AD19

Chapter 19: Not For Me

�Evie, you don�t think she�s...� Kayla�s voice trailed off.

�I don�t know,� I said. �It�s just, that�s what happened the last time she got in a fight with Patrick.�

It was the next night and we were backstage waiting for the show to begin.

�Eternity on in five!� the voice over the intercom announced.

�I hope we�re wrong Eve. I hope we�re wrong,� Kayla said as we joined the other girls backstage and waited for our cue.

The lights in the arena faded and we took our places. The music for �Don�t Call Me Baby� started and we went through the routine.

�How are you all doing tonight?� I screamed to the audience after we finished the song. �We are Eternity and we have a little surprise for ya�ll tonight.�

Screams filled the arena.

�We just finished recording our debut album, The Eleventh Hour, and we are going to sing a brand new song for ya,� Juliet said.

�You�re the first audience to hear it so we hope ya�ll like it,� Kayla said.

�Hot out of the studio, this song is Eternity,� Kass said as the melody filtered through the arena.

When the song ended the audience burst into applause.

�You�ve been a great audience! Thank you and goodnight!� I screamed and ran off stage with the girls.

********************

The bus was dark when Anya ran up the steps and to the bunks. She threw open a curtain and started rummaging around.

Where is it? she thought as she searched the clothes strewn all over. Here we go, she thought as she pulled a couple bills out of the black leather wallet.

She put the wallet back and bounded off the bus. As she rounded the corner she let out a small cry.

�Oh my god, you scared me,� she said to the man in the black hoodie who was leaning up against the bus.

�Sorry,� he said, not sounding the least bit apologetic. �You got the cash?�

�Yeah,� she said, handing him the crinkled bills.

�Then this,� he handed her a small bag, �Is yours.�

�Thanks,� Anya replied and went back on the bus.

********************

�You guys just get hotter and hotter, you know that?� AJ commented as we headed back to the buses.

�Yeah, that new song is great. Even if I have already heard it,� Nick replied.

�Tell that to Jules. She wrote it,� I said.

�Jules, you rock,� Nick exclaimed.

�I know,� Juliet said with a smile.

We reached our bus and got on. We walked to the back and found Anya asleep on the couch.

�Poor thing isn�t feeling well is she?� Howie asked.

�No, I don�t think so,� I said.

�I�ll take care of her,� Kevin said. �You guys go to sleep.�

�Alright. Goodnight Kev,� Brian said as we all walked out.

Kevin walked over to the couch and reached for the blanket at Anya�s feet. He pulled it up and over her small body. He knelt down next to her and brushed a strand of hair out of her face.

�Goodnight sweetheart,� he said, kissing her forehead.

******The Next Morning******

�Ow!� I exclaimed as I fell over and onto the floor.

�Eve�s out!� Juliet said.

�Not fair,� I pouted. �The bus lurched.�

�It did not and you know it,� Nick retorted.

I glared at him and sat down next to AJ.

�Okay, right hand green!� Juliet called.

Kevin, Brian, Howie, Kass and Kayla all reached their hands to the green circle. Suddenly the bus stopped, sending all five players toppling to the floor.

�I told you it was the bus!� I cried.

The five of them just looked up at me from the floor.

�Well it was.�

�I don�t think Twister is a very good �bus game�,� Kevin said.

�Yeah, I don�t think so either,� Howie agreed as we descended the bus.

�So what are we doing today?� I asked.

Everyone just looked at me clueless.

�Yeah, that�s what I thought,� I said. Suddenly an idea came into my head. �I want to get another tattoo.�

My comment was received by weird looks from everyone.

�Well, I�ll go with you, but I�m not getting another tattoo,� AJ said.

�Anyone else?� I asked.

�I�ll go,� Juliet said, a smile forming on her lips. �And I�ll get one too.�

�Juliet!� Kayla, Kass, Anya and I all exclaimed.

�What?� she asked innocently.

�Alright,� I said, shaking my head.

�I�ll go too then,� Brian volunteered.

�Is that all then?� I asked.

Everyone just shook their heads at me.

�Okay, let�s go get tattooed!� I yelled, grabbing Juliet�s arm and running off.

********************

�Oh, I like this one,� I said, pointing to a little heart with wings. �That�s what I�m going to get.�

�Do you know what you�re getting Jules?� Brian asked.

Juliet scanned the wall for a minute then pointed to a cluster of music notes.

