You're Not Alone

Christmas

(Jen's POV)

Everyone gathered around the tree in the OM&M bus, ready to tear into the presents. The Polar Express played on the TV, and a fresh blanket of snow covered Montrose. It was my first real Christmas, and it was already perfect.

The presents were few and they were small, (aside from a brand new iPhone, which Austin refused to return) but I couldn't care less. I was surrounded by love. And that was all I needed.

"There's one more thing for you, Jen. It's kind of last minute, but we worked on it all night." Austin grinned as he turned off the movie.

They sacrificed their Christmas Eve for me?

"It's from all of us." Vic pulled out his guitar.

He began to play the chords to my song. My stomach fluttered with excitement.

He cries in the corner where nobody sees, he's s the kid with the story no one would believe

He prays every night, "Dear God, won't you please, could you send someone here who will love me?"

Who will love me for me?

Not for what I have done or what I will become

Who will love me for me?

Cause nobody has shown me what love, what love really means

Her office is shrinking a little each day, she's the woman who's husband has run away

She'll go to the gym after working today, maybe if she was thinner than he would've stayed

And she says, who will love me for me?

Not for what I have done or what I will become

Who will love me for me?

Cause nobody has shown me what love, what love really means

He's waiting to die as he sits all alone

He's a man in a cell who regrets what he's done

He utters a cry from the depths of his soul, "Oh Lord, forgive me. I wanna go home."

Instead of stopping where I left off, Vic continued.

Then he heard a voice somewhere deep inside

And it said, "I know you've murdered and I know you've lied. And I have watched you suffer all of your life. And now that you'll listen, I'll tell you that I..."

I will love you for you

Not for what you have done or what you will become

I will love you for you

I will give you the love, the love that you never knew

I will love you for you

Not for what you have done or what you will become

I will love you for you

I will give you the love, the love that you never knew

I smiled as he sang the last words. The song was no longer a reminder of who I used to be or where I came from.

It was now a message of hope.

I was engulfed in a huge group hug.

"How did you guys do it in such short time?" I asked, still smiling from ear to ear.

"Well after you fell asleep, I found the page you wrote with the chords and lyrics. Then we snuck out to Pierce's bus. We spent all night working on it." Austin smiled mysteriously. "There is one condition though..."

I rolled my eyes. "Spill."

The guys exchanged mischievous glances. "When you learn it and get comfortable with it, we want you to play it on stage." Austin finished.

My eyes widened. "No way! Not possible! Not happening!" I shook my head quickly.

"The fans love you anyway, Jen. And it's not like you're not talented. The song is great and your voice is beautiful." Alan said.

I took a deep breath, trying to sort everything out in my head. I couldn't even fathom what they were asking me to do. They were right, though. They made the song beautiful. But was I really good enough to go on stage with them?

I shook my head a little. "I have to think about this one, guys." Austin gave me an understanding nod.

"Don't take too long. We only have a month left on tour!" Jaime joked. I smiled, but felt a little sad that the tour was almost over. But at least I didn't have to worry about my mother.