Chapter 4:In Cups of Coffee
Roger POV
We had left last night for New York, and the whole band was psyched. Going back to play for your hometown crowd after you became famous was what every musician could hope for. Of course, we weren't exactly famous…but we were close enough. And the Lower East side of New York wasn't exactly home…but it was also close enough.
"Can you believe this man?" Jesse punched me in the arm. "Going home after a year- being rockstars!" Jesse grinned.
"Yeah, it's big Jess." I yawned.
"Big? This is huge!" He half-yelled, waving his arms around like a lunatic.
I smiled, wishing Jesse could bottle up his enthusiasm for later that night. I pulled my baseball cap over my face and tried to drift off to sleep…of course Jesse wouldn't have it that way.
"So, we have the song list and- oh my God- how many people do you think will be there- what are we going to wear- and-"
I wrapped one arm around his neck and placed my hand firmly over his mouth. "We have five hours Jesse, so we will decide all of that later. But now, now is rest time, okay?" I said releasing him from my grasp.
Jesse sighed but nodded confirmation and I glanced out of the bus window, seeing the city's silhouette in the distance. I grabbed an iced coffee from our mini-fridge and forced the bitter liquid filled with caffeine into my mouth. Might as well enjoy the scenery since sleep would not oblige me.
I heaved a sigh of apprehension as we crossed the border into New York. Mark was near here…he wasn't in New York of course…but I was near him, I could feel it. Of course, it didn't matter. He wouldn't want to hear from me anyways. I mean I hadn't sent a letter, I hadn't called him, I hadn't reached him in any way. He probably hated me…a wave of grief washed over me at the thought of Mark despising me. Of course, then again…maybe he didn't even notice I was gone, maybe he was glad I was gone! Another wave of grief hit me, and I couldn't decide which was worse. Mark hating me, or Mark forgetting me?
"You okay boss?" Adam asked, peering into my pain-stricken face.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine kid. Just tired, ya know." I bluffed.
A skeptical look surfaced on Adam's face, and suddenly I realized that this kid knew a lot more than any of us gave him credit for
"Tired, right. Well, we have five hours, you could sleep." Adam went along with my charade.
"Sleep? With this next to me?" I pointed to Jesse, who was still practically bouncing up and down in excitement.
Adam laughed and then sighed, "I guess so. Well, I'm here if you need me boss." Adam said placing a friendly hand on my shoulder.
Man, for a 16 year old this kid was wise beyond his years.
"Alright kiddo." I ruffled his blonde hair and he pushed my hand away with a smile.
I took another gulp of my coffee and tried to enter dreamland, if not for the rest then for the short escape of the world.