Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2000 15:43:42 +0100 (BST) From: ethan coleman Subject: The Westlife Story - Chapter Two The Westlife Story. This story is completely fictitious, all the situations described in it are NOT REAL, and non-of the members of Westlife are gay. This story is continuing on my website: www.geocities.com/westlife02. Chapter Two. Kian climbed the steps, taking them two at a time. He was feeling very excited about getting together with the lads again, after nearly a week apart. It had been a strange week, everything had felt 'empty' and foreign to him, because it was the first time the group took a break without going back to Ireland. He walked across the lobby, and entered the restaurant looking around for the rest of the guys. He spotted Shane sitting in the corner, looking straight ahead at nothing in particular. He walked over towards him and sat in the chair opposite him. "Filan" he said loudly, moving his fingers in front of Shane's eyes. Shane blinked quickly, snapping out of his thoughts. "Hey" he said quietly. "What's the matter?" asked Kian, sensing the tension in Shane's voice. "Nothing" "You were thinking about nothing?" Shane shifted uncomfortably. "Where are the rest of them?" he asked, attempting to change the subject. "I was gonna ask you the same thing" said Kian, falling for the trick. "There they are" he announced after a few seconds, noticing Bryan and Mark wandering over towards them. Shane followed his gaze and spotted the two guys, but his eyes lingered on the entrance expecting Nicky to walk in behind them, but he didn't. "Hey guy's, how you been?" Kian asked brightly, as Bryan and Mark took their seats. "Bored senseless" Bryan complained with Mark nodding in agreement. "Where's Nicky?" Shane asked, not bothering to greet the guys. He couldn't wait to see him, he had missed him so much and now he had to wait even longer for that moment to come. "Dunno" said Mark "haven't seen him at all" Shane kept his eyes fixed on the entrance, while the other three got into a conversation. After a few minutes Ronan entered the restaurant, Shane's heart sank. 'How long will I have to wait?' he thought to himself, muttering a half-hearted 'hello' to Ronan. Finally Nicky Byrne walked in, dressed in black, looking absolutely amazing. Shane's heart skipped a few beats as he caught sight of the love of his life. Nicky hesitated for a few seconds before strolling over towards the table. "Hi" he muttered, quietly. They all greeted him simultaneously, except for Shane who waited for them to finish before flashing Nicky a perfect smile "Hi" he said, softly. Kian noticed the sudden change of mood in Shane, but he thought that Shane was just as happy as he was to be back with the lads. Nicky remained standing uncomfortably despite a vacant seat next to Kian. Ronan noticed this, and casually stood up from his own seat next to Shane and moved across to sit next to Kian. He gave Nicky a quick smile to reassure him, and Nicky sat down next to Shane. Shane's heart skipped a beat when Nicky absentmindedly brushed his hand against his while resting them on the table. "So lads how are you coping, so far?" asked Ronan, making conversation while they waited for Louis Walsh to turn up. But before the guys could reply Louis entered the restaurant and headed towards them, apologising for being late. Immediately they began discussing plans for the concert, what songs to sing, how to make their entry etc. Ignoring the discussion, Shane kept his eyes firmly on Nicky, but Nicky kept his head down, staring at his hands. Shane sensed that there was something wrong, but he didn't know what, he couldn't concentrate on what the guys were talking about, he was too concerned about Nicky. He looked at his friend's eyes, usually so lively and striking, but now they looked dull and empty, his lips thin and straight, not displaying any sign of the heart-stopping smile that Shane loved so much. He wanted so desperately to know the reason behind it, so he could share the sadness with Nicky and hopefully help him get over it. "Shane?" said Mark, tapping his friend lightly on the shoulder, to get his attention. "Huh?" "What do you think?" "About what?" asked Shane, realising he had no idea of what they had been talking about. "About my idea" said Mark. Shane shrugged "sounds good" he said, hoping it was enough. It was. Another half hour later, the guys were ready to leave, they all got up and walked out towards the car, while Louis and Ronan went looking for the Chauffeur, who had gone AWOL. They were all going back to the Hilton, Louis decided that they should all stay in the same hotel now that their break was over. On arrival at the hotel, the guys stormed out of the car and were dragged inside by their bodyguards, leaving a large number of photographers and fans behind. As they were about to head to their own rooms, Shane quickly grabbed Nicky by the hand and pulled him back. "What?" Nicky asked, a little agitated. "I need to talk to you," said Shane, still holding Nicky's hand. "What about?" "Just come to my room for a bit," he said softly, letting go of Nicky's hand. Nicky followed him quietly. They walked into the room, closing the door firmly behind them. Nicky turned around immediately and asked Shane to 'spit it out'. "What's wrong with you?" Shane asked, a sincere and concerned expression on his face. "Nothing" "Is that why you haven't said a word all evening?" asked Shane "come on, I know something is wrong, tell me" he said, placing his hand on Nicky's shoulder. Nicky sighed "Forget it" he said, "it's nothing". Shane sighed in frustration and remained silent for a few seconds. "Nicky please.." he started. "Why do you want to know?" asked Nicky, cutting in angrily. Shane looked at him, hurt by his cold attitude, he felt tears swell up in his eyes "because I care, I can't see you unhappy Nicky" he said. Shane's heart skipped wildly in the following few minutes of silence, which was broken by Nicky soft voice "I'm sorry, Shane" he said "I didn't mean that". Shane grabbed him by the shoulders and swung him around "then tell me, let me help you Nicky" To be continued...will Nicky tell Shane everything? Comments/suggestions: ethancoleman@yahoo.co.uk