One Million Branches

Part Three

I head off the side of the stage and see the sign with an arrow pointing to the left.

I hold onto my head with my left arm since it hurt to move my right. I find the dressing room and hear the boys talking.

“Yeah she came in last night crying. I think she thought everyone was asleep.” I hear Vic say.

I sigh, knock on the door and walk in.

“Hey… What the fuck happened?” Mike asks.

“I fell when I was coming here and then I fell off the stage.” I say.

“What’s up with you and getting hurt?” Jaime asks getting into the mini fridge.

I shrug and laugh. Tony stares at me and I roll my eyes. Jaime puts a big bandage over my scratch and gives me ice for my head.

I walk over to Mike and sit across his lap.

Mike kisses my arm and I smile at him.

“So we have something we want to ask you.” Vic says.

I look over to him and feel panic take over me.

“Can you sing during I’m Low on Gas and Hold on Till May?” He asks.

I feel relieved and let out a little sigh. 

“I don’t know.” I say.

“Come on please. You’re an amazing singer.” Mike says.

“I guess.” I say with a sigh.

“Fuck yeah!” Jaime yells.

I laugh and get up off of Mike.

“Let’s go back to the bus.” Vic says.

Everyone nods in agreement and we make our way out of the building.

Vic, Mike and Jaime walk ahead of Tony and me. I roll my eyes and let out a small sigh.

“Liz. Can we talk about last night?” Tony asks.

“There’s nothing to talk about.” I say.

“But-.”

“Nothing happened. There’s nothing to talk about Tony.” I say cutting him off.

He holds up his hands defensively and I walk faster to catch up to Mike and Vic.

I jump onto Mike’s back and he gives me a piggyback ride to the bus.

We all get on the bus and lay around on the couches and sit along the booth. I decided on laying in the back lounge only because no one else was in it. I listen to Hold on Till May and I’m Low on Gas over and over again so I won’t forget the lyrics.

My phone buzzes and I check it.

Tone: Are you mad at me?

Lizzy: Come to the back of the bus.  

Within a minute Tony enters the back lounge and I pause my music and take out my headphones.

He sits down next to me and I sit up.

“So are you?” He asks.

I shake my head no and hug him.

“I could never be mad at you for a long period of time. You’re one of my best friends. We all just drunk last night and made some really stupid decisions.” I say still hugging him.

“Good. I don’t like when you’re mad in general.” He says giving me a little smile.

Even though I want to believe that he actually meant to kiss me I can’t do that to myself. I know that it was just a drunken mistake.