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| Subject: *Elicpse Part Four* Feedback Please | |
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Author: Kira |
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Date Posted: 20:16:57 04/30/02 Tue Chapter Three~ Nightmares, Tulips and Cellos Alexandria was shaking, trembling all over. Her muscles were quivering from fatigue. Her chin and lower lip trembling from the frightening experience and her mind was whirring with flashes of the graphic scenes she’d just witnessed. “Dria, let’s go!” Chris called, heedless to the blood that was splattered on the lower half of his shirt. He reached down and grabbed her hand, jerking her to her feet. He already snatched her bag with his own and he tugged her out to the van. Chris pushed a towel into her hands. “Clean yourself up,” he whispered as the suburban sped down the back roads. “What?” “You got blood on your arm…oh and your pants.” Alexandria gazed down at herself and cringed, closing her eyes against the image. It was all too familiar. She blindly wiped the red substance off her arms, drawing in wheezing breaths. “What just happened?” she whispered tearfully. “His leg got stuck,” Chris supplied. “You kept him from falling…the hole…” JC exclaimed wistfully. “How did you do that?” Alexandria ran her fingers through her hair that was blowing in the hot wind and she shook her head. “What?” “You don’t remember?” “N-no…I’m just, it was a blur…but um, I just held on…he’s heavy,” she stated simply. Lance chuckled humorlessly. Chris draped an arm over her shoulder and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Thank you,” he muttered as she shivered against him. ** Justin draped his sweatshirt jacket of Alexandria as she slept curled up at the end of the uncomfortable couch in the private waiting room. She sighed, snuggling into the softness of the jacket and Justin took a seat next to her. He sipped his hot, but weak coffee and impatiently flipped through a magazine. Joey’s leg was being x-rayed, but the doctors were fairly certain that the battered limb wasn’t broken. Joey had calmed down considerably with pain medication, his blood pressure was slowly coming down and he was actually in a light sleep when Justin had seen him last. He still looked pale, but his features weren’t twisted in pain and Justin felt little relief. It was silent in the waiting room. JC had just finished talking to Joey’s mother, as well as Kelly as he was stair listlessly at the floor, counting the colors in the cheap carpeting. Chris was asleep and Lance’s eyes were closed, but it was obvious that he was awake. “Justin,” Lance murmured. “What?” “Do you see what she did?” he asked, opening his eyes. “Yeah. I don’t even know what to say…she saved him from another broken leg at least.” “Ugh, I’m an ass,” Lance cowered and covered his face with his hands. “Why?” “I didn’t trust her and I called her on it…” “You should have trusted Chris’ judgment, Lance.” He began, almost protectively. “Oh don’t think my deep voice scared her, she held her own quite well actually.” “I’m sure she did.” Alexandria opened her eyes and blinked. Her sleep has been fitful filled with the disturbing images that cursed and she sat up slowly, cautiously, rubbing at the tightness in her neck. Her stomach growled and she slipped her arms into Justin’s sweatshirt. It swallowed her and she pulled up the extra inches of sleeves, zipping it up. She was still shivering. “Hey, you want some food? The cafeteria is just down the hall…” Justin asked, his voice smooth. Alexandria nodded and placed her feet on the floor and moved to stand up. Her back screamed with a fiery ache and Alexandria winced, unable to straighten herself out. Tears came to her eyes and she clutched the edge of the couch. “Dria, what’s wrong?” Justin questioned, placing a hand on her back. “Don’t touch me, please,” she gasped. “My back…hurts...” “Here, sit down.” Justin gently pushed on her shoulders. Alexandria clamped down onto his forearm, digging her nails into the tanned flesh. “No, I can’t,” she placed her hands on her knees. “I want…I want to stay like this.” “LANCE!” Justin snapped. “I’m on it,” he stood up and darted down the hall as Alexandria leaned into Justin’s stomach, drawing in deep breaths. Her arm snaked around his torso and she breathed wetly into his shirt. He hugged her loosely, afraid of injuring her anymore. He whispered words of encouragement and solace as he lifted up the thick sweatshirt and then the form fitting lavender tank. He couldn’t see bruising or redness, but he didn’t dare touch it. Alexandria was still breathlessly shuttering against him and her whimpers startled Chris awake. “What’s wrong?” he inquired, watching as she fisted Justin’s shirt tautly in her hands. “You know when she kept Joey from falling through the hole?” Justin began worriedly. Chris nodded. “Think about how much Joey weighs and then think about how much Lil’ Bit, here weighs.” Chris grimaced. “She seemed fine before.” Lance appeared with a nurse and a wheelchair. Alexandria closed her eyes against the attention that had suddenly