Haha! If you have read them all it makes a bit of sense! But it's going to be a bit like LOST, In the end it will all make sense ;)

I think I've got it....

 

 

 

Guy died, and said that if he ever did, that he would want this "Ben" to take his place.. which is what has happened. and Jonny had an affair with Amy who just married Phil, and Amy is pregnant with Jonny's baby.. and Chris lost gwyneth and his kids somehow?? I don't understand that part yet.. divorce maybe?

 

If you go back and read the earlier chapters it makes more sense now.. Phil talking about how "he would have been 34 today" he's obviously talking about Guy.. and Jonny talking about audtions.. meaning that they have to fill Guy's place. if anyones confused, just go back and read it as a whole.

 

 

That summary makes it sound like a soap opera! :P

 

But...but...GUY! :bigcry:

I think I've got it....

 

 

 

Guy died, and said that if he ever did, that he would want this "Ben" to take his place.. which is what has happened. and Jonny had an affair with Amy who just married Phil, and Amy is pregnant with Jonny's baby.. and Chris lost gwyneth and his kids somehow?? I don't understand that part yet.. divorce maybe?

 

If you go back and read the earlier chapters it makes more sense now.. Phil talking about how "he would have been 34 today" he's obviously talking about Guy.. and Jonny talking about audtions.. meaning that they have to fill Guy's place. if anyones confused, just go back and read it as a whole.

 

 

Pretty spot on so far but....

 

 

 

The name 'Adam' is mentioned, do you know who this is? Can you guess. Also the stuff about Chris will be revealed soon...There is still a few twists and turns along the way, don't you worry! ;), I hope you are enjoying it and enjoy my style of writing! :D

 

Also, Simon, since I don't want to spam the list with multiple entries when a new part of a volume comes out of NMKMFOTG, is it okay if I just update it by volumes? Otherwise it gets too messy

 

Sorry i didn't see this earlier! Yeah, thats fine, I actually changed it to Volumes to make it easier, sorry i didn't explain it but yeah, thats how I want it, thanks! :D

Pretty spot on so far but....

 

 

 

The name 'Adam' is mentioned, do you know who this is? Can you guess. Also the stuff about Chris will be revealed soon...There is still a few twists and turns along the way, don't you worry! ;), I hope you are enjoying it and enjoy my style of writing! :D

 

 

 

hmm since Phil said that Adam would be too young to be his best man, I would guess that Adam is someones son?? maybe Guy? or Phil? I don't know.. that's just a guess. & yes I do like this! it's fun trying to piece it all together :D

 

 

I'm sad to say it, but besides the epilogue, this is the last chapter! :bigcry:

I'm kind of sad to say goodbye to this fic...it was fun to post! :)

 

Chapter 6 of Healing

 

 

When I woke up, I still felt tired. Light was spilling in from the windows, and I blinked against it as my eyes stung. I was about to roll over and go back to sleep when everything came crashing down on me. Chris, attack, hospital, guilt, pain...and Chris was still in my room. I propped myself up on my elbows and checked the clock on the wall. It was two in the afternoon. “Shit.” I muttered, swinging my legs over the side of the couch.

 

I made my way silently to my room, not sure what to expect. The door was open, as I had left it, so I took a tentative step in. It was even lighter in here than it was in the living room. I stopped by the bed, and noticed a Chris-shaped lump in the center. He was stretched out on his back, the comforter pulled up to the bridge of his nose. He looked quite tranquil, and he didn’t seem to have too much trouble breathing, despite his injuries. I wasn’t about to wake him up, so I decided to drift around the kitchen for a while. I heard Chris sigh softly in his sleep before I left.

 

As I wandered aimlessly across the floor of the kitchen, I toyed with the idea of calling Jonny and Guy to let them know what had happened. Jonny would definitely want to know, but I didn’t know if Chris would want him to. I decided in the end not to interfere. If Chris wanted to tell Jonny and Guy what had happened, he would. As I had been debating about whom to call, I had also been preparing something to eat for myself. I would ask Chris what he wanted when he got up.

 

I ended up making some toast, with raspberry jam on one and butter on the other. I was so fucking hungry, but I had barely any food in the flat that was actually filling.

