It was an early Thursday morning in the middle of March. Nick was still sleeping soundly in his bed when AJ and Tomi stepped into his room. "I can't believe it, he's still sleeping," said AJ.
"Oh Nicky, hey Nickypoo, wake up," said Tomi in her sweetest voice possible, tickling him on the side.
Nick rolled over and then mumbled in his sleep, "Don't Misty, you know that's my ticklish spot."
"Doh..." said AJ, fearing for the life of his friend.
Tomi, furious, grabbed one of Nick's pillows and hit him as hard as she could then shouted, "Nickolas Gene Carter, Wake up!!"
A startled Nick jumped up into the air. He landed with his hair all messed up. "Who, what?!!?!" He saw Tomi and AJ and asked, "What are you guys doing here?"
"Nick, man I swear you have the worst memory. Remember we have to go to the little theater early today to get our roles in the upcoming play man," said AJ.
"Oh yeah, that's right," said Nick.
"So get your lazy butt out of bed and come on!" said Tomi.
"Alright, alright, what's your problem jeez," said Nick, getting up.
"Uuuuummm Nick," said AJ. Tomi all of the sudden started to laugh.
"WHAT?!" said Nick.
"Nice draws Nickypoo, HAHAHAHAHA!!" said Tomi, laughing her head off. Nick looked down and realized that he only had his boxers on and quickly grabbed his blanket. Bright red, Nick yelled, "Alright, everyone OUT!!"
AJ and Tomi both headed out and about fifteen minutes later, Nick came out fully dressed and they headed off for school. There was already about fifteen people in the little theater, including Howie and Brian.
"Bout time you guys showed up," said Brian.
"Nick forgot again," explained Tomi.
"Alright, now that most of you are here, have a seat," said the teacher up front. The students did as they were told and they sat down. "Well, as most of you know, the upcoming play is "Romeo and Juliet". And I have handpicked who is playing what role, but that doesn't mean you're getting that role. You will still have to audition, but if you were picked, it means that I saw you fit for that role. You do not have to take it though. So here is what you've been waiting for, your roles." The teacher started to name off the roles one by one. "Benvolio, Howard Dorough."
"Woohoo, go D! You got a major role," said AJ.
The teacher kept reading off names then he came to AJ and Brian, "Mr. McLean, you will be playing Mercutio. And Brian, you will be playing Romeo's rival, Tybalt."
"Hell yeah, we all got major parts," said AJ.
The teacher continued and he finally came to Nick, "And now, for the final roles, Nick Carter, you have been chosen to play Romeo."
Nick looked up all of the sudden, "ME?" he asked.
"Yeah like that's a surprise," said Brian.
"And now, for the last role, Juliet will be played by Miss Tomianne," announced the teacher.
Tomi, who was about to take a sip from her pop, dropped the can but AJ caught it before it reached the ground. "Me?" asked Tomi. AJ decided he'd keep the pop otherwise she was bound to spill it.
"Yes my dear, you have been chosen to be Juliet," replied the teacher.
"Alright go Tomi!" said Howie.
"Me as Juliet..." mumbled Tomi in disbelief.
"Let's see, so we got AJ as Mercutio, Howie as Benvolio, me as Tybalt, Nick as Romeo...and Tomi as Juliet," said Brian, coming to a realization.
Nick and Tomi already realized this so they sat there silently and both red.
AJ thought for a second then said, "Hey doesn't Romeo and Juliet have a few kiss scenes in there?" Nick and Tomi turned even more red.
"You're very observative AJ, I swear..." said Howie.
"Oh..OH, hehe," said AJ, finally getting it. He finally realized that if Romeo and Juliet had to kiss, that means Nick and Tomi had to kiss. Not that either Nick or Tomi minded it, but they were embarassed for each other that had to do it.
"Here are your scripts. Start memorizing them today. We will be practicing today in class," said the teacher as the bell rang. They all walked out and Tomi and Nick didn't say a word to each other and walked off leaving AJ, Brian and Howie behind. Tomi and Nick started to walk off in different directions although they had the same class.
"Gee, thanks for waiting guys. Love you too," said AJ, "Hey, HEY! You guys might want to go the same way, you both have the same first period remember? And try going STRAIGHT, not to the left or the right..."
