Chapter 2

Some circus acts appear on the dvd making me laugh when the guy pops out of the balloon. "Remember that, Mark?" Howard chuckles looking in Mark's direction.

"Shrup." Mark tries to ignore him focusing his eyes on the tv only.

"What happened?" I ask sounding confused, but also interested in the story. It's all starting to feel a much more relaxed atmosphere being in a room together after all these years.

"Well when we was in rehearsals... we found one of those giant balloons things back stage, so we made Mark get in... once we blew it up he couldn't get out again!" Howard bursts into laughter followed by Jason and Gary. "He was curled inside too short to push his head through!" Unable to control my laughter i join the rest of the lads. Gary holds onto my leg wiping his eyes from laughing.

"It was like playing pin ball! Mark was trying to get out and we was rolling him to one another! We love you really Marko." Gary giggles at a sulking Mark across the room. I sort of feel bad for laughing, but i sure wish i was there to enjoy the fun!

"You're all mean!" Mark tries to act serious, but fails falling around laughing instead.

We  continue watching the dvd i'm completely hypnotised by it saying "oooh!" and "Wow's" When they appear from behind the balloons like magic! Out the corner of my eye i notice the others studying my face, but i choose to ignore it. After about 30 minutes into the dvd Mark finally breaks the silence. "This is great this is..." Happily he sighs with a smile on his face.

"Only, because this is your part!" Jason points to the tv showing Mark in white with red shoes on performing 'Shine'.

"Noo not the DVD. I'm talking about us... the five of us all sat here enjoying ourselves... who would thought it? I mean look at the pair of you." Mark grins in mine and Gary's direction. Me and Gary look at one another for a second or two.

"I agree... i've missed this..." Gary adds still looking at me a little making me slightly nervous, but also extremely happy to hear those words leave his mouth.
"How do you feel about it Rob?" Howard sits up on the sofa turning the volume down a little on the tv.
Playing with my fingers a little i collect my thoughts. "I love it... i never dreamt it would be like this... lads... i've said some terrible things about you all... especially about Gaz... it probably wont mean anything, but i apologise from the bottom of my heart... none of you deserved any of that." Glancing down at my lap i bow my head feeling awful. An arm wraps around my shoulder squeezing it a little.

"Ay... i don't blame you for acting the way you did. We were all hurting and the way i acted the first time around in the band i don't blame you for hitting out the way you did. You all should of been noticed more i just wanted to be the centre of attention... i mean who doesn't? I don't know how much Mark's told you about me this time around, but things have changed i've grown up a lot we all have. We'll apart from Mark." Gary jokes giggling at Mark who just pouts back. "But seriously things are much better and a lot more fun... Can you imagine how crazy the world will go if we walk out as  a five piece? No more newspapers talking bullshit about us, and it will all be real. I don't want you to disappear Rob..." Gary tightens the grip around my shoulder a little.

"I don't know what to say... you're a great man Gary Barlow... you all are... and i can't thank you enough for forgiving me like that... i was a bastard... for making shit and jokes for attention, and it worked, but i wasn't happy... and just wanted to hurt you the way i was hurting. There's nothing more i want than to have you guys back in my life... " My eyes well up a little looking at each of the boys sitting on the sofas.
"I think this calls for one of our group hugs..." Jason suggests standing to his feet with his arms open. We all laugh also standing up before wrapping our arms around one another.

"Who are we? TAAAAKE THAAAT!" We all raise our hands together laughing away. I don't think after all this time i've laughed so much until tonight. Life right now couldn't get any better.

"This is the best feeling in the world... having my four brothers back... it might sound cheesy... but i love you guys." Shyly i smile at them.

"N'arwww you big softie!" Howard playfully punches me in the arm.
"Pile up!!" Mark bounces up and down pushing me on the sofa. Gary jumps on top of me followed by Howard then Jason, and finally Mark.

"Ow... does this mean i'm allowed back?" I chuckle being crushed by the other four boys.

"I think so." Gary winks squeezing me a little underneath him causing us all to fall to a heap in the middle of the room.