been shifted from Joey to her. She remained still, crumpled forward, supported by rubbery legs. “Honey, the nurse wants to take a look at you…maybe get a doctor to examine your back,” Chris explained, leaning down in front of her. “Um,” she moved to refuse, but the electric pain tingling sharply up her back and down her legs intensified and she nodded. “My legs don’t work,” she laughed painfully. “That’s okay. They brought a chair.” After several tense moments of awkward maneuvering, she managed to sit in the chair. ** It was late into the night when Alexandria trudged stiffly into the waiting room, with a prescription for mild muscle relaxers for her sprained lower back. She was much calmer and feeling very little pain if her movements were practiced and slow. Lance was lying awkwardly on the hard, stiff couch, attempting to sleep. He opened his eyes and smiled at her as she entered the room. “Feeling better?” “Much.” “Pain?” “Much,” But she managed a smile. “I’ll live. How’s Joey?” “High” Lance joked. “They gave him some drugs, it’s pretty funny actually. He’s never really been on any strong medication. But he’s resting right now. Everyone is saying good night to him. Justin, Josh and Chris are in there now. I’m staying the night with him,” Lance explained. “That’s good.” “Aren’t you tired?” Lance wondered. “Exhausted.” “What did the doctor say?” “She said no more bench-pressing pop stars.” Lance chuckled and sat up, running his fingers through his short, spiked hair. “I don’t think anyone noticed, ya know, what do did…at the time,” he rushed to add. “We were all panicking, there was so much blood. But umm, wow. Thank you…thank you so much,” he whispered, standing up. “Thank you…” Alexandria nodded, biting her lip against the tears pooled in his pale green eyes. “Um…I want to…” She walked over to Lance, who was swaying lamely, stumbling over his words and she slipped her arms around his waist. She laid her cheek against his chest and rubbed his back. Lance slid his arms loosely around her waist, hoping not to cause her any pain. He leaned his head down against her shoulder and sighed into her neck. “Thank you…” he chanted. ** Alexandria slept coldly- propped up on her side a large bag of ice against the inflamed muscles in her back. Even as she slept the emotionality of the day descended upon her in the form of hellish nightmares. After several moments of struggling and fighting, she found her way back to reality, seemingly floating through all the layers of fear, and the macabre screams of pain, of people that witnessed the pain. She tore her way through and woke up panting and freezing. She’d handled situation gracefully in her eyes. Alexandria never liked blood, but after it happened, she couldn’t stand the sight of any red liquid. It hurt too much. But she’d survived, as did Joey and as she struggled to remember where she was, she couldn’t help but to be a bit proud. But the events of the day were finally catching up to her and she felt overwhelmingly lonely. She brushed the tears off her cheeks and eased out of bed. She walked woodenly to the adjoining door and knocked softly. She ran her fingers through her hair and licked her lips, dry from the restless slumber. Chris opened the door, his hair rumpled, tee shirt wrinkled. He adjusted his boxers and leaned against the door. Alexandria noticed that he was wide awake, despite his appearance. “Hey,” he greeted softly, noticing the tears in her eyes and the frantic expression they held. “Sweetie, what’s wrong?” “Can I please…um, can I just sleep on your couch or something?” “Sure. It’s been a long day, huh?” he sighed tiredly, closing the door behind him. Alexandria nodded and headed for the couch. “No, you climb in the bed. I’ll take the couch.” “Chris…I just really don’t want to be alone that’s all. I don’t want to be an inconvenience,” she mumbled. “Well, I think the least I could do is give up my bed for the girl that basically saved my friend’s life. Maybe buy you some flowers or maybe even diamonds,” Chris responded seriously. He took her hand and gently guided her to the unused bed, pulling back the covers. “I don’t think I’m going to get any sleep tonight, but I’ll try to be quiet.” “Okay. If you want to use the bed, just climb in. I don’t take up much room.” She paused. “Chris?” “Yeah?” “I like roses and those big, colorful daisies…” Chris finished tucking her in and leaned over to kiss her forehead. He was close enough for Alexandria and she noticed that he smelled of Ivory soap. “Night.” With Chris’s comforting presence, Alexandria settled on her side and drifted off to sleep. ** JC was up and dressed after a rough night. He had never handled blood or seeing other people in pain very well, but he commended himself on not lapsing into unconsciousness at the sight of blood. He’d never been able to handle it. He rubbed his eyes and took a sip of his coffee as he zipped up his small suitcase and placed it by the door. He moved cautiously through the twilight. It was barely five AM and he was already ready for the flight to Los Angeles to shoot the video for their first single. He sat down