Chapter 9
She awoke tired and groggy but was dressed and gone before Justin even woke up. Her suitcase was already gone and most likely packed on the bus by the time Justin got up. He changed and double-checked the room before he headed to the lobby with his stuff. He handed his suitcase off to a crewmember to pack and went to eat. He searched the room and vaguely wondered where Brianna was. The guys and Melinda greeted him when he sat down. He noticed that they seemed a little uncomfortable when he sat down.
What conversation they had was short and pointless. They were all tired and upset. Justin left after a bowl of cereal to wait on the bus. He was shocked to see Brianna on the bus.
“What the hell are you doing?!” She didn’t turn around.
“Paperwork. We need signatures for-“
“Who the hell cares?! You shouldn’t be on this bus.”
She spun around and gave him an irritated look. He was a little taken aback. This was the first time he’d ever seen her look well, not too good. She was wearing fleece pants and a t-shirt. There were dark circles under her eyes and her hair was in a messy ponytail. She looked like she didn’t get a wink of sleep last night.
“I’m allowed to be on this bus Justin.”
“Well maybe you shouldn’t be!”
She rolled her eyes and went back to separating the papers. His temper flared and he felt like punching someone. Instead he picked up the first thing he saw and threw it against the wall. The picture frame shattered and fell to the floor only a few feet away from Brianna. She threw the papers on the table and turned around.
“That’s it! Now you’ve gone too far!” She started to leave the bus but Justin grabbed her arm.
“Where are you going?”
“Let go of me,” she sneered.
“Not until you tell me where you’re going!” He tightened his grip.
“Let go of my arm! You’re hurting me,” she said through gritted teeth.
“Tell me where you’re going!”
“To sue your ass!” She surprised him and he let go. She pushed past Lance and raced off the bus.
“You’re in deep now man,” Lance muttered. Justin sighed in frustration and fell back on the couch.
“I know…”
Brianna was met at the back door of the hotel by Jc, Chris, and Joey.
“Well look who we have here,” Jc smirked.
“Let me through guys.”
“Hey Joey? You hear something?”
“No, do you Chris?”
“Nope.” Chris leaned against the doorway. She tried to push past them but they stayed strong. She went to turn around to go to the main entrance but Jc was in her way.
“I’m so not in the mood for this.”
“Looks like we got her a little flustered.” Jc tugged on her ponytail. She pushed his hand away. “Get much sleep last night princess?” She bit her lip, trying to keep her emotions from getting the best of her.
Chris laughed. “Awww… Is princess gonna cry?”
Joey walked around her. “Princess won’t cry. Princess never cries.” She pushed him away. They all laughed. “Getting a little rough huh?”
“Leave her alone,” Justin grumbled. They all turned to look at him and she ran into the building. She made her way up the stairs to their floor hoping Johnny and Tim were still there. She knew Justin was telling them what was going on and that they would leave her alone now. At least she hoped. She knocked timidly on Tim’s door. He opened it and waved her in because he was on the phone. Johnny smiled at her as she walked in.
“What’s up Bri?”
“I just have to talk to you and Tim.”
“I was just waiting for him to get off the phone.”
“Sorry guys,” Tim apologized after hanging up. “What’s wrong Bri?”
She took a deep breath and stood up. “I dunno if I can work here anymore.”
Tim jumped up. “What?! Why? You’re the best worker I’ve ever had!”
“I-I- just don’t think this tour is right for me. I mean, I’m not gonna quit because of my contract but the tour will be ending soon and I just wanted to give you guys he heads up so you can start looking for my replacement.”
“Wait, wait. Is there any way we can make an agreement? Do you want more money?”
“No! Oh no! It’s not about that at all! I just don’t feel comfortable here.”
Johnny ran his hands through his hair. “Is it all the work we’ve been giving you? Because we can defiantly tone it down a bit. Give more to Elly maybe. I dunno, a new assistant?”
“No, I love the work. I- I just can’t explain it.”
“Can’t or won’t?” Tim asked.
“I have to go. Thanks and I’m really sorry.” She was at the door when she felt Johnny’s hand on her shoulder.
“I know the guys have been rude to you lately and I know I’ll never find out why from any of you but I’ll have a talk with them. Maybe then you’ll change your mind.”
She turned around. “Please don’t. I don’t think it will help.”
Johnny sighed. “You know you can come to me if you ever need help with them or feel overwhelmed with work.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks again and I’m sorry.” She went to leave again.
“Wait! Hold on a second!”
“Yeah?”
“Where did that come from?” Johnny nodded to her arm. Tim was now over and he gently examined her arm.
She squirmed a little. “Uhhh… We were walkin’ outside and Justin fell and grabbed my arm on the way down.”