 

I finished those two pieces, and I was beginning to make two more. “Toast.” said a small voice in my ear. I jumped and realized that Chris had startled me again. “Do I get some?” I noticed that his voice was a bit scratchy and there were dark circles under his eyes.

 

“Do you want some?”

 

“That raspberry stuff looks good, man. So do those pills. I think I’ll take one of those too.” He grinned, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. I passed the piece of toast to Chris, along with the bottle of painkillers. I grabbed a glass from the cupboard, filled it with tap water, and gave that to him as well.

 

“Did I wake you? I tried to be quiet.”

 

Chris’s brow furrowed as he rolled his sleeves to his elbows. “No one was in the room when I woke up...”

 

“Oh. Right.” I turned my back to him for a moment, looking out the window into the sunlight.

 

I heard Chris shifting around a bit. “I’m sorry about...um, freaking out on you last night.”

 

“What?” I turned to face him again. Chris rubbed his forearm, looking down at his feet.

 

“If I hadn’t been so tired I might’ve started...crying on you, man.”

 

“Oh. Thank god you were tired, then.” I laughed shortly, although I knew he was serious. I watched him swallow the pill and take a bite of toast, chewing slowly. “Sorry, Chris.”

 

He swallowed (with some difficulty), staring at me in surprise. “For what?”

 

“Everything.”

 

Something changed in his expression. “I told you it wasn’t your fault.”

 

“Doesn’t make it true.” I answered, gripping the countertop.

 

“It is. I don’t blame you!” Chris set his glass down on the table forcefully, making water slosh over the sides and spill onto the wood.

 

“I blame me!” I yelled. For a second, all I wanted was to take a hold of his thin shoulders and shake him. Why wouldn’t he admit it was my fault?

 

Chris mirrored my frustration. “Fuck you! Don’t believe me if you want.” He turned away stiffly, and I could tell that I was just making things worse. “Where are my clothes?” The shirt I’d lent him was slipping farther down his neck, and he tugged it back up.

 

I hung my head, ashamed. “What are you doing?”

 

“I’m leaving.”

 

“How?”

 

“I’m gonna walk.”

 

“No, you’re not. I’m going to drive you. And your clothes are in the hall.” If Chris wanted to leave now, I wasn’t going to stop him. I was pretty sure he’d be all right on his own now anyway; he didn’t really need me.

 

With a jolt, I realized that didn’t matter. I could not let him leave like this. “Chris...wait, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell. I’m sorry.” I tried to push my guilt away, for his sake.

 

Chris’s façade of indifference and anger faded, and he looked lost and uncertain. “I don’t want you to blame yourself,” he said weakly, sinking into a chair. “It’s killing me; thinking that you’re blaming yourself for their actions.”

 

“Okay. Okay, I won’t.” I’ll try.

 

“But you’re still doing it now!” Tears were beginning to form in his eyes once more.

 

“No, I’m not going to, all right? I promise I won’t blame myself.”

 

Chris dipped his head, his shoulders trembling. He took a long breath, and then held out his arms to me. I eyed him uncertainly, knowing exactly what he wanted. “Doesn’t that hurt?” I asked, unmoving.

 

“I don’t care.” He continued to hold his arms out, and began gesturing me over. I sighed softly as I inched towards him. What if I hurt him?

 

Hardly daring to breathe, I pulled him to my chest in a tentative embrace. Chris immediately returned it, holding onto me tightly. We stayed like that for a minute or so, until Chris began to tense up in pain. “Okay, mate...easy.” I muttered. He dropped his arms slowly, giving me an apologetic look.

 

“Sorry.”

 

“What? No, it’s just...your chest, you know.”

 

“No, but...I was okay; it didn’t hurt.”

 

I shook my head; knowing he was lying. Chris scoffed and punched me jokingly in the arm. “I’m tough, Will; pain is good!”

 

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Those pills they gave you have gone to your head.”

 

He gave me a small, crooked smile. “Yes, indeed they have.”

 

 

I'm sad to say it, but besides the epilogue, this is the last chapter! :bigcry:

I'm kind of sad to say goodbye to this fic...it was fun to post! :)

 

Chapter 6 of Healing

 

 

When I woke up, I still felt tired. Light was spilling in from the windows, and I blinked against it as my eyes stung. I was about to roll over and go back to sleep when everything came crashing down on me. Chris, attack, hospital, guilt, pain...and Chris was still in my room. I propped myself up on my elbows and checked the clock on the wall. It was two in the afternoon. “Shit.” I muttered, swinging my legs over the side of the couch.

