**Dedicated to Cheshi, to show you that I think about you at 5:22 AM.
~Flippy~**
*******
After Burger King, Vic drove us back to a hotel.
I got to meet the rest of the band.
"This is Mike's daughter..." Vic said, introducing me to everyone.
"Mike has a daughter!"
"Wow..."
Jaime pulled me into a hug.
"It's nice to meet you."
"Mfftomotaosnurgle..."
"What?" He pulled me away from his chest.
"You're suffocating me Jaime."
"Oh, sorry." He looked down, feigning shame.
I giggled.
"You're forgiven."
"So... I guess you're on tour with us now?"
"I guess so."
A few hours later, I was curled up on one of the blankets.
Once I thought all of the guys were asleep, I started to sob into my pillow.
A little while later, I felt a hand rubbing my back.
I looked up into the face of none other than Tony Perry.
I dried my eyes.
"I thought you were asleep."
My voice was wobbly from crying.
"Nah, I'm a light sleeper."
I giggled.
"I'm sorry if I woke you up."
He changed the subject.
"Why were you crying?"
"I hate my weaknesses."
"But your weaknesses make you who you are."
"What if I don't like who I am though?"
"Is that why you were crying?"
"Partly..."
"You don't have to answer if it makes you upset."
"I was crying because I finally escaped."
Escaped from what?"
I lifted my shirt to show him my back, the skin bumpy and warped from many beatings with the metal part of a belt.
"Oh my god." He ran his hand over my back, "I can't believe I didn't feel this. Who would do this to you?"
So I told him what had happened and he hugged me.
I fell asleep in his arms, feeling like I had my first friend in about two years.