�That�s what I�m getting,� she said.

�You girls ready?� the tattoo artist asked us.

�Yup!� I exclaimed.

�Okay, who�s first?�

�It�s all you Evie,� Juliet said, taking a step back.

�I guess it�s me then.� I hopped into the chair and lowered the waist of my pants. About forty minutes later I had a winged heart tattooed on my hip.

�You�re up Jules,� I said, climbing out of the chair.

�O-okay,� she stammered.

�Don�t worry. It doesn�t hurt much,� AJ said reassuringly.

�And you can squeeze my hand if it does,� Brian stated.

Reluctantly Juliet laid in the chair and lifted her shirt to get the music notes tattooed along her lower back. About an hour later she was done.

�See, that wasn�t so bad, was it?� I asked.

�No, it wasn�t,� she replied, admiring the new tattoo.

�Come on, let�s go show these off!� I hollered as we headed back to the hotel.

******After The Concert******

�I can�t believe this is our first meet and greet,� Kass exclaimed.

We were all backstage, awaiting our Pittsburg fans to arrive.

�It�s basically signing autographs and taking pictures,� Kevin said as he brushed a stray hair out of Anya�s face. She smiled back at him appreciatively.

A few moments later fans started entering the room. They were all really polite, saying they loved our music. I was signing a little girls notebook when I looked up and saw a familiar face.

�No way,� I mumbled.

Kass heard me and gave me a questioning look.

�Look who�s here,� I said.

She scanned the crowd and saw who I meant. She just laughed and leaned over to tell Kayla and Juliet.

�What do you say we have some fun?� I asked them.

�Oh, let�s,� Kayla said, getting up and grabbing Nick, the mischievous smile spreading from her face to mine and Kassandra�s.

The girl in the back of the crowd we knew only too well. Her name is Ann Cordy, an old friend of mine from high school. She was obsessed with the Backstreet Boys. The girls never liked her because she always had great seats to their shows. She even met Kevin once, although I doubt he remembers. Since she was always bragging we thought we�d give her a taste of her own medicine.

�Oh my god, Eve! How are you?� she exclaimed when she reached the table.

�Hi,� I said, acting like she was just another fan.

�It�s me, Ann. From high school. Remember?�

I gazed at her for a second before responding, �No, I don�t. I�m sorry,� I said, looking puzzled.

�We were in chorus together,� she persisted.

I thought for a moment then responded, �Oh, right, Ann. It�s good to see you.�

Just then Nick came up behind me and threw his arms around my neck.

�Hey Princess, you�re coming to my room for movie night, right?� he asked.

�Of course Nicky,� I said and winked at him.

�Oh my god! Nick Carter! Can I get your autograph?� Ann squealed. Nick had always been her favorite.

�Actually, I have to get going. It was nice to meet you though--,� he trailed off.

�Ann,� she said giddily.

�Ann,� Nick repeated, smiling and walked off.

�Okay everyone, the meet and greet is over. I�m afraid I�m going to have to ask everyone to leave,� our body guard, Blake, said.

�It was good seeing you Eve,� Ann said as she walked out.

�Like wise.�

********************

�You guys, that was great!� I laughed as we left the arena.

�Now she knows how we felt every time she bragged about her third row seats,� Kass remarked smugly.

We were all laughing about that night when I noticed someone was missing.

�Hey Kev, where�s Anya?� I asked.

�She said she wasn�t feeling well and was going to the hotel to lay down.�

�Okay,� I replied skeptically.

�Something wrong?� AJ whispered in my ear, noting my sour expression.

�No,� I replied. �Nothing�s wrong.�

We arrived at the hotel a few minutes later.

�I�m going to heck on Anya,� I said, heading to the elevator.

�I�ll go with,� Kevin said, following right behind me.

We got in the elevator and headed up to the ninth floor where everyone was staying.

�What room is it again?� I asked.

�Nine-nineteen,� Kevin replied.

He led me down the corridor to her room. I went to knock on the door, only to find it was slightly ajar. I pushed it open and walked in, Kevin right behind me.

�Anya?� I called into what seemed an empty room.

�Where is she?� Kevin asked, peering in the room.

I shrugged and looked around. The door to the bathroom was slightly open and a small stream of light spilled out.

�Anya?� I called again, pushing the door open. �Oh my god! Anya!�

There, lying unconscious on the floor, was my sister. Kevin and I ran to her side instantly. Her face was pale and her lips were tinted blue. I put my hand behind her head to lift her up. I felt a warm, sticky substance and retracted my hand to find it covered in blood.

