Chapter Fifty Six

"What time is it?" JC asked nervously, the next evening.

"About seven, why?" Justin asked.

"Because I just went into Chris's area, and he's still asleep. He's been sleeping since last night. I'm getting worried," JC said.

"Me, too," Justin said. "What should we do?"

"What should we do about what?" Joey asked, walking into the room with Lance.

"Chris," Justin said. "He's still sleeping."

"I think we should bring him to the doctor in the morning," Joey said.

"I don't know," Justin said. "He can't move. How are we going to get him there?"

"Justin! Our friend is sick, we have to help him," JC said. "I don't care what you guys do, but I am bringing him to the doctor."

"I am, too," Joey said. "We can't let him suffer like this."

"Okay," Lance agreed. "Tomorrow morning, we'll bring him."

***

Later that night, Lance and Joey went to the local grocery store to buy some ice packs for Chris, Justin said he needed time to think about Eryn, Chris was asleep and JC was alone.

JC turned on the TV, and flicked through the channels. He turned it off because nothing was on. He stared longingly at the phone. I wish this was a while ago. Then I could just pick it up and call her. I wish we were still- his thoughts were broken when the phone rang.

"Hello?" he answered it.

"Hi, JC," said the voice.

"Eryn?" he asked.

"Yeah, hey," she said. "Listen, I was just calling to see how Chris was."

"That's nice of you," he said. "We are bringing him to the doctor tomorrow morning."

"Where?" Eryn asked.

"Here," he said.

"Where are you now?" she asked.

"Just about an hour south of Buffalo. We stopped traveling. We need him to get better. The concert is cancelled."

"Really? Okay, if he has to stay in the hospital, let me know, okay JC? I want to come visit," Eryn said.

"Eryn, we are about four and a half hours away from where you live," JC said.

"And Chris is my friend," she said. "Come on, JC. You have to call if Chris is in the hospital."

"Fine," JC said. "I promise I will."

"Thanks," she said. "Listen, I have to go, I just wanted to know how he was doing."

"Okay, well I'll tell him you were asking," JC said.

"Thanks," she said.

"Um, and can you tell Sasha I said hey?" JC asked.

"Okay, you know what? I don't have to go afterall..." Eryn said.

"Why the sudden change?"

"Well, because now I have something interesting to talk about," Eryn said. "I thought you wouldn't want to talk to me, that's why I was leaving."

"No, Eryn, I really could use someone to talk to," JC said.

"Don't you think I'm slutty? Like the other guys do?" Eryn said.

"Of course not," JC said. "In case you forget, I sort of did the exact same thing."

"Yeah, but I did it about seven times as long as you," Eryn said.

"So what?" JC said. "That's irrelevant. I want to talk to you."

"And I want to talk to you," Eryn said. "About Sasha."

JC sighed. "Eryn..." he warned.

"What?" Eryn asked.

"I don't want to talk about her," JC said.

"Why not?" Eryn asked. "You just asked me to tell her you said hey," she pointed out.

"Remember when I used to say things to Sasha? And she never started it? It was always me?" JC asked.

"Yeah," Eryn said.

"Well, that was because I wanted to see if she would say something back, or if she would not say anything," JC explained. "I guess it was sort of a test... you know, to see if she still cared."

"I know what you mean," she said. "Sasha... I don't know... she's really... I can't think of the word."

"That's okay," JC said. "I think I know what you mean."

"JC... if I ask you something, will you PROMISE me you will tell me the truth?" Eryn asked.

JC hesitated. "Maybe," he said. "Depends."

"Okay, well, I have two questions," Eryn said.

"What are they?" JC asked. "I'll listen, and then I will decide whether to answer."

"Okay," Eryn said. "Two questions..."

End of Chapter Fifty Six