 

I made my way silently to my room, not sure what to expect. The door was open, as I had left it, so I took a tentative step in. It was even lighter in here than it was in the living room. I stopped by the bed, and noticed a Chris-shaped lump in the center. He was stretched out on his back, the comforter pulled up to the bridge of his nose. He looked quite tranquil, and he didn’t seem to have too much trouble breathing, despite his injuries. I wasn’t about to wake him up, so I decided to drift around the kitchen for a while. I heard Chris sigh softly in his sleep before I left.

 

As I wandered aimlessly across the floor of the kitchen, I toyed with the idea of calling Jonny and Guy to let them know what had happened. Jonny would definitely want to know, but I didn’t know if Chris would want him to. I decided in the end not to interfere. If Chris wanted to tell Jonny and Guy what had happened, he would. As I had been debating about whom to call, I had also been preparing something to eat for myself. I would ask Chris what he wanted when he got up.

 

I ended up making some toast, with raspberry jam on one and butter on the other. I was so fucking hungry, but I had barely any food in the flat that was actually filling.

 

I finished those two pieces, and I was beginning to make two more. “Toast.” said a small voice in my ear. I jumped and realized that Chris had startled me again. “Do I get some?” I noticed that his voice was a bit scratchy and there were dark circles under his eyes.

 

“Do you want some?”

 

“That raspberry stuff looks good, man. So do those pills. I think I’ll take one of those too.” He grinned, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. I passed the piece of toast to Chris, along with the bottle of painkillers. I grabbed a glass from the cupboard, filled it with tap water, and gave that to him as well.

 

“Did I wake you? I tried to be quiet.”

 

Chris’s brow furrowed as he rolled his sleeves to his elbows. “No one was in the room when I woke up...”

 

“Oh. Right.” I turned my back to him for a moment, looking out the window into the sunlight.

 

I heard Chris shifting around a bit. “I’m sorry about...um, freaking out on you last night.”

 

“What?” I turned to face him again. Chris rubbed his forearm, looking down at his feet.

 

“If I hadn’t been so tired I might’ve started...crying on you, man.”

 

“Oh. Thank god you were tired, then.” I laughed shortly, although I knew he was serious. I watched him swallow the pill and take a bite of toast, chewing slowly. “Sorry, Chris.”

 

He swallowed (with some difficulty), staring at me in surprise. “For what?”

 

“Everything.”

 

Something changed in his expression. “I told you it wasn’t your fault.”

 

“Doesn’t make it true.” I answered, gripping the countertop.

 

“It is. I don’t blame you!” Chris set his glass down on the table forcefully, making water slosh over the sides and spill onto the wood.

 

“I blame me!” I yelled. For a second, all I wanted was to take a hold of his thin shoulders and shake him. Why wouldn’t he admit it was my fault?

 

Chris mirrored my frustration. “Fuck you! Don’t believe me if you want.” He turned away stiffly, and I could tell that I was just making things worse. “Where are my clothes?” The shirt I’d lent him was slipping farther down his neck, and he tugged it back up.

 

I hung my head, ashamed. “What are you doing?”

 

“I’m leaving.”

 

“How?”

 

“I’m gonna walk.”

 

“No, you’re not. I’m going to drive you. And your clothes are in the hall.” If Chris wanted to leave now, I wasn’t going to stop him. I was pretty sure he’d be all right on his own now anyway; he didn’t really need me.

 

With a jolt, I realized that didn’t matter. I could not let him leave like this. “Chris...wait, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell. I’m sorry.” I tried to push my guilt away, for his sake.

 

Chris’s façade of indifference and anger faded, and he looked lost and uncertain. “I don’t want you to blame yourself,” he said weakly, sinking into a chair. “It’s killing me; thinking that you’re blaming yourself for their actions.”

 

“Okay. Okay, I won’t.” I’ll try.

 

“But you’re still doing it now!” Tears were beginning to form in his eyes once more.