�Oh my god! Anya! Anya, wake up!� I screamed. �Please wake up!�

Kevin just sat there staring at me with a blank, shocked expression.

�Kevin, call an ambulance!�

He just stared at me, not fully hearing my words.

�Kevin, please!� I begged.

He looked into my pleading eyes and shakily, ran out of the bathroom.

I held tight to my sister's body, her blood soaking through to my shirt.

�An ambulance is coming,� Kevin mumbled, re-entering the room.

A second later we heard running and everyone entered the room.

�We heard screaming. What happ--� Kayla started, but stopped when she saw me on the floor holding Anya. �Oh my god! Anya!� she screamed, falling to my side.

�How did this happen?� Howie asked.

�I, I don�t know,� I whimpered. �Quick, someone grab me a towel.�

�Here,� AJ tossed me a towel from the counter.

I placed it behind Anya�s head to reduce the bleeding.

�It�s okay. You�ll be okay,� I whispered, rocking her back and forth in my arms.

�You guys, what�s this?� Kass asked, holding up magazine with a small pile of white powder on it.

Kayla and I immediately knew what it was. Cocaine.

I just cried harder, not really knowing what else to do.

�I�ll go wait for the ambulance,� Brian said, running out of the room.

�How could this happen?� I moaned.

�It�s not your fault, Eve. She�ll be okay,� AJ said, trying to comfort me.

All I could do was sit there and cry until the ambulance came, holding my unconscious sister.

********************

�Excuse me miss, are you Eve Johns?�

I lifted my head off AJ�s shoulder and looked around. We were still at St. Peter�s hospital. I glanced at my watch. 2:07. I must have fallen asleep. Regaining my composure, I turned my attention to the doctor standing in front of me.

�Yes, I�m she,� I replied, my vision still slightly blurry.

�I�d like to talk to you about your sister Anya,� he said.

�Is she okay?� I asked anxiously.

�Fortunately yes. If you had gotten her here any later we may not have been able to save her.�

I tightened my grip on AJ�s hand, not even realizing I was holding it.

�To put it simply, your sister suffered a major overdose of an illegal substance. This caused her heart rate to decrease at a rapid level. She would have become dizzy and passed out, thus hitting her head in the process.� the doctor explained.

�How is she now? Where is she?� I asked.

�Right now she is still unconscious, but her vitals are back up. We expect her to wake soon. She�s still in the ICU, but I�ll allow you to go see her,� he said.

�Thank you Dr.--�

�Martin.�

�Thank you Dr. Martin,� I said.

�You�re welcome,� he replied and walked off down the hall.

�How you holding up?� AJ asked me.

�Not very well, to be honest.�

�I don�t blame you,� he said, taking my hand. �Come on. Let�s go check on Anya.�

�Where�s everyone else?� I asked as we headed up to the ICU.

�I told them I�d stay here with you and that they should go back to the hotel and get some sleep.�

�That�s probably the best idea for them right now,� I said. I stopped walking and AJ tuned around to look at me.

�Something wrong?�

�No,� I replied, taking his hands. �I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate you being here for me.�

�Honey, I�d go anywhere for you,� he said, then thought a second and added, �No pun intended.�

I smiled slightly at his remark. After a short elevator ride, we finally reached the ICU. Anya was laying in the second bed, IV needles attached to her arms, a respirator humming softly. She looked so helpless just laying there. Her pale skin blended in with the sheets making her look lost.

AJ and I took a seat next to her bed. I reached over and too her hand in mine. Slowly tears clouded over my vision.

�I�m so scared,� I whispered, a single tear making a trail down my cheek.

AJ reached over and wiped it away.

�Of what?� he asked gently.

�Of everything,� I replied, fighting back more tears. �I�m scared for my sister. What if she doesn�t wake up? What if she�s not okay? I just want to do something for her, I want to make her better. And I feel so helpless because I can�t. I can�t do anything. I hate this feeling! It�s like I have no control over anything, like nothing I do makes a difference.�

�Don�t say that Eve,� AJ cooed. �You saved your sister. If you hadn�t gotten her here she would have died. But you know what, she didn�t. She didn�t die and it�s all because of you.�

I just stared at Anya, her chest rising and falling with each slow breath.

