Jim's Folly

Angel, baby, Andy's….no wait. Argh. I was going to say he's fourteen, but he's not, is he…Rats.

Mia, darling…Andrew is…#1, gone…, #2, not Jim's child. They're married. They want a child of their own….y'know. Their creation.

Goodness me. After this chapter, you'll probably think me a freak for having a small crush on Avery, our newest JF member. He's pretty. Picture a J-Pop star like Miyabi. Yes, pretty like him. Look here and here's an example of Avery's 'style.' crysania.com /file/images/jrock/dlq_photo01-miyabi.jpg

Get rid of the spaces and you can see a picture of the oh-so-pretty Miyavi. Kind scary that that's a man, but hey. That's hip in Japan.

Chapter Forty Three

Avery sat in the main living room of the hotel. The room was currently unoccupied save for him and Andrew, who sat in an easy chair with his feet up on the table. It was half past two in the morning and neither of the boys could sleep. Simon was zonked in his room, Brock had been asleep for hours. Andrew had been pacing mindlessly when Avery knocked on the door in hopes his new friend was awake.

Andrew had many chances to study Avery when they were together because Avery was definitely not one for eye contact. Andrew found that Avery's funniest habit was the way he played with his tongue ring. It was rarely in his mouth unless he was speaking or singing. When thinking or waiting, the green barbell was visible through his teeth.

Andrew found Avery to be beautiful in a strange way. His kind was awe-inspiring and Andrew was almost afraid of how much he studied his new friend.

It was a few days since Andrew's audition and now they were waiting for the time when they'd travel a few hours to a larger town on Capernaeuma that would test Andrew's singing capabilities and see if he was really set for stardom.

In those few days, Avery had changed his appearance radically. His hair was bleached white now and the tips were black. He had also gotten himself some colored contacts. He told Andrew he wanted to be different, so his eyes were now light blue. The darkness of his irises originally seeped through the contacts giving Avery's eyes a starry, mystical look.

As Andrew stared at his shoes to divert his attention, Avery played the piano. Claiming he was 'doodling' on the keys, he played beautiful minuets and boleros, biting his lip and playing with his tongue ring as he played.

Andrew was stunned at his talent. "Does anyone else know you can play like this?" he questioned. Avery shrugged and stopped playing, turning to face the younger boy.

"No one cares, if they do know. My music isn't the…type to involve a piano. I play the guitar, though. I'm just sick of that instrument…for now."
"You get inspired sometimes?" Andrew asked, meeting the older boy's eyes. Avery nodded, a tiny smile lighting on the corners of his lips.

"I love my guitar…yet I hate it at the same time. It's a vicious cycle…" He paused. "Do you play any instruments?"

Andrew shook his head. "My throat, I guess?" he answered with a laugh. Avery shrugged. "No better instrument than the human voice," he agreed.

Andrew was quiet for a moment. "So when did you start singing?"

"Your age," Avery said quietly. He stood and sat on the arm of the chair Andrew was in. Andrew hadn't noticed Avery's long, painted nails, either. At least…not until they dug into his cheeks while Avery clenched Andrew's face in his hand.

"Don't be afraid, Andy, but…stardom is everything you don't want it to be. If you truly love your life the way it is, turn back now."

Andrew, for the first time in a long time, found himself able to stare directly into Avery's eyes. "Why?"

The nails dug in harder, stinging slightly. "They'll change you. You won't be the same. Ever. I used to be sweet and innocent like you, you know." He paused and looked at his other hand, decorated with rings and bracelets. He looked at the nails and chuckled, releasing Andrew's face.

"I love how I sing, Andy, don't get me wrong. It's just…the management. They're nuts. You can't be famous in this day and age without having to sacrifice everything you've ever known."
Avery stood and turned to leave. "Think about what I said before we leave on Monday, 'kay?"

Andrew tore his eyes away and nodded. "Yeah…I will."
Andrew wanted to change. He'd already sacrificed anything. There was nothing to lose.

---

"You call yourself Ricky?" the manager of Fiero Records asked Andrew that afternoon on Monday.

Avery hadn't spoken with Andrew since that morning when Andrew had decided to go.

Even though he'd been impressed with Andrew the moment Andrew had leapt forth into song, Avery had taken a strange turn and urged Andrew with everything he had to let this go. Give up stardom and enjoy life the way he was supposed to. Avery wanted him to enjoy life on his behalf. On every broken star's dream.

"Yeah. Ricky."
"Got a last name, kid?" the manager, Darryl asked.

Andrew smirked. "Not yet."