 

“No, I’m not going to, all right? I promise I won’t blame myself.”

 

Chris dipped his head, his shoulders trembling. He took a long breath, and then held out his arms to me. I eyed him uncertainly, knowing exactly what he wanted. “Doesn’t that hurt?” I asked, unmoving.

 

“I don’t care.” He continued to hold his arms out, and began gesturing me over. I sighed softly as I inched towards him. What if I hurt him?

 

Hardly daring to breathe, I pulled him to my chest in a tentative embrace. Chris immediately returned it, holding onto me tightly. We stayed like that for a minute or so, until Chris began to tense up in pain. “Okay, mate...easy.” I muttered. He dropped his arms slowly, giving me an apologetic look.

 

“Sorry.”

 

“What? No, it’s just...your chest, you know.”

 

“No, but...I was okay; it didn’t hurt.”

 

I shook my head; knowing he was lying. Chris scoffed and punched me jokingly in the arm. “I’m tough, Will; pain is good!”

 

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Those pills they gave you have gone to your head.”

 

He gave me a small, crooked smile. “Yes, indeed they have.”

 

 

Great great great!I don't want it to end though :confused::confused:

No one wants Chris's suffering to end! :uhoh2:

 

lol.

No one wants Chris's suffering to end! :uhoh2:

 

lol.

 

hahaha.yeah....I just think Will is adorable in this

He is rather sweet and caring...:thinking:

 

I wonder if that's how he would really be in this situation. Hmm...if Chris was really an injured, emotional mess...I think he would be like this, yeah.

I'm sad to say it, but besides the epilogue, this is the last chapter! :bigcry:

I'm kind of sad to say goodbye to this fic...it was fun to post! :)

 

Chapter 6 of Healing

 

 

When I woke up, I still felt tired. Light was spilling in from the windows, and I blinked against it as my eyes stung. I was about to roll over and go back to sleep when everything came crashing down on me. Chris, attack, hospital, guilt, pain...and Chris was still in my room. I propped myself up on my elbows and checked the clock on the wall. It was two in the afternoon. “Shit.” I muttered, swinging my legs over the side of the couch.

 

I made my way silently to my room, not sure what to expect. The door was open, as I had left it, so I took a tentative step in. It was even lighter in here than it was in the living room. I stopped by the bed, and noticed a Chris-shaped lump in the center. He was stretched out on his back, the comforter pulled up to the bridge of his nose. He looked quite tranquil, and he didn’t seem to have too much trouble breathing, despite his injuries. I wasn’t about to wake him up, so I decided to drift around the kitchen for a while. I heard Chris sigh softly in his sleep before I left.

 

As I wandered aimlessly across the floor of the kitchen, I toyed with the idea of calling Jonny and Guy to let them know what had happened. Jonny would definitely want to know, but I didn’t know if Chris would want him to. I decided in the end not to interfere. If Chris wanted to tell Jonny and Guy what had happened, he would. As I had been debating about whom to call, I had also been preparing something to eat for myself. I would ask Chris what he wanted when he got up.

 

I ended up making some toast, with raspberry jam on one and butter on the other. I was so fucking hungry, but I had barely any food in the flat that was actually filling.

 

I finished those two pieces, and I was beginning to make two more. “Toast.” said a small voice in my ear. I jumped and realized that Chris had startled me again. “Do I get some?” I noticed that his voice was a bit scratchy and there were dark circles under his eyes.

 

“Do you want some?”

 

“That raspberry stuff looks good, man. So do those pills. I think I’ll take one of those too.” He grinned, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. I passed the piece of toast to Chris, along with the bottle of painkillers. I grabbed a glass from the cupboard, filled it with tap water, and gave that to him as well.

 

“Did I wake you? I tried to be quiet.”

 

Chris’s brow furrowed as he rolled his sleeves to his elbows. “No one was in the room when I woke up...”

 

“Oh. Right.” I turned my back to him for a moment, looking out the window into the sunlight.

 

I heard Chris shifting around a bit. “I’m sorry about...um, freaking out on you last night.”

 

“What?” I turned to face him again. Chris rubbed his forearm, looking down at his feet.

 

“If I hadn’t been so tired I might’ve started...crying on you, man.”

