The Power of a Kiss
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I never realized how powerful a simple thing could be. A touch, unlike any other. A kiss, and what it can do to you, to others.
I guess in this case it wasn't me who changed. It was Nick. I changed him, and I believe it was for the better.
It's been a while now, almost two years. Time goes by so fast when you have fun I guess. But you know what, I can still remember it like it was yesterday.
It was back in '99, during the European leg of our Millennium Tour. We had so much fun back then, me and Nick. The things we would do. One of his faves was playing Playstation. He made sure that there was one in every room he stayed in.
I remember him asking me to keep some of his clothes, because his bag was too full of games.
I guess it's because we're best friends that I noticed the change in him.
It was at the last concert in the UK. I was singing I Want It That Way, and suddenly I felt like someone was staring at me.
Yeah yeah, I know. I'm in a band, on stage. People are bound to stare. But the strange part was that it was Nick who was staring. He was looking right at me. I figured he was just out of it, something that isn't all that unusual to tell you the truth, but still, he's never done that on stage.
Usually it's when Kev is lecturing him.
Anyway, he even forgot to sing his part. Nobody noticed though, because the fans were singing so loud, it was amazing.
To hear thousands of people sing along with you on a song, it is one of the best feelings in the world.
I never really though much about it afterwards. Nick seemed a little off, but I figured he was just tired after the show.
Over the next week though I could clearly see a change. It was like he was always there with me, but he wasn't himself. We'd play basketball backstage, and I'd win. Which I always does, but this time he didn't complain and whine like he usually does. Not to say that he whines or anything, but he's not the best of losers, if you know what I mean.
It took me a while to find out what was up with him. He was staring at my lips. Everytime I was talking he would just stare.
I'd seen him stare before, at both girls and some guys actually. I never thought much of it though. He had Mandy. I can't say I liked her, but he did and that pretty much made it alright. He is my best friend after all, and the least I can do is support him. And since he was dating Mandy, I figured he would need a lot of support in not so long.
But the way he would look at some good looking guy, it was just a little odd. Of course I can tell if a guy is good looking or not. Every guy can actually, we just don't say it outloud. Nick was doing more than just noticing the good looks though, he was studying.
It was about this time I figured he was gay. It would fit his strange behavior, and the sudden interest in my lips.
Now, at first, the thought of Nick staring at my lips sorta scared me. But that was all he stared at. He never studied me like he did those other guys. At least not as far as I knew. But he never once made a move, never once did anything that would show that he was gay.
So I figured he was trying to deny it. I mean, who wouldn't. Every guy feels the need to prove to himself that he is not gay at some point. Nick knew deep down that he was, but for some reason he didn't want to believe it.
It was up to me to make him realize it, and hopefully dump Mandy before she screwed him bigtime. Did I mention that I don't like her that much?
At first I was going to talk to Nick. I had it all planned, worked out to the last detail. Everything I would say, even what he would answer.
Didn't really work out that way.
I arrived at Nick's, we were gonna play some Playstation and talk. It ended up with me playing and him staring. And just to let you know, I don't mind the staring, but at this time it was starting to get rather annoying. I mean, usually there's this fight over the controls, he wins *what, he's bigger than me*, he plays and I try desperately to beat him, something that I never do.
I missed that!
So I decided to skip the talking. Something drastic had to be done, NOW!
He was coming out of the closet even if I had to kick him out of it.
So I did the first thing that came into my mind.
I kissed him.
Nothing major. Just a simple kiss on his mouth. Then I got up and left him.
I guess what I did must have made him realize something. For the next day he came up to me, smiled and said thanks. He was a changed man from then on.
I guess I underestimated the power of a simple kiss.
FIN.