together we will be unbroken

Tonight is the last show. Okay so my flight to Boston leave on the tenth at seven in the morning, so that means I have to be at the airport at five, and leave my house at four. I place the strobe light beneath the screen. And my flight to L.A. leaves at three tonight, so I have to be in the airport at one, or as close to it as possible. I walk over to my laptop and hit the 'start' button. Everything is working like it should.

"Do you have the speakers set up yet?" I ask.

"Yupp you're good." Matt tells me. I connect my laptop to the speaker and test the 'Alone' stuff. Yupp that works too.

"Tummy!" CC glomps me from behind.

"CC!" I exclaim.

"Are you going back to college over break?" He inquires.

"Yes."

"Aw Tummy, you need a break." He whines.

"I will have a break." I reply. "I'm going back to L.A. tonight ans I will have two days until I leave for Boston." I say sweetly.

"You're leaving tonight?"

"Right after the show." I sigh.

"No you can't!" He whines. "Why are you leaving so early?"

"It was the only flight I could get so I could be back in Boston by the eleventh."

"But you're going to miss our end of tour ritual." He pouts.

"I'll be there for the next one." I say sadly and pat his head.

"Okay..." He sighs. "I'm going to miss you." he pulls me into a hug.

"I'll miss you too."

"You guys have been great!" Andy exclaims then walks off stage. The crowd stars chanting one more song. "Set the World on Fire?"

"I'm down." Jinxx says.

"Let's do this!" CC goes to run on stage but I grab his belt loop.

"Patience young grasshopper." I smile.

"Hey Tum, you want to play the third guitar part?" Jake asks.

"Oh, no I couldn't, I don't have my guitar." I say.

"But I do." I turn around and see Ronnie holding my all black Schecter C-13.

"What?" I gasp.

"For you." Dylan hands me in-ears.

"Have fun Tum." Ronnie smiles. We all run on stage one at a time and the crowd cheers. I dance around on stage like a child. I'm grinning like an idiot. I catch Ashley's eye. He smiles at me. At the end of the song the guys all line up across the stage to bow. I go to walk off stage but a guitar is wrapped around my waist. "Oh no you don't." Ashley says. He keeps me sandwiched between his bass and his body and walks me to the front of the stage. I bow and run off with the rest of them.

"That was amazing!" Jake gives me a high five.

"Thanks." I blush.

"You should perform with us more often." Jinxx smiles.

"Oh no I couldn't." I pull my guitar off of me and check my phone. 12:35. "I have to go. I'll see you all in a few months."

"No Tummy don't go!" CC grabs my leg like a small child would.

"I'm sorry but I have to." A hole forms in my chest. I really don't want to leave them for three months. Tears sting my eyes but I hold them back.

"Wait you're leaving?" Andy asks.

"Yeah I have to be back in Boston on the eleventh." My voice cracks. Not here. Not now.

"Come here." He pulls me into a tight hug. Don't cry. "If you ever need anything I'm just a phone call away." He says softly. I nod.

"I'm going to miss you kiddo." Jake tells me.

"I'm only going to be gone for three months." I say into his chest. That's more for me than him.

"I know but still."

"Bye Laci." Jinxx hugs me. "I'm always here for you." He whispers in my ear.

"I know." I tell him.

"Tummy!" CC koalas me.

"CC!" I laugh.

"I love you Tummy." My mind flicks back to last night. Tears sting my eyes. Nope not now!

"I love you too CC." My voice cracks again.

"I'll call you everyday." Ronnie says.

"Oh you better." I smile. He pulls away and smiles at me. I look at Ashley, he opens his arms and I run into them.

"I'm going to miss you so much Rose" His breath tickles my ear.

"I'll miss you too." I stammer.

"Shh... shh it's okay." He caresses my head. No It's not! You have a girlfriend and I'm alone and i'll be a million miles away and not with you! I nod. He pulls away and wipes a tear off of my face. Traitor. I look up at him. "Remember what I said about biting your lip." He smiles. I roll my eyes and begin packing my lights.

Okay do I have everything? I look at all of my stuff in the trunk. Looks it. I shut the door and get in the car. "It's okay to cry now Lace." I start the car and let the tears fall.

Notes