 

“Oh. Thank god you were tired, then.” I laughed shortly, although I knew he was serious. I watched him swallow the pill and take a bite of toast, chewing slowly. “Sorry, Chris.”

 

He swallowed (with some difficulty), staring at me in surprise. “For what?”

 

“Everything.”

 

Something changed in his expression. “I told you it wasn’t your fault.”

 

“Doesn’t make it true.” I answered, gripping the countertop.

 

“It is. I don’t blame you!” Chris set his glass down on the table forcefully, making water slosh over the sides and spill onto the wood.

 

“I blame me!” I yelled. For a second, all I wanted was to take a hold of his thin shoulders and shake him. Why wouldn’t he admit it was my fault?

 

Chris mirrored my frustration. “Fuck you! Don’t believe me if you want.” He turned away stiffly, and I could tell that I was just making things worse. “Where are my clothes?” The shirt I’d lent him was slipping farther down his neck, and he tugged it back up.

 

I hung my head, ashamed. “What are you doing?”

 

“I’m leaving.”

 

“How?”

 

“I’m gonna walk.”

 

“No, you’re not. I’m going to drive you. And your clothes are in the hall.” If Chris wanted to leave now, I wasn’t going to stop him. I was pretty sure he’d be all right on his own now anyway; he didn’t really need me.

 

With a jolt, I realized that didn’t matter. I could not let him leave like this. “Chris...wait, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell. I’m sorry.” I tried to push my guilt away, for his sake.

 

Chris’s façade of indifference and anger faded, and he looked lost and uncertain. “I don’t want you to blame yourself,” he said weakly, sinking into a chair. “It’s killing me; thinking that you’re blaming yourself for their actions.”

 

“Okay. Okay, I won’t.” I’ll try.

 

“But you’re still doing it now!” Tears were beginning to form in his eyes once more.

 

“No, I’m not going to, all right? I promise I won’t blame myself.”

 

Chris dipped his head, his shoulders trembling. He took a long breath, and then held out his arms to me. I eyed him uncertainly, knowing exactly what he wanted. “Doesn’t that hurt?” I asked, unmoving.

 

“I don’t care.” He continued to hold his arms out, and began gesturing me over. I sighed softly as I inched towards him. What if I hurt him?

 

Hardly daring to breathe, I pulled him to my chest in a tentative embrace. Chris immediately returned it, holding onto me tightly. We stayed like that for a minute or so, until Chris began to tense up in pain. “Okay, mate...easy.” I muttered. He dropped his arms slowly, giving me an apologetic look.

 

“Sorry.”

 

“What? No, it’s just...your chest, you know.”

 

“No, but...I was okay; it didn’t hurt.”

 

I shook my head; knowing he was lying. Chris scoffed and punched me jokingly in the arm. “I’m tough, Will; pain is good!”

 

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Those pills they gave you have gone to your head.”

 

He gave me a small, crooked smile. “Yes, indeed they have.”

 

SQUEE! that was SOO good!! :D i loved it!

 

it's still so hard picturing chris in pain though!:bigcry::bomb:

i'm glad he got a little bit better in the end!:D

 

very very good story!:clap:

Thank you! :hug:

He is rather sweet and caring...:thinking:

 

I wonder if that's how he would really be in this situation. Hmm...if Chris was really an injured, emotional mess...I think he would be like this, yeah.

 

Will only pretends to be tough.That's what drummers do.I'm sure he's absolutely lovely....even with Chris ;)

Kyra that was great :nice: Cute ending, I liked it :wacky:

 

Simon you need to compile Volume Two into one post :P

dp

Aww good ending. Kind of wish it wasn't over.

While I admit that Miss Lestrade's tale wasn't necessarily my taste in style, it's a cute story from a writing perspective, so great job on the whole thing. :):)

 

5142 - I need to re-read these, as I'm still lost. But if that was your goal, then you're certainly succeeding. :D

He is rather sweet and caring...:thinking:

 

I wonder if that's how he would really be in this situation. Hmm...if Chris was really an injured, emotional mess...I think he would be like this, yeah.

