After a long and boring flight, I was finally a few hours
away from seeing my family again. I was slightly nervous
about the whole ordeal. After all, it had been months since
I'd last seen them. Months! I couldn't believe it. I who
thought I'd be forced to slave day and night just to keep a
roof over our heads, and would be with them always. "Life
can be funny sometimes" I thought with a grin.
"Excuse me"
I turned around and was now facing a young teen girl
I smiled "Yes?"
The girl looked shocked. As though she'd discovered a gold
mind or something
"Oh my God, it's really you" she panted
"Nice to meet you" I said extending my hand for her to shake
it "I'm El..err... Angel"
"Yeah, I know" she said happily "I'm a huge fan"
Whoa, I'd never really met a fan of mine like this before
"That's always nice to hear" I said politely as though it
were a common thing for me to hear...
The girl asked for an autograph and a picture, and I
graciously accepted. I couldn't understand why the guys
always complained about fans. I enjoyed basking in the
glory of it all!
With out wasting any more time, I went to claim my luggage
and hail a cab. Soon I'd be home...
**Meanwhile**
Kevin took a good look at both of his friends. He couldn't
tell whether it was Brian or Nick who appeared more glum.
"Cheer up cuz, she'll be back before you know it!" he said
supportively.
Brian placed his chin on his fist "I know. I just really
miss her"
Nick sighed. At least Brian could complain about missing
her. He had to keep it all balled up.
"What's the matter Nick?" Naila asked placing a caring hand
on his back.
"Uh, nothing" he lied moving back so that she wouldn't be
touching him any more "The dorrito I had for lunch was
extra-hot, and it's not settled yet" to those words, he let
out a massive burp "See what I mean?"
"Well thanks for sharing that with us Frack" Brian said
sarcastically.
"Don't mention it" Nick mumbled leaving the others to go
mope alone in his bunk.
Kevin looked at Naila's scrunched up nose and look of
disgusted "Being around men takes some getting used to" he
laughed.
"You're telling me" she said, fanning the air in front of her
as not to take in the retched smell of Nicks belch.
**~~**
Nick rolled around uncomfortably in his bunk 'Life sucks' he
grumbled. As he finally reached a comfortable position, his
cell went off.
"Yellow" he answered covering his eyes with his forearm.
"Miss her already, dontcha?" Alyssa said playfully.
Nick laughed "Ever consider joining one of them psychic
hotlines?"
"Hey, I told you I wasn't wrong about these things" she said
playing with the phone wires.
"By the way Lyss, I think you really pissed off the Boner
yesterday. I saw him walking around last night cursing your
name. What happened?"
Alyssa sighed "He's just an idiot, that's all" But
truthfully, that was the reason for her calling him
"Let's not talk about unpleasant things, shall we?"
"Then we really don't have much to talk about" Nick snickered.
"Nick"
"Yeah"
"I need a favor"
Nicks brow narrowed "Shoot"
"It's about our video..."
**Later**
Howie sat alone in his dressing room, reading. He decided
that he needed to brush up on the written word. As he turned
the page, he heard a knock at the door.
"Come in" he said loud enough for the person to hear, but
still not enough for him to leave his thoughts.
Dawn stepped through "Hi Howie"
At the sound of her voice, he slammed the book closed and
bolted up "Hi" he welcomed, trying to hide all signs of
excitement.
Dawn took a deep breath. She began to doubt herself. Did she
make the right decision? Was he worth it? She sighed. There
was only one way to find out
"I was just wondering, um, if after the concert you wanted
to come watch a movie." She laughed weakly "I have a bus to
myself, and it gets boring at times"
"I'd love to" Howie answered happily.
"Wonderful" she said in relief "Come by after the show"
Howie grinned "For sure".
Before Dawn could leave, Howie reached out, grabbing her
hand off guard "Till tonight" he said sweetly placing a soft
kiss on it.
Dawn nodded shyly, turning a bright shade of crimson. She
was about to leave the room, when she turned back
"D?!"
"Yes" he said, his gentle brown eyes sparkling.
She grinned "I made the right choice"
And left.
Howie chuckled. He had no clue what she meant by that, but
what ever it was, it sure sounded to be in his favor.
**Meanwhile**
"That'll be $65,60 Miss" said the cab driver as we pulled up
to the hotel.
I handed him his money, grabbed my luggage and watched as he
drove away. It took me a while to bring myself to look at
the place. "It hasn't changed" I said, as I finally
got the nerve to face it. "Pull yourself together" I thought
as I took my first brave step in to the lobby. No one
was there. Deciding not to waste my time any further, I
rushed to the elevator and pressed the button to my floor. I
thought of how symbolic it was when those doors slid open.