�She�ll be okay Eve,� AJ reassured me. �She�ll be okay.�

******At The Hotel******

�Damn it! How could she do this?!�

�Kayla, come sit down,� Juliet prompted.

�How could she be so stupid!? Didn�t she learn the last time?� Kayla fumed, ignoring Juliet.

�What does she mean �the last time�,� Kevin asked Juliet as Kayla paced the room furiously.

�Last time she got in a fight with Patrick she started doing drugs. She was so good at hiding it that we never knew until it was too late and we had to make another hospital visit,� she explained.

�She could�ve killed herself! How could she?� Kayla interjected.

�Kayla, your sister has a problem. Maybe you shouldn�t be so hard on her,� Kevin chided.

�Wake up Kevin! She overdosed on cocaine! And you know how she got it? She stole your money! All that money you said you�ve been missing? She stole it! She got you to trust her! She got us all to trust her!� Kayla exclaimed. �And now she�s sick because she�s so stupid! Why did she do that?�

Everyone just watched as Kayla sank to the floor crying. Nick ran over and put his arms around her.

�Shh, it�ll be okay,� he cooed.

Nick looked up at the worried faces around him as he comforted his girlfriend. All they could do was wait until they heard from the hospital.

********************

�What happens now?� I asked, my eyes on my sister.

�What do you mean?� AJ questioned.

�What�s going to happen to her? Where will she go? I know Denise won�t let her stay with us. My mom certainly won�t want her,� I said, my gaze still fixed.

�Do you have any other relatives she could stay with?�

�My aunt Heather always liked her,� I mused. �I could call her.�

�It�s worth a shot,� AJ ventured.

Slowly the hours ticked by, Anya�s condition unchanging. I had called my aunt and explained our circumstances. She didn�t appreciate me calling so late (or early, depending on how you looked at it), but she understood our situation and agreed to come to the hospital as soon as possible and take care of Anya for us. I returned to Anya�s side, more time passing by. I was just about to nod off when AJ shook me.

�Look!� he pointed.

I glanced at Anya as her eyelids fluttered and slowly opened. She looked around, her vision fixing on AJ and I. A soft smile spread across her lips.

�Eve, you�re here,� she whispered.

�Of course I am,� I smiled at her. �AJ would you tell the doctor she�s awake?�

�Sure,� he said, existing the room.

�I�m so sorry Eve,� she said.

�You really disappointed us Anya,� I replied. �You realize you can�t stay with us anymore.�

�Yes,� she nodded solemnly.

�Aunt Heather agreed to let you stay with her, providing you behave,� I explained. �She should be here soon,� I added, glancing at my watch.

Anya nodded in agreement. Just then AJ returned with Dr. Martin. He looked her over and scribbled a few things down on his clip board.

�Well, other then the nasty bump on your head, you�re doing just fine. I would like to keep you a couple days for observation and we will need to discuss the possibility of going to a rehabilitation center,� he said evenly.

�Thank you, Dr. Martin,� I replied. �My aunt is coming down to take care of her and should be here shortly.�

�Well, when she gets here, just give me a buzz. I�ll be right down the hall,� and with that he left the room.

We sat waiting patiently for about half an hour when our aunt Heather arrived.

�Hello girls,� she said sternly as she entered the room.

�Hi aunt Heather,� Anya and I replied in unison.

�Evie, I know how busy you must be. I can take care of Anya from here,� Heather said.

�I appreciate this so much,� I said to her. I gave her a hug and turned to my sister. �I�m sorry things didn�t work out.�

�So am I,� she replied.

AJ and I turned to leave when Anya spoke up.

�Hey, Evie! Could you do me a favor?� she asked.

I just looked at her expectantly.

�Tell Kevin I�m sorry.�

I nodded and AJ and I left the hospital and returned to the hotel.

********************

�You made her leave!� Kevin yelled after I explained to everyone what happened. �She apologized and you still made her leave!�

�Kevin, she used you. She used us all,� I said.

�She was still my girlfriend!� he retorted.

�No she wasn�t,� I said. �Someone like that is not meant for someone like you.�

Anger flashed through Kevin�s eyes at my last remark.

�Oh really?� he said with biting sarcasm. �Then who is Eve? Who is? It�s not you and it�s not her so would you mind telling me who?� he spat.

I froze. I was so shocked by his outburst that I couldn�t speak. His cold eyes bore into mine before he said something.

�That�s what I though,� he said and stormed out of the room leaving everyone speechless.