 

I think he definitely would be :)

Will only pretends to be tough.That's what drummers do.I'm sure he's absolutely lovely....even with Chris ;)

 

yes I completely agree, he just puts on an act.. I'm sure he is a sweetheart :heart:

I'm sad to say it, but besides the epilogue, this is the last chapter! :bigcry:

I'm kind of sad to say goodbye to this fic...it was fun to post! :)

 

Chapter 6 of Healing

 

 

 

 

 

I haven't been around for a while, so I read your story now, and I like your writing style.

 

The story is lovely! :D

 

Simon you need to compile Volume Two into one post :P

 

I will :D, When I've finshed it :)

No More Keeping My Feet On The Ground

 

VOLUME TWO

PART FIVE: Chris

 

 

February 9th 2015,

 

Dear Diary,

Phil got married today. A beautiful wedding. The lucky bastard. He's got a great wife and from what I have heard, they might be having kids! I'm sick of Gwyneth at the moment. One of these days I might just walk out!

 

==========================

 

March 9th 2015,

 

Dear Diary,

It was a moment of madness I promise. I have to go now, I need to get away. I'm sorry for what I have done but If I had the chance- I would do it again!

 

Thanks for your comments, everyone! It's really great to have people read my stories and like them. :laugh3:

 

I'll post the epilogue sometime in a few hours. I just need to fix it up. :nice:

No More Keeping My Feet On The Ground

 

VOLUME TWO

 

 

 

 

 

PART ONE : Phil

 

May 2nd, 2011

 

Dear Diary,

Me and Emily are getting married! I can't wait, we're hoping to have it in the summer. Life is looking great. We have already talked about kids and are trying for one! I'm hoping for a little Phil, she is hoping for a little Emily. We will have to see. One step at a time.

 

======================

 

11th November, 2014

 

Dear Diary,

Me and Amy are getting married! I have moved on from Emily. She would of wanted me to get married to someone else as I didn't get married to her. This is going to be great and hopefully nothing will go wrong this time. Jonny, Will and of course Chris have said that they will come. I am going to ask Chris to be my best man. I would love Adam to be best man but I think he is a little bit too young.

 

======================

 

PART TWO: Guy

 

July 19th 2010,

 

Dear Diary,

We are performing for the Queen. Yes- The Queen, tomorrow. It's going to be the most important gig of our career. It has to go perfect. I can't wait but I am a bit nervous.

 

====================

 

January 26th, 2011

 

Dear Diary,

I met a guy named Ben today. He's a bass player in a band named 'Twisted Doors'. He's a great player. You know, if I ever left Coldplay, I would want him to replace me haha. Just joking.

 

======================

 

PART THREE: Will

 

November 2nd 2011,

 

Dear Diary,

I went to see Guy in hospital today. I can't believe what he did. That he could try to take his own life. Jonny didn't even turn up to see him and Chris wasn't saying much, Phil was on holiday.

 

=====================

 

February 9th 2015,

 

Dear Diary,

Today was a nice day. Phil got married to Amy today. Jonny was sitting there all smug and Phil was oblivious. He's got an evil streak in him has Jonny. Chris was there, he was best man, he was so proud but he's not himself either. Maybe after the loss of Guy, he's taken it to heart. I asked Chris if the band could get back together again today aswell. He said no and we moved on to a different subject.

 

======================

 

PART FOUR: Jonny

 

November 2nd 2011,

 

Dear Diary,

I met a girl today. She was nice. She said she wanted to have an affair with me. We slept together. I don't even know her name! I don't know what to do. I don't want to upset Chloe.

 

======================

 

February 6th 2015,

 

Dear Diary,

I went to see Amy today. She told me that she was pregnant and that she thought it was mine. I didn't know what to say, I would like another kid but what about Chloe? She doesn't even know about any of this. I told Amy not to marry Phil but she said she had to and that she still loves Phil.

 

======================

 

PART FIVE: Chris

 

February 9th 2015,

 

Dear Diary,

Phil got married today. A beautiful wedding. The lucky bastard. He's got a great wife and from what I have heard, they might be having kids! I'm sick of Gwyneth at the moment. One of these days I might just walk out!

 

==========================

 

March 9th 2015,

 

Dear Diary,

It was a moment of madness I promise. I have to go now, I need to get away. I'm sorry for what I have done but If I had the chance- I would do it again

 

==========================

 

Well, I finished it. Last part of Healing EVER. Unless there's a sequel.

