I've been a lurker around the forum for awhile, and have read more fanfics than I wanna say. :) But this is my first attempt at writing a ff. It was inspired by a line that Nick said in an interview recently, about where he wrote A Little Bit Longer. The details are slightly different in the story, but that's why it's called fan fiction. Enjoy!! :)

Chapter 1

Death. It was supposed to happen some time. But it wasn’t supposed to happen to my life. And it wasn’t supposed to happen now. I lifted my face from my folded arms on the windowsill. No tears fell. I know the tears were there-bottled tightly inside of me. My decision made. I had to run. Far away. Away from this wretched hotel room where my parents sobbed in grief. Away from my dreams of a beautiful life and a perfect vacation. Away from here…

Dry-eyed, I stumbled into the coolness of the hotel hallway. I didn’t even notice the lush carpets and gold fixtures of this luxury hotel. What would have thrilled me even two hours earlier didn’t make a difference now. She’s gone forever. My precious sister. My best friend. The thoughts jumbled together into a sea of swirling agony. I stepped into an empty elevator and leaned against the wall.

The elevator chimed, jarring me from my thoughts. As I stepped into the busy lobby, my chest constricted. The tightness paralyzed me for a moment. Too many people, too many faces. They would see my pain. I had to get away. 

The hotel pool. The spa. The restaurant. The café. Signs assaulted my eyes and still there were people. Too many people. I walked faster than before. Reaching the end of a first floor hallway. Finally, the rush of crowd noises faded behind me. It was quieter here.

I faced a set of wooden doors. The brass plate read Ballroom Bellagio. Dare I enter? There was no event here now, not on a fading mid-week afternoon. I pushed the heavy doors open slowly. My glance scanned the cavernous room. Empty. A sigh of relief escaped my lips and I stepped softly into the ballroom. Not even yesterday, I would have been entranced by its fairy-tale beauty. A floor of Italian marble. Cream-colored pillars surrounding the dance floor. Prisms of light passed through windows reaching far above me. And there, across the ballroom, I saw my instrument of redemption. A grand piano surrounded by a halo of sunlight. Maybe—just maybe—through the music—I could make sense of this terrible day.

My steps were quickened with anticipation, but when I finally reached the piano, I seemed to hold back. I opened the cover and sat down on its bench. The touch of the ivory keys sent a jolt through my heart. So often, music had brought me happiness. Could I really play through the pain?

Slowly, my fingers reached out. E minor. I had to play in a minor key. This was no time for perfect, happy melodies. I played three long chords. There was no melody. Only chords in a tone of deathly finality. But it seemed right. I played the chord progression again. And again. And words began to form in my head….

Got the news today

Why do I have to stay

A little bit longer, I can’t be fine

Why is your life done?

And these words unsaid?

A little bit longer, I can’t be fine

But I don’t know what I had til its gone

And I know what it’s like to feel so low

But everytime you smiled or laughed, you glowed

I don’t even know

No, no

I don’t even know

And as time goes by
Still no reason why
A little bit longer
Can I be fine
Waitin' for eternity
Your face that I will see
A little bit longer
Can I be fine?

But I don't know what you had 'Til it's gone
And I know what it's like to feel so low
And everytime you smiled or laughed you glow
I don't even know
No no
I don't even know
No no

A little bit longer

Can I be fine?

Tears began to fall slowly. My voice whispered the words again.

A little bit longer

Can I be fine?

My head dropped onto the piano top and the tears fell like rain. Like a dam burst, they flooded down my face and moistened the ivory keys. And then I felt something—a hand—touch my own. Who? What? I lifted my face to see a curly-headed boy looking at me with deep concern on his face.

“Wha-a-a…” I stuttered while frantically wiping the tearstains from my face.

“Can I help you?” His brown eyes mirrored the pain of my own.

I couldn’t answer. I couldn’t think. The tears came again. As my face came to rest on ivory keys in one discordant sound, I felt warm arms surround me in a comforting hug and I surrendered to the embrace of a boy I did not know. Shoulders shaking and tears flowing as if my heart would break, it seemed as if I cried forever….