Chapter Ten

The next day, Justin and Eryn planned to go out for breakfast. He picked her up in a rented car at ten in the morning, and they drove to a quiet café. When they sat down at their table, Eryn looked at Justin closely.

"Justin," she hesitated. "Do you think that we are making the right choice? I mean, you're on tour and stuff, and, I don't know…"

"Eryn, do you not want to be with me? Because if you don’t, just say it," Justin said.

"No, that's not it at all!" Eryn said. "I've only known you in person for a couple days, but Justin, I really like you. I do."

Justin smiled. "Okay, well, I have an idea."

"What is it?"

"Why don't you and Sasha come on tour with us this summer? I mean, you can, cause you live alone and everything right?" Justin asked her.

"That would be great," Eryn said. "I would love to, and I am sure that Sasha would, too. Thanks Justin." She leaned in to kiss him on the cheek, when the waitress came over.

"Hey, kids," she said. "Sorry to interrupt, but we take pictures of our customers for a little treat for them to take home. Do you care if we do that?"

Eryn smiled. "No, not at all." She pushed her chair closer to Justin and he put his arm around her.

*Click* "Thanks," the waitress said. As the Polaroid developed, she took their orders. She gave them the picture, and they took it.

"Do you want it?" Eryn asked. "Or should I? You can, it doesn't matter if you want it. We can get it colour copied or something."

"Sure, thanks," Justin said, and put it in his jacket pocket.

***

Later that day, Justin went home, from spending the day with Eryn. JC, Joey, Chris and Lance were talking about Sasha.

"So, JC, you going to ask her out or something?" Joey asked. "It's only a couple years difference."

"Nah, guys, screw off," JC said. Justin walked in the room. "Hey, Justin!"

"Hey," he said. "You have a thing for Sasha? That's interesting, considering I invited Eryn and her on tour with us."

"Really?" JC said, his face lighting up. "I mean, that's cool."

"Yeah, I bet," Justin said. "You guys want to see a picture of Eryn? Some café took it of us."

"Sure," Chris said. The others agreed. Justin handed them the picture.

"So, what do you think?" he asked a few seconds later.

"Um… I have to go, um, pee," Chris said. He ran out of the room.

"So do I," Joey said. He followed Chris.

"What the hell?" Justin said. "What, they think she's ugly or something? Because I think she's beautiful."

"Um, Justin," Lance said, looking at JC. "That's not it."

"Yeah," JC said, avoiding Justin's eyes.

"Well, what is it then?" Justin asked, exasperated.

"Justin…" JC said. "Look at the picture closely."

Justin did as he was told. He saw them sitting close at the café. Eryn was wearing a baby blue three-quarter length sleeve sweater, his favourite colour. He had on a fitted black long sleeved shirt. Smiles of happiness were on both of their faces. His arm was comfortably around her shoulders. "I have no clue what's wrong with this picture." Justin told them.

Lance grabbed the picture and waved it in front of Justin's face. "Look at Eryn closer." Lance sighed.

"Can't you guys just tell me?" Justin asked, taking the picture.

"Just look," JC said. "We want to know if you can see it."

Justin looked at the picture again. He still noticed her shirt. He saw a silver necklace around her neck. She had a dimple in her left cheek. Her long, light brown hair was free around her shoulders. She looked genuinely happy. "Sorry," he said. "Can't see it."

JC and Lance exchanged a look. After a few minutes, JC spoke up.

"Justin… buddy… don't you see it? She looks exactly like Madeline."

End of Chapter Ten