"What ?" The question took Dave by suprise. "Erik are you even listening to me ?" He waved his hand in front of Erik, but Erik continued to gaze at the girl.

Slowly, Erik began walking towards the girl, but Dave grabbed him and stopped him. "Erik, what are you doing ? I was talking to you, you don't just walk away." His face was getting redder and he was getting more annoyed by Erik's lack of concern. Standing in front of Erik, he said to him. "Get ready, now. You're on after Joey." Then he walked towards Joey. "You're up, on stage. Go get into your outfit."

Erik watched as the girl the girl nodded and dissappeared into her changing room. He sighed, then headed to his room.

After Joey changed into her outfit she slowly made her way on to the huge stage, and stared at the rows and rows of seats. The lights went off and the stage lights came on and the the seats became black. She heard her music came on and then began to sing, feeling so awkward being on stage, all alone in an empty place.

As Erik was about to change he heard music, and on impulse followed the sound until it led him to the stage. Standing on the side he watched the girl he had seen earlier standing by her dressing room singing. She sang so beautiful, and he found it impossible to take his eyes off her.

A few minutes into the song, Dave demanded the music be turned off, and he made his way on stage next to Joey. "That necklace clashes with you're outfit. Take it off." He told her.

Joey moved her hand and covered her locket. She swallowed. "I can't." She said, firmly. "I promised to never take it off. I won't take it off."

"Then I guess I'll do it for you." He moved closer to Joey and grabbed her necklace. It was an old clasp, which easily broke and dropped to the floor. Dave angrily took the necklace and threw it into the seats, then walked off stage. For a few seconds Joey just stood on stage, not sure what to do. Then, as the tears filled her eyes she ran off stage, past Erik who had seen the whole ordeal and into her dressing room, slamming the door behind her.

"I can't believe Dave did that." Erik was so mad at Dave he could've killed him. He abruptly turned and headed to Joey's room. Knockly lightly on the door he said. "Can I come in, it's Erik."

When Joey didn't respond, Erik slowly opened the door and found Joey with her head buried in her hands crying. He pulled up a chair and sat next to her.

"Hey, I saw what Dave did, and I'm really sorry." Erik apologized, feeling slightly responsible. He thought about how he had been late, and ignored Dave, making him even angrier then he usually was.

Joey sniffled. "I can't believe it's gone. That necklace was so important to me."

Erik put a comforting arm around Joey. "I'm so sorry, you must feel terrible. It'll be okay though. We'll get your necklace back."

"That's impossible. It's gone now. I wouldn't even know where to start. I just want to go home. I knew I shouldn't have agreed to come here. I knew I wouldn't be able to handle it."

"Well, I'm glad you came." Erik replied. "You're an awesome singer." And the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, he thought to himself. "Um, if you want I can take you back to your hotel, you know if you don't want to practice."

"Wouldn't Dave get mad ?"

"Nah, he might but who cares ? It's not like he's going to kick you off the tour." Erik told her, wiping away one of her tears. "It'll be okay. Should I get the car started ?"

Joey didn't want to put Erik out of his way, but she even more didn't want to face Dave. "If you don't mind, I'd really appreciate it."

"Of course I wouldn't mind. Come on." He helped Joey up and led her to his rental car. "Oh, by the way I'm Erik." He shook her hand once they were in the car.

"Joey." She smiled.

"Hi Joey, nice to meet you."

"You too." Joey was feeling better, thanks to Erik. At least she knew someone cared about her. When they arrived at Joey's hotel, Erik immeadiatly got out and ran to her door, and opened it.

Joey stepped out and he helped her with her bag. "Thanks for the ride, Erik." She thanked him.

"No problem, anytime. Hey, anytime Dave's picking on you, just call me and I'll straigten him out,okay ?"

"I'll do that." Joey laughed. "Thanks again." Joey walked to her hotel room and flopped down on the bed. Moving her hand to where her necklace should've been she whispered. "I'm so sorry Josh. I know I broke our promise, but I didn't mean to, Josh I'm sorry."

back    index    next