They literally had when I first met Brian. I owed him my
life...
I walked up to the door and knocked. Taking a deep breath, I
waited for someone to answer.
"Just a second" I heard Mary yell before the door flew wide
open. Her jaw dropped "Felicity!" she exclaimed.
I smiled. I never thought I'd be so glad to see her
"Hi" I said feebly.
"What are you doing here?" she asked uncertainly allowing me
in "I mean, God..."
"I had two days off, so I decided to come home" I explained.
"Where are the kids?"
Mary didn't hesitate "Holly, Jena, Jason, come here, now!"
she scram.
Holly was the first to come out of the room. Her eyes grew
big at my sight "Eli!!!" she shrieked running to me with open
arms.
"Holl" I smiled choking back tears as I wrapped my arms
around her "I've missed you sooo much"
I looked behind her, my vision slightly blurred from
tears, but it didn't matter. I could still make out a very
astonished looking Jena.
"Well don't just stand there" I heard Mary say as she pushed
her towards me "Say hello to your sister"
She hesitated a bit, but soon she joined us in a giant bear
hug.
"I missed you" Jena whispered in my ear.
I straightened and sighed happily. It felt good to be home.
"Hi" Jason said unenthusiastically, taking a seat at the dining table.
"We were just about to have supper" Mary said taking an
extra plate out from the cupboard "I suppose you'll be
joining us?"
I forced a grin upon my face. I was a little disappointed
with the way Jason had greeted me.
During supper, Holly asked a million questions about my
career and being on the road. I told her that I'd bring her
along one day for her to see it all for herself. She seemed
very enthusiastic about it. Jena and Jason, on the other hand,
remained silent.
After we finished eating, and the kids cleaned up the table,
Mary took me aside.
"I know you just came back, and you probably just want to
relax, but I thought I should tell you that Jena's grades
are dropping"
"I'll talk to her about it" I said firmly.
"No" she interrupted "You'd better talk to Jason
first. Not only is he failing, but he's been getting into a
lot of trouble. I've tried talking to him about it, but he'd
just walk away"
I nodded.
"Jena, Holly" Mary called "Time for bed. I'll tuck you in"
"Good night Eli" they said simultaneously
" 'Night " I said waving as I watched them trop to the bedroom.
I let out a sigh. How was I going to confront him about
this.
"So...Jase..." I began awkwardly.
"Yeah" he grumbled diving onto the couch and turning on the
T.V
I took a seat next to him "How are things going?" I asked
with out imposing any pressure.
"Just dandy" he answered rudely, as he surfed the channels.
"That's not what I've heard" I said keeping my cool. I
looked at the screen, then back at him "Would you mind
shutting that off please?"
He obeyed with out a word.
"Would it be too much of a problem telling me what's going
on? I've heard that things haven't been going so well at
school and that you'..."
"Since when do you care?" he interfered obnoxiously.
I was a bit taken aback "I've always cared" I reassured, placing a
hand on his back.
"Oh, so that's why you left us, huh?!" he said angrily
getting up "We don't hear from you in months, and then you
just show up and expect things to be like before you left?"
"Jase, I've been busy..."
"Yeah, busy riding Brian" he huffed.
"Don't you dare speak to me that way!" I said angrily standing up
next to him "I've been doing my best"
"Well your best isn't good enough" he yelled, his eyes
flaming with rage.
"Well what do you want me to do?" I shouted back "Huh? Just
give up everything because you're being a selfish brat? I'm
not just doing this for me, you know. It's for you"
"Oh, it's for us, is it?" he spat back bitterly "Well I'm
sooo sorry I didn't see that the reason my younger sister is
failing school and goes to bed crying each night is due to
your act of kindness"
I looked at him questionably "What are you talking about?"
His eyes turned into an ice cold glare "You promised you'd
never leave us" he spewed, anger filling his entire being
"Mom and dad promised they'd never leave us. They broke
their promise, and so did you. And now they're dead!!"
My idle hand raised with out consent, bitter hatred towards
him, and slapped him clear across the face.
The sting of Eli's hand felt like medusas venom on Jasons
cheek, but he didn't care.
I looked at him, my eyes filling with tears of resentment. I
was shaking uncontrollably and was panting with out just
cause.
"I hate you" he spat in a low, angry whisper
My lip began to quiver, and taking one final look at the
expression of hatred on his face, I ran out of the room and
never looked back.