“That fall left bruises this bad?”
“Yeah, well, I fell after him. You know how much of a klutz I can be.” She laughed nervously but Tim and Johnny stayed stern.
“No one on the tour is or has hurt you right?”
“No! No, nothing like that.”
Tim let go of her arm. “Please don’t hide something like that from us.”
She bit her lip. “I wouldn’t.”
Johnny nodded. “Hang in there kiddo. And I’m sorry you feel you have to leave.”
“I’m sorry too,” she said. She opened the door just as Justin was reaching up to knock on it. She stared at him for a few seconds before she shook her head and jogged down the hall. Justin watched her then turned back to the two men glaring at him.
“Get the guys and get them up here. Now,” Johnny demanded.
“But the buses are-“
“Now!” Justin swallowed hard, his stomach doing flip flops. He nodded and ran to find everyone.
Brianna took her time as she made her way to the bus. She saw Justin run up to the guys in the lobby. They all sent her evil looks but she pretended not to notice. The buses were already loaded and ready to go, they were just waiting for the guys. She got on her bus and walked past Melinda. She kept her eyes ahead but could fell Melinda’s cutting into her. She pulled her laptop and headphones out of her bag and put it on the top bunk, the bag on the middle. She climbed into the top bunk and opened her laptop. It was going to be a long trip…
Johnny paced back and forth fuming in front of the five guys in front of him. Tim sat in a chair by the window. He decided to stay out of this until he absolutely had to cut in. All the guys were freaked out about the sudden meeting but none as much as Justin. He squirmed nervously in his seat on the bed. Johnny seemed as though he was too mad to even speak.
“I-you… you guys are so damn lucky we have a contract with all our employees!” He stared at the guys. “We lost one of our best employees today and I have this nagging feeling you guys had a hand in this.”
“What do you mean, lost?” Jc asked.
“What do you think I mean?! Brianna quit!”
“She quit?!” Lance and Jc shouted at the same time. Justin felt relief slowly flooding in him. Johnny noticed the looks of relief on their faces.”
“Do you understand what I just said? Brianna Dawson, the best Production Manager I think I’ve ever seen and we lost her because you guys wanted to have some fun and mess with her. I know her well enough to say she’s a strong young woman, stronger than most people and what I saw in her was not strength. She was broken down and… and just not right. You guys should be completely ashamed of yourselves.” He looked over the guys’ expressions and saw they didn’t even pretend to care. He shook his head. “Tim, do you have anything to add?”
“Nope.”
“Ok, well if I that won’t get a reaction out of you, then how about we have a little chat about harassment.” All five heads shot up. “Ahhh! I see I’ve hit a nerve! Brianna gave me some bull shit story of how she’s getting these strange fingerprint shaped bruises on her arms and I SWEAR, if I EVER find out that her head injury was inflicted by anyone but herself, I will personally call the cops on you. I am done defending you guys.” He looked around. “Now who wants to tell me how she’s getting those bruises?” They all stayed silent. He laughed in disbelief. “Go get on the bus, we’re already late.”
Brianna knew Jc would eventually sneak onto their bus or Melinda would sneak onto theirs. The girls had the bus to themselves because of the number of people. There were only five other females on the tour all in makeup and wardrobe. They were going to squeeze them on with the others but they eventually convinced them to get their own bus. Because of the ample space, Jc and Justin always would sneak onto the bus with them. Jive had a big thing against co-ed buses and hotel rooms but the guys always found a way around it. Tim and Johnny of course knew it but they chose to ignore it. Because of that, the group of four had become very close. This was all very new to Brianna. She had always gotten to know and love everyone on her tours but not like this. She soon heard Jc’s voice and the buses took off. Brianna could hear the two talking.
“What’s going on?” Melinda asked.
“I guess princess-“
“Brianna.”
“BRIANNA, went to Tim and Johnny.”
“See, I told you all to leave her alone but no! You guys had to mess with her! Now you guys have to pay for her mistakes meaning I-“
“She quit.”
“What?!”
“She just quit. Just like that.”
“Did she say anything about you guys?”
“No, Johnny said he couldn’t get it out of her.”
“Well, now are you all gonna leave her alone?”
Jc laughed. “Oh hell no! We’ll just make sure Johnny and Tim aren’t around when we do!”
“Jc…” Brianna put her headphones on but she could still hear them talk a little.
“Hey Mel, is she on the bus?”
“Jc!”
“What?!”
“I’m not gonna let you mess with her!” He laughed. “I’m just messing with your head. Don’t get so mad.” Brianna put her headphones higher to block out their voices.