 

 

 

 

Which there probably won't be.

 

Epilogue of Healing

 

Lol, it's as long as a chapter! :laugh3:

 

 

 

Jonny was sitting on the couch with Chris, holding the bowl of popcorn. He was shoving handfuls into his mouth without even paying attention to what he was doing, and Chris would occasionally poke his fingers in to grab a piece. Guy sat cross-legged on the floor, and I had taken the armchair behind him.

 

We had been watching the original Die Hard, but now that it was over, Guy had flipped through the channels until he’d finally found his favorite cartoon, Spongebob. I had protested his choice vehemently, but he’d thrown the remote into the far corner of the room, and I was too lazy to retrieve it. So we watched Spongebob. Chris enjoyed it immensely, and kept up a steady commentary with Guy. Even I began to like it, appreciating its humor. Jonny was the same, and soon we were all laughing like kids.

 

I occasionally glanced over at Chris. He wouldn’t laugh as loudly as the rest of us, because it still pained him a bit to do so.

 

It turns out he had told Jonny about that night, and Guy as well. Although it had been a few weeks since then, we all preferred to have him close by, and Jonny especially would do everything he could to make Chris more comfortable. Chris pretended not to mind the careful handling, but I could see it was beginning to get on his nerves. He was constantly trying to convince us to go out with our girlfriends and leave him behind.

 

“Hey, Ali, pass the popcorn.” chirped Guy. The bassist had taken up the duty of thinking up clever nicknames for Chris that referenced boxing.

 

“That’s getting a bit old, don’t you think?” Chris snapped as he threw the empty bowl at Guy’s back.

 

“Ouch!”

 

“Ha! You didn’t even see that coming.” Jonny chuckled.

 

“Oi, Will! Think you can pop some more?” asked Chris, tapping his feet together.

 

I turned to face him, my eyebrows raised. “You’re closer to the kitchen.”

 

“Mm...yeah, true.” Chris made to get up, but Jonny shoved him lightly back down.

 

“I’ll get it,” he offered. Guy tossed him the bowl, and Jonny took off into the kitchen.

 

Chris looked back at me, a small spark of frustration in his eyes, and I shrugged apologetically.

 

I was suddenly reminded of a conversation we’d had a few days back.

 

 

 

‘He’s looking out for you; he wants to make sure you’re okay.’

 

‘But when will things get back to normal?’ he asked, sitting up against the wall. The sky was a dark, stone gray, and rain was streaming down the windowpanes. For some reason, Chris seemed to love staring at it.

 

‘I don’t know...soon.’ I said slowly, sticking my drumsticks in their respective pouches.

 

‘It’s just frustrating.’ Chris muttered, tracing the tracks of the raindrops with his finger.

 

‘I know. But give it time, mate. You’ve got the patience of a toddler!’ I ruffled his hair teasingly, and he practically squeaked in indignation.

 

‘Stop!’

 

‘You stop worrying! Just heal first.’ I suggested, throwing my tote bag over my shoulder. Chris merely grumbled incoherently as he got his things together. ‘Here are the keys, you can lock up.’ I said as I began to walk out the door.

 

‘No, wait. I’ll be ready in five seconds.’ Chris struggled into his jacket and bounded after me.

 

 

When Jonny came back with fresh popcorn, Chris wore a genuine smile. “Love ya, man.”

 

Jonny grinned sheepishly at Chris's words and handed the bowl to him, who took a handful of popcorn before he passed it over to Guy.

 

I scowled at Chris as he flicked a few of the kernels at me, grinning happily. I flicked them back, the most at ease I’d been in days.

 

Maybe we weren’t completely healed yet, but we were definitely close.

 

“Hellooo...Earth to William...” Guy chanted, waving his fingers in my face. I blinked and snapped out of my reverie. “What were you thinking about?” Guy asked. His gaze was surprisingly perceptive.

 

I shrugged, focusing on the television. “Nothing.”

 

“He just likes to zone out.” I heard Chris say.

 

“I think you’re getting me confused with yourself.” I snapped.

 

Yeah...things were nearly back to normal.

 

 

-fini-

 

 

 

 

Here's a cute celebratory pic of Chris and Will. :P