Chapter 8
“Nicholas Jerry Jonas, what were you thinking?!” Here I sat in the cold lounge, the room seeming to get colder and colder the more I was scolded at. I didn't think everyone would make such a big deal out of this, I was just helping a friend, but I was so wrong. My dad's face was redder than a tomato, and my mom seemed just as mad but at the same time scared. Joe and Kevin were in the room, cringing every once in a while at how furious Dad was, then left the room while shooting me sympathy looks. I was lectured by Kevin already, but he wasn't as mad as he was disappointed that I skipped a show. I hung my head low in shame, but I know what I did was for the best. My mind continued to wander to Sarah. Was she alright? Was she being scolded right now, too? Did she find Christina?
“Dad, I didn't think-”
“Thats right, you didn't think! Do you know how disappointed your fans were?! You snuck away from the security, you left with some random girl, and you didn't even call so say where you were at! We were about to call the cops! What if a bunch of girls found you? Who knows what they would have done to you! And-”
Mom had laid a comforting hand on his shoulder, and he calmed down some. She shot me a look and lead Dad out of the room. I ran my hand through my mess of curls and let out a frustrated sigh as I laid down on the couch. I'm an idiot, I kept repeating to myself. How could I let the fans down like that? It was only a girl. A girl I hardly even knew. Her friend was probably just playing around or something. I felt as if the weight if all the fans was on my shoulders and I couldn't bear it. I had to make it up to them somehow.
“Dude, are you okay?” Joe popped his head into the room. I shrugged. He sighed and walked over, sitting down on the couch, suddenly cracking a smile. “Was she cute?” I laughed. Only Joe.
“Oh yeah, very much so,” I smiled. He laughed, but his amused face fell when he saw me staring at the door, hearing Mom and Dad quietly arguing.
“You know, he's only worried about you. He wants the best for you, and skipping that show wasn't a smart move on your part.” I nodded. He, like everyone else, was telling me everything I already knew. I knew I made a mistake, I knew what I did to the fans, I knew what I did to our reputation, and honestly I had enough of it. Joe continued, “You should have seen him when we couldn't find you, he was terrified that something had happened to you. Then when you walked through that door with Kevin...I guess scolding at you was the only way to let his emotions out. He'll see that he'd done wrong by yelling at you and apologize. A wise man once said, 'People who fly into a rage always make a bad landing.' He'll come around.” I stared blankly at him.
“Since when did you get so deep?” He quirked an eyebrow.
“What's deep?”
“You”
“I'm deep in what?”
“UGH, nevermind, I take it back!” I walked off to my bunk, not seeing the childish face Joe was giving me behind my back. Within the hour I was fast asleep, dreaming of her.
The next morning I was being rudely shaken awake by someone. By the time I opened my eyes the person was gone, the door to the kitchen area closing. Soon enough, Kevin's girlfriend, Ashlynn, walked in the room cheerfully.
Morning Sleeping Beauty!” She plopped down next to me beaming. Its not healthy for someone to be this happy in the morning, I thought, Kevin must have done something...then again, this is Ashlynn we're talking about. “You have a meeting with the tour manager today. You guys will be meeting him for breakfast.” This'll be good, I thought.
I sat down on one of the cold metal chairs surrounding a big table full of breakfast foods. I smiled at the manager, but just got an unhappy smirk in reply. I sank into my chair uneasily, already knowing what this meeting will be about. I reached in my pocket for my phone to check my schedule, hoping we this wont last long. My eyes widened when I felt nothing there. I frantically checked all my pockets. Nothing. I leaned over to the seat next to me.
“Dad, have you seen my phone?” He nodded.
“Yes, I have it. Using your phone is a privilege, and you have lost that privilege due to your behavior,” If repeatedly slamming my head against the table would make anything better, I would.
“Dad, please, can I just check something?”
He looked as if he was debating about it in his head, then handed the phone over to me. I thanked him and went straight toward my schedule, but I was stopped when my phone buzzed. 2 new messages. I checked my inbox and saw both messages were from Sarah. Without a second thought, I opened the first message.
Nick, I need to talk to you, call me when you can.
I sighed knowing I wouldn't be able to talk to her soon. That is, until I read the next message.
Nick, please, Christina's in trouble! Call me!
I felt my blood run cold, and without another word, I started towards the exit at a fast past, phone in hand.
“Nicholas, come back here!” I turned around and saw everyone looking at me quite surprised.
“Dad, I need to go, Sarah's-”
“Enough with this 'Sarah' girl! Come back here, you have a meeting.” I looked at the manager who was giving me a stern look. I bit my lip and shook my head.
“No”
“Excuse me?!” the manager said, raising his voice in anger. I just shook my head again. I knew I couldn't leave Sarah to help Christina on her own, it could be dangerous. “Sir, you walk out that door, you are saying goodbye to your tour. Its the tour, or the girl. You choose.” I glanced down at the message again and tossed my phone on the table in front of my dad.
“The girl.”
