Like We Used To (Book 1)

12. I won't find peace until you come back to me.

Alisha's POV

"Don't you worry you're pretty little mind, people throw rocks at things that shine.." I was dancing around the bus with my iPod on full blast, while everyone was at soundcheck.

I really didn't mind being alone because it gave me a lot of time to think. I did want to go with the girls to watch the guys practice, but I knew Joel was going to be there and I wasn't ready to be around him.

As the song changed I heard my phone ringing, 'Oh my love please don't cry, I'll wash my bloody hands....'

"What's up Benj?" Joel and Benji still weren't seeing eye to eye, so he was probably going to be staying on the A7X bus for a while.

"Can you bring me my phone charger, I left it on your bunk?"

"Do you really need it Benji?" He laughed.

"Yes Ali, Please. Joel is on stage. Just come around the back." I sighed.

"Fine, I'll be there in 5."I hung up and went to put my hoodie on. Well Jimmy's hoodie. I couldn't find mine. He never wore it anyway.

As I got to the backstage doors, I was suddenly nervous. What if Benji was lying and Joel was backstage?

Maybe I should go through the front.

I turned around and walked to the front where a security guard let me in.

I made it to the front of the stage and there was Joel.I should of just listened to Benji.

He looked like he hadn't slept in days and I knew that I was the reason behind that. This was their first show and I was already regretting being on this tour.

Matt was standing with Syn along with Paul and Billy. While Joel was off in the corner.

I guessed they were going to be practicing 'The River' I looked around for Benji, but I couldn't find him and the only way to get backstage were the steps where Joel was or hopping on stage, which I couldn't do at the moment.

I kept looking around and I knew I looked stupid, but what was I supposed to do. No one but Joel noticed my entrance.

Joel's POV

We were gettting ready to practice 'The River', when Alisha walked in. She looked so beautiful and I missed her so much.

I was sitting in the corner by the steps trying to get the next part of our new song written.

No one else had noticed her, so the only way for her to get up here without looking like a complete idiot was by walking by me.

I grabbed Benji's acousitc guitar and started practicing my song for Alisha.

Alisha's POV

Joel started playing and I felt the tears trying to spill out.

"I smile, you laugh, I look away. I sigh, you ask me why, I say, It's okay and I am just feeling down. Your hand on mine I hear the words, If only love had found us first, our lives, they would be different. Ohh."

God I missed him so much, Every word he sang he looked at me with so much love.

And all I could do was stand there and cry.

Val's POV

I was trying to get everything set up for the guys with Mandy when I heard Joel starting to play. I walked to the side of the stage with Mandy and saw Alisha standing there with tears in her eyes.

I looked at Matt and Syn who were oblivious to the situation. As soon as they saw Alisha, Syn waved over Jimmy and we all stood their and saw the love that these two had for each other, but were to stubborn to put that love first.

"I'll wait, I'll wait, As long as you want, Where would we be now baby? I'll wait, I'll wait, I'll wait, I'll wait." Joel finished the song and jumped off the stage.

Alisha fell into his arms and all that was heard were her sobs before we turned around and decided to give them privacy, well Jimmy was dragged away by Matt and Mandy by Brian, but maybe Alisha and Joel were meant to be.

Joel's POV

"Alisha, I love you, Tell me that this is right, don't throw it all away."

"I love you too Joel." I leaned in to kiss her, but she pulled away.

"Ali?"

"I know that this seems like one of those moments where we are just going to kiss and everything is going to be better but it's not. I love you and I always will, but we need to work on our relationship Joel, it's not healthy for us to be together right now."

"I know I have done a lot of things that has ruined our relationship, but what happened to you was a wake up call for me and I can't go on without you by my side. I need you Alisha."

I had to convince her that this would be right for us. I needed her in my life.

"Joel there is something you need to know. I got accepted to Johns Hopkins and this is an opportunity I have to take. I can't tour with you or move to LA. It just won't work as a long distance relationship."

Johns Hopkins. Wow.

"When do you start?"

"August of 2008."I sighed.

"That's 10 months from now, we can stay in LA or Maryland it doesn't matter. We can work everything out before then."

"Just promise me that this time it will be different Joel."

"I promise Ali."

After we had explained everything to everyone, me and Alisha went to talk to Benji. I had to apologize to him.

"Benj?"

"What the hell do you want Joel?"

Damn I knew I shouldn't have waited this long to talk to him.

"Look bro, I'm sorry I knew that I shouldn't have said anything about Alex because it's none of my business."

"Joel there are so many things you can say to me that I won't give a shit about, I'll be over it in five minutes, but you know how much Alex means to me and you just crossed a line. I love you bro, but you are so fuckin stupid sometimes."

"I know Benji. I'm sorry."

"I know you are, I just needed to hear you say  it before I could go back on our bus." He laughed.

We hugged it out and went back to the stage where Avenged was practicing.

This tour was beginning to be the one that I always wanted it to be.