Strength in Numbers

Aaron had cried in my arms until he fell asleep. I'd put him down on his bunk to rest while Austin was out frantically searching for Alan.

I sighed. I should have helped but I just couldn't, Aaron had needed me. I kicked a rock out of my path. I had left the bus to get some air and was currently walking around in whatever city we'd stoped in for the next date of the tour.

I was so wrapped up in my thoughts I walked right into someone.

"I'm sorry!" he exclaimed reaching out to help me regain my balance.

"No, sorry, my bad. I wasn't looking where I was going." I looked up and froze.

Wide dark brown eyes looked down at me. "Silver?"

I swallowed. "Hey, Hime."

Jaime looked around nervously. "Um, what are you doing here? I, er, thought you lived out by Austin."

I flushed and looked at the ground. "I do, um, the guys forced me to come on tour with them."

"Oh, how come?"

That was the one thing I never could get used to about Jaime, he just asked questions that I wouldn't really care to give the answer to. "Ugh, well," I looked up to find him wide eyed once again staring at my arms. I looked down to see my nails scraping against my skin, nearly drawing blood.

He grabbed my arm and inspected it. "These are new. You didn't have this many scars last time I saw you." His eyes met mine. "This is why they brought you with them?" I nodded and looked back down. "This is our fault isn't it?' He was a goofball, but he was one of the smartest fuckers I knew. My scilence was his answer. Before I knew it, I was crushed in a hug. "I'm sorry. I mean, I know we were assholes, but I didn't think we were that bad."

I shrugged. "This time wasn't you guys. I mean, yeah that was bad and everything at Warped, and I slipped up, but this time was Alan."

He looked utterly confused. "Wait, you are with Alan?"

I cleared my throat. "It's, er, kind of a long story, but I wasn't at warped. I swear."

He pursed his lips a moment. "Ok. I believe you. You never seemed like the kind of person to cheat like that. What's the deal with Alan by the way? They're saying he's gone missing?" Jaime frowned and wipped my face with the back of his hand. "

Confused, I brough a hand up to my cheek. I hadn't even realized tears had begun to pour out of my eyes. I hadn't even felt them. "Yeah, Alan ran off. Aus is out looking for him. He and Aaron got in an arguement."

"About what?" I opened my mouth to answer but then it occured to me: I didn't know. I'd been numb the entire time they were fighting. I hadn't heard a word they'd said. "I have no idea." My phone started buzzing in my pocket. Hopeful, I yanked it out praying that it was Alan texting me. I frowned when I saw Aaron's name.

"What?" Jaime asked.

I shook my head and slipped my phone back in my pocket. "Aaron was worrying about where I was, no big deal."

He smiled. "Well, come on. I'll walk you back to the bus."

I smiled back. I'd missed Jaime. He was such a fun, loveable person. "Thanks, Hime."

Notes

It gets better, I just didn't have time to write it all. Now soon, promise! - Anna