I'm new here. So "Hi" to everybody. I know my English isn't the best, but I'm still learning. =) But I promise I'll try to find a beta if my story is too hard to read. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The soccer match had been strenuous, so strenuous that Justin Taylor had to fight not to fall down and asleep during the walk to the hotel. His teammate and rival, Brian Kinney, however, still found the power to run ahead through the hotel door and back again. „My God, what was that about?“ Justin groaned and rolled his eyes. „Do you want to prove that you are still fit and that the game didn't wear you out at all?“ „Yup. I'm still fit.“ Brian sang in a good mood and jumped around like a clown. Justin might be a lot younger than him, but he had more energy and power, Brian thought happily. „You are so fit because you was only standing around half of the match.“ Justin moaned, and the rest of the team snickered affirmatively. „What does that mean?“ Brian hissed, suddenly not that good-humored anymore. „Like I said. You have been standing around and couldn't lift your legs from the ground anymore - old man! But that isn't so tragic. The spectators didn't pay attention to YOU anyways.“ So, he had found an offense again! Justin contently rubbed his hands. He couldn't remember anymore when - and especially why - it had begun, but for months already he and Brian had a continuous fight. They quarreled, screamed at each other, offended each other or played stupid pranks on each other. The relation between the two of them threatened to escalate every day. They only had to thank Ted Schmidt, their sensible coach, that the team was still able to play well together and that they didn‘t have to kick out one of the two main players. „Bah, I might be the oldest one, but you act like the grandpa of the team. You are always dreaming and painting. I guess you have to feel your pulse every day to check if you are still alive.“ Brian countered. „Oh yeah? Do you want to criticize now that I have some talent? Something you have not in the least! You do not even have a hobby - wait, I forgot, fucking every guy that moves is your hobby. Great hobby, Brian. I prefer art. At least it‘s a beautiful hobby that broadens the mind. And don‘t tell me that fucking around broadens your mind too. That‘s bullshit, Brian, and you know it!“ „Stay calm, Justin!“! Ted pinched his player and friend into the shoulder. „You shouldn't shout so loud. The reporters or fans could hear you.“ „Ah, leave me alone!“ Justin shook Ted‘s hand from his shoulder and stormed ahead to the hotel that was only a few feet away. „Nah, do you hear your sketches calling again?“ Brian couldn't help shouting after him. „Don't be so mean to him!“ Ted kicked his oldest player against the shin-bone, but not too hard. They still needed the man outside of the hospital. ‚Fortunately tomorrow after the press conference and the last friendship game against the local team we will have a few weeks off.‘ Ted thought, shaking his head. Maybe the whole stress of their last season was the reason that his two star players couldn't stand each other anymore. If they wouldn't see each other for a longer time, everything would be normal again between them. That was the only thing he could still hope for. Otherwise he didn't know how to rescue the team. He had to get rid of one of the quarreler, but of whom? They were very good players and he liked them both. He would be devastated if he had to terminate the contract of one of them. ‚I'm tired! I've spent so much time playing soccer and finishing my pictures for my first show in the last couple of hours that I'm allowed to relax a bit!‘ Justin murmured defiantly. But the fastest way to his bed blocked up by a little sign ... „Elevator - out of order!“ That was impossible! Justin angrily kicked against the door of the lift. Should he really climb to the 5th floor now? He looked around. The lobby was almost completely empty. Only the man at the reception desk discussed with two adolescent girls. No chance that he could go and complain now. What if those two were fans of him? They would think he was a self-centered star or they wouldn't budge from his side anymore - or maybe both of these things. As much as Justin loved his fans, sometimes they were too much for him! Especially the girls were very fond of his baby-blue eyes and shiny blonde hair. It was sometimes hard to get rid of them without being unkind. Why were all the girls falling for him, when all he wanted was to have a sweet man holding him at night? Justin sighed. He had to take the stairs. But also the longest way had an ending. When Justin arrived upstairs, breathing heavily, he already saw a laughing Brian standing in front of his room - and wanted to go again. That could only be a bad dream. God, he needed a vacation more than he had thought. „What are you doing here?“ He asked the *Ghost* or whatever was standing in front of him. „I'm already here for a while.“ Brian still grinned even more. „Why did you take the stairs? That's too strenuous for our little artist, tsh, tsh.“ „Because the elevator…“ The younger man started, but in the middle of the sentence he saw daylight. „It was YOU! YOU hung the sign on the elevator door, you jerk!“ „Hahahaha.“ Brian stuck his tongue out. „It is just too easy to outwit you. You maybe understand art, but not real life. I already killed myself laughing because you really fall for everything.“ „I wish that would be true, Kinney... But unfortunately you are not dead. But I hope some day a bad accident will happen to you.“ With this threat Justin strutted into his room. He banged the door behind him before he threw himself onto the bed and trashed the pillow. How he hated him! God, he hated him so much! But no, he wouldn't burst out crying because of him! Only one night - a night and a few hours - then he wouldn't see him for a long time. If this wasn't a reason to smile he didn't know what was. With that thought Justin closed his eyes and tried to sleep. But suddenly images of Brian changing his shirt with the captain of the other team this afternoon were dancing through his mind. For an old guy Brian still had a great body… Justin groaned. No, so he wasn‘t getting any sleep, no matter how tired he was. He needed a drink. He turned the light on and searched for some comfortable clothes. He would go down to the hotel bar and order so many drinks till he finally could forget everything.