"So exactly when are you gonna be home?" Raielle begged for any specific answer, which her brother had been carefully avoiding.
"Hmm…we should be back by Saturday…why?" Paul inquired nonchalantly.
"Sunday! You're kidding me, right? Paul, please do not tell me that you forgot?"
"Forgot? Rai, what are you talking about?"
"Dammit Paul! I can't fucking believe you! How could you do this to me?" Raielle quickly slammed the phone down against the receiver before Paul had a chance to respond. Paul shook his head, feeling a tinge of guilt for lying to his sister, his only family. He prayed she would understand once everything worked out…she would, Right? He leaned his body against the wall behind his and clenched his eyes shut tightly. Benji spotted his distraught looking friend from inside the convenience store and quickly exited.
"She mad?" Benji questioned casually, sipping on his slurpee.
"Christ Benj, you scared the shit outta me! Oh yea, she's pissed…" Paul sighed.
"Don't fret man, she'll forget once she sees you! I can't believe she actually thinks you forgot!"
"I know, but she's gotten pretty used to people letting her down… it's been really hard on her with us attempting to tour all the time… and now, she just really needs me there I guess, someone who can praise all her accomplishments…"
"I know, believe me I do. It kills me when I talk to her, cause all she says is how much she misses us…we gotta get her to come with us, I mean, now is the perfect time and how great would it be for you to have your sister with you and me to have my best friend closer…"
"I've tried to get her to come, I dunno…maybe you can convince her…" Paul looked desperately to his friend.
"Of course…" Benji smiled, giving Paul a quick hug before the two walked over to the small conversion van and waited for Billy, Joel, and Chris.
For the past several months, this had become the guys' lives. They knew the only way they would ever have a chance at `making it' would be through constant touring. So one day, they packed all they could and headed out in the Chris' parents van. They traveled up and down the east coast, playing any place that would have them, pay or no pay. The decision to tour had been especially difficult for Paul. It required him to leave his whole life, Raielle. She had turned 18 while they were gone, and was now in control of her life. Paul didn't worry the way he used to though. The night that he had that party over a year ago was the last time they fought about her lifestyle. Raielle had turned her life around completely. She stopped associating with her old friends, spent more time devoted to school, got a part time job, and was the best sister to Paul. Somewhere along the line, she and Benji hit it off and quickly developed a strong bond…they've been inseparable best friends ever since. The guys' hard work must've rubbed off on Raielle; she had come so far and was now graduating with third honors in her class. Her graduation was Thursday…and she was devastated when she learned Paul and the guys would not be there with her…
~*~
Raielle rolled over and swatted her hand at the annoying beeping that had interrupted her perfect slumber. She squinted at the red numbers, 9:10am. Raielle groaned before throwing the heavy comforter back over her head. This was it. The day she had been waiting for, for so long. Granted, it used to be so she could `get out of this hell hole' but her attitude differed quite a bit now. Now she had something to look forward to. She busted her ass for the final year of high school and proved everyone wrong. She was accepted to the University of Maryland. She had a future. Raielle smiled slightly to herself from underneath the covers. She tossed them back off and allowed her eyes to adjust to the light before crawling toward the shower.
~*~
"So, how should we do this? Like, before the ceremony or after?" Paul inquired as Joel drove back into their familiar hometown.
"I think before…I mean, she should know we're there right?" Billy offered.
"Yea, I guess before sounds good…" Joel added.
"Great! I am so excited to see her, today is going to be perfect." Paul beamed like a proud parent.
"Uh guys? Do you mind if maybe I hang back while you see her before… I think I wanna surprise her afterward…" Benji asked shyly.
"It's cool Benj…we'll go along with it." Paul reassured.
"Thanks" Benji smiled before diverting his attention to the notebook in his lap.
~*~
The sun beamed down on Raielle exposed shoulders, causing her to become irritated with the heat. As hard as she tried to be enthusiastic, it just wasn't the same without the guys being there… she almost regretted all the hard work, almost. The class of 150 students was going through its final run of the ceremony before they were permitted to leave. They would return an hour later and would graduate, marking the end of four years of their lives. Raielle made a final attempt to keep her attention focused on the ceremony…
~*~
"God it feels good to be home!" Benji shouted as they entered into Paul and Raielle's house, the home they had all been sharing before they left for tour.
"You have no idea!" Paul tacked on as he strode through his home, noting how clean it was.
"What time do you think she'll be back?" Benji questioned as he stood in the doorframe to Paul's bedroom.
"Well, the ceremony starts at six…it's three thirty now, so she should be getting in within the next half hour or so…"
"Okay, I am gonna go visit Momma for a bit and run a quick errand, but I will meet up with you guys at the school at around ten of six...sound good?"
"Perfect…what are you up to anyway?"
"Nothing much, I just wanna go out and get something special for her.." Benji smiled proudly.
"Whatever you say man.." Paul grinned as Benji turned to leave. "Hey Benj" he paused and waited for him to turn around. Benji cocked his eyebrow and `hmm'ed in response.
"Thanks" Paul concluded.
"For what?"
"For being there for Rai…over the last year, you really have become her best friend. I know she wouldn't have come as far as she has without you…so thanks."
"No need to thank me man, I should be thanking you for somehow causing us to meet. She's my best friend too, a role I thought could never be filled by anyone other than Joel, but she really makes my life so much better." Benji smiled as he spoke of Raielle. Paul grinned at how happy Benji was when he thought of his sister.
"See ya later Benj."
"Later Paul"