Forbidden

11

I wake up in another home that isn't mine, but today I'm in California, and tonight I finally get to be reunited with my sister.

I can't get rid of the huge grin on my face as I make my way into the kitchen, whizzing around each Jonas brother as I make my bowl of cereal.

"Someone is extra chipper this morning." Nick says and I can see he's trying to fight a smile.

"Duh." I say, taking the jug of milk out of Joes hand. He shakes his head at me but I ignore him. I pour it over my honey nut Cheerios, drowning them in the cold white liquid.

Kevin walks by me and pats me on the back as he passes. I smile at him, keeping my mouth shut as I chew a spoonful of breakfast.

"Don't forget to bring her out back after the show, we want to meet her." Nick says.

"I know." I tell him, taking another bite before finally taking a seat at the island on a stool.

—

I wait outside the venue for Sam, sitting just outside the front doors. The crowd is huge, as expected but I try to scope it out for her.

I can't find her, so I grab my phone out of the back pocket of my light blue ripped skinny jeans and click on her contact picture, calling her. It goes straight to voicemail which I find odd. Maybe her phone died on her way here.

I walk around the crowd, getting strange looks from groups of teenage girls. I'm not sure if it's because they recognize me or because I'm making them uncomfortable by pacing back and forth.

Eventually, the crowd out front dwindles as almost everyone is inside the venue. I bite my lip, checking my phone one more time.

I jog inside, going backstage to see the boys. The three of them plus Danielle are in the back room eating snacks.

I'm out of breath as I enter, getting confused looks from Nick and Joe.

"What's going on?" Joe asks.

"Sam isn't here yet." I say, grabbing a cookie from the table and nibbling on it.

"Maybe she is just stuck in traffic." Nick says.

"Yeah, that's probably it." Joe says, trying to make me feel better.

"Did you call her?" Kevin asks, joining us.

"Yes and her phone went right to voicemail."

I set down my unfinished cookie, my stomach a bundle of nerves.

"I'm sure she will be here." Danielle says.

"I think I'll go back out and look for her. Maybe she's inside already and I missed her."

"Could be." Joe says.

I wave goodbye to them as I head out to the stage. I go into the pit to look for her, but she's no where in sight.

I go back outside and try calling her once more, but it still goes to voicemail. Should I be worried? Or maybe she just bailed and didn't know how to tell me? I just don't get why she would. She was so excited to see me.

I can hear the bass vibrating through the walls as the opening act gets on stage. I sit out on the curb and decide to wait out here until the boys come out on stage.

Cars pass by me, horns are honking every few minutes. A light breeze blows threw my hair, and I have to brush it back behind my ear. I sigh, wondering where she could be.

When I know the boys are about to come on, I go inside and watch the show on the monitors in the back room, checking my phone every so often.

The show ends, and the boys join me once again. They see the frown on my face as they enter, and Joe doesn't hesitate to come to my side.