“I’m fine, I guess you guys are glad to have Chris back.” I laugh and jump up on the counter top while peeling my banana.
“Yeah, he is still trying to beat my racing record but that will never happen.” He smiles, I think it’s the first time I have ever really seen him smile. “He’s a good guy.”
“I think so too.” I giggle as he gets a soda from the fridge.
“So have you and Justin started going out yet or are y’all still in the closest?” He asks me point blank.
“We are just friends, nothing more.” I jump off the counter top leaving what is left of my snack and head back to what is right now my room. The nerve of that man! Where does Scot think he has the right to ask me something like that? I can’t let this upset me, I will not let this upset me. Oh who am I kidding of course this is upsetting me.
“Ready?” Chris asks me as I’m getting my hair and makeup done. No I’m not ready! We are just ten minutes away from our interview on the Today show. My stomach is in knots, I’m shaking, and I don’t want to do this.
“I guess.” Is all I can get out. As much as I would love to go running back to the condo and hide under my bed, I can’t. Chris has done so much for me, and sacrificed so much, how can I not do this for him?
“Hi, are you Flower?” A male voice from behind asks me. I turn to see Matt Lauer standing there smiling at me, well at us. I didn’t know who would be doing the interview, never really asked, guess I know now.
“Yes, hi!” I squeak.
“It’s nice to meet you.” He shakes my hand then looks at Chris. “And you must be the new drummer, Chris right?”
“Yes sir that’s me.” Did Chris just say ‘sir’? Guess I’m not the only one who is nervous.
“Well the others are getting their microphones on, I see you both have yours on already. Good, so when you’re done here just head over to the seating area.” We look over and see the guys sitting there waiting on us. Justin looks up and smiles. I can’t help but smile back, then blush.
The woman doing my hair doesn’t like me much. I want my hair to stay in my clip, she is making me wear it down. It’s so long that it is past the middle of my back. Luckily she is leaving it straight, but flips most of it too one side of my face. When we walk over to the seating area my heart starts racing.
Dave and Scot have taken the only chairs, this leaves Justin, Chris and me with the couch. I go to sit on the end of the couch, so Chris has to sit in the middle but he grunts then points for me to move. I let out a deep sigh then move closer to Justin. I have my hands in my lap and my eyes close, I’m trying to calm my breathing.
Then I hear someone in the background say “Two minutes till Freak Street.” I look up and see Matt Lauer sitting in front of us looking over some papers, how long has he been here?
“Everyone ready?” He asks looking at all of us. Justin answers yes for everyone, but he knows I’m not.
“Breathe” Chris whispers in my ear, then gives me a little hug. I nod at him, I’m doing this for Chris. I just have to keep that in mind and I will be okay, I hope.
We are half way through the interview and it’s going great. The guys are answering questions about the tour, and all the cities and stuff. So far I have only had two questions to answer, both about how I like it being on tour. I’m starting to breathe easier now, because all I really have to do is smile and laugh at the right moments. Then they start talking about John, I feel Justin tense up.
“Justin, would you tell us a little about how John ended up leaving the band?” Matt asked, this story has been told over and over again, why do they keep asking about him?
“John is no longer in the band because he didn’t want to play fair. We are a band of brothers. I do have the most say but we are still a team, he didn’t like this. So he is now gone.” I can feel how uncomfortable he is, I want to reach out and take his hand but I know that’s not a good idea.
“What was the last straw? I know in some of the other interviews you have said that he was almost trying to take over but something must have happened to make him finally leave.” I want to scream at Matt to shut up.
“Matt, as you know this lovely young lady next to me is Chris’s sister. She is on tour with us because Chris is all she has. Their parents died when she was young and Chris has been raising her ever since. Flower is the most amazing girl I have ever met.” I look over at Justin, I should be pissed at him for sharing all that with the world but I just smile at him. “John didn’t want her to stay with us. He tried to find a way to get her to leave and I wouldn’t hear of it. There was a huge fight, and after that I told him to leave. John didn’t quit the band, he was fired.” Oh shit! Justin has never told that to any reporter. He as always danced around the question.
“You fired your bother?” Matt asked while trying not to let his jaw hit the floor.
“Yes, like I said we are all a team but
