Backstage by Mandy Bee (guided reading books TXT) 📕

“Will you please tell me what is so funny?” Justin is trying not to laugh, but I can see he wants too.

“Just imagining Chris when he was your age, I wonder if he put notches in his bed post?” I’m trying to calm down but now he is laughing with me. I have slid down onto the floor at this point and he is on his back on the couch. When we look up we see John and Chris at the door looking at us like we are nuts! This just makes us laugh even harder!

I watch as John and Chris go sit on the other side of the small room. I try to take a few deep breaths but its hard when the laughter won’t stop. It feels so good to laugh like this, I can’t ever remember doing this before. Once I calm down I glance over at Justin who is trying to catch his breath, we giggle at each other but we are able to control it.

“Would one of you like to tell us what is going on?” John asks while staring at Justin.

“We were just talking.” I say trying not to bust out laughing again.

“Justin mom called you twice and you didn’t answer that’s why I’m back here. Chris is here because he didn’t know you were back here with his sister, I thought we talked about this.” He hissed that last part out, this stops all forms of laughter. Everything goes quiet, it’s awkward in here now. My anger has started, and I can’t stop myself.

“You talked about what?” I stare John dead in the eyes.

“About how having a female on the bus would be different, and how he didn’t need to be too friendly with you and make the others uneasy about it.” John looks over at Chris who looks like he wants to say something but is holding it back.

“I can’t change that I’m a female, but I can make things simple for everyone. From now on I will either be back here, alone if I must or I will be in my bunk. The only time I will go off the bus is for shows and nothing else. Will that do?” I hiss at him. I jump up grab all my things and go to my bunk. I’m glad no one followed me, I don’t think I could hold my anger back. After putting my stuff up I sink into bed, close my curtain and turn off my light. I hide my head under my blanket and cry silently into my pillows.

WHEN I GET UP the next morning, I feel like crap. No one is on the bus but me, I look at the clock and it is almost noon. I have a missed text message from Chris telling me to call him. Let the fighting begin I think as I dial his number.

“Hey, how you feeling this morning?” He asks, I guess testing my mood.

“I feel like crap. Where is everyone?” I yawn and start making coffee.

“We had four interviews today, we are on our way back now. You need anything?” Yeah I need a normal life.

“No, I’m fine.” I roll my eyes, fine is something I’m not.

“Okay, see you soon. Love ya”

“Love you too.” I hang up and want to sink to the floor. I know he is playing nice because people are around him but I have a feeling we are going to get in a big fight today. I eat breakfast as fast as I can, take my meds and head back to bed. I’m curled up on my side reading when I hear them get on the bus.

“Flower?” Chris yells.

I stick my hand out of my curtain “Right here.” I yell back.

“Get out of there now!” He snaps at me. I slowing exit my bunk and see that John and Justin are up front, I can’t see Dave or Scot. Crap, what is going on now?

“I don’t want to fight Chris.” I whisper to him.

“We’re not fighting, we all need to talk.” His nice guy voice is back.

“Flower just come here please.” Justin says. I look over at him and he is smiling at me, then I look over at John who is just staring at me. I can’t tell if he hates me or just doesn’t like me. I walk over and sit in the booth.

“Sis, John has something he wants to ask you. But since I know how you may react to the question I need you to promise me you will think twice about hitting anyone or breaking anything, okay?” Chris is sitting by John, while Justin is sitting on the couch connected to the booth. I just nod my head, I’m freaking out now.

“My mother would like me to ask you if you would like to go stay with them until the tour ends.” John smiles and my heart stops. They found a way to get rid of me! My eyes go to Chris who is giving nothing away, I look over at Justin who is just staring at the damn floor!

“Chris...” His name is all I can get out, I feel like I can’t breath.

“It’s up to you. You know I don’t want you to go, but if you really want to leave the tour……… and this is a way that I know you will be safe….” He closes his eyes.

“I’ll go to Sacramento, I’ll go home but I won’t stay with strangers!” I scream and run off the bus. I think Chris is behind me but I don’t care. We are already at tonight’s arena, I look around really quick and see there is a small park across the street I start running over there. When I reach the park I fall to my knees by a big pine tree. I can’t believe this is happening! I feel someone sit beside me and take my hand, at first I think