Highs and Lows Of Life

The Start Of It All

"Nick sweety." Denise walked over to the teen. His back was turned to her he was setting up a mic pack on his waist not taking notice of her.
" Nicolaus." She rested a hand on his shoulder. The poor kid jerk at the touch. His head quickly turns to figure out who was trying to get his attention.

" Oh hey, mom." His eye were bright with excitement. They had just had a small interview with some of the sony executive staff. They were all very nice and couldn't wait to listen to them play tonight.

" Mom they want us to start to shoot for the mandy music video soon they want it out after Christmas." He couldn't believe they were going to be filming the music video for a song that they had written.

" I know I am super happy for you." Hugging her son quickly. " But I need you to check your BG." She signs the letters in ALS to make it more discrete for her son.

" Oh right sorry." He looked around to the room. There were other bands backstage trying to do the same as his brothers tonight. He could feel his anxiety rising. He wasn't sure if he was comfortable checking his levels in front of strangers.

"I...i..dont know...where to do it?" Giving his mom a frantic look he didn't want to ruin this for himself or his brothers. "Maybe we can do a little later maybe after the show."

Denise gave her son a shocked look " Nick that's in two hours." She wasn't comfortable with him going on stage with getting some baseline where her son would be at.

" No."

Nick was taken back on his mom's tone before realizing how stupid that idea was. He let out a frustrated sigh it reminded of how his old life was slowly slipping away from him.

" How about we do it in the car." Looking at his mom hoping that idea would work for her. There just to many people around for him to do his medical need without someone spotting.

" That could work." Denise slowly agreeing with the young teen." You can continue practicing for another 15min and 10min before your on we go to the car."

"Deal." He hugged his mom liking the idea he felt her push him back to his brother letting them do what they need to do to prepare for the show tonight.

" what was that about." Joe pulled his brother away from the crowd. He needs to make sure his brother was ok. Was he not feeling ok was he feeling low high he needs to know. Look down at the curly-haired teen.

" Everything fine Joe." Quickly trying to reassure his brother. He wants Joe's mind to be on the songs and chords tonight they needed this to go well.

" Mom and I were just making a plan before I had to go on stage." Steering them both back to the band picking up his guitar." Let just focus on the music ok." He starts to play some chords linking up with Kevin as they both smirk as they both start to perfect there playing to sync with each other.

Nick quickly grabbed his coat swing it over his shoulder trying to find the armholes. He didn't have much time. He could see his mom had his backpack they both quickly made a beeline to the back door.
Nick was abruptly stopped by there manager. He felt a lump form in his throat his hand start to shake with nerves.

" Hello, sir."

" Nicolaus." The men spoke with such authority. " Your parents told me you end up at the hospital couple of days ago."

" Um...yes...sir..." not sure where the conversation was going looking up at his mom trying to read her body language.

" Yes, he ended up with a nasty stomach bug." Denise steps into the conversation. They could not have come at a worse time.

" Look sir I need to pee and the bathroom is occupied." Nick couldn't believe that he had just come up with that quick lie on the spot. It was not like him to even think about lying let alone lying to someone like his manager.

" oh of course young sir." The men let out a small chuckle "Nervous bladder is a real thing." He moved away from the exit door " I'm glad you are feeling better. Can't wait to see you boys play."

Nick quickly spoke his thanks has he made it outside. He could feel wet snow hit his sneakers. He quickly tried to avoid the snow mounds. He hated the feeling of wet socks he quickly opened the passenger side door while his mom sat on the driver's side he snatches his bag from her quickly rummaging through it looking for his testing kit and his pens.

" Nick your good calm down." Denise looks at the time to see they still had plenty. There was no need to rush they need to be smart when it came to diabetes treatment. Rushing could cause horrific consequences.
She watches him prick his finger he rested it on the test strip as she watches it count down as number come up 190. " ok I think dinner spike you little 1 unit should be enough to raise you to a better number."

Nick nodded as dialled the amount quickly pulling up his shirt to give himself the correction shot in his stomach he gasp little when he pushed down. Gritting his teeth trying to ignore the sting the insulin was giving off as went under his sink into the fatty tissue not that he had that right now.

" Good job baby." She took the needle from her son. He pulled back on his coat. She quickly changed the needle for him. Putting everything back in his bag taking it. So he didn't have to worry where it was.
They made it back inside Nick saw that he only had 5min to get to his brothers and get the mic back up. He skidded around the corners like a bad man.

" Hey, easy speed demon." His father spoke from behind him his brother smiled up at him they all were still waiting for him.

" where good the other band got on stage late so we still have time," Joe reassured his little bro. The kid looks flustered there was no need for it.

" Nick you got everything taken care of." He got a nod from both his wife and child. " ok let's get you mic up and then quick pray ok."

Everyone held hands Nick closed his eyes he was in between his two band mattes best friends his brothers he truly was lucky to have such an awesome family. His father's voice washed over him he felt truly safe when his father would begin a pray but tonight it felt extra special. They broke off the pray as their name was called he quickly hugged his parents.

Frankie was jumping around his parent's legs. He felt Kevin pull him into a hug Joe crushed both Kevin and him into a hug. They slowly walk up a couple of steps up to the stage they could hear the crowd was cheering. The current slowly open as the light blinded him for a sec

The three of them step on to the stage. Nick let out a slow breath as Kevin started to play on his left Joe grabbed the mic and started belting his heart out.

He steps to his place he felt his voice ring out with powerful lyrics of I am what I am beginning to play. His body felt energized by the crowed tonight he truly felt like the song fit how he felt.

He would never allow diabetes to slow him down he would never stop trying to reach his dreams with his brothers. The three brothers took to that stage that night and they just rocked it.

The end