Rebellious

Chapter 1

Brian's POV

It was 2002, My best friend's Murr, Sal, Joe and I had been TV stars for three years now. Getting signed by TruTv network for our sketch comedy show "Impractical Jokers" in 1999 shortly after we started our comedy troupe – The Tenderloins, named so since it creeped our buddy Sal out to even say that word as if it would murder him or something. It took him a year before he could even introduce the troupe without choking on the word tenderloin.

Salvatore Edward Anthony Vulcano. One of my best friends: the one most like me, maybe that's why we get along so well. He's also the one I once saved when our tour bus crashed on the way to a show in 2000. He, out of Joe, Murr and I, had the most talent. He could act, sing and rap better than any of us could, it seemed effortlessly on his part. He was always the perfectionist, not a hair out of place, and not to mention germ free most times, a bottle of hand sanitizer and baby wipes within reach. So when he started getting distant from me I grew concerned. This was my best friend. We were so close like brothers. I seemed to know him better than anyone. Hell, we shared hotel rooms, dating advice, everything!

If only I had seen what he was going through, really heard his words, when he spoke then maybe could've saved him just like I had in that crash. Maybe things would be different now...

*Eight Months Ago - 2001*

"Yo Sally!!" Brian called through the hall of Sal's home. He walked into the kitchen and helped himself to a swig of orange juice out of the carton.

"Use a glass, will you? This isn't your Mom's house!" Sal yelled out as he set his golf clubs down by the door and walked back into the kitchen.

Brian chuckled, "You know me well enough to know I will never use a glass." He put the carton back into the refrigerator and studied his best friend. "You're looking better." He said after a few minutes.

In the past month, Sal had been getting distant and very defensive about almost everything lately. Everyone that knew Sal knew this wasn't the TV stars normal behavior and to be honest it was troubling Brian. Sal wouldn't even talk about what had happened with the breakup between he and his ex girlfriend LeAnn to him and usually Brian was the first person that Sal would open up to about that sort of thing. Maybe the breakup between the two love birds had affected Sal more than he would like to admit. Brian could only guess what caused the two of them to break up in the first place.

Sal shrugged. "It helps to talk to Jessa. I'm glad you introduced us. She's been a good friend to me all these years."

"Jessa is a great girl. Besides you don't need LeAnn anyway. She's a bitch for cheating on you." Brian chided.

Sal shook his head in a pissed off manner, while pursing his lips together.

"What? Still too early?" Brian asked a little shocked.

"Jesus Bri, you think so? And she didn't cheat on me for Christ sake!" Sal replied in a pissed off tone.

"Well if you would tell me why you two broke up I wouldn't have to keep guessing shit like she cheated on you and other horrible things like that. Sal, I'm your best friend! You can tell me anything. I know she broke your heart and it's no good keeping things like that bottled up. It's a sure fire crash course of disaster." Brian tried to reassure Sal as he patted him on the back.

"I know, I... I just can't talk about it right now. Maybe someday but not now, it's too soon for me." Sal sighed, wanting to be off that hurtful subject he asked, "So, how are you and Beth?"

"Really good, I'm taking Beth out for lunch and I can't be late this time." Brian bit his lip.

"Or she'll finally put you in the doghouse?" Sal laughed walking towards the front door, Brian following close behind.