When The Stars Cross
Chapter 8
By: Erynn*Alice
Joel sat outside his hotel room and just thought. He had been there for a few hours and he could see the sun peek through the window at the end of the hallway. Joel knew that he brother was fast asleep inside the room and he would remain so for a few hours until Billy would walk down the hall and pound on the door to remind him of the interview the band was to participate in later that morning.
His black hair was matted to his head and the gel that had kept it standing at a point all night was now helping it stick to the door. He let his eyes close briefly to filter out the morning light.
Suddenly, it all went black and the light that had seeped through his closed eyes was gone. He opened his eyes up abruptly to see the figure that stood in front of him.
"I'm glad you went back to the hotel," said Paul who sat down next to him. "After you left Jordan, he called me and said he was pretty worried."
Joel rolled his head towards Paul. "She's alive."
Paul nodded. "I know, Benji told me."
"How did Benji know? Did Jordan tell Benji? Or that guy, that Jeff guy, did he tell Benji? He'd he know?"
Paul looked confused. "What Jeff guy?"
"That guy who came up to me when Jordan and I were talking. He's a friend of Ashton's. How else would you know?"
He hung his head down. "Haven't you talked to Benji yet?" Joel shook his head. "Benji knew, that's why Jordan was trying to get you to come back, so Benji could tell you!"
"He knew all along?"
Paul shook his head, trying to fix whatever might have gone wrong. "No, he just found out. He was going to tell you once you guys got back to the hotel room."
Joel leaned down to meet have his forehead meet his hands. "Did everyone but me know that she was alive?"
"Joel, it's not like that..."
Joel stood up slowly, slightly wavering and wincing from the pain and memories of last night. "I just need some fresh air. I'll meet you guys back here before we leave." Paul nodded solemnly and stood up.
"If you need anything..."
"I know, just call." He gave his friend a quick hug and started down the hallway towards the gleaming window. "Thanks, man." Paul nodded once more and watched Joel walk away.
"Is he gone again?" Benji asked, opening the door.
Paul, a little sleepy and confused, just looked at the man standing in the doorway wearing nothing more than boxers. "What?"
Benji rolled his eyes and heaved a sigh. "Did Joel leave again?"
"Yeah, he said he'd be back before the interview."
"Was he pissed...or...what?"
He leaned against the doorway and shrugged. "I don't know, Benj. I think he's just lonely and regretful. He hasn't had anyone love him in a while, he just needs someone even if it's not her."
Benji shook his head. "I think it's gone so far that it has to be her. No one else is going to be able to love him the way he needs. It has to be Ashton."
"Dude!" Billy screamed and opened his door across the hall. "Quit fucking switching our cell phones, mother fucker!" A ringing cell phone flew across the hall and landed in Benji's open hands.
"Hello?" Benji answered, watching Paul walk back to his room for a little bit of sleep.
"Benji," Tony started.
"Hey man, what's up?" He shut the door and walked back into the room.
"You won't believe who I ran into last night."
Benji shook his head. "No clue, Tony." He really wasn't in the mood for guessing games, seeing as how he had more important things to be thinking about. "Who?"
"I believe she said her name was Ashton Keats."
He sat up quickly on the bed he had just been laying on. "Ashton Keats, Tony? The Ashton Keats? Are you sure?"
Tony laughed. "No, not The Ashton Keats...she said she couldn't escape that name. It's just flat out Ashton Keats. No 'the'. She got a little pissed at that title."
His breath grew shallow in his chest and his heart raced like mad. "You met her? Tony, did you keep her there? Did you get her number, where she lived?"
"Aww, man, I was kind of drunk last night. I'm sorry." Tony paused. "She took off pretty quick after I told her about Joel and all that shit, but I think someone has to have the number of where she works...or someway to get a hold of her."
Benji sighed and looked over at the still made bed of his brother. "I hope, we can't lose her again."
it's a due silence undisturbed by the sound of her breath
so carefully brush your hair in steady sequence one by one
she slips away so close your eyes and sleep to dream
i'm by your side the words to speak
will set our course and make it through
no matter how far i go, my heart remains with you
and i'm not sure what I'm looking for but it's clear to see
the purpose of my existence is laying here in front of me
so close your eyes and sleep to dream
i'm by your side the words to speak
will set our course and make it through
no matter how far i go... and if all else fails
you can look up at the sky because it's the same one
that shines above you and if all else fails
you can close your eyes and I'll be right beside you,
i'll be right by your side so close your eyes and sleep to dream
i'm by your side the words to speak
will set our course and make it through
no matter how far i go, no matter how much this hurts
i wanted you to know my heart remains with you
("If All Else Fails" by Matchbook Romance)