Coming Home (A Ricky Wilson Fanfic)

Chapter 16.

Jeremy was staring at me and he did not look happy at all. I stared at him for as long as I could. The second I walked through the studio doors Ricky strolled back to his seat. I promptly turned around and sped towards the dressing rooms. I grabbed my bag and belongings before racing towards the exit of the building. I stared at the door, hoping I would make it. "Where are you going?" Fuck, fuck, fuck my escape plan was ruined by my new coach. Of course Cody and I were the last ones to battle. Nothing ever seems to go my way. Footsteps came closer and stopped at my left. I kept my gaze on the door, expecting Ricky to get the message.

"Jaime?" Ricky asked wearily. "I... I have to go" I answered. Ricky took a few more steps so that he stood directly in front of me. I had no other option than to look him in his eyes. His eyes were bright blue and they reminded me of my own. "Why?" Ricky asked me. "Huh?" I glanced around me out of the corners of my eyes. "Why do you have to go? Don't you want to celebrate?" Ricky sounded concerned. "Ah, well... Sure I'd love to, but ehm... I really have to go. I... I don't feel that great." I lied. The first conversation I have with my new coach and I lied. Great start Jaime, well done. "Do you need a taxi? Is there someone I could call?" This is taking far too long "No, I'll be fine, I promise. See you next week?" With that I swerved around Ricky and stormed out of the door.

- Ricky's point of view -

"That was odd" I mumbled to myself, still staring at the door Jaime just stormed out of. Something isn't quite right with this girl. She intrigues me and at the same time I can't shake this feeling that I shouldn't get involved. I strolled down to the dressing rooms and knocked on George's door. He let me in and I got straight to the point "What do you know about Jaime?" George looked at me and motioned for me to sit down on the sofa. He sat down next to me and turned his body slightly so that he was facing me. "Ricky, I probably don't have any answers but I can try to give you a piece of my mind on this girl" he said "What do you want to know?" I tried hard to form a question, but none came in mind. "Just tell me what you know about her. Any information would be fine." George smile was gone as soon as it came "Jaime is an interesting girl. She has a great voice and absolute star potential, yet I don't think she believes in herself. I have tried to talk to her about her life but she avoided every question or answered them with lies." Georges sighed "Her friend, the guy from the bar she works at, thinks she's being abused by her boyfriend."

Wide-eyed I stared at George's face. "Have you reported this?" I asked. George shook his head "No Rick I haven't. As long as she says there's nothing wrong, we can't prove anything." My mind wandered to the events earlier this evening. What if she was in a rush to get away from something or someone? What if Jaime is in danger right now? "Do you have an address or telephone number?" I almost stumbled over my words. "No I haven't. She broke her phone a few weeks ago." We sat in silence for a couple of minutes before George suddenly stood up and rushed out of the dressing room. "Wait!" I called after him. Once I reached him, he sure walks fast for a fifty-five year old, I grabbed his shoulder. "Where are you going?" "I'm going to see if Ben is still here." After seeing my face he explained "Ben's the guy from the bar. He must have an address or something." I nodded and followed Boy George through the corridors of the studio.

Suddenly George stopped and called out to a man heading towards the exit. The man turned around and I recognised him as the bartender. "Ben, do you know where Jaime is?" George asked him. The man seemed broken. "No, I'm sorry. Jaime and I had a fall-out yesterday. She has the opinion that she doesn't need me in her life. I've been waiting for her the last hour to see if she wants a ride home." I felt a great deal of sympathy for the old chap. "I saw Jaime run out of the building right after recording was finished. She said she was in a rush and felt ill" I said "I suppose she went home. Do you have an address for us to be able to contact her?" Ben turned his gaze towards me as I spoke. His eyes changed from sadness to concern. "She'd been living with me the past few days. She left her boyfriend and I gave her a place to stay. After our argument I doubt she will return to my wife. That means she is on the streets or at her old house. I'll take you there."