~Joel’s POV~
Have you ever thought back on something and totally regretted not getting into the situation sooner? No? Yes? Well if you have then you know that when you wait to start, then you always regret it. At least that’s how I feel right now. I’ve always regretted not making her come with me, being her knight in shinning armor and taking her away, but now it’s too late. She’s gone, she’s somewhere right now…with him. But how could she have done that too me? I mean leaving with him, she told me she loved me! SHE told ME SHE LOVED ME!
As if Benji knows what I’m thinking about he turns to me.
“Dude, don’t blame it all on her.” Benji said
Damn him, he always knew how to burst my bubble, it was true, it wasn’t all her fault, it was mostly mine. Damn twin!
One Year Earlier
~Summer of Warped 2002~
~Joel’s POV~
I stepped out into the fresh air, the musty bus air had finally gotten to me. I looked around for any of my old friends from last years Warped. Just as I had saw Jordan from NFG, a bus pulled in next to ours. A let out a small laugh as I realized it was a ‘virgin’ band, meaning new to Warped. They hadn’t been there in the years that I had been on. Eight guys stepped out. I easily picked out the merch guy, guitar tech, and tour manager. I guess it was from being on tour, that and they didn’t look like they were band type, I don’t know, maybe my spidey, I mean Joely, senses were working. Then I saw a girl step out. She had very short brown hair, the kind that was very short in the back and got longer toward the front of her face. She wore a red t-shirt that had ‘Something Corporate’ written on it, and a pair of black pants. She quickly looked around the area, she looked over at me, then I realized I was staring, I tried to stop, honestly. She gave me a laughing smile and made a small wave. I was about to wave back when Benji tobbled out of the bus stairs and landed right on top of me, causing me to fall down, face first in the mud. I pulled myself up and tried to get some mud off my new shirt.
“Whoa, sorry Joel.” Benji said
I looked back up and saw the girl was missing. I waited until Benji, Billy, and Paul got off and started walking toward a merch stand, I’d get a GC one from ours, when I passed the girl, she was sitting down behind the counter.
“Hey, umm…”
I turned around and saw that the girl was looking at me.
“Sorry, I don’t know your name, but come here.” She said
I looked behind me, the guys were ushering me on. I walked over.
“Here, you look like you could use this.” The girl said handing me a black shirt, the same logo as hers.
I went to reach for my wallet, but she quickly spoke up.
“No charge, besides it gives the guys free publicity.” She said laughing.
“Thanks.” I said
“No problem, Ohh.” She said turning a slight red color, “I’m so rude, name’s Marie Tell.”
“Joel Madden.” I said
“Joel, I’ll have to remember that. You’re on the tour right? I saw you by a bus.” Marie said
This was a good sign, she wanted to talk.
“Yeah, I’m in the band Good Charlotte.” I said
“I’ve heard of you guys, good music.” She said
“Thanks, what about you?” I asked
“Oh, I’m just here for the ride and to help my brother, he’s in the band.” She said motioning toward the shirt.
“Something Corporate. I’ll have to check em out tonight.” I said
“That you will, that you will.” She laughed, “They give a kick ass show.”
The guys came up from behind and stood with me for a second.
“What? You’re not gonna introduce us to your lovely friend?” Benji asked
God he was always a flirt.
“Umm, guys this is Marie, her brother is in Something Corporate, Marie this is Billy, Paul, and my,” I sighed, “brother, Benji.”
Benji looked at me like he was hurt.
“You’re brother is in Something Corporate?” Billy asked
“Yeah, Will.” Marie said
“You guys rock, I downloaded a few songs awhile ago.” Billy said
“Thanks.” Marie said