About an hour later she had finished her work and was getting a little hungry. She took her headphones off and climbed out of her bunk. Jc and Melinda were in the back room. Melinda was asleep with her head in his lap but Jc was watching TV. He glanced in her direction but then turned back to the TV. Brianna was glad he didn’t get up. She went into the kitchen and began to make herself a quick sandwich.
“Hey princess.” She jumped at the sound of his voice. Jc laughed and took a bottle of water out of the refrigerator. Brianna sat down at the table to eat her turkey sandwich. Jc sat down across from her.
“So I hear you narked on us princess.”
“I did not. I didn’t say anything about you guys.”
“You didn’t have to.” He paused and looked at her arm. “Lemme see your arm.” She pulled her arms closer to her and shook her head. “Oh come on! I’m not gonna hurt you! I just want to see something.” She looked almost scared of him, as if he was gonna pull a gun on her at any minute. It freaked Jc out a little, he’d never knew anyone who was scared of him. Brianna took another bite of her sandwich, never taking her eyes off him. His face softened and looked almost concerned. “Please?” She looked doubtful but slowly extended it across the table. He took it gently and examined the bruises. “Where’d you get these?” She pulled her arm back and shrugged. “You can tell me you know, I’m not gonna do anything. I’m just curious.” She avoided his eyes by concentrating on her sandwich. Jc reached across the table and put his hand on hers. She winced and pulled it away. He was surprised by her actions. “Did Justin do it?” She put her half-eaten sandwich on the table and stood up.
“Will ya just leave me alone already? Haven’t ya all hurt me enough? I’ll be out of your lives forever in a few weeks! Can’t ya just leave me be?” she pleaded. She threw her sandwich away and retreated to her bunk.
Melinda punched Jc in the arm.
“Owww…!”
“I thought you said you were going to leave her alone!”
“I did! I just wanted to see the bruises Johnny was talking about!”
“What bruises?!”
“I don’t know!”
“Will you stop screaming?!”
He lowered his voice. “There are bruises like fingerprints on her arm that Justin gave her and Lance thinks that cut on her head had something to do with him too because he heard them fighting and then it suddenly stopped and she was out in the hall bleeding. He said she got stitches and stuff.”
“I know, I saw it. It was nasty.”
“And Johnny said she hasn’t been acting normal and she scared the hell out of me in here. She acted like I was about to kill her or something.”
“You all are really going too far with this. I’m gonna talk to Justin next chance I get.”
“Good luck. He has the worst temper out of everyone I know.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” he screamed.
“Justin… Don’t freak out on me! You’ve seen her! You guys are in trouble because of it!” Melinda shouted back.
“I don’t care! Do you know what she did to me?”
“Yes I do! But get over it!”
“I can’t get over it!”
“What the hell is wrong with you men! Will you just stop screaming at me?!”
He sighed and ran his hands through his hair. “I’m trying so hard to forget about it and move on but whenever I see her, my temper shoots through the roof and I can’t help myself.” He sat down on the couch in the empty bus. Everyone else was inside eating.
Melinda sat next to him. “Just chill out a little. I know you gotta blow off steam but don’t use her as your punching bag.”
He shook his head doubtfully. “I can’t.”
“Try.”
He sighed. “Fine. I’ll try but I’m not promising anything.”
“Alright at least we got somewhere.” She rubbed his back. “Wanna go eat?”
“Best question you’ve asked me all day.”
“Hey prin- Brianna?” Jc called. He pulled back the curtain on her bunk. “Brianna?” She was sleeping peacefully, her laptop still opened next to her. Her headphones had fallen off and were lying next to her. They were playing a soft slow song. He picked them up and held them to his ears. He smiled when he heard More Than a Feeling from the CD he had burned for her. He put them back down on her bed and walked off the bus, softly humming More Than a Feeling to himself.
Brianna shivered, jumping awake. She rubbed her arms to try and keep warm. She rolled our of her bunk, her head down and her teeth chattering. She went in search of a sweatshirt but bumped into a hard male figure.
“Sorry Jc…” she mumbled. He stayed still and tensed up. The hallway was too small to get through. “Jc, I gotta get a sweatshirt.” She saw his hands squeeze together in fists but it wasn’t Jc’s. She sighed deeply, closed her eyes, and slowly looked up at him. His teeth were clenched, his jaw tensing and relaxing. He stared at her as if he was going to explode. She pulled back when she saw him, scared of him and what he could do to her. She licked her lips and kept her head down, her arms wrapped around her in a strong hug.
Justin tried to control himself but he could feel his temper threatening his self control. He cleared his throat and talked through clenched teeth. “What are you doing here?”
“This is my assigned bus. Why are you here?”
