Chapter 3

MAXPOV

"Oh, Max," Nat gushed. "This would look amazing on you. Look!" She held up a bright blue top that was ruffled around the neck, and curved in a way my body should but hasn't yet. The ribbon around the neck was tied off in an elaborate bow, and the sleeves were short. The material looked light, and summery. Still…

I grimaced. "It's so…girly, don't you think?" I reached out, despite myself, and fingered the fabric. Okay, I admit it…it was a cute top. But it just wouldn't look cute on me.

"Please?" Natasha begged. We were in Forever 21 and the shirt was unlike the other stuff in the shop.

Sighing, I shook my head. "I don't know…" Truth be told, I did like the shirt...but where would I wear it? At a summer patio party? I don't get invited to those, needless to say. I pointed this out to Natasha. She rolled her eyes.

"You could wear it whenever. Who said you had to save it for special occasions? Now here, try it on!" She shoved the shirt into my hand and steered me towards the dressing room. She pushed me in and closed the door. "Just try it on, let me see and…we'll go from there."

Sighing (again) I pulled on the shirt and looked at myself in the mirror. My mouth turned with disgust.

"Ugh. Natasha, I look horrible."

"Let me see," she commanded. "Now," she added when I didn't reply. I pulled open the door and stood unceremoniously in front of her. Her eyes widened. I crossed my arms angrily.

"See?" I growled. "Can I go n-"

"You are buying that. Now. I don't care what you think, you look…" she stuttered, then shook her head.

"Hey, hey," a boys voice called. "Lookin' good."

I looked to see a boy standing just outside the dressing room door, eyes on me. I rolled my eyes and went back inside the stall.

"If that isn't enough for you, then I don't know what is. Buy. The shirt."

I sighed, pulling the shirt off and putting on the one I'd come in. "First of all, that dude was some kind of pedophile. And, Nat…honestly…"

"Do it, or I'll steal your money and buy it for you." Natasha's tone implied she wasn't kidding. Sighing, I threw the shirt over my shoulder like a towel and stepped out of the stall.

"Fine," I growled. "But this I'll never wear it."

"Hey, if you ever get to Hollywood, you'll need shirts to make you look good, to compliment your talent," Natasha pointed out. "Just the icing on the cake."

I looked down and realized my fist was clenched around the shirt. "Yeah," I said bitterly. "Like I'll ever get to Hollywood." I angrily shifted through some jeans on the rack, the shirt on the floor beside me. "When freaking pigs fly. And when my parents keep a promise."

Natasha was quiet. "I suppose." After a moment, she sighed and I heard the hangers on the rack shift. "That's why it really sucks to be a kid…I hate the fact that we can't do anything yet…drive without an adult, buy plane tickets, drink, everything. We can't make our own decisions."

"Yeah," I muttered.

Then it hit me. Why couldn't I make my own decisions? Why shouldn't I?

I pushed the clothes out of the way to look at Natasha. "Nat…I think you have made a brilliant point my friend."

I had an idea. A foolish, crazy…brilliant idea.

NPOV

I yawned numbly and shuffled towards the hotel room my brothers and I would be sharing. Shane and Jason followed beside me.

"I'm already ready for bed," I announced.

"Dude, you slept for three hours," Shane informed me. "And we don't even have a concert tonight."

"Still," I grumbled, fumbling for the room key. "I feel…drained."

"Yeah, yeah," Shane muttered, taking the key from my fingers. "Keep dreaming little bro." He turned the key in the lock and opened the door…

"SURPRISE!" Suddenly, twenty of our closest friends from back in New Jersey jumped out from behind couches and tables.

We of Connect 3 stood stunned until reality kicked in….and when my old pal Jack jumped up and grabbed me in a bear hug.

"NATE dude it's so awesome to see you again, man!" he cried. "Grr gimme some love!" and proceeded to squeeze me harder. I patted his back.

"Hey, Jack," I said. "Great to see you too, man." By now everyone was up and talking and mingling.

"Your parents set this up!" Jack's twin sister Jessica was announcing. "They knew you guys were going to be in town and we all decided to drive up!"

"Awesome!" Shane exclaimed. "Turn up that music."

A full five minutes later, the party was in full swing. Shane was, as usual, taking the crowd for a ride with his awesome dance moves in the middle of the dance floor. Jason was hanging by the refreshment table, talking with his old girlfriend, Danielle. Me? Well, I was somewhat in the middle, dancing but just sort of getting to talking to everyone. I hadn't realized how much I missed some of these people.

"Nate, isn't this awesome?!" Jason called to me. I laughed.

"How much more awesome could this get? How much more?" I asked enthusiastically. "I love Mom and Dad." I took a swig of Diet Coke and grinned. Just like old times.

Suddenly, two arms wound around my waist. "What, you think you can weasel me out of a good party?" Alex's voice purred in my ear. I turned around and grinned, giving her a quick kiss on the mouth.

"Hey, you made it!" I said over the loud music.

"Heck, yeah," Alex shook her head in the 'No duh' way I loved so much. "Nobody keeps Alex from a good party!"

I laughed as a slower song came on. Smiling cheerily, I bowed slightly. "May I have this dance?"

"Oh, please don't," Alex groaned, laughing. "Just dance, fool."

Ignoring the staring, we slowly turned on the made up dance floor. I studied Alex's face. She was so beautiful it almost hurt. For once, I was blissfully happy. Lately, for some reason, I hadn't been feeling like myself. I don't know if it was my diabetes or just..something. I wasn't completely happy, only when I was on stage. Not even with Alex any more. I didn't want to be like that...not anymore.

"Are you okay, Nate?" Alex murmured suddenly, reaching up to brush a curl out of my face. "You don't seem like yourself lately."

I sighed. "I know…and I'm sorry. I don't know what's up with me lately."

"It'ss okay, you just seem overly tired," Alex assured me. "I bet it's just the tour."

"Yeah," I agreed.

I hoped so, anyway.

*~*

Later that night, I stood out on the balcony of the hotel room, watching the cars below go by. The party was over, the room was clean and my brothers were asleep.

I looked up at the stars and sighed. Depression was something not up my alley…but could I even call it that yet?

Alex is right, I told myself sharply. You're just tired. Go to bed. The tour is almost over, and then things will go back to normal.

Well, almost. Hopefully.

I turned back inside and shut the door firmly behind me.

Sorry this one was short...I dont really like this chapter, but I knew I should update sometime...I'm working on updating all of my stories right now. So, although it was a sucky filler chapter, please review!!!