Life On Tour (Peterick Sequel)

American Psycho

The four of us stumbled off the stage, still wired with the energy that the crowd gave us from the show. Every night it doesn't seem that the adrenaline will ever stop and I'm always wanting to play more.

I heard a few "Great show guys!" as we walked off to our dressing rooms to shower off the sweat and grime from the night. I unintentionally stayed in for a while, loosing my thoughts as the hot water ran down my back.

Once I finally stepped out and dried myself enough to throw on some clean clothes, I debated whether or not to walk out near the buses and say hello to some fans. There was a big party going on at some famous bar tonight, so I knew Pete, Joe, and Andy wouldn't be out to converse at all.

I kept reaching for the handle of the door then pulling it back, second guessing my initial thought to go get a few greetings in. My gut eventually took over and I decided to let security know that we weren't going to be out to see them tonight since the other guys were gone and I still wasn't feeling well.

I stayed in the dressing room for a little bit longer, trying to distract myself with the Xbox that was sat under the tv. Even after a few rounds of Halo against some computer, I shut the game off because nothing could get my sister off of my mind.

No one else knew yet, and I was still debating whether to tell them or not. They most definitely had the right to know, as the guys had been my best friends for almost 15 years. Yet it was something that could wait, I didn't want to call any of them while they were out at the party.

Once I got the all clear from security that I was able to walk back out to the buses, I grabbed my phone and went out into the warm summer air. It felt nice to finally be alone and gather my thoughts for once.

We had about a month left of tour at that point. A month left until I was able to see my own sister. I knew it wasn't healthy to continue to worry, but it was the only thing I could think about, on stage or off. I was told that the test had come back to say it wasn't too serious and the cells had been noticed early, but it was far along enough that healing was going to take quite sometime, if her body was strong enough to take the chemo.

I looked up at the stars in the night sky and my eyes fell upon the moon. "Help her, won't you?" I thought to anyone who happened to be listening. I stopped for a moment and closed my eyes, wishing on some falling star that maybe I just couldn't see. I opened them again, the blur of tears beginning to obstruct my view of the tiny natural lights.

Shoot for the moon, and if you miss, you'll land among the stars."

We had shot for the moon, and we had most definitely made it there. The four of us performed shows almost every summer night, playing our hearts out into the songs that we'd written with our own fingers. I never would have imagined doing what I do when I was young, but it was no doubt that I was living the dream.

I picked up again on my walking to the bus that became closer and closer with every step I took. After the whole "thinking things over," I had to admit that I was feeling a bit better than I was before. I had the confidence to finally break the news to the guys. Even though it was my sister, we had all been very close to each other's families, so I didn't want to ruin their night.

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I had dozed off on the couch after taking what was supposed to be just a few minutes to lay down. I perked up to what sounded like footsteps outside.

I stood up and walked over to the door, listening to the feet that where pacing outside of the bus. A voice was made clear, Pete's, most likely talking on the phone with somebody. He ended the call rudely, mumbling a few things I couldn't make out through the walls.

Once I heard him open the small door, I felt my heart stutter as I decided that was the time to let him know about the situation.

Pete stepped on the bus and walked in my direction, seeming surprised that I was standing by the entrance. His eyes had almost a fiery look to them, something that was much different than his normal sparkle.

He stopped in his tracks and stared at me. I fiddled with my hands, obviously uncomfortable with announcing the bad news under his gaze.

"Umm, Pete? There's something important it need to tell you." I looked up at him and met his stare. He suddenly opened his mouth for the first time and spat back at me.

"What? That you're a cheating bastard?!"

Completely shocked, I took a breath to ask him what he was talking about. I never got to speak my mind as he then shoved me up against the wall and slapped me hard across the face.