Point Of View 2 [*Do not read until you've read the same chapter of ATW]

Chapter 40 & 41 The Serpent/ Beautiful Things

*Trisha*

I had no choice but to tell Nate's band a little of what's been going on. They knew something was up by the way Nate was missing rehearsals and sound checks left and right. Of course they understood. But the show must go on and Nate knows it. 

He's nervous. Really nervous.  All day he's been trying to keep his emotions in check knowing everything is out of control back home. I genuinely feel bad for Julia right now and am glad Paul is with her. I can't imagine what she must be feeling. But while she's there, I need to make sure everything runs smoothly for the concert tonight. Leslie is already on my back. 

Nate comes into the rec room looking sharp. A white button-down shirt and jeans will be the first outfit of the night. He is in fake it till he makes it mode. I can see it in his eyes. It kills me to see that sadness. This job takes a toll on you even when you DON'T have shit going on. This industry is brutal. They expect the best of the best every time you step foot out on that stage and Nate knows it.

"You've got this, mate." One of Nate's bandmembers', Tommy, pats his shoulder while Holly fixes Nate's hair, and I adjust his mic cord.

"Hey," I say softly and turn Nate to focus on me for a moment. "Look at me. Last concert, ok? Last performance and then you get three weeks off." I hand him his guitar and he's off.

"He's not in a good place right now." Jonah says.  as I watch the concert from backstage. "How can anyone expect him to perform?"

"He'll be fine." Leslie walks to the other side of the room with her clipboard and I sigh deeply.

"She's brutal, huh?" Casey shakes her head. This is the first concert Casey is sitting out. We all know this night is stressful for Nate. No one can enjoy it knowing there's all sorts of stuff going on. So, Casey decides to watch from backstage with me and Jonah. 

You always know the second Nate goes on stage. The noise from the roaring crowd is deafening.

Fake it till you make it, Nate. One last time.

*****

*James*

"You really sure you want to do this?" Gwen asks me while we are at the flower shop.

"What. Buy Julia flowers?" I raise a brow in sarcasm.

"No, jackass. Go to the Avalon again." She punches my shoulder a little. Like that would hurt in the slightest. I laugh at my sister and pick out Julia's favorite flowers. Daisies. Julia loves daisies.

I ignore my sister and pay for the flowers with, yes, one of Nate's many prepaid Visa cards he gave everyone a long time ago.  Eventually I'm going to need to get better enough to start working again. Maybe at the Marriott. I miss my job. I miss Al and that crazy Spanish cleaning lady who is always flirting. I miss working. Crazy, right? 

But until my brain heals, and my coordination is better, working on computers, answering phones and folding pool towels just isn't going to happen.

Walking through the Avalon halls with the nurse always puts me on edge. Don't get me wrong, this place is gorgeous. But it's the people IN this place that creep me out. Some are just regular people or celebrities trying to detox from their addiction but some people.... they just LOOK crazy without having to even say two words.

I keep my eyes focused forward as the nurse escorts me to Julia's room.

No.

I stand still in shock at the sight of Julia. She's restrained. Both wrists and ankles. Her eyes are red and puffy with tears streaming down. Yet... she looks calm. She looks like a person who should NOT be in restraints is what she looks like.