The crowd was roaring and the lights were bright. Chants of "bring on the band" and whatnot could be heard echoing off the walls. Backstage, the guys were as nervous as they ever were for a concert.
"It's okay man, we can do this," said Jon. "We can do this."
"I didn't think so many people would actually be here for us," said Dan.
"It's just a concert," said Ryan. "It's just a concert, nothing to be nervous about." He repeated to himself. "Just a concert, just a concert, just a concert. . ."
Ryan woke up with a jolt of excitement running through him. He looked around at his surroundings as he had done so many times before, and once more realized that it was nothing more than a dream.
"Was it the Woodstock dream again?" somebody asked from behind him. Ryan quickly whipped his head around only to find Tori lying with him on the couch.
"Yeah, backstage this time, he replied while rubbing his eyes. "What're you doing here?"
"I came over to watch a movie with you, remember?" she asked. "You fell asleep an hour ago, I didn't want to wake you upo."
"You should've," he said. He gently kissed her. "I feel bad now."
"Stop whining, you need sleep and you know it," Tori argued. "Go back to sleep Ryan. I'll watch something until you wake up."
"But. . ."
"No 'buts'," she said. "I'm not going to sit back and watch you get sick from exhaustion or something. Oh dear god, I'm sounding like my mother." She looked back down at Ryan and saw that he was already fast asleep. Tori sighed, and studied his features. She loved his hair, the tall spikes he loved wearing. His puty lips shined in the dim light. Above all she loved his eyes, the rich sparkling brown. She normally hated brown eyes, she thought they were dull and boring. There was something about Ryan's eyes that were different, enchanting even. It was as if staringinto them for just a second would cast this spell over her or anybody else. Tori watched him sleep for a while longer. He looked like an angel she thought. An angel that had fallen from heaven just for somebody special. She kissed his cheek and then laid her head in the crook of his arm and wrapped her own around his waist. Soon enough, she too met the comforting darkness of sleep.
"I can't believe this schedule you boys are following," said Mrs. Dennis. "Can somebody please tell me what I was thinking when I booked these gigs?"
"We need more exposure and promo for the new album?" said Stever.
"That could work," she laughed. "Boys I don't know why I booked so much, I wasn't in my right mind. I will find some way to make this up to you."
"Mrs. Dennis it's cool. We understand the fact that we have to work," said Dan.
"You are all taking on so much what with studying for exams, rehearsing, concerts. You must be exhausted," she said. "After our next few concerts we're done for a while. We rest."
"We're not that exhausted. . .except Ryan," said Stever. "He doesn't sleep much."
"Yeah. Or he takes his time to sleep during the day," Jon agreed.
"You're right," Mrs. Dennis thought outloud. "Speaking of which, where is Ryan?"
"Sleeping," all three said together.
"Tori came over to hang, they started watching a movie and he fell asleep," said Jon.
"But then he woke up," said Dan.
And then 'snore,stretch, yawn' he was yet again, asleep," finished Stever. Mrs. Dennis was astonished at the boys' ability to tell the story chronologically together. Then her motherly worries set in.
"Um, Dan, have you seen Ryan sleep well at all when we're on the bus. . .or whenever?"
"Not really. He tosses and turns, he has dreams. Some good, some bad, some weird."
"I'm starting to get afraid that he's getting sick."
"Ah he's find," said Jon. "It's just a little stress ya know? We're all kinda tired, he just finds more time to sleep than we do."
"Yeah, not to worry Mrs. D," said Dan. "He'll be okay, he just needs to get through final exams."
Mrs. Dennis sighed. "I hope you guys are right."
Chapter Seven
Chapter Nine
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