okay ladies, here is chapter 6!
im currently working on chapter 7, so if the comments are good after this chapter, i might give you a treat and post it later on tonight!
enjoy!
<3
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 6
Jen found herself walking around the arena during the boys’ sound-check. Occasionally, she would stop and stare at the stage from different angles, comparing the views. Once she reached the very back, she took a seat a few rows up and glanced at the stage. She realized that no matter where you sat, you were still experiencing the same thing; every seat was a good one.
Standing and walking back to the stage where the boys were now shouting, Jennifer came to appreciate all that her life was, and she couldn’t help but feel like someone was watching over her. She had spent exactly one day with the boys, to which she figured out their roles as they pertained to her. Kevin was her “big-brother”, always checking on her to see if she was ok, giving her advice and being the sweetest guy ever. Joe had assumed the position of her “comedic relief”. He was always made her laugh when she needed it most. Then there was Nick.
Jen a special connection with him, one that she quite couldn’t explain. They were both battling illnesses, but his was less severe and definitely not fatal, like hers. She valued his friendship, something that came quite naturally between the two. He was quiet and reserved, much like her. It was easy for the two to communicate since they were so close in age, separated only by a few days. What she valued most in Nick was his bravery to live his dream without letting his diabetes slow him down. He was like superman, only without the costume.
A few hours later, Jen found herself watching in amazement from the wings of the stage, looking on at the brothers performing their hearts out. A couple of times she lost herself to the music, singing and dancing along, not caring who saw. A few times during their set, she caught the boys glancing over to make sure she was doing ok. Jen simply responded with a smile or a wave, watching them nod and turn to focus their attention back on the crowd.
Making their way through most of the set-list, Jennifer watched as Nick made his way up to a piano, sitting down before grabbing the mic. No matter how many times she heard this song, it made her emotional to listen to it. The lyrics served as the story of her life, “a little bit longer” and she would truly be fine. She listened to Nick’s speech, addressing the crowd as he did every night. Jen knew his general summary given to the audience, and she wasn’t dumb enough to notice him stray from his usual path.
“Tonight, this song is for someone special. We met her yesterday, and she’s spending a week with us on tour as part of the Make a Wish Foundation. She’s taught me to have courage, and she’s shown me to not be afraid. Lately, I’ve noticed that this song is a bit more fitting for her, so I’d like to make it hers tonight. Come on out here, Jen.”
Completely in awe that Nick had opened up so much, Jennifer hesitated in joining him onstage. Kevin walked over to escort her to Nick, checking to make sure she was ok first. She was met with screams as she approached the middle of the stage, touched at the warm reception of the audience. Once they were by the piano, Kevin lifted her gently so that she was sitting on top of the shiny black surface, swiveled slightly to face Nick.
“Tonight this song is for every lost dream, for everyone who has ever needed a friend, for every tear and every broken heart. But more importantly, tonight this song is for Jen.”
Ending his speech, Nick gently began playing the soothing melody as tears threatened to spill from Jennifer’s eyes. She fought to keep them back, but it was no use. Soon tears were cascading down her cheeks, at a rate so powerful she could no longer control it. Jen tried not to make eye contact with Nick; she didn’t want him seeing her at one of her most vulnerable states. His warm eyes spoke what he couldn’t say, letting her know that everything would be ok.
At the end of the song, Nick helped the fragile girl down, hugging her before escorting over to the side where she stood before. After the concert had ended, Jen elected to return to the bus while the boys did their meet & greet. She texted Kevin from the comfort of her bunk, letting him know that she got there safely and that she was going to sleep.
Jen lied awake for hours tossing and turning, listening to the boys as they entered the bus and found their bunks. She didn’t know what was wrong with her. Her mind kept going back to Nick and what he had done for her earlier that evening. She eventually concluded that the feelings of friendship on her end were much more than what she wanted. Jennifer had begun to develop feelings for him, something she wouldn’t allow herself to come to terms with. She couldn’t let this happen; especially since she knew that she could never have what she desired. No one would ever want to love a girl with cancer, especially one who was slowly dying inside.
Jen had no control over who had captured her heart, and at that moment, she couldn’t help but hate her life now more than she ever had before.
