If You Want Something Done Right

Pain and Pride

Maria opened her eyes, taking in the darkness around her. She felt like she was moving, similar to the feeling of going on a school field trip. She figured she couldn't be on a bus though, since she was comfortably lying on a bed. Maria had a headache, and her back was the sorest it had ever been. She turned her head from side to side, trying to see where she was. When she couldn't figure it out, she braced her hands against the bed, pushed herself into a sitting position, and screamed. Maria had barely gotten her torso off the bed when a jolt of extreme pain radiated down her spine and through every limb of her body. It felt like she was on fire, and she was frozen. Her eyes were shut tight from the pain, and she gripped the blankets on the bed. She could hear running feet pounding against the floor, and suddenly a door to the room opened. Hands were suddenly on her back and shoulders, lifting her up to take the stress off her back before settling her back down into a laying position. She couldn't open her eyes, it hurt too badly to think. She was gasping for breath, hoping the pain would subside. One of the hands was on her shoulder, the other gently caressing her face. She could hear a voice but couldn't tell what it was saying, the pain in her body was too loud. Suddenly, Maria was nauseous.
"I...I think I'm gonna be...sick"
The hands jumped into action, lifting her up and guiding her head to the right side of the bed. Maria vomited, feeling terrible for whoever was taking care of her. When she was finished, she collapsed back against the hands and they set her back down on the mattress. Then she slipped back into unconsciousness.
Billie Joe gazed at the girl laying on his bed, the look of pain still spread out across her face. He brushed a few hairs out of her eyes and stood up, taking the garbage can she had thrown up in with him. He chuckled, since the only reason it was there in case he got too drunk and needed to use it for the same reason she had. As he was cleaning it out in the small kitchen, Tré approached him.
"Was it her screaming?"
"Yeah, sorry if it woke you. She regained consciousness long enough to try and sit up, realize the pain, and then puke in my trash can. I can't tell if the pain made her throw up, or if she had drugs in her system or something"
"It could be either. Or maybe she was drunk and that's how she ended up hurt in a men's bathroom?"
"We have no real way of knowing, man. This is fucking crazy. We still have 5 hours until we get to a hospital. You should go back to bed, I'm going to sit in my room with her and make sure she doesn't sit up if she comes to again"
"Let me know if you want me to take a turn. Night Billie Joe"
"Night Tré. Thanks"
Tré turned and headed back to the bedrooms. Billie brought the trash back with him, just in case. He set it back next to the bed, and took a seat in the chair to the left of the girl. He didn't want to be creepy and watch her, but he had to stop her in case she tried to get up. After seeing her in pain and hearing her scream bloody murder, there was no way he thought she should be moving around before she got checked out.
Billie Joe pulled out his lyric book and did some writing to help pass the time. The girl slept for about two more hours before moaning and opening her eyes. Billie tossed his lyrics on the foot of the bed and moved to sit next to her.
"Hey, you're safe. Just hold still, okay? Don't sit up again"
The girl turned her head and gazed at him.
"Um...I'm sorry I threw up. Is this your room? I can't really help clean it up, but...gosh I feel terrible"
Billie Joe tried to hold it in, but he couldn't. He started laughing.
"You woke up in a strange place with a strange man you've never met, and you're worried because you puked? Don't worry about it, girl, you puked in a trash can and I already emptied it out. No big deal"
She managed a small smile and a sigh of relief.
"Thank you. You look sorta familiar, I guess maybe that's why I wasn't worried? Also, I'm wearing clothes and you don't have a weapon or anything so I'm probably not in too much danger. I'm Maria, by the way. Maria Strand"
"I won't hurt you, you're safe here. I'm Billie Joe Armstrong. You might think I look familiar because I'm in the band Green Day? We're pretty popular, not to brag or anything"
"That's who you are! I must have hit my head or something, I have your posters all over my walls at home! Wow, this is incredible. I love your music, American Idiot was like the redefining album of my life. I can't believe I'm meeting you!"
Billie smiled at Maria.
"Thank you, I appreciate it"
Maria looked around at what she could see from her position on the bed, unable to move.
"Where am I?"
"Our tour bus. We're taking you to a hospital. You hit your head and probably need stitches, and you need to get your back looked at. We're about 3 hours away from our destination"
"That explains the movement"
"Do you remember what happened to you? I found you in the men's bathroom, without much clothes on...and you were pretty messed up"
"I uh...I think I was drugged. This guy bought me a drink, and I remember his hands on me"
The more Maria thought about it, the more she could remember. Tears started to appear in her eyes, and Billie Joe put his hand on her knee.
"I fought him. He wanted to...he tried to make me...but I fought back. He pushed me down, and I hit my head. He was yelling and I was crying. I kicked him and tried to run but he slammed me against the sink, and I went down. I wonder if he...oh God"
Maria started to cry silently, tears