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(August 22, Hartford, CT)
The stage had fallen apart. The tour had practically been shut down. Justin was amazed
that management had gotten the show back up and running so quickly. He had been sure the tour had been nixed. It could have
been...if the tour didn't have the funding that it did. Yes, they had missed a week of shows, but it all worked out for the
best. Justin had taken Dru away from the scene for the week. No Danny...no Trace...Christina...Marissa...it was just the two
of them. He had to do it. It was the last chance he had to really bond with her before she left. It had been a good week.
Aside from a video shoot that he had penciled in, he had basically been free the entire time. They had stayed in New York.
They had gone to the Bronx Zoo...Dru had never been to a zoo before. She loved it. That had been the major outing of the vacation.
The rest of the time had been spent shopping...eating out...or simply staying at the hotel and watching movies. Those moments
were precious to him. He would never have the chance to do those things with her again. No more ice cream binges. No more
reading together at night...no...they were both about to move on with their lives.
It was too soon. Justin didn't think
he was going to be able to say goodbye.
The dates missed had been rescheduled, and now the tour was on it's last week.
Tonight they had performed in Connecticut...tomorrow they were off...they were throwing Dru a party. Then they would head
off to Milwaukee and St. Paul for the final two shows of the tour. Aside from the great sadness he felt about Dru leaving...he
was happy. The tour had been great. He had discovered he could be more succesful solo than he could be with a group. He treasured
his art, and was greatful that he was able to show the world what he could do. Trace had suggested that he do a small club
tour after his UK dates in the winter.
He was considering it. It would be a good experience. He liked being able to
get intimate with his audience. Sure, playing huge arenas was definitely a huge thrill...but it was hard to see the fans with
all the lights and the huge set. He wanted an intimate setting. A place he could sit, sing, and play the piano. Yes, he would
do it.
He knocked on the door. Dru hadn't watched the show tonight, which meant she was probably studying. He smiled.
She hated being interrupted when she was studying. He couldn't help himself. He just wanted to be with her...just for a little
while more.
The door opened. She smiled. "Hey. How was the show?"
"Great." He made his way into the room. He
glanced around. "It's nice in here huh?"
She shot him a confused glance. "It's a hotel room."
He laughed. "I
know." Her books were laid out on the floor. "Were you studying D? I'm sorry."
She shrugged. "Don't be. I can study
later."
"Oh...okay."
"Christina wants me to dance with her." Dru said after a moment.
He looked at her
and smiled. "Really?"
She was beeming. "Yeah...she told me today."
He hugged her. "That's great Dru. I'm so
happy for ya." His eyes locked on hers. They were still amazing.
Some people search their whole lives
Never
find what I found in your eyes
Glad I got to get the chance to
Have you in my life
I won't be sad when
I look back
"Are you coming to the party tomorrow?" She asked. "Trace said he got extra ice cream. He said he's
going to make me a giant sundae."
"Of course I'm goin'." He whispered. "Wouldn't miss it." He felt his face begin to
burn. It was taking all of his strength to keep from crying. Dru...she would be gone soon. The thought wouldn't leave his
mind for an instant. Dru...the girl he had picked up from the streets...made into a person...fallen in love with.
She
was leaving.
She leaned her head on his shoulder. "Can we dance Justin. Once last time."
He didn't mind letting
his tears seep out now, because she was crying too. "Yes," he croaked. They didn't need music. At this moment, all they needed
was each other.
I was loved
I was touched
And I learned what love is, and I learned what love is
I
was blessed
So blessed
'Cause i learned what love is, I learned what love is
From loving you
*Song
credit: Mandy Moore, From Loving You
******************
There was a big cake. It said, Good Luck Dru! She could
read it. She wasn't in the dark anymore. She was practically a normal, civilized person...with a few flaws of course. There
were alot of people at the party. Dru didn't know most of them. Christina had pointed out some of her management and crew...the
rest worked for Justin.
"Dru?"
She turned around. Marissa. "Hi." She smiled.
"Gonna miss you." She handed
Dru a smal gift bag. "Gotcha something for those math problems of yours."
She peered inside the bag and lifted the
contraption out of it. It was a calculator. The fancy kind that her teacher sometimes let her use. She smiled. It was thoughtful.
"You didn't have to."
"I wanted to." She wrapped her up in a hug. "Thanks for being you."
Marissa had tears
in her eyes. Dru was surprised. Marissa never cried. "Thanks....for giving me a chance."
"Come on now girls. Don't
ruin your mascara before we cut the damn cake." Trace said, coming up from behind Marissa. "Oh yeah..." he pulled a box out
from behind him. "I gotcha somethin Dru."
She groaned. "I told you guys not to buy me anything."
"We don't listen.
Don't you know that by now?" He thrust the package in her face.
Dru reluctantly tore open the wrapping paper. It was
some sort of video game. Yes, it was like the one Trace always used when he was bored. The Game Boy...yes that was it.
"Somethin
for the plane." Trace told her. "You know...so you won't be bored."
