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"A pool? You're betting on how long it'll be before I run?"

Big Tiot you down for five," Vaughan chimed in from the back seat

I sat there stunned Everyone on the crew thought I'd wash out I hadn't considered that I wouldn't last a week

My litany of fears started to play again, loud and insistent But I forced the I'd last After all, I was here now, on my way to meet the Fiery Boys And even if it lasted only fifteennew, potentially hostile people didn't scare er My dad was in the military, and we moved every year or two, from city to city and from country to country Each time we moved, I'd have to et accepted I learned to stay quiet at first and observe people, then dive in when I was ready

Most of all, I learned the i new people And since I was about to h So I toldnew friends, and we'd soon be having the best of tiave Big Tirin "Two days, huh? Am I expected to just quit, or will they findTi drool and babble, but now that I'veTiht want to revise your bet I'ht throay This is a huge dream of mine, so I doubt they can scare me off"

"Oh, they're plenty scary But it's not just the boys who are going to drive you away It's the fans That's the reason we all think this is a bad idea"

"Yeah, nobody's happy abouton the Internet?"

Big Tim sputtered "Hey! Rule number one: don't read about yourself on the Internet None of the band members do, except maybe Chuck"

"Oh, well, too late I knooet really nasty Andor a CWILF"