on the bed, running his fingers through his hair, still damp from his shower. As he felt his eyes droop, he got up quickly to walk about the room, making sure that he didn’t leave anything behind. Then, he headed out into the hall and headed knocked loudly on Chris’s door, making sure he was awake and ready to catch their flight at six am. He knocked against and pressed his ear to the door. He heard nothing. Rolling his eyes, he walked down the hall to Justin’s room and beat on the door. Justin soon emerged with a towel wrapped around his waist, toothbrush hanging from his mouth. JC pushed his way into the room and walked through the adjoining door into Chris’ room. He stilled at the sight, his eyes wide. His mouth dropped open in shock and he backpedaled back into Justin’s room. JC snickered quietly, peering into the bathroom. “Jup, come look at this,” he grinned. Justin rinsed his mouth and spit into the sink. “What?” “Just come look.” Justin rolled his eyes and secured his towel before plodding with wet feet through the palatial hotel suite. He followed JC into Chris’ room and shook his head. Chris was curled ontop the covers of the full-sized bed a thin blanket thrown sloppily over his legs, an arm curled protectively around Alexandria. His face was nuzzled into her hair and their bodies were almost touching. “Wow, now I can’t say I expected that!” Justin whispered. Chris startled at the voices and opened his eyes. He gently untangled himself from Alexandria, pulling the covers up to her shoulders. “Nice way to wake someone up,” Chris muttered, stumbling to his suitcase. “What is she doing in here?” Chris rolled his eyes and rummaged through his suitcase. “She had a rough night.” “Rough?” “Nightmares.” He supplied. “About…Joey.” “Wow, poor thing.” “I’m going to get ready and we can grab Lance and hit the road…” “What about her?” Chris finished washing his face and reached for his comb. “Uh. She’s going to stay here and rest. She’ll stay with Joe and then take the private jet with Joe and Johnny tomorrow. She really doesn’t need to be on up and around with her back so sore. This way she can get some work on FuMan done.” “Cool. Johnny decide that?” JC asked. “Nope. Lance.” “LANCE?” JC uttered, apparently shocked. “Yeah, that’s what I said,” Chris glared at Josh who was leaning in the doorframe of the bathroom. “You gonna wash me take a dump, C. Oh, you can help me wipe my…” “All right I’m leaving.” ** Alexandria’s eyes drifted open to movement in the bedroom. She wiggled her toes, squinting at the sunshine that cascaded into the room, filtering beautifully though the chiffon curtains that danced wistfully in the gentle, sweet New Orleans breeze. For a moment she was afraid to move. To get up and see who was moving around in the other room, loudly. She knew it was Chris for his steps were light. These steps were mismatched and heavy. She remembered the pain in her back and tested it, steeling herself against a wince. She moved her leg just a centimeter and was rewarded with a simple dull ache. Satisfied that she wouldn’t spend the entire day drugged, she slowly swung her feet over onto the floor and took meticulous care in standing up. Her blue pajama pants were twisted and she adjusted them as well as he tank top. She slipped into her short, white robe and plodded through the room. “Chris?” Silence. Alexandria walked towards the door and five bouquets of flowers catch her eyes. They were arranged neatly on the floor just outside the hotel door. She dropped to her knees, and tucked them under her as she examined the flowers, taking in their flavorful scents and bright colors. Two small bundles of tea roses tied with a lavender ribbon, from Justin and JC. A large bouquet of multicolored large daisies, obviously from Chris. A dozen tulips from Lance and an enormous arrangement of gladiolas from Joey. She picked up the envelope and opened it. It was from Chris. “Hey girl. I hope you got some sleep. We left at the asscrack of dawn this morning and I didn’t have the heart to wake you up. You’re staying here with the gimp until tomorrow then you get to use the private jet. Ain’t that cool? We gots us our own plane! Johnny’s flying with you. If those muscle relaxers work as well as I assume they will, Joey should be home already. The man needs some serious cheering up. So if you’re not busy, pop in there and keep him company. Thanks, see ya tomorrow. Hope you had sweet dreams. Chris.” “The sweetest, Chris.” ** After dressing in some comfortable knit pants and another tank, Alexandria popped into Joey’s room. He was watching television, his swollen limb propped up on several pillows. His beard was scruffy and his dark brown eyes held a scowl of pain. He pushed himself up as he noticed the young woman standing shyly in the doorway. They had never gotten a chance to talk, besides the occasional greetings and he smiled, glad to have the company. “Alexandria, hey.” “Hello, Joey. How are you feeling?” “Stupid,” he grumbled. Alexandria laughed and stepped inside the room. “What are you watching?” “Some chick flick.” Her eyes brightened. “Oh, which one?” “I