Brian is seriously causing us all concern. For the week after Jade had left, he had walked around in a permanent bad mood. We had all been scared to approach him. I mean, Brian is normally the first guy you would want to talk to at a party but not anymore. After a week, his mood had changed and he had started to distance himself from the tour. He would eat alone and just do the minimum possible in order to fulfil his commitment to the group. And then there was his behaviour at the MTV party. I had seen him leave with a girl halfway through the party. They had their arms around each other and she was giggling. I can’t believe that he did anything with her. Brian is just not the type. Well, he didn’t used to be. Both Nick and I have called Jade to tell her of our worries, not mentioning the party of course, but she had just said that Brian had made his choice. I know they still talk most nights so maybe it’s just that he misses her. I don’t know. They really need to see each other. I find Brian in catering. He’s just picking at a sandwich, looking real miserable.
“So, who was that girl the other night?” I sit by him.
“Huh?”
“At the MTV party.”
“Oh. Nobody.”
“C’mon Brian! I saw ya leave with her,” I tell him in an angry whisper.
“It wasn’t like that. I was leaving, she needed a ride,” he says. “You know I’d never do anything…”
“Do I? I mean, you’ve changed lately. You’re not the same Brian who fell in love with my best friend,” I tell him sadly. “You’re quieter, angrier… You seem so far away.”
“Maybe I HAVE changed,” he says quietly and I study him.
“Have you even talked to Jade lately?” I sit by him.
“You know I haven’t,” he mutters.
“Oh. Why? What happened between you guys?”
“You know what happened. She left.”
“She didn’t leave YOU,” I exclaim.
“Well it feels like she did,” he murmurs. “I call her and we always end up arguing.”
“You guys love each other!” I tell him. “You know you do. You’re meant to be together. So what if she can’t be on tour any more? You can find ways around it. But right now you look so miserable and lonely and just watching you is breaking all our hearts. And I know Jade is so miserable without you too. She tells me so.”
“She does? She doesn’t tell me.”
“She wouldn’t. She’s Jade remember? The original ms stubborn,” I roll my eyes.
“I know that. Oh god, I know,” he drops his head into his hands. “I can’t do this anymore Ali. I feel so lost… I’m SCARED,” he whispers as he starts to cry.
“Brian?” I stare at him. “It’s not that bad,” I stroke his back gently. “Unless, you’re not tellin’ me everything?”
“I need to go,” he sniffs and stands up, dragging his hands across his eyes.
“Go where?”
“I’m goin’ home,” he says before walking out of the canteen.
My cell rings and rings and rings. I sigh and pull the car over to the side of the road before answering. I don’t recognise the caller ID. I feel scared, worried that maybe something’s happened to Brian.
“Hello?”
“Jade? Hi,” it’s JC’s voice and I sigh.
“Hi JC.”
“How are you?”
“Good. You?”
“I’m good too. Uh, I just wanted to let ya know somethin’,” he starts nervously. “Cos I noticed you’re not with Brian anymore.”
“I’m with Brian. I’m just at home right now.”
“Yeah, I meant on tour.”
“Oh.”
“I saw him at the MTV party last week.”
“Cool,” I mutter, wondering what the point of this call is.
“He left with a girl. They spent the party together and then they left. I thought you’d wanna know.”
“You did?” I just BET he did. I’m amazed he actually managed to wait a whole week before calling me. “Well, thanks,” I say calmly. “Anything else?”
“Uh no. Jade, I’m sorry and if I can…”
“Bye JC,” I cut him off and hang up. I rest my head against the seat rest and sigh, closing my eyes. I don’t believe that Brian did anything with this girl but it does hurt that he was with her at the party. But I spend time with other guys too so… I sigh and open my eyes, looking at the road ahead. Before I can decide to drive on, my cell rings again. This time I recognise the number – it’s Justin’s. “Hey Justy,” I greet.
“Hey Jady,” he responds with a light chuckle. “Look, did JC just call you to say somethin’ about Brian at the MTV party?”
“Uh huh, about some girl.”
“Ah, I was afraid of that,” he sighs. “JC is my friend and he’s real amazing but sometimes he gets a little mixed up. And you hurt him so bad.”
“I know I did, and I’m sorry. It was between me and Brian. I shouldn’t have gotten him involved.”
“No. But he did something. At the party.”
“What?” I ask, starting to feel angry.
“He set Brian up with the girl. She was a model he knew. He just saw Brian look over and he got some freaked up idea about testing him. I know the girl too and you have my word that nothing happened. He was sick, that’s why they left together. She wouldn’t let him go alone but he left her outside the hotel. You know you can trust me Jade.”
“I know and I didn’t believe anything happened. Thanks for lettin’ me know.”
“Don’t be mad at JC.”
“That’s kinda hard,” I laugh wryly. “But I’ll try. Just tell him to stay away from me for a while.”
“A decade do it?” he jokes and I laugh.
“Sounds about right. How are things in your life J?”
“Ah, ya got a spare hour or so?”
“Yea,” I laugh and sit back in the car, ready for my latest instalment in Life Of Justin.