(Joey's POV)
It had barely been three days and already I wanted out. Not because it was cramped, boring, lonely and just unbearable (even though it was), but because Walker had told me that the tour was starting up again. Tonight was opening night, and I was alone in my room since I wasn't allowed to join the tour until tomorrow when I was discharged.
At about 5:30pm (the show had been going for half an hour already), to my surprise, Julia came to visit with a smile splitting her face and carrying a small bundle in her arms. I glanced up from my book when I heard the door open and returned her smile when she sat down.
"You're looking very pleased about something Jules" I greeted her cheekily. She just continued to smile at me.
"Well, you know, the tour's just opened and everything is going really well" she replied cryptically.
"Wait, shouldn't you be down at the theatre then?" I asked, frowning at her briefly.
"They can handle themselves without me there for a bit. Besides, I had a few things to do" she replied, grinning wider.
I was about to ask her what she meant when a nurse walked in carrying a clipboard.
"S'cuse me, but I was told to bring you these forms to sign" she informed us, speaking in a thick Southern drawl.
Curious, I reached out to take the forms, not noticing Julia's grin widen even further. She looked like she was about to burst with excitement. I understood why when I read the heading on the forms.
Patient Discharge Agreement
That's as far as I got. I just sat there in shock before raising my head and meeting Julia's face, a grin to rival her's beginning to creep onto my face.
"But…..how did you…? I mean, I wasn't supposed to get these until tomorrow...I thought that –" she cut me off there with a small chuckle.
"I had a word: Dr Potter said it was fine as long as you were extra careful. I also arranged for us to go straight to the theatre in time to watch the rest of the show. You. Are. Welcome" she finished with a smirk. I leant forward and hugged her: I was so happy.
"Thanks Jules" I whispered, heart beating a mile a minute in elation, smile threatening to split my face in half.
I signed the forms quickly and handed them back to bored-looking nurse. The two women left the room, leaving me to change. Moving slowly, I slipped out of the hospital-issue gown and into the loose shirt and jeans that Julia had brought. She came back into the room just as I was putting my shoes on. Taking my hand, we walked out of the room and down the hallway. We went downstairs and found Corey waiting for us in the waiting room. He smiled broadly when he saw us.
"About time you two showed up" he smirked as he led us out to his waiting car. I was practically leaping out of my skin with excitement, I could hardly sit still. Julia and Corey kept sending amused glances in my direction as we chatted amiably on the way to the theatre.
When we got there, I undid my seatbelt and waiting impatiently for Julia and Corey to follow me inside. Immediately heading backstage, I stood in the wings, hidden from view by the curtains. I itched to be out there, performing and giving the fans what they came here for. But the others were doing such a good job, and plus, I didn't think that Julia would let me. At the same time, I was bursting with happiness for my friends, and the fact that I was backstage watching them perform was enough (only for now, I didn't want to miss too many shows).
I had been standing there for maybe ten minutes when I heard the opening notes for Going Back to Hogwarts – the final song. Smiling, I turned to Julia, who shook her head. My shoulders slumped slightly in disappointment as I turned back to watch. When Jaime started singing the first chorus (superbly I might add), I felt a nudge in my left side. I glanced down and Corey smiling at me as he nodded towards the stage.
"Go on when it's your turn" he told me.
"Is Julia okay with that?" I asked.
"Yeah, I had a word" Corey smirked.
I glanced back at Julia for confirmation. She nodded and mouthed "be careful" before smiling softly. By now, Brian was singing.
"I'll cast some spells with a flick of my wand, defeat the dark arts: yeah bring it on!"
I stepped forward onto the very border of the stage as Corey handed me a microphone.
"And do it all with my best friend Ron, cause together we're totally awesome!" Brian sang.
Just as Joe was about to sing my line, I stepped out onstage and sang as loud as I could.
"Yeah, cause together we're totally awesome!"
It took them all a second to realise I was there, even with the deafening scream of delight from the fans, but once they did, I was engulfed in the biggest StarKid hug of my life. Laughing, I melted into it as the music stopped behind us and the band joined us in the hug. After I had finally managed to disentangle myself, I turned my smile to the fans, who at once squealed very loudly.
"Let's kick this up a notch guys, whaddya say?" Laughing at my obvious show reference, the fans cheered as I turned back to my friends, all of whom were grinning like idiots (though I bet I was too). The band took their places once more and the music began playing. There were wide smiles all around as I sang my next line.
"It's been so long, but we're going back….."
It was true, I thought. It had been so long (it had seemed that way anyway) since we had all performed together as a group. I felt – from what I had heard from those dark and lonely hours when I was unconscious, that it wasn't the same without all of us. Sure this time it was me, but I felt that it would be the same if it had been someone else. Add that to the fact that two weeks really drags by when all you are allowed to do is lie motionless in a hospital bed. But now, I was back where I really belonged.
Fin.
And so ends the story. Thank you all so much for reading/reviewing/following/favouriting. It really means a great deal to me to know that you enjoyed the story, and it encourages me to write more.
Which is why I am proud to announce: Hitting the Road – the sequel to Hard Hit! Yes, you heard right, I am in the process of writing the sequel, and the first chapter is nearly finished. Now, I have a question to ask you lovely people: what do you want to see? I will be taking your opinions and wishes into account in order to complete the sequel. So if you have any ideas/requests/suggestions, leave them in a review or feel free to PM me.
Anyway, this has gone on long enough, so thank you again, and I'll see you in the sequel!
With love,
narnian-starkid
