Chapter 9

"It's just one of those days when you don't want to wake up! Everything is fucked! Everybody sucks!" screamed the radio.

I quickly sat up and looked at the clock, it was 5:30 am.

Jaclyn hopped off of the top bunk and shut the radio off. Then she pushed Samantha in the back.

"Get up," she said.

Samantha groaned. Then she sat up.

Once Jaclyn saw that Samantha was awake she went into her closet and picked out her clothes. Then she went and took a shower.

Samantha turned and looked at me. "If you want a hot shower in this house, you have to get up early."

"Oh," I said.

Then I laid back down, while Samantha made her bed.

I tried to go back to sleep, but the noise in the house seemed to increase with each passing minute. Soon the guys were arguing with the girls over the bathroom. Then one of the guys followed Jaclyn into our room and accused her of taking his hat. I threw the covers over my head as I tried to ignore them, but they kept yelling.

"All right! What's the yelling about?" Jaime questioned as she walked in.

"Jaclyn stole my hat!" Doug accused.

"No, I didn't. He just lost it and is blaming it on me," she said.

"You were wearing it the other day," Doug said.

"Yeah, but I put it back in your room," Jaclyn said.

"Well, I can't find it," he said.

"Is this what you're looking for?" Samantha asked as she walked in with his red baseball hat.

"Where was it?" he asked grabbed it from her.

"Behind the couch," she said.

"Okay, the problem is solved. Now it's time for you guys to eat breakfast if you want to make it out of here on time," Jaime said as she walked out with Doug following behind her.

Samantha and Jaclyn stayed in the room doing their hair and make-up. Once they were through they walked out and shut the light off.

After a few more arguments at breakfast they all left the house.

Finally some peace and quiet. I had always been an only child and I wasn't used to all the yelling and arguing. I wasn't used to being around other teenagers or kids for that matter.

After a while, I eventually fell back to sleep.

Orlando, Florida

Kevin got up and looked at his clock, it was 8 am.

"Shit," Kevin muttered as he quickly got up.

The guys had a meeting at 8:30. They were going to discuss what they were going to do for the next album. And he had all sort of ideas to run across the guys and management. He had to be there.

Kevin took a quick shower and then threw on a pair of jeans and shirt. Then he quickly got into his 4 Runner and left.

Kevin walked in and sat down next to Nick.

"Well look who was late," A.J. said as he looked at Kevin.

"Shut up Bone," Kevin said as he glared at him.

"Kev, the meeting began at 8:30. You're exactly 21 minutes late," Brian said as he looked at his watch.

"Well excuse me if I happen to be late once in my life," Kevin said annoyed.

"Well you're always yelling at us to be on time," Howie said.

"I woke up late, so shoot me," Kevin said. "I've had a lot on my mind lately."

"Yeah, just leave Kev alone," Nick said, sticking up for Kevin.

"What is this? Did I just hear Nicky boy stick up for Kevin?" asked Brian.

"Hell has frozen over," A.J. said.

"Ha! Ha!" Nick said sarcastically.

Their manager cleared his throat. "Guys, can we start this meeting now?"

"Sorry," Howie said.

The guys quieted down and began their meeting.

Kevin chipped in his ideas for their next album along with the rest of the guys. Then their manager started to talk about promotion and Kevin zoned out.

He stared at their manager like he was listening, but in truth he hadn't heard a word that was said. He was too busy thinking about Lily and how close he was to finding her. If only he could get a hold of that Mr. Countrymen guy. Then he would know for sure whether or not he had truly found her. And then if it was her, he would be able to fill that void in his heart that he had been missing for so many years. All he wanted to do was to be able to hold her in his arms, tuck her in at night, and give her kisses and hugs to let her know that she was loved.

"Yo Kevin! We're leaving now!" A.J. said as he waved his hand in front of Kevin.

"Oh sorry, what did you say?" he asked.

"Ugh!" A.J. said, frustrated with him.

"Did you hear anything that was said?" Howie asked.

Kevin looked down. "I stopped listening when he started talking about promotion."

"That long ago!" Brian exclaimed.

"Sorry," Kevin said as he stood up. "You guys can fill me in later. Right now I have something important to do."

"Like what?" Brian asked as Kevin began walking out the door.

"It's personal," Kevin said as he left.

Brian ran to catch up to him. "What do you mean personal?"

"Just that, private," he said.

"Is something wrong?" Brian asked worriedly.

"No, don't worry," Kevin said. "I promise to tell you, just not right now."

"Why not?" Brian asked.

"Later," Kevin said as he left.

"So. . .do you guys want to go play a game of basketball?" Nick asked.

"You know what's bothering him, don't you?" Brian questioned. "That's why you were sticking up for him, huh?"

"Sorry Brian, I can't say anything. I promised," Nick said.

"He told you and not Brian?" Howie asked.

"Something's wrong with that," A.J. said.

"What? He can't talk to me," Nick said defensively. "We may not be as close as him and Brian are, but we're brothers and we love each other, just like I love you guys."

"Sorry Nick," A.J. said. "I didn't mean anything by it."

"Let's just go play some ball," Brian said.

"All right," Nick said.

The four guys walked out and went to a basketball court.

Kevin walked into his house and sat down by the phone, calling Mr. Countrymen.

Jacksonville, Florida

Mike got out of his car and went into Kate's office.

"Good afternoon," Mike said as he walked into her office.

"Hey Mike," she said as she smiled.

He sat down in the chair in front of her desk.

"So. . .," he said.

"So what?" she asked.

"What happened with Lily? Where is she? Did you stick her with a good family?" he asked.

