The 8th Addition (No Rules Series-Book3)

Chapter3: Erica's Past

CHAPTER THREE: ERICA’S PAST

January 4, 2005

 It’s the next day at 8pm, and Erica just returned to the house from an all-day recording session. She arrived at EMI at 5 in the morning. She put her voice on the songs that No Rules recorded for their up-coming-yet-now-delayed third CD, Redemption. (The CD was supposed to be released in January, but since Erica joined NR, the CD has been pushed to around late March/early April. There was even a CD cover out, but now it‘s been taken down.) She still has more songs to record, but she was allowed to stop at 6pm.

 If Erica was able to go to her new home, she couldn’t she was sent straight to a posh salon. She had her hair straighten, cut in layers, and dyed in dark blonde. Then she was given a sizing for her new outfit, which had a punk-rock look.

 After all that, Erica was finally back at the house. Sophie came out of the kitchen/dining room when she saw her. She exclaimed, “Wow, you’re really blonde!”

 Erica said tiredly, “Yeah, after a full day of recording, I was sent to a salon. Now I to go to bed in an hour cuz I have another day of recording. Is there anything to eat?”

 “We just finished eating, but Alex made enough food for you.”

 “Wait, Alex cooks? I thought the chaperone cooks.”

 “She does most of the time, but because most of the members are 18, the chaperone comes once a week.”

 So Erica went to the kitchen/dining room. She sat down, and Alex gave her a plate. He also gave her smile. She told him, “Alex, I’m sorry I asked about your arms.”

 Alex sighed, and said, “It’s okay, I guess. You’re now part of No Rules, you have to know what’s going on.”

 Erica started to eat quickly. This was the second time the members saw her do this. The first time was the night before.

 Alex asked, “Was everything alright back at your home?”

 Erica scoffed, “What home is there if you live in the worst neighbourhood in all of London?”

 Everyone looked at Hannah for an answer because she’s from London. She replied, “How am I supposed to know which neighbourhood? I’m from the West End.”

 Edward asked, “Erica, what part of London are you from?”

 She replied, “The East End.”

 Mariana asked, “But aren’t you and your family homeless?”

 Erica answered, “Yes, and I have no family.”

 “Why you say that?”

 That struck a nerve with her, so she said angrily, “They’re all dead! My parents and their unborn child! I have no siblings! My entire rich family from North London completely rejected me because my parents were broke! They never offered to raise me! I’ve been in foster home after foster home, until I just  ran away. Are you happy? You got your f*cking answer!”

 The members were shocked when they heard that. Then they noticed she was tearing up, so Erica stormed out.

 Thirty minutes later, Alex entered the Erica/Sophie/Ashley room to see if Erica was there. He saw her lying on her futon. He asked her quietly, “Erica, are you awake?”

 She replied with her head covered with a pillow “What do you want?”

 “I’m sorry that you had a hard life. Things will get better.”

 Erica lifted her head up to face Alex, and said, “For a somewhat emo guy who pretends to be an arse, you seem very nice.”

 “I had a bad life, but after hearing about your life, it’s nothing compared to mine.”

 Then Erica explained: “It’s not the full story. My parents and I used to live in North London. But a few years ago, they lost their jobs. They couldn’t afford to live their lives there, so we moved to East London. It was f*cked up when their relatives wouldn’t take us in. I was forced to live like a poor person since I used to be very spoilt. Around late 2003, as we were driving to North London to visit our relatives for a Christmas party, we were in car accident. My parents died, whilst I lived. My mum was pregnant at the time. The baby would’ve been my first ever sibling, but the baby died too. My stuck-up relatives never offered to take me in.

 “So I forced into the foster care system. But after moving around so much, I just ran away. I dropped out of school with some of my friends. They were also runaways. We lived in empty houses and flats. I would steal purses and wallets just to get money for food and clothing. I’ve learned to survive and be strong.”

 Soon her voice broke as she continued, “It’s so hard to live without much to eat; to not loved by anyone except maybe my boyfriend; to see most of my mates getting killed in a crime-infested neighbourhood; to have nothing to live for.”

 With that, Erica started crying. Alex gave her a hug. He had nothing to say after all that, except this: “I know you resent being in No Rules, but I know that you being this band is the best thing for you. It’s practically your last chance to do something with your life. It won’t be easy, but I’ll help you. So will Ashley, Sophie, and Eddie.”

 Erica smiled, and hugged Alex.