The silence within the empty cabin was interrupted by conversations and laughter as the guys and the girls burst through the front door, returning sweaty and tired from a day of rehearsals. Coats and boots were littered across the entry way, some neatly put away, others dropped in the most convenient place by their wearers.
The sitting room and kitchen were suddenly illuminated as lights were switched on and the unruly group of musicians scattered throughout the main socializing areas of the cabin. Some immediately melted into the couches while others made a beeline for the kitchen to raid the fridge and cupboards.
Kevin sank into one of recliners in the den and pulled the lever to recline and put his feet up as he watched Nick and Brian practicing the choreography for Everybody (Backstreet's Back). The rest of the musicians had scattered around the cabin after a long day of rehearsals and interviews to promote their separate singles. They kept quiet about the upcoming tour, not wanting to alert the press to the preparations they were doing while in Germany.
Mel and Geri curled up on the couch together to poke fun at the boys as they rehearsed. As the girls giggled, both boys stopped dancing and eyed each other slyly before breaking into the choreography for the chorus of Stop. Everyone in the room broke into fits of laughter as Brian wiggled his bum and Nick pretended to flip his hair back.
"I think if I rehearsed any longer I'd go insane," AJ groaned as he leaned against the door frame of the kitchen. "You two are nuts."
"I'm just helping Nick," Brian joked. "This kid has a lot of work to do."
"Hey!" said Nick, pretending to be offended as he wrapped his arm around Brian and messed up his hair. The two boys wrestled around in the middle of the room while Mel and Geri cheered them on.
Wanting to calm the atmosphere and relax for a bit, Howie browsed through the collections of old records in the corner of the room, selecting one and placing it on the turntable. As he flicked the switch, the room was flooded with the warm, crackling sound of Louis Armstrong's Dream a Little Dream.
Everyone looked back at Howie, surprised by the sudden ambiance in the room. He shrugged and smirked, leafing through the rest of the record collection.
"What are you lot doing down here?" Emma asked with amusement as she and Melanie appeared from the kitchen to check out what was going on in the den.
"Dance practice," AJ replied. He walked toward the staircase and bowed, offering his hand to Melanie. "M'lady." Melanie fanned her face with one hand, pretending to be surprised and giddy by his offer, and she placed her free hand on his. He guided her into the room and led her into a basic waltz. She giggled and followed his lead, allowing herself to be turned and lifted to the music. They both had backgrounds in dance and easily flowed from basic turns to more advanced choreography.
"Go, Melanie!" Emma cheered as she slipped around them and squeezed on the couch with Geri and Mel.
Brian elbowed Nick in the rib and grinned before bowing and taking Nick's hand to imitate AJ and Melanie.
"Dude, why am I the girl?" Nick snorted as the two of them clumsily attempted to dance together. Mel and Geri burst into fits of giggles as Nick stepped on Brian's foot as the two of them fought to take the lead.
AJ spun Melanie around and pulled her close. He bent one knee and leaned forward, dipping her backwards. With their faces just inches apart, their eyes locked and, for a moment, they were the only people in the room. Their smiles faded and both of them slowly moved in to kiss each other. They froze suddenly, realizing everyone in the room had gotten quiet and were staring at the two of them. Melanie's cheeks flushed and AJ quickly lifted her upright, clearing his throat and taking a step away from her.
Mel purred loudly, raising her eyebrows at Melanie suggestively and giggling. "Oy, you two," she warned with a grin, "Simon and Sam said no romantic relationships until after the tour." Geri slapped her arm, knowing Melanie was already embarrassed.
"What else is there, Howie?" Kevin asked, wanting to take the attention off of AJ and Melanie before things got out of control. Howie removed the record, replacing it with Stevie Wonder's You Haven't Done Nothin'.
"I love that one!" Melanie exclaimed, joining Howie by the turntable to look through the old records. Brian nudged Nick and counted out a beat, then the two proceeded to shuffle and grapevine. Mel grabbed Geri by the hand and joined the boys, creating a dance party in the middle of the den. Emma and Melanie joined in while AJ and Howie took on the role of DJs, switching up the music with songs by Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Michael Jackson. Victoria joined the group from the kitchen where she'd been on the phone with her mum, and Kevin got up off the couch to dance as well.
As the night wore on, the energy amongst the group progressively faded. The turntable was abandoned, left to play an Etta James record in full as the musicians curled up on the couches together. Victoria and Howie had excused themselves to shower and call it a night, leaving Geri, Mel, AJ, Brian, Kevin, and Nick conversing quietly with the lights dimmed. Melanie had fallen asleep earlier with her head on Mel's lap and her legs draped over Geri's lap and Emma had fallen asleep soon after, curled up alone on the recliner.
Gradually the group dwindled even further. Brian, AJ, and Nick called it a night, bidding the rest of the group goodnight as the separated to their own rooms. The record ended, leaving the room strangely quiet and empty.
"I don't think I can stay up any longer," Kevin yawned as he stretched his arms above his head and yawned. "Do you need help with these two?"
"If you wouldn't mind," Geri replied tiredly. "Melanie won't be difficult, but Emma's out for the night, I'm afraid." Kevin smiled sleepily and nodded, getting up and tucking one arm under Emma's knees and the other behind her shoulders. She barely stirred as he lifted her off the chair and carried her effortlessly upstairs to her room.
"Wake up, you," said Mel, running her fingers through Melanie's hair. "Time for bed, sleepyhead."
Geri stretched and shifted out from under Melanie's legs, causing Melanie to groan and shift in her sleep. She squinted and rubbed her eye with the palm of her hand, then looked at the girls with confusion, momentarily forgetting where she was.
Geri giggled and pulled Melanie upright so she was sitting next to Mel. "Come here, darling," she instructed softly, hoping she could take Melanie to bed without her fully waking up.
"What are we doing?" Melanie mumbled slightly incoherently.
"We're taking you to bed," Geri replied. "Come on up." She pulled Melanie to her feet and wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her close.
"We're making sure you get to bed without any male accompaniment," Mel added, grinning smugly. Geri shushed her and shook her head, trying to discourage her from teasing Melanie any further.
"What time is it?" Melanie asked, slowly become more aware of her surroundings and what was happening.
"Nearly three," Geri replied. "Just relax and try not to wake up too much, all right? Close your eyes. We've got you."
"I'm awake," Melanie sighed, her eyes drooping tiredly. Geri smirked and nodded to Mel to grab Melanie's glasses and help take Melanie downstairs. Mel slid Melanie's glasses into her back pocket and took Melanie's free arm, wrapping it over her shoulders as the three of them walked slowly down the stairs.
Geri and Mel led Melanie to her bed and coaxed her out of her jeans and socks before tucking her into bed. Still half asleep, Melanie let her eyes slide shut and curled into the duvet, completely unaware of Geri kissing her cheek and slipping her hair out of the elastic that had been pulling it back into a topknot. Mel headed upstairs as Geri turned off the lights and closed the door at the bottom of the stairs, leaving it open a few inches.
Melanie sighed and rolled over, turning her back to the door. Hearing someone whisper her name, she groaned and mumbled a half-hearted response.
"Melanie?"
"What?" she groaned, turning back to see who was calling her. Both Geri and Mel had already ascended the stairs and switched off the light over the staircase, leaving Melanie in total darkness. Assuming she'd imagined them calling to her, Melanie turned toward the wall once more, relaxing into the mattress.
"Melanie?"
She groaned and pulled her arm up over her ear, shutting out the voice as she slipped back into unconsciousness.