You're Not Alone

Real Friends

(Jen's POV)

I winced as Tino bandaged my bloody, raw knuckles. Phil sat next to me. I couldn't tell wether he was more angry or concerned.

"Jen." He snapped. "What the hell happened?"

Angry. Definitely angry.

I took in a shaky breath. "I was on the phone with Mason. Everything was normal. Everything was fine. Then there was a sound like a door opening and he started acting really strange. All of a sudden he said he had to go, and when I told him that I loved him, he didn't say it back like he usually does. I guess he forgot to hang up the phone, or didn't hang up by mistake, because I heard a girl's voice on the other line. I thought it was a family member or a friend at first. But he called her 'babe' and told her that she was the only one he loved. I hung up when it sounded like they started hooking up."

Phil's face softened and he squeezed my shoulder. "Jen, I'm so sorry."

"Me too."

Toni patted my hand softly as he finished patching it up. "There ya go, kid."

Aaron waltzed in from the kitchen carrying a tub of Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Therapy ice cream and four spoons, handing one to each of us. We dug into the cold, creamy treat. They say that ice cream heals a broken heart.

It doesn't.

No one spoke for a little while, aside from the occasional mumble.

"Maybe it's just a misunderstanding." Aaron said. For all you know, he may have just been joking around with a friend. And the sound of...well, you know, the 'do' may have been the TV or something."

Tino shrugged. "That makes sense."

Phil nodded. "Mason doesn't strike me as the type to cheat. That's just not his character."

"I agree." I said. "That's why I was so shocked." I tried to grab my spoon again and a burst of pain shot through my hand. I dropped my spoon and squealed.

"Do you need an ice pack, hun?" Aaron asked. I nodded.

As Aaron went to go get the ice pack, I looked at Phil with soft eyes. "How do I explain this to Dad?"

Phil sighed and rubbed my arm. "Kid, I think you just have to be honest with him. He's been through this kind of thing before."

"He has?"

"Yeah. But I'll let him tell you more about that." Phil winked.

Aaron came in holding a Ziploc bag filled with ice. "Jen, this is what I call the 'Poor Man's Ice Pack.'"

I smirked. "But you're not poor."

Aaron stuck his tongue out at me. "I don't need your sass, Jellybean." I giggled a little bit.

"Was that a smile?" Phil exclaimed, poking my sides. I laughed.

"We don't like it when your down, Jen." Tino smiled.

Aaron nodded. "I wish you could see the difference you've made in Austin. It's so prominent to us."

"Speaking of Austin, where is he?" I asked.

Tino shrugged. "He and Alan went out to discuss something with someone. They wouldn't tell us what or who."

We ate the rest of the ice cream, talking and laughing like always. It was times like this when we didn't notice the giant age gap. They treated me like one of them. Because I was one of them.

After the ice cream was gone, we moved over the couch and put on the Goonies. I laid my head down on Aaron's thigh, my torso on Phil's lap and draped my legs across Tino.

"Jesus, kid, you barely weigh anything at all." Phil laughed while tracing circles on my back.

Aaron sang softly under his breath. I didn't recognize what he was singing. It sounded like a language that I didn't recognize. It was beautiful, nonetheless. I smiled up at him, and he gladly returned it, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

I was at peace once again. Though Mason was still present in the back of my mind, I still had the strong hope of everything being a misunderstanding.

My eyes fluttered and I teetered on the edge of sleep as Alan and Austin burst in through the front door.

"Guess who just recruited Issues for our next tour with All Time Low?!" Austin yelled, receiving shushes from the others.

"Dude, chill. Your kid is asleep." Alan scolded.

"Was." I spoke. "I was asleep."

Austin laughed. "Sorry, Jen. I was just really stoked."

Tino rubbed his face with his hands. "Now, what's this about Issues?"

Austin plopped down on the floor. "Sleeping with Sirens was originally supposed to be with us, but Kellin called today and said that they couldn't make it after all. So I had the idea of bringing Issues along with us. Those guys are awesome and it'd give Jen a chance to spend some time with Mason."

I swallowed hard and I felt Phil squeeze my hand, telling me it was time and that it was okay. I rose off the couch and went over to Austin.

"Hey, Dad? Can I talk to you?"

He smiled up at me. "Of course." He rose to his feet and I took his hand in mine. The size difference was astounding. "What's the matter, kiddo?"

I led Dad up to my room. His fingers brushed the bandage on my hand.

"Whoa, what happened?" He asked, sounding concerned.

I took a deep breath. "I'll show you."

"Are you alright, Jen?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. There's just something I need to tell you."

Hey, friends!

Hope you enjoyed this sweet little chapter. I feel like the toughest looking guys in this band are sweethearts.

The chapter song, wasn't in the title, but it is the song that Aaron sings while watching TV. It's an aboriginal song called Wiyathul by Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu. My World Geo teacher played this in class a few days ago and I knew I had to incorporate. It's so peaceful and calming.

I hope you all have a great Memorial Day! Remember to keep in mind what we're celebrating. Freedom isn't free.

And if you don't live in the U.S. And celebrate Memorial Day, have a great May 25th!

-Gracie