"This is gonna be interesting," said Howie.
"Yeah, especially when Misty finds out," said Brian.
"I think we might have to help them break the ice here," said Howie.
"Well, I'll try my best during first period. See you guys later," said AJ. The three headed off to their classes.
The ice seemed to melt away little by little, because Tomi and Nick tried as much as possible to forget about the kiss scenes. They completely blocked it out of their minds. They decided they'd deal with it at the last minute.... in the play. The other three boys also decided not to talk about it because they knew it'd make the two more uncomfortable. But they were forced to deal with again, when drama class came.
"Alright class. Before you left, I had you each memorize a part from your scripts. I'm hoping you have them memorized because you will be reading them when I call you up to see if you will indeed get the part," said the teacher. One by one, they all read their lines. Even though Tomi was nervous about the kiss scenes, she didn't let that get in the way of her acting and the same with Nick. By the time they were done, they had all gotten the parts they were assigned after all. But then came that problem once again of the kiss scenes, the problem that Nick and Tomi blocked out of their minds. Finally after school came and they had avoided that subject for the whole day.
"Man I can't believe we only have two weeks to memorize our lines," said AJ.
"That should be plenty of time," said Brian.
"Do you guys want to practice over at my house?" asked Howie.
"Sure, I need all the practice I can get," said Tomi.
"We all know Nick doesn't need any practice...in kissing that is, haha," said AJ jokingly, making Tomi and Nick turn red again. Brian took a smack at AJ to shut him up.
"Ahem, anyways, I'm up for that," said Nick.
"Alrighty then let's go," said Brian.
They drove down to Howie's house and right when he openned the door, his mother was waiting for him. "Hi Mom, what's up?" asked Howie.
"....There was a letter for you," replied his mother, handing him a letter.
"Hi Mrs. Dorough," said the other four.
"Hi kids," she said with a warm smile.
Howie all of the sudden got a very serious look on his face. "Hey D, what's wrong?" asked AJ.
"Nothin...but can we do rehearsal another time? I'm sorry guys. See ya later," said Howie, trying to hide something. He put the letter in his pocket and headed out the front door.
"Bye Howie...?" said Nick, a bit confused.
"Hey Mommy D, what's up with Howie?" asked AJ.
"He just got a letter, from his father," replied Howie's Mom.
"I didn't know he had a father," said Nick. Howie had lived with his Mother and older sister. The boys never saw a father around.
"Um...guys, doing rehearsal at a different time might be a good," said AJ. The others decided not to ask. "Brian, can you drive Tomi and Nick home? I'll explain later."
"Alright, no problem," said Brian, "See you later man. Bye Mrs. Dorough."
"Bye boys," said Mrs. Dorough.
"Can I go talk to you for a sec, Mommy D?" asked AJ.
"Of course Alex," said Mrs. Dorough.
"Did you read the letter?" asked AJ.
"Yes...it seems that his father wants to see him. He sent a check for him to get a ticket to go down to Puerto Rico," answered Mrs. Dorough.
"I'm guessing that Howie doesn't like that idea?" asked AJ.
"I think Howie at least told you about his father," said Mrs. Dorough.
"Somewhat... All he ever told me was about how he left after he was born, and he never got anything from him since," said AJ.
"Well...his father and I had our differences and we broke up. It wasn't my fault, and it wasn't his father's fault, and it definately wasn't Howie or his sister's fault... it just didn't work out. Howie just doesn't seem to understand that," explained Mrs. Dorough, "But I don't really blame him either. His father didn't help out much with that. He has never seen his father since, nor heard from him."
"Then why is he even bothering right now?" asked AJ.
"In the letter he said he wanted to see his boy before he graduates from highschool, before he becomes a man," replied Mrs. Dorough.
"Do you think he's gonna go?" asked AJ.
"I don't know... personally, for his own sake, I'd like him to go," said Mrs. Dorough.
"Why's that Mama D?" asked AJ.
"I know he really doesn't want to, because he has never seen his father, but everyone makes mistakes. And sometimes, it takes people longer to realize their mistakes...sometimes even eighteen years. Besides, I'd like him to know his father a little. He isn't a bad man and besides that, he should be in Howie's life," said Mrs. Dorough.
