I stand at the side of the stage, my eyes locked to Josh singing the last song of the night and I start to mouth along to the words, turning into me full out singing. I feel a hand touch my shoulder and the lead singer of the opening band, To Tell, I think that’s the right name, is smiling at me. I smile back. “Zach, right?”
He nods, flipping his hair and looking toward the guys singing their hearts out. “Yep, and I heard Josh say your name, Amelia?”
“Yeah, but I go by Amy,” I smile, looking at him then back at Josh; “you guys rocked the stage before, and earned another fan. My favourite songs were Phonebook and the Problem.”
“Well, thank you,” he smiles and walks away, leaving just me standing side stage. McKenzie on the other side of the stage with Brett and the stage helps. Josh said I could be on this side, because this is the side he uses, like when he came back up from the hanging in the crowd while singing Sing Sing. Thanks to me, he didn’t have to feel embarrassed when everyone would have seen his boxer-briefs from someone unzipping his pants while he was in the crowd just being Josh.
The guys end the song and they disappear off the stage. I close my eyes from tiredness and I feel Josh’s arms wrap around me, “Tired?”
I nod, laying my head against his shoulder and I feel him pick me up into his arms. That’s when I fall right to sleep.
“One, two, three. I double dare you.” I hear a sing-song voice in my dream and Josh’s blue hair appears over top of my tired body. I run my fingers through his hair and he kisses my lips… hard. I arch my back up and wrap my legs around his hips. “Josh…” I smile and I start to unbutton his shirt but he stops me. “Why Josh?”
I ask but I come out of the dream into reality. I flutter my eyes open and I’m on a big comfy bed. I sit up, McKenzie is on the other bed and I turn to Josh lying beside me. “Where are we?” I ask still half asleep. “Are you sleeping Josh?”
He turns to me, “We’re in a hotel room,” he smiles and pulls me into his side, “I called your parents with your cellphone.”
“Thank you that was actually the first night I’ve slept in about four days.”
“Insomnia?”
I nod and he kisses my lips surprisingly. I close my eyes and he hugs my body tight to his, “I’m still tired…” I try to go to sleep but I can’t, the electricity too strong between us. I notice that I can feel a lot of his skin and I lift the blanket, he’s in his boxer-briefs with a big huge boner. I smirk, “Josh… are you a little excited little boy?”
“Hey! I’m older than you.”
“Yet, you’re attracted to me… I can’t believe I’ve fallen for such an old man,” I chuckle and he tickles me, I let out a loud laugh.
“Shhh,” he puts his finger to my lips, “Your step sister is sleeping.”
“Then don’t tickle me!” I smile and kiss his cheek, that’s when his eyes close unwillingly, “are you okay, Josh?”
“I’m fine,” he lets go of my body and curls up in a ball under the blanket, his eyes still closed. “I’m fine…” he repeats mostly to himself.
“Josh, what’s wrong?” I lay next to him and kissing his forehead. “Please don’t lie to me either.”
“I’m… fine…” He clutches his stomach and his stomach heaves. He jumps up from the bed and runs into the bathroom, I follow him. I see him on his knees over the toilet, heaving. “This… feels… like…” he says in-between heaves but he doesn’t finish his sentence.
I rub his back until he’s dry heaving and he looks up at me. “You want me to drive you to the hospital?”
He shakes his head, “Sleep will fix it,” he says and tries to get up, but stumbles. He’s trying to keep steady well leaning on the counter, on his knees. He looks up at me, “Help please,” he has tears in his eyes. I help him up on his feet.
I clutch his arm and he leans against my body, almost making me completely lose my balance. I tuck him under the covers and his eyes close. I crawl up next to him and his arm pulls me into his body. My eyes close and I feel Josh kiss my jaw bone, then I hear his breathing slow.
I let my eyes flutter close and I fall asleep to Josh’s calm, yet in pain breathing.