"Of course I did Mike," Kate said. "She's with Mr. and Mrs. Martin, and they also have five other kids."

"Was she happy?" he asked.

"I don't know Mike. I mean I guess she was happy that she had somewhere to stay," Kate said.

"Can you give me the address?" he asked.

"Why?" she asked.

"Because I want to check in on her," he said.

"Okay, hold on," she said as she searched through the paper work on her desk.

She found the information and then wrote it down. Then she handed the paper to him.

"Thank you," he said.

"No problem," she said.

"I'll be leaving you now," he said as he stood up.

She smiled. "I'll see you later Mike."

"Bye," he said as he walked out.

I rolled over and grabbed my bunny. It was already 12:30 in the afternoon. Then all of a sudden I burst into tears. I didn't know why I was crying or what had caused it, it just came without warning.

Then Jaime walked in.

I sat up and wiped away my tears, but they continued to fall.

"What's wrong Lily?" she asked.

I shook my head no, meaning nothing was wrong.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

I shook my head yes.

I mean I was okay physically, but emotionally. . .well that was a different story.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"I'm fine," I choked out.

"Well I'm making lunch right now. Are you hungry?" she asked.

"No," I said.

"You're not?" she asked.

I shook my head no.

"Come on, I'm sure a big lunch and some ice cream afterwards will make you feel better," she said.

I laid back down with my bunny.

"No thank you," I said.

Jaime got up and covered me, then she left.

I didn't want to be bothered by her or anyone else in that house. I wanted to be with someone that loved me. I wanted to be with my parents.

I closed my eyes and fell back to sleep, but not before a few more tears escaped my eyes.

Mike pulled into the driveway and got out. Then he walked up to the door.

Jaime answered it. "Hello."

"Hi. My name is Mike Countrymen. I'm here to see Lily," he said as he introduced himself.

"Oh, come on in," she said.

"Thank you, he said as he walked in.

"Did Ms. Johnson send you here?" she asked.

"Actually no, I'm Lily's counselor from school. I just came to check on her," he said.

"Oh, that's good," Jaime said.

"Can I see her?" he asked.

"Yeah, but I think she's sleeping right now," she said.

"Now? It's 3 o'clock," he said.

"She's been in bed all day," Jaime said.

"Really?" he asked worriedly.

"Yeah," she said. "But you can go check on her."

"Okay," he said.

"Down the hall and second door on the left," she said.

"Thanks," he said as he began to walk down the hall.

I heard someone coming and turned to face the wall. I closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep.

Mr. Countrymen saw Lily in bed. He sat down and rubbed her back, but she didn't stir.

"It's okay Lily, it's me," he said.

I opened my eyes to see Mr. Countrymen sitting there. I sat up and wrapped my arms around him.

He hugged me tightly.

"Hey sweetie," he said.

"Hi," I said.

He let go and looked at me. "Is everything okay?"

I shrugged my shoulders.

"I know that this isn't what you wanted, but for right now it's the best that we can do. I promise you that we're working to get you in a good loving home," he said. "Okay?"

I shook my head okay.

"Now, why are you still in bed?" he asked.

"Because," I said.

"Well that's not a very good excuse. It's a beautiful day outside, you should enjoy it," he said.

"I guess," I replied.

Then we just sat there in silence.

Then I spoke up.

"Thank you for coming."

"You're welcome," he said. "Did Kate give you my number?"

"Yeah, I have it," I said.

"Okay, now you can call me anytime that you need me, all right?" he asked.

"All right," I said.

"So there's five other kids in this house?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said.

"Well that's good, maybe you can get to know them," he said.

"I don't think so," I said.

"Why not?" he asked.

"Because they're all older than me," I said.

"So?" he asked.

"I don't think they like me," I said.

"How do you know? Have you even talked to them?" he asked.

"No," I said sheepishly.

"Well then you don't know that," he said. "Do you?"

"No," I said.

"I know you're uncomfortable here," he said. "But remember it's just temporary. But in the mean time why not make it an enjoyable stay by getting to know these people."

"I'll try," I said reluctantly.

"That's better," he said.

Then Jaime walked in.

"I'm going to order pizza. What do you like on your pizza?" she asked.

"I'm not that hungry," I said.

"Lily, you haven't eaten in about a day," she said.

Mr. Countrymen turned and stared at me. "And why not?"

I just shrugged my shoulders.

"Well you're going to eat, even if I have to stay here and make you," he said.

"Fine," I said.

"What would you like?" she asked again.

"Pepperoni and sausage is fine," I said.

"All right," she said as she walked out the door.

"Now you're going to eat for me, aren't you?" he asked.

"Yes," I said.

"Okay, good girl," he said.

"Do you have to leave now?" I asked.

"Yeah, my wife is probably making dinner right now," he said. "Unless you need me to stay?"

"No, I'll be okay," I said.

"Are you sure?" he asked. "Because I can stay if you need me to."

"No really, it's okay. I'm sure your wife is waiting for you," I said.

"Okay, but call me if you need me, no matter what," he said.

"All right," I said.

He gave me a hug and stood up.

"Bye sweetie," he said.

"Bye," I said.

Once he had left, Jaime came back in.

"Can I take a shower?" I asked.

"Sure thing," she said.

I grabbed my clothes and then followed her into the bathroom.

"Here's a towel and a washcloth," she said as she set them on the sink.

"Thank you," I said.

"Uh huh," she said as she walked out, closing the door behind her.

I took my shower and got dressed. Then I walked out into the living room and sat on a chair. Everyone else was squished onto the couch watching t.v.. Then the pizza came and everyone rushed into the kitchen and grabbed their plate and a coke. After we all had our food, we sat down at the table together.