AJ's pager started to go off. AJ looked down at it and said, "Well would you look at that, it hasn't even been ten minutes and the guys are already paging me."
Mrs. Dorough smiled, "It's nice to know that Howie's got friends like you kids. Thank you Alex."
"It's no problem. Is it okay to fill the others in? It's really not fair to them that they don't know what's going on when they're this worried," said AJ.
"Of course hun, once again thank you," said Mrs. Dorough.
"No problem. We'll talk to Howie. I'll get him to go," said AJ.
"See you later sweetie," said Mrs. Dorough.
"Later Mama D," said AJ hugging her then stepping out. He went to Brian's apartment, and Brian, Tomi, Nick and Kevin were there.
"So what's going on?" asked Tomi.
"It's a long story...but here goes," said AJ, explaining the whole ordeal with Howie and his father.
"Woah..." said Nick.
"Yeah," said AJ, "Our bud has alot going through his mind right now."
"Hey, how bout we all go with him to Puerto Rico?" asked Nick.
"You got money?" asked AJ.
"Um...I will," said Nick, confidently.
"Hey I'm up for that idea," said Brian, "let's do it."
"No you're not," said Kevin.
"Why not? I have the money," said Brian.
"Don't you remember what Dr. Cooper said? No traveling," said Kevin.
"Damn," said Brian.
"Don't worry Bri, we'll fill you in," said Tomi, "I don't want you doing anything to jepordize your health."
"Well that's if we're going at all," said AJ, "We aren't going anywhere if we can't convince Howie himself to go to Puerto Rico."
"True, speaking of which, where is he?" asked Nick.
"I have a feeling I know where he is. I'm gonna go talk to him. I'll keep you guys updated alright?" said AJ.
"Alright," they said as AJ left. AJ drove down to the park. He parked near the basketball court and then headed toward a small forest next to it. He found Howie leaning against a tree looking up at the sky. "Well what do you know, I actually did find you here. You're so predictable D."
Howie quickly turned around, "How'd you know I'd be here?"
"Well, to tell you the truth, I didn't think you'd be here. This is like the first place I found you...when I was like six or seven. You were hiding here watching us play basketball," said AJ.
"And then you came in here and tried to smack me with the basketball," said Howie.
"I did not," said AJ.
"Yes you did. But I caught it and I threw it back at you," said Howie.
"Man you got it all wrong D, I was trying to throw you a pass," said AJ.
"A pass usually doesn't go for the head," said Howie.
"Alright, alright, but that's besides the point. Are you alright?" asked AJ.
Howie sighed, "Yeah, I'm fine, I guess."
"You gonna go down to Puerto Rico?" asked AJ.
"My Mom told you bout that?" asked Howie.
"Yeah, but she did because she's worried bout you," said AJ.
"I know, and I don't care if you or the other guys know anyways. But to answer your question, I don't know. I mean, why should I go down to Puerto Rico to see a man that never cared to send a letter before? And on top of that, why is he sending me a letter now? After eighteen years?" said Howie.
"Everybody makes mistakes man... You know that. Lord knows I've made plenty," said AJ. "Why not just go down there? Me, Nick and Tomi are willing to go with you. Brian would but I guess his doctor told him no travelling so Kevin's also staying. Just meet the guy. Eighteen years is better than never. And if it was a waste of time, we can always just spend our time down there and just par~ty if you know what I mean," said AJ, nudging him in the arm.
Howie finally managed to crack a smile. "I guess you're right. I'll go. I guess I should at least meet the guy and ask him why he hasn't acknowledged my existance for eighteen years," said Howie.
"That's the spirit D. Come on let's go," said AJ, putting his arm around Howie's shoulder.
"Where?" asked Howie,
"You know, go to the club, get a few drinks...." said AJ.
"Maybe when you're older AJ," said Howie.
"Aw come on D! Loosen up a little," said AJ.
"I got a better idea, let's head down to Brian's and rehearse for the play like we were supposed to," said Howie.
"Hmmm...I like my idea better, but alright, let's go," said AJ with a smile. They hopped into AJ's car and drove off.