"...What?" I asked, hoping I heard wrong.
"The band broke up." Mark said, Tom staying silent.
"Just because Travis left?!?!? You guys can't just find another drummer?!"
"No, we won't find one. Plus, Travis threatened us legally. He also said we had to blame this whole thing on Tom, because he doesn't want his reputation ruined." At this, Tom started to do something I never thought I'd see him do. A single tear dropped down his face, leaving a shiny trail on his cheek.
"Tom, don't cry. He can't do this! How did he threaten you?! I don't get it!"
"Look, we were dumb kids. Still are. He has dirt on us that could ruin everything. I mean we could ruin him too, but what's the point if our reps are already ruined?" Tom stood still, not saying a word.
"But why does he want to blame it on Tom? I don't get it."
"Because he's always been jealous of Tom's friendship with me. He's always wanted to be closer to me, but Tom already was." Tom started to cry again, and I felt so bad. This is all my fault. If it wasn't for me, Mark wouldn't have broken his hand, and there wouldn't have been a dispute this morning. I'm gonna puke. I don't like this feeling at all, and I can't imagine what Tom is feeling. I walked over to Tom and hugged him as hard as I could and he hugged back, sobbing in my arms.
"Caryn?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I tell you something?"
"Anything."
"...your boobies make this hug ten times better than Mark's." I couldn't help myself but to laugh. As upset as he is, he still makes jokes. I kissed him on the cheek and whispered in his ear that everything will be okay. I have to fix this. Travis and I will have to get back together. I have to sacrifice myself for the sake of the band.
"Guys, I think I can fix this... If I get back with Travis maybe he'll come back to the band."
"No. I'm not going to watch you get beaten every night then have to deal with the sex every morning. It's not happening. Don't get me wrong, I love the band, but I refuse to sacrifice your well-being for the good of the band. No."
"I agree with Mark, it's not happening. Please, we're tired of seeing you hurt. You deserve so much better than him." Tom said.
"Guys, please. I want to do this. You're my favorite band. I need to do this. I can take it. I know how to handle him." With that, I hugged Mark, kissed him on the cheek, and did the same to Tom. I cried a bit before picking up the hospital phone to call Travis. I told him I'm ready to come back to him if he would just join the band again. He came to the hospital almost immediately to pick me up and rejoin the band. "Caryn, get in the car." Travis said with the fakest smile. I already knew what was coming when we got home. "WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN?!" he screamed once we walked inside.
"Travis please, I realized my mistake in leaving you and I came back, isn't that good enough?!" I replied, bracing myself to be hit.
"NO. You're such a slut! I bet you were with fucking Landon! I swear to God I fucking hate you! Tell me where you were!" His hand collided with my arm so hard, it stung almost instantly. I held back tears as the old reality set in. "Don't fucking play victim here! If I see a tear you'll get it twice as hard!"
"I...I slept in my car..."
"Don't fucking lie to me! Were you with Landon?!"
"No..."
"THEN WHY THE FUCK DID I SEE YOU IN THE PARK WITH HIM TODAY, SLUT!? I FUCKING HATE YOU, YOU LIAR!" Travis punched me straight in the face, and the last thing I remember is the tears streaming down my face, and waking up in the hospital the next day, Landon, Mark, and Tom all standing over me.
