I get back in the taxi after 'visiting' the blood bank. I had to dig in my backpack for the mirror that I kept there to make sure there was no evidence as to what I had been doing there in the first place. I didn't need the cab driver freaking out on me and throwing me out of the cab.

When I got back to the house I went directly to my room and got ready for bed. Unfortunately, Chris was still awake and decided we needed to talk. I opened the door and he shoved his way into the room.

"Where'd you go?" he demanded.

"Out."

"Out where?"

"What's it to you? You aren't my mother."

"No, I'm not, but I still worry about my friends."

"Your friends?" I raise an eyebrow. "When did I become your friend? We've known each other for like… All of three weeks, and in that time you've done nothing but insult me. So please explain when and where I became your friend."

"Ok, so…maybe I have been a bit harsh on you, but still…"

"No harsh is not the word man. You've been down right mean and I don't have to report to you, so unless you have a reason for being in my room at this hour, I'd appreciate you leaving."

"What? Fine. I'll leave."

After he left I went to sleep dreaming about what the future was to be.

*******Several months later, Germany******

"Hey, I think we should go out and meet some chicks." Joey stated as we entered the hotel.

"Sounds good to me." Justin chirped.

"I don't think so Just. You're too young."

"What? We're in Germany. They don't have an age limit here." He whined.

"No but your mother would kill us all if she ever found out you went out drinking."

"But Jayce, if you come, then you can keep an eye on me." He suggested with his most endearing smile.

"Sorry buddy, I got things to do tonight."

"Fine, I'll stay in the hotel with boring Lance."

"Hey, I'm not boring." Lance grumbled.

"Sorry, but I don't wanna stay in. Can I go with you Jayce? Where you off to?"

"No," I yelled, then lowered my voice. "You can't go with me, and I'm not telling you where I'm going."

"Why, you got something to hide?" Chris asked.

I rolled my eyes, opened my door, let Lance in and then slammed the door in their faces.

"God, they can be such jerks," He stated.

"No kidding." I answered as I changed into a pair of jeans and a plain t-shirt.

"So… Where are you going tonight?" He asked.

"Lance, you know I'm not gonna tell you. I don't ask you about why you never seem interested in girls and I don't say why I leave every night. I'll be back in an hour or two so don't worry. If they ask where I am, just tell them I'm in the shower or something."

"Sure, no problem. Be careful Jayce."

"I will. See you in a bit."

I head out the hotel and hail a cab, "Could you take me to the nearest blood bank please?"

"Sure, no problem."

"Thanks. When we get there could you please wait while I go in. I'll only be a few minutes."

"Be happy to young man." He smiles at me through the mirror.

"Thanks." I state and try to move out of view of the mirror.

We pull up to the blood bank, I climb out and disappear around the side of the building. As I return to the cab I notice Chris is leaning against the side of the car. "Shit, what the hell is he doing here?"

"Hey there Chris. What are you doing here? Thought you were going out with Joey?"

"Nope. I let Justin go after I talked Lance into going too so I could talk to you. Only you weren't in your room."

"You checking up on me again? I thought we covered this a while back man. I don't report to you."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I heard all that shit when you said it the first time. I got a few questions for you and I don't think this is the place for it. How about we take this back to the hotel?"

"Fine with me. I need some sleep anyway."

"I didn't say you were getting any sleep. I switched rooms with Lance too by the way. You're stuck with me for the rest of the time we're here."

"Shit, you had no right to do that."

"I know but you weren't talking and Lance was really worried about you."

"Get in the cab. He ain't gonna sit here all night Christopher."

We got in the cab and again I had to avoid the damn mirror. I can't believe how many times that cabby looked in the mirror. I was starting think maybe he had figured me out when we reached the hotel. I paid him and Chris and I got out. We headed back up to our room.

Once inside the room Chris slammed the door, "Alright Chasez, what the hell is going on with you? And don't give me that shit about you not having to report to me. I know I'm not your mother but damn it, I'm tired of wondering where the hell you keep disappearing to every damn night."

"Whoa, hold on. How do you know I go out every night?"

"Because as soon as you leave, Lance is at my door crying because you've disappeared without saying where you've gone and he's worried sick. You have no idea how much that kid looks up to you."

"Well, I'm sorry he feels that way but I'm still not telling you or any one else where I go and why. That's my business and you have no right to but into my life. As long as I'm doing my job then it's none of your business."

"Damn it JC." He raged.

I turned away from him, lay down on the bed and closed my eyes. "Look Chris," I stated evenly. "I'm not committing any crimes and I promise you that I'm not doing anything illegal or that will hurt the group. Will you please just leave it at that? I'm not gonna tell you anymore than that no matter how many times you ask. You're just gonna have to trust me on this."

"Fine," He huffs, relenting.

I lay there for a while then get up and go to the bathroom. I take the small bag out of the backpack that I'd had with me. I finish off the contents of the bag and stuff it back in my backpack. "All I need is for him to find this in here in the morning."

I walk out and there he is again, "What were you doing in there so long? I didn't hear the water running."

"God, will you just stop already. Leave me the hell alone."

"Sorry, man. Can't help it. You were in there for like 20 minutes. Everything come out ok?" He smiles.

"God, you are such a dork. I wasn't doing anything. Can't a person have any privacy when you're around?"

"Nope." He smiles and turns towards me. "So what 'exactly' were you doing in there? I heard you talking to your self but couldn't quite make out what you were saying."

"Dude, drop it. I'm going to sleep." I roll away from him, grab my earphones, turn on the cd player, crawl under the covers and commence to ignoring him. I guess he finally gave up because the next thing I hear is the bathroom door open, close and the water start to run.

He was in there for a while then came out, climbed into bed and turned off the lights, "Good night JC," He whispered.

"Night Chris."

"What? How did you…" He trailed off as he realized there was no way I could have heard him. Guess he thought that the music was too loud since he could hear it coming through on his side of the room.

I smiled to myself as I heard his breathing even out. I reached up, turned my cd player off and took the headphones off. "Sleep tight Chris." I whispered. "Sweet Dreams."

I curled up and went to sleep. For the first time in many, many years I fell asleep with a smile on my face.