“It doesn’t matter!” He took a deep breath and lowered his voice. “Just stay out of my way.” He sneered walking into the back to meet Jc and Melinda watching the potential fight. Brianna sighed and walked into the kitchen. A grey hoody lay on the kitchen table. She worked up enough courage and walked into the back room. Melinda had her head on Jc’s lap and he was playing with her hair. Justin sat a little bit away from them, his expression stern and upset. They were all watching TV.
“Uhhh… Jc?” Jc and Melinda both looked at her but Justin stared at the TV.
“Yeah?”
“Can I use your hoody?”
“That’s not mine.”
“It’s mine,” Justin said without looking at it.
“Oh, sorry…” She put it on the couch.
“Put it on if you’re cold.”
“No, that’s ok.”
“Put it on.” She sighed and pulled it over her head.
“Thanks.”
“You wanna watch TV with us?” Jc asked.
“No, I’m ok.” She turned to go back to her bunk.
“Stop,” Justin said.
“Yeah?” she asked slowly.
“Watch TV with us.” His voice was flat and in a strange sort of monotone.
“That’s ok. I-“
“I said watch TV with us.” She didn’t want to but she found herself going to the couch. She walked over to the other side of Jc.
“No. Here.” He pointed to the seat next to him, his eyes never leaving the TV.
“I- uhhh…” She looked from one seat to the other.
“Briaaannnaaa…” He said in a warning voice. She bit her lip and rolled around to sit by him. Jc and Melinda watched in amazement at the power he had over her.
“Closer.” She looked uneasily at the seat next to her and slowly edged her way over. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her even closer. She tensed and looked scared of him. He put his arm around the back of the couch. Brianna sat on the edge of her seat, not wanting to lean back because of his arm. A small smile broke across Justin’s lips, he was enjoying her discomfort. Anytime he would move she’d tense up and lean away as if he was going to smack her. She winced whenever he’d crush against her. After a little while Brianna was too uncomfortable to stay there any longer.
“I think I’m gonna go back to my bunk.” She stood up to leave but Justin grabbed her wrist and pulled her back down.
“Stay here,” she ordered.
“But I-“
He tightened is grip and Brianna winced. She twisted her arm to try and ease his hold. “You’re staying here.”
“Let her go to her bunk if she wanted to,” Jc called.
“She doesn’t want to,” Justin answered.
“Actually I do.” She stood up but Justin stood up with her, blocking her way. He had let go of her wrist.
“Please move.”
“Nope.”
“Justin, I want to-“
“I don’t care.”
“Justin! Let her go by!” Jc shouted.
“No Jc! Stop pitying her! That’s all she wants!” he screamed, pushing her a little. “She wants everyone to feel bad for poor Brianna Dawson who broke her boyfriend’s heart by sleeping with another man.” He laughed and flicked the bandage on her head. She squeezed her eyes shut in pain. “It’s just an act,” he whispered.
He went to do it again but she pushed his hands away. “Stop!”
“Oh! The slut’s getting feisty!”
“Shut up…”
“Why? That’s what you are.”
“Justin! Stop!” Jc yelled but he was ignored.
Justin leaned close to her. “You’re just a filthy slut!” She clenched her teeth and went to punch him but he saw it coming and caught her hand. She winced in pain as he squeezed her small hand within his larger one, the same hand she used to squeeze when they were watching scary movies in their hotel rooms.
“Justin, stop… Please, you’re hurting me…”
“You hurt me worse…”
Jc got up to get Justin away but he pushed him away with his other hand.
“Justin! Let her go!” Melinda screamed from her seat.
“Shut up Mel! This isn’t your battle!” Justin screamed.
Brianna squirmed in pain.
“Awww… Do I see tears yet?” he teased.
“I will never EVER cry over you,” she screamed. Justin laughed and let go of her hand. It dropped limply to her side.
“Will you cry over Alex?”
“Shut up! Will ya just leave it alone already?!” She pushed past him to get to her bunk.
“I’m never going to forget what you did with him! It’s all your fault!”
She stopped and turned around slowly. “If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s yours.”
“How is it mine Brianna? You were-“
“No! Shut up! Now it’s my time to talk! You were the one who over reacted, who took the little information ya had and let your brain run with it! You were the one who let your anger get the best of ya, you were the one who hurt me before ya knew all the facts!” she screamed.
“Fine princess, what are all the facts?”
“Did ya ever even stop to think that maybe it wasn’t on my own will?”
Justin laughed loudly. “So now you’re trying to say you were raped? Do you enjoy the pity you get when you tell people that?”
Brianna laughed and shook her head in disbelief. “I knew that ya wouldn’t believe it.” She walked back and hopped up into her bunk, turning her headphones all the way up before she put them on. Justin sat down on the couch.
“Lower your damn headphones!”
She stuck her good hand out of the curtain and gave him the finger. Jc smiled and Melinda giggled. Justin just leaned back and shook his head.
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