A few hours later, the reporters had left the hospital after they were satisfied by the answers they were given to all of their questions. Christi and Justin went back when they got news that everyone had left. Erika’s operations had finished but she was still asleep from the sleeping gas given to her.
Everyone was exhausted from the hype from all the reporters. They were happy they could just still down and worry about what was truly important, the health of their friend.
Dr. Rodriguez stepped into the room never looking up at them from his charts.
“Are Erika’s friends still here?”
“Yes, we’re still here,” Said Lance as he stood up.
“The operation is over and was successful, but she is still asleep.”
“When can we go in and see her?”
“One of the nurses will let you know when she wakens and you may go in two at a time.”
“All right.”
The doctor didn’t say another word, just left. There was an awkward silence amongst the group.
“So...”
“So...”
“What are we gonna do about the tour?”
“What about it?”
“The sun is about to come up; we’ll never make it to the next city in time for sound check.”
Lance thought for a moment, “What if...what if we reschedule the next couple of dates so we can have a few days off and we’ll think about it later.”
They took that answer for now, but were also getting ready for what they knew was to come.
The doctor came back out. “Erika is awake now; you can all go in and see her now.”
Not a word was said, they all just made their way down the hall quickly to her room.
“Er?”
“Mmhmm?” Erika’s eyes fluttered open to the group that was standing in front of her. “Hey everyone.”
“Hey yourself.” Liz said as she went in to give her best friend a hug.
“So let’s see what they did to you.” Joey pulled back the covers exposing her legs.
There was a cast around her ankle that came up slightly below mid calf, and there was a giant knee brace with pins and needles sticking into her knee.
JC had to look away. The sight of needles was too much for him.
“You ok, C?”
“Yea, yea, I’m cool.” JC just waved a hand in her direction but still did not turn around.
“I just wanna thank everyone.”
“Why?”
“You all stayed here the entire time. You actually cared.”
“Of course we care. Were all best friends.”
“I can’t dance any more.” Erika spoke with her head down. Her statement was heard, but it was hard to tell if it was actually said.
“What’d you say?”
“I said I can’t dance anymore, well only for a year.”
“You’re not leaving the tour Erika.”
“Did you not just hear what I said Justin? I CAN’T DANCE.”
“I understand that but you’re not leaving me. Us. None of you girls are. Look, it’s really simple. We just continue the tour with no back up dancers like we originally planed on doing.”
“Do any of you know when I can leave?”
“Um, before we came in the doctor pulled me aside and said you can leave today whenever you’re ready.”
“I’m ready!”
After many straight hours of being awake right after performing, everyone was very tired and contents to be going back home. The tour bus.
Erika was given yet another pair of crutches and a wheelchair. It took a while but the guys finally managed to haul her up the bus steps making sure they didn’t get her injured leg.
After what seemed like days, Erika was back in her small yet private “room” on the bus. She laid out several pillows on her bad and placed her lag on it, making sure it was elevated. She knew the drill. She clicked on the television and went back into a peaceful slumber.
JC slowly opened the door to Erika’s room to check on her. “Er?”
“What?”
“Did I wake you?”
“No, not really was just waking up from a nap.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Ok I guess. The morphine is probably gonna wear out soon though.”
“So how long are you gonna be out for?”
“Five months for my ankle and six or seven months for my knee.”
“That blows. Well, I’m going to let you get your rest.” JC got up towards the door. As he opened the door, he turned to face Erika one last time.
“Your room is so much bigger than mine!” She couldn’t help but laugh. He still hadn’t figured it out.
“What’s so funny?”
“In time blondie, in time.”
(A week later [last week in December])
The tour started up again and every thing was running smoothly. The guys gave a special Christmas concert, which were just mainly holiday songs.
The girls didn’t want to leave Chelsea out for the holidays so they flew her in the day after Christmas. Mickey, Liz’s mom even sent Shelly (the dog) over with Chelsea to keep Lance’s ferret company.
New Years was just around the corner and they were all in the back sitting area trying to decide what to do that night after the concert. Rachel came running out of her room screaming.
“Ahhh!”
“What? What’s wrong?” Lance was very confused. His albino brain was not processing why Rachel was screaming; yet she had a giant smile covering her face, lighting up all her features.
“We’re in New York!”
“And..?”
“Dude, shut up Lance! Just cuz you’ve been here like, a million times doesn’t mean I can’t be excited.”
“But WHY are you so excited, it’s only New York.”
“Did...did he just..?” Rachel was looking around meeting eyes with all her friends, with a look of confusion as if she didn’t understand what Lance had just said. “What are you talking about, ‘It’s only New York’? There is so much to do here! There’s clubs, TRL, clubs, Broadway, clubs, Times Square, and CLUBS!”
“Ok, I think that settles what we’re doing tonight.” Justin said half laughing at the fact that Rachel was actually serious.
“You guys have fun.” Erika didn’t bother to look up from her book as she spoke.
“What are you talking about?” Joey thought it completely ridiculous that they would celebrate the new year without the girls.
She slowly placed her book down making sure not to lose her place. “Sweetie, we’re not legal. We can’t get in. You girls are all seventeen, and I’m even younger, I’m only sixteen.”
“Did you forget who you’re friends with?” Chris was getting very cocky.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Miss Thang. Well, it doesn’t really matter, cuz I can’t go anyway.”
“What the fuck is your problem Er? We don’t need your bitchtastic mood swings right now. If you need some Midol it’s in the back.” Liz had had enough. She wasn’t going to stand for any more of Erika’s self pity.
“Ooooo.”
“Shut up Joey!”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Damn Liz, ease off, Erika didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Oh my dear, sweet, PATHETIC Justin. You’re just a love sick puppy when it comes to Erika. Always getting her what she wants. Always at her feet!”
Justin began to turn bright shades of red. Not because of embarrassment, but because of anger.
“Get the hell away from me.”
“Why? Hitting too close to home there Justy?”
“Liz! That’s enough! Go to your room!”
“Whoa there Chris. Since when did you become my father?”
“Look, this is getting way too out of hand, and someone has to put a foot down. I might not always act very mature, but I’m the oldest, not go to your Goddamn room.”
With out another word, Liz turned on her heel and began towards her room.
“Looks like she’s the one that needs the Midol.”
“I heard that Chelsea!”
“Wasn’t an accident!” Chelsea retorted mocking her attempt at an angelic voice.
The door to Liz’s room slammed shut and she did not reappear until they left for the club that night.
HOME
stories page
chapter index
chapter 12