Prologue
1998, September 12th
Cheiron Studios, Stockholm, Sweden
Recording “Millenium”
"Just a sec, guys....I need to get this”
Howie pulled out his vibrating cellphone and watched the rest of the boys go back into the studio.He knew it was bad news.This weird feeling had been creeping over him for the past few hours.
As he flipped open his phone, he took a deep breath and pushed the green answer button.
“Hey!....I
thought no personal calls allowed during studio time?”
Nick
grabbed his water bottle and dropped down on the comfy old couch
inside the controle room.
“That
rule only applies to you, brainiac!”
Brian
retorted as he crashed down next to him.
“...to
save us from your pushy girlfriend calling you every 5 minutes”.
AJ
muttered under his breath.
“What
did you just say...?!”
Nick
jumped up and made his way over to AJ, who slowly came to his feet.
Having
grown a full foot in the last year, Nick towered over AJ, who didn't
seem fazed in the least.
“You
heard me, Nicky...so glad to see she let you come to Europe to record
an album!
Nick's
jaw clenched at AJ's sarcasme. His knuckles turning white from the
strain.
“AJ!....Thats
enough!....Nick!...Sit your ass back down!”
Kevin
planted himself inbetween the two boys and pushed Nick back to the
couch, ending the face-off right there.
“...You're
not children anymore, for god sakes!...and if you wanna kick the crap
out of eachother please wait till after the album is finished!”.
Nick
and AJ glared at eachother but retreated none the less.
They
both knew it wouldnt have come to blows.
It
was just stress and frustration making them lash out.
With
Brian's heart surgery earlier that year, the management changes and
the new album, the pressure was getting to them.
They
needed some time off fast.
Just
as Kevin preached about being a team and acting like mature adults,
Howie came back in.
His
eyes looked distant and the colour had drained from his face
completely.
“....D?...D?....you
ok, man?”.
Brian,
being closest to the door, walked over to him and put his hand on his
shoulder.
That
snapped him back somewhat and his eyes focused on Brian's.
“....Talk
to us, Howard....what happened?”
Kevin
appeared next to Brian, a look of worry on his face.
“....Caroline died...”