"Jordan," Avery called to Darryl. "Ricky Jordan's his name." Avery's arms were crossed and his expression cold. Nonetheless, Andrew couldn't help but be thankful for his newest friend.

"Yeah. That's what my name is," Andrew concurred.

Darryl raised an eyebrow and shrugged, taking notes. "Not as catchy as Avery December, but it'll have to do…maybe we'll change your name later," he muttered. Andrew caught Avery's eye; Avery raised an eyebrow as if to say "See?"

Andrew blinked. "I have no songs to sing, if you were wondering."
"Do a cover. Sing Avery's song." Darryl didn't even look up. Standing, Andrew realized how much taller Darryl was compared to him. A young girl entered the room and smiled. "Oh good, I'm just in time!"

Darryl sent Andrew into the soundproof room.

"Sing a line or two from Avery's song."

Andrew nodded, swallowed and glanced nervously at Avery who feigned a smile and gave him a thumbs up.

Andrew licked his lips and tried to moisten his throat as he constantly swallowed. His hands were in his pockets. He was trembling.

Moving closer to the speaker, he took a breath and opened his mouth. Trying to loosen a first note, his voice cracked and he began to cough. Darryl sighed in frustration.

"What's his problem?"

Avery's eyes were alert and his arms had uncrossed. He opened the door to the soundproof room, glared at Darryl and put his hands on Andrew's shoulders, looking down at the younger boy. His words to Andrew were hushed, but the entire crew could tell he was making a world of difference.

"You don't have to do this, Andy. But…I know you have reasons. I don't know what they are, but if you want to make it big, you have to sing. Trust me, this is nerve wracking. I've been there too many times, Andy. You can't let them know you're scared or they'll squash you, got it?"

Andrew sighed. "I can't sing in front of these people…it won't mean anything to them."
Avery's eyes softened and he smiled. "It'll mean something to me. Sing to me," he said quietly, patting his friend on the head and winking.

"Try again?" Avery said, loud enough for Darryl to hear.

Brock was waiting for Avery, frowning. When the young popstar returned to his side, Brock turned to Avery and nodded. "You know, if we change his look a little, you two would make a fabulous duet."

Avery lowered his eyebrows and narrowed his eyes. "Let him get his first song out, hey?"

Brock grinned and glanced at Simon, who bit his thumbnail nervously as Andrew tried to sing once more. This time, his voice came out smoothly. As Simon studied his son, he realized Andrew was relying on Avery for the only confidence he was showing.

Simon was hurt when he saw Avery's proud smile. Too bad Andrew found comfort in a friend of three days instead of in his very own father.

---

Jim, wrapped in a blanket to ward of the impending cold, stared into the starry night on the balcony. Raven was spending some time watching a girly movie with Sarah and Leland had gone to bed already.

Jim smiled when he heard the cranking of metal behind him. He'd talk with Silver.

The old cyborg leaned on the railing and glanced at Jim.

"So, what's out here, Jimbo?" he asked quietly. Jim shrugged. "I'm just thinking, I guess."
"You mad at yerself," Silver stated, looking into the sky. Jim smirked at the irony. Silver knew him so well he didn't even have to ask questions anymore.

"Well, Silver, you know this is all my fault," Jim replied quietly. Silver looked at Jim and frowned. "You talking about Raven and you?"

"Yeah," Jim said. "Miscarriages are common, but…it's too much and apparently infertility's in my family or something," he muttered, his brows furrowing together in frustration.

Silver smirked.

"What's funny about that? I want to have a child with my wife and that's funny how?" Jim asked rather feisty in his tone of voice.

Silver smiled wider. "You've always been too hard on yerself, Jimbo my boy. Give it time. You'll have a child, just you wait. It's not time, I guess."

"Oh, and you know when that time is?" Jim asked, cocking his head in sarcasm.

Silver chuckled and shook his head, opening and closing his mechanical hand. "No, Jimbo, I don't. But you do. Wait for it, eh?"

Silver walked off and Jim frowned, watching the large cyborg hobble off. Odd.

This man knew so much…yet he'd explained so little to Jim…

Jim frowned. "Perhaps it was all those drugs I took."
He never even considered that! Perhaps all those drugs he'd taken so long ago had killed all possible means of sperm left in his entire system! Dead! The drugs. They killed any chances of him having children. That had to be it.

Chewing on his lip, Jim nodded. He'd have to go to the doctor and ask about that, but it made perfect sense. Drugs were the cause of the miscarriages his wife was having. Infertility. Bah.

---

Author's Note: Avery's cute little tongue ring habit? My coworker does that. It's funny, gross and cute at the same time. Weird, eh?