put one hand on her hips, the other still hanging close to Natalia, "It matters because I want HIM. And...I always get what I want."
Natalia raised an eyebrow as if in challenge, "Oh really? You ALWAYS get what you want?"
"Yes, and if that means running all over your ugly ass, then I will do it."
"I'd watch what you say Michelle."
"And why is that?"
"Because, that one time you do run over someone's ass..namely MINE, you're going to get yourself hurt."
"Is that a threat?"
"It is if you step any closer to me, you've in MY personal space now and I'd watch yourself."
"Oh whatever..this is such bullshit. You know the only reason he wants you, right?"
Natalia looked bored again, "And what would that be?"
Michelle leaned in closer so they were nearly touching shoulder to shoulder, "He wants you because you'd be a good fuck Natalia. Guys like him don't want a REAL relationship..they want a bed-buddy. I know his type, and I AM his type, so little girl, I'd run along."
Before Michelle could step back, Natalia shoved her, hard. Michelle stumbled backwards but didn't fall, she then lunged for Natalia. Michelle nearly tackled her, sending Natalia's back into the wall she had just been leaning on, her head snapping backwards. Natalia was quick though and threw the first punch at Michelle, trying to defend herself. That was when Michelle brought out the girl-fighting technique: pulling the hair. Natalia let out a scream as Michelle grabbed a fistful of hair to pull her up.
Nick had watched the whole scene play out and ran to pull them apart before some real damage could be done. He grabbed Michelle, she was closer, and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her. She wouldn't budge, she just tried to fight him off, still holding onto the fistful of Natalia's hair.
Natalia had a vice on Michelle's hand that was holding onto her hair and began to dig her nails into Michelle's hand; she felt as if all her hair was being ripped out peice by peice.
The group was beginning to draw the attention of some of the other dancers, as well as the other Backstreet Boys.
Natalia shut her eyes tightly against the pain ripping through her head and swung out, connecting with something hard and warm.
Nick, the one being hit by Natalia, let go of Michelle from the force of the blow to his chest. Natalia finally managed to push Michelle onto the ground and was now on top of her; Michelle had a huge chunk of Natalia's hair in her hand. Natalia hit Michelle one good time before Michelle tumbled them over and began to hit Natalia over and over.
Nick got up and grabbed at Michelle again, trying to ignore the pain in his chest. One of the security guards, Kyle, grabbed Michelle and pulled her off. Another guard, Mike, grabbed Natalia, pulling her from the floor. Fatima, and the guys' manager Dave, didn't look too thrilled with either of the girls. Michelle put on the water works, blaming Natalia for the whole thing. Natalia stood completely still, her eyes dark and cold as Mike held onto her arms to keep her from jumping at Michelle. Natalia didn't say a word as Fatima began to yell.
"You too are suspended until further notice! Take them back to their rooms and I will speak to you all seperately when I'm not so angry! And everyone else better get out of the way...NOW!"
Natalia sat on the edge of her bed, an ice pack on her lip. The clock read 11:00. She was absolutley miserable and utterly disappointed in herself. Security was placed outside her door so she couldn't leave even if she wanted to. She sighed and pulled her legs underneath her; she was so afriad this was the end of her dancing career before it ever really got started. She bit her lip as the tears came to her eyes, she was so disappointed in herself. She shouldn't have let her temper get so out of control and she did.
Nick stuck his hands in his pockets as he stepped off the elevator and walked down the hallway to Natalia's room. Travis, one of the security guards, was standing out front of her door. "Hey man.."
"Hey..what are you doin' up here?"
"Came to talk to her...can I get in?"
Travis shook his head, "Sorry man, I have orders...Fatima's goin' to talk to her tomorrow morning she said.."
"And I can't go see her?"
"Sorry.."
Nick sighed, "Please man, I need to talk to her.."
Travis sighed, "If I get in trouble....."
"You won't..I'll make sure of it."
"Alright...I'll be down the hall..don't get me caught Nick."
Nick smiled, "I won't..promise."
Travis disappeared and Nick raised his hand to knock.
Natalia opened the door and was surprised to see Nick standing there. He smiled, "Hey...can I come in?"
She opened the door a little wider and he slid in, "Where's Travis?"
"Went down the hall."
"Oh.."
He took her chin gently in his hand and turned it so he could see, "Let me see the damage."
She pulled away and put the ice pack back on her lip, "It's nothing.."
"Well..you should see her?"
"Why?"
"You got a bunch of good hits in."
"Good..the bitch deserved it."
Nick smiled, "There's that feisty-ness I knew you had in you."
She sighed, "Am I going to get fired?"
"I honestly don't know.."
She sat down on the bed, "I should have just walked away...I should have..but noooo I had to let my temper get the best of me..."
"I heard what she said."
She looked at him, "You did?"
"Yea..I'm not that kind of guy Nat.."
"I..I know you're not.."
"I don't just..you know..kiss a girl and then leave her or do whatever...when I like someone, I really like them..."
"I believe you.."
He sat on the bed next to you, "I don't want to lose you Natalia before I even really had you.."
"You're not...I just..I shouldn't have hit her."
"I think you should have..she's had it comin' for awhile."
"I guess..I guess she just..messed with the wrong person..and said the wrong thing."
He smiled, "Now, can I see the lip?"
She sighed, "If you must."
He took her hand and led her into the bathroom. He ordered her up on the counter, to which she complied, and proceeded to examine her lip. "I think she got ya pretty good..," He said quietly.
She winced, "Yea..."
He then continued to clean it, his finger brushing over her lip gently, "Thanks Nat."
"For?"
"For being you."
She grinned, "For sticking up for you, right?"
He smiled, "Yea..that too."
"Not a problem.."
"You really don't think I'm that type of guy, do you?"
She shook her head, "No..I don't.."
"How do you feel since me and you kissed?"
"I feel...a little confused.."
"Really?"
She nodded, "Yea...I mean..why did you kiss me?"
"Cause I like you..and because I wanted to."
"Ohh."
"Did you want me to kiss you?"
She shrugged and looked away shyly, "I dunno.."
He smiled, "Can I kiss you now?"
"Now? With my split lip?"
"It gives you character."
She smiled and wound her hands around his neck, "Well then, by all means, kiss me."
He smiled and lowered himself, their lips meeting softly.
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