He was sweet. In the beginning she had never imagined
that he could be so sweet. "Thank you Trace." She smiled.
"Just make sure you don't get it stolen out of your pocket."
He told her. "I've been pickpocketed before. It's not fun."
"Don't be a jerk Trace." Marissa chimed in.
Dru
giggled. Yes, she was going to miss them. "Sorry about your wallet Trace. I was different then."
"It's fine D." He
patted her on the shoulder. "I'd take you over a wallet any day."
She smiled. It was a great party.
Danny...Christina...Trace...Marissa...they
were all there...
But where was Justin? She looked at Trace. "Is he coming?"
Trace's smile faded. "I...I dunno
D. I tried to get him to come...but I don't think he's in the mood."
"He said he'd be here." She whispered. "He said
he wouldn't miss it."
"He's a mess Dru." Marissa told her. "You wouldn't want to see him...believe me."
He was
a mess because of her. Dru sighed. For a split second she thought about cancelling everything. No...this was her life. Not
Justins...not anybody else's. It was hers. "I understand."
The party dragged on for a few more hours. Lynn had showed
up. She had given her a bracelet. It was beautiful. It was so beautiful, that Dru was afraid to put it on. Lynn had laughed
at her. Trace made her the giant sundae she had been anticipating. He had helped her eat it too. Sadly, the party, like everything
else had ended all too soon. Dru found herself saying her final goodbyes to members of Justin's team before she knew it. This
was truly the end.
And she hadn't even got to spend a moment of it with Justin.
Was he selfish? No...he was
just upset. Too upset to face her goodbye party. He really loved her. It was true. She knew it was true...because he was letting
go of her. He didn't have to. He could have told her to stay...and she would have...she knew she would have. She was crying
again. Why did saying goodbye have to be so hard? She couldn't win. She wished she could bring Justin with her...have the
best of both worlds. But life didn't work that way. Justin had his own life...his own career. He couldn't go with her. She
had known that from the beginning.
She looked around the room. She was alone. How long had she been standing there?
She didn't know. With a sigh she made her way over to the table where the gifts she had been given sat. She had to find room
for them in her luggage...
"I guess I missed the cake."
Dru gasped. Justin. She whirled around. "You came."
"Sorry
I'm so late."
She stared at him. He looked like he had been crying for hours. She felt awful. "Don't be sorry."
"I-I
uh..." He pulled a single flower out from behind his back. "I didn't know what to get you."
It was a rose. "You didn't
have to get me anything." She whispered.
He approached her. "I wanted to." He handed her the flower.
She took
it. "Thanks."
"What else did you get?"
She got lost in his eyes for a moment. "Oh...I...just some stuff. Trace
gave me a game...Mom gave me a bracelet..."
"Nice."
She bit her bottom lip. "Yeah."
He put his arms
around her. "This is hard Dru."
"I know." She whimpered. "I don't want to leave you."
"But you hafta."
"Yeah."
She clung to him. She never wanted to let go. "You...no one is ever going to replace you. I'll always have a special place
for you Justin. Deep inside."
He sucked in a breath. "I love you D."
She let him rock her in his arms. "Love
you." She got out.
If you're a heart without a home, a rebel without a cause
If you feel as though you're
always stranded on the shore
Like a thief in the night, let me steal your heart away
Baby if for reasons, what
you're looking for
I'll be yours...
He tore away from her and wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeve.
"I'll see you." He said.
"See you."
He rushed away. Dru was left to her thoughts again. It was an emotional
time. A sad time. But for some reason...Dru knew...
It was all going to turn out just fine.
Yes, her heart had
finally found a home.
*Song Credit: Nick Carter, Heart Without A Home
***********************
Dru watched
as the last of her luggage was loaded into the back of the van. She looked back at the hotel. She was sad to leave, but excited
to be starting her life...finally, after all the hardships she had faced. She had said one last goodbye to Justin early that
morning. He hadn't seemed as upset as he had been. He had been ready to say goodbye. He had been happy. Happy for her. Happy
that she had become the strong person she was.
"Justin wanted you to have this," Trace told her, handing her a plain
white envelope.
She took the envelope from him. "What is it?" She asked.
"Paycheck." He told her.
Her
eyes widened. She had forgotten that she was getting money. "Paycheck?"
"Yeah girl." Trace chuckled. "You're gonna
be livin' large now."
She looked at the envelope and then looked back at him. She didn't know what to say. Justin
had already given her so much.
"You sure you got everything?" He asked. "Because I'm gonna raid your hotel room," he
chuckled. "Finders keepers."
She laughed. "I got everything."
He hugged her. "Have a good trip. Don't worry...I'll
make sure his lazy behind calls you." He pulled away from her and ran back up the steps, into the hotel. He vanished from
sight.
"Dru."
She looked toward the van. Danny was smiling, holding his hand out to her. It was time. She started
toward her friend, not sure of what was to come, but not afraid to find out.
She didn't look back.
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