don’t know. There’s a girl and she’s kinda weird. And there’s a guy and he has a stick up his ass and they’re hold puppies or something,” he rolled his eyes at the screen and fingered the remote. “The only thing else that’s on is soaps.” “Joey, this is Sweet November. It’s good.” Joey’s frowned remained, marring his features. “But it’s all girlie. I don’t do girlie.” “Girlie? What if there’s not a body count of a thousand you can’t watch it?” Alexandria posed. “Damn straight.” “I thought you were some kind of charmer.” “On good days, today, Joey chooses to be grumpy,” he growled playfully. “I completely understand. I was going to be grumpy today too, but these five wonderful men left me five bouquets of simply gorgeous flowers, so that brightened up my day considerably.” Joey smiled. “Those five wonderful men are very grateful. Me especially. Thank you.” Alexandria rolled her eyes and waved him off. “Did you eat yet?” “No.” “You hungry? I can order something up for you.” “Sure. If you don’t mind.” Alexandria shook her head and moved away from the bed and retrieved the menu off the nightstand. She handed to Joey and as she heard a knock on the door, she placed the phone beside him and Alexandria got up to answer it. “Is there a Miss Lacey here?” the bellboy questioned. “Yes, this is she.” “We have a delivery for you, Miss.” Alexandria was extremely puzzled. No one knew she was there. “What? I’m not expecting anything.” The bellboy pulled up an aged cello case and thrust it in her arms. “It arrived here this morning, from a Sasha Leto.” Alexandria was stricken from the case in her hands and nodded absently. “…th-thank you.” She tugged the case into the room and leaned it up against the wall, quickly drawing her hands away as if burned by the instrument. Joey watched her with confusion, but remained quiet as she walked to the phone, snatched it off the base and dialed angrily. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she seethed. “What, Lacey. I thought you’d think it was cute.” “Sasha…” she warned. “It’s from your mother, Lacey. She wanted you to have it. You simply disappeared without a trace and she came to me, hysterical, trying to find you. This is the least I could do,” Sasha explained, his voice gruff. Alexandria sat down in the table and shook her head. Completely unaware of Joey, doing his best not to listen. “Is she okay?” “Her daughter’s disappeared. I don’t think she’s okay.” “I didn’t disappear.” “How does she know that? Have you called her?” “I can’t, Sasha. Please, just tell her I’m okay that I got a job and I’m fine. Please?” Sasha sighed into the phone, running his fingers through his dark hair. “I never would have wrote that recommendation if I thought you’d get it, Lacey. I should just tell her where you are.” Her grip on the phone turned painful and she gulped fearfully. “You do that and I’ll vanish and this time I won’t even tell you where I’m going,” she growled glibly. “Sasha, I need this time. Please. I’ll call her…soon, okay? Sasha…please?” “Okay,” he relented. “Did you save up money for the headstone?” he asked gently. Alexandria’s eyes pooled with tears and she nodded, but he could see her. “Um, yes…I just have to get the strength to buy it. I have to go now. Thank you for this, Sasha,” she replied fighting back sobs. “You’re welcome. Call your mother.” “I will, bye.” Joey watched from the bed as she gaped tearfully at the cello case. He licked his lips, shifting uncomfortably before he found his voice. “You play?” he murmured, trying to ignore what he was just heard. Alexandria startled, forgetting he was there and brushed the tears from her brown cheeks and smiled regretfully. “Yes.” “I didn’t know that.” “Play me something,” he breathed. She hesitated slightly, but her fingers tingled with the excitement of playing again and she was crossing the room before she realized it. Freeing the cello from his hard, protective case and she rosined the bow, pulling out a few broken hairs. Setting the beveled piece of wood between her legs, she turned it carefully. She stretched out her fingers and began to the play. The deep brown wood vibrating against her and she remember how much she missed her cello. As she stroked the keys with a practiced passion, her fingers moved deftly over the strings. She bowed a painful, melody, something that simply sprung to the top of her head and she went with it. Her head absently cocked to the side as if she was trying to feel the music more. She finished abruptly and rubbed her burning fingers over her thighs. It was a piece of her past, that had suddenly arrived, and instead of pushing it away, tucking it in a corner. She embraced it and she was shocked that it didn’t hurt… [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |
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| Re: *Elicpse Part Four* Feedback Please | Gina Z. | 15:25:00 05/01/02 Wed |
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| Re: *Elicpse Part Four* Feedback Please | Sunshineblondie | 19:23:44 05/04/02 Sat |
| wow | Chipmunk | 17:47:58 05/05/02 Sun |
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