(Based on the song "Missing You" by Brandy, Tamia, Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan)
The house was silent. Eerie shadows casted their glow upon the dozens of flowers and balloons scattered among the floors of each room. The weather had suddenly grown cold in New York and even the city seemed unusually quiet for the weekend crowd. It was a week since Lexie's death and JC, Chris, and Lance were still at the house. They had planned to leave the next day even though JC was still not sure that he was leaving. The moon had dissappeared behind a cloud. The clock struck twelve, awakening JC, who noticed that October was not beside him.
"Hun, what are you doing? It's freezing out here!" JC exclaimed as he opened the front door. He crossed his arms in a hugging position to keep himself warm against the cold breeze.
"I couldn't sleep" she replied briefly, not even looking back at him, just staring off to the streets in front of the house. She wore a sweatshirt and sweatpants, no coat, just a thin blanket to keep her warm.
"Aren't you cold?" JC asked through his chattering teeth as he walked over closer to her.
"No, I'm used to it. Come here." she answered and finally looked up to him. She patted the empty space beside her on the swing where she was sitting.
He sat beside her and she wrapped him up in the blanket. "Well, I'm not. I would much rather prefer sunny, hot, Orlando." he finished as he adjusted the blanket around his feet which he had up on the swing to keep them warm.
"So, does that mean you are going back with them tomorrow?" she asked cautiously as she looked him in the eye. He could tell she was in alot more pain than she was showing.
"No," he leaned closer to her, putting his arms around her, underneath the blanket. "But, I should go back so we can start working on the new album. Why don't you just come with tomorrow?"
"Because, I don't want to leave Erica. Not now" she looked down at the blanket. Her eyes were starting to water from even thinking about being away from JC again.
"Well, she can come with too. Please, Opie, come with me. I don't want to leave you again" he pleaded with her, putting his hand on hers which were still under the blanket.
"What about school? What about the house? I can't just leave everything here" she protested and then turned to him. His eyes grew distant and he looked down at the blanket.
"You don't need to stay here. You can go back to school whenever. I need you with me, Opie" he finished.
"Let me talk to Erica, okay. I don't want to leave her. I couldn't leave her here alone" she whispered, pulling her hand out from under the blanket and laying it along side of JC's face. He was cold and her warm hand sent a chill through his body. He shivered and closed his eyes. He loved her touch and felt safe when she was near him.
"Okay," he finally responded, opening his eyes again. "But, no matter what, you are coming with me" he tried to joke with her. She laughed for a second but her smile went away quickly. Tears once again filled up in her eyes.
"I miss her, JC" her voice quivered.
"I know. I know" he said softly, taking her hand off of his face and holding it tightly.
"It doesn't feel right without her here. She was always so happy even when times got tough. She was our backbone, JC. We have lost one of us" a tear escaped her eye but it froze, keeping its place on her cheek, almost looking as if it were crystallic.
"But, I'm here now. I'll take care of you." he said, wiping the tear away for her. "C'mon, lets get to bed. We have alot of things to do tomorrow" he added, getting up from the swing. He shivered once the cold air hit him again after being warm. October followed and carried the blanket. They hurried back into the house and went to bed.
"Erica?" October called to her through her bedroom door. It was 9 a.m. The guys were getting ready to leave and she had to talk to Erica about leaving, too.
"Come in" she replied quickly. October opened the door and noticed Erica sitting on her bed looking at pictures.
"What are you up to?" she asked, walking over to the bed and sitting down. She looked at the pictures scattered on the bed. They were of Lexie.
Erica picked up a picture of her, Lexie and October standing in front of Niagra Falls. "Do you remember when we went on this trip for school? Lexie was so excited that she wanted to jump right into the falls to feel the water rush around her" she showed October the picture with tears in her eyes.
"Yeah, I remember. We had to practically hold her back." she laughed to herself. "We almost got kicked out of the tour group. She was such a trip. She was so crazy." her voice quivered as she gave the picture back.
"What are we gonna do, Opie? It's not right anymore." she put the picture back and looked up at October. "I was thinking about forgetting about school for now. Just for now. I might go home for awhile" she finished and picked up another picture with just Lexie on it.
"So you want to leave?" she questioned, remembering what JC asked her in the middle of the night.
"Yeah. I don't want to leave you here alone, but I just need some time away, some fresh air, ya know?" she answered with a perplexed look on her face.
"Maybe you don't have to leave alone" she quickly responded as she put the pictures away.
Erica stood up and walked around her room. She started to pack her clothes into suitcases and gathered a few things together. "Are you thinking about coming with me?" she stopped packing and looked at her.
"No, I was thinking about you coming with me. I'm going to Orlando with the guys" she stood up and walked to her.
"I can't. I mean, I don't think I would fit in there. What would I do? There is no reason for me to go down there" she tried to deny the thought even though it really wasnt a bad idea.
"You would definately fit in there! We will have so much fun. Lots of clubs, nice warm weather and lots of new guys for you to scope out!" she tried to make her laugh.
Erica smirked and continued packing her clothes. "I don't know."
"Please! We could both use some fresh air and a new beginning. There is no other place better to start!" she pleaded with her.
"Are you sure it would be okay? I mean, with the guys and stuff?" she questioned.
"Of course! Me and JC were already talking about it. Everything is kewl!" she explained as she helped her pack her things.
"Okay then," she hesitated. "Count me in!" October hugged her and hurried out the door to give JC the good news.
"JC, whats wrong?" October asked as she came into the kitchen. JC sat at the table staring into his coffee like he was a million miles away.
"Oh, nothing" he looked up quickly, startled by her sudden presence.
"You look like you are somewhere else" she said with concern as she sat at the table with him.
"I'm fine, hun. It's just that I'm a bit worried about Chris. He's hardly said anything the past week. He hardly sleeps or eats. I'm not sure if he is even going to participate in the album" he replied sadly, putting his hand on hers.
"He'll be okay. He just needs some time. Once we get to Orlando then he will be fine" she added.
"So, you are going with me to Orlando?" his voice turned more positive as he leaned to her.
"Yeah. That's what I came out here to talk to you about. Erica is coming, too. That's alright, isn't it?" she asked cautiously.
"Of course! If thats what she wants to do" he replied and looked down at his cup.
"I think its the best thing to do" she finished as she sat back and watched JC stare into his coffee once again.
"I am so glad to be back home!" JC exclaimed as he streached out in the limo. They just got off the plane and were going back to their house in Orlando. Chris, Lance, Erica, October, Justin and Joey were also in the limo.
"Tell me about it!" Lance added as he sat back.
"Hey girls! Glad we could finally meet ya's!" Justin and Joey both streached out their hands for a shake.
"Same here!" October replied and shook their hands.
"Glad to meet ya, too!" Erica did the same.
"So, how is Brit and Kelly?" JC asked as he reached into the little fridge for a drink.
"She's doing great!" Joey replied
"She's good!" Justin followed.
"Are you doing ok, Chris?" Joey asked, knowing what happened in New York.
Chris just nodded his head without looking at him. He continued to stare out of the window, watching the scenery fly by.
"So, what's on the agenda?" JC jumped in to break the silence while sipping on his soda.
"Well, we have a television appearance tomorrow, a couple small interviews, and a photo shoot" Justin answered.
"And, this is all tomorrow?" JC frowned and put down his soda.
"Yup" Joey replied.
"Well I sure didn't miss all that on my vacation" JC exaggerated.
"You're not the only one!" Justin laughed as the limo stopped in front of their house. They unloaded and settled in.
"Are you going to be okay?" JC asked October the next morning as he got out the shower in their room.
"I'll be fine. Me and Erica will keep each other company" she sat up in bed.
"We just got back and I have to leave you again" he walked over to her.
"I'll be okay" she smiled as he sat down. "What are you guys doing again?"
"Well, we are doing some interviews and then later tonight we will be on Larry King Live, so you better be watchin!" he laughed and pointed at her as he stood up again to put some clothes on. "And, then we are going to stay in a hotel and do the photo shoot tomorrow and then flying back by tomorrow night" he finished in one breath.
"I still can't believe how you guys do that everyday!" she got up out of bed.
"Believe me, I loved every minute of my vacation with you!" he kissed her while still putting on clothes.
"You better get going before you are late!" October started pushing him out the bedroom door before Justin started yelling his name.
"I'm coming!" he yelled back and then turned around. "Ok, I'll see you tomorrow night. I love you" he finished.
"I love you, too" she replied and then kissed him. She walked over to her window and watched the limo drive away.
"Erica! Come in here and watch this with me!" October yelled as she got comfy on the couch and turned on the big screen TV.
"Ok! Ok!" she replied and ran into the room. They watched the show for about a half an hour and noticed Chris had to act "normal" while he was on camera, even though he did show that he wasn't completely happy. No one noticed because he continued to tell jokes and make everyone laugh. Deep down he was hurting.
"Well, we have to ask this question" Larry King directed his attention to Justin.
"I already know what you are going to ask..." Justin continued on about his relationship with Britney. Larry went around the table and asked about girlfriends, starting with Chris. He wouldnt say anything but yet kept his composure. Joey replied with his girlfriend, JC said yes also and said that he "loved her very much" which made October smile from ear to ear. Lance finished up saying that he had no girlfriend.
"Lance should have a girlfriend!" October exclaimed and gave Erica a mean look.
"Give it up!" Erica joked with her and they laughed and continued watching the show.
"So, where are we going?" October asked JC, as they were all in the limo driving through Orlando.
"It's a surprise!" JC replied as the limo travelled down a few more blocks until it stopped in front of Wall St. Cantina's.
"I can't believe we didnt go to some club or something!" Erica asked as she got out the limo and looked up at the little bar that went around the corner.
"We just felt like chillin' tonight and we wouldnt get noticed here" Joey replied.
"Oh, look, karaoke tonight!" October said excitedly as they walked in.
"Nope, no singin' for me!" JC said to her and looked the other way. They sat down and ordered their drinks and after a few minutes, Erica and October decided to sing.
"Go, Opie!" JC yelled from the back of the room. They looked through the songs and decided to sing the one that would come from the heart. The words filled the screen and they started to sing.
Missing You
(Chorus)
Though I'm missing you
I'll find a way to get through
Living without you
'Cause you were my sister, my strength, and my pride
Only God may know why, still I will get by
I would've known, that you had to go
But so suddenly, so bad
How could it be, not a straight memory
Worthy of all that we had made
Now that you're gone, every day I go on
But life's just not the same
I'm so empty inside, and my tears I can't hide
But I'll try, I'll try to face the pain
(Chorus)
Oh, there was so many things
That we could have shared
And time was on our side
Ooh, yeah
Now that you're gone, I can still feel you near
So I'll smile, with every tear I cry
(Chorus)
How sweet, were the losses to spare?
But I'll wait for the day
When I'll see you again, see you again, yeah
(Chorus)
I'm missing you
They finished and everyone cheered for them. The guys were amazed that they could actually sing and even the crowd knew it. They hurried back to the table so that they could sit down.
"That was great!" JC exclaimed and gave her a hug.
"Thanks!" she hugged him back.
Erica did the same thing as October and hugged the first person who wanted to hug her. It was Lance. She pulled away from him and looked into his eyes. He smiled and she smiled back. He had finally caught her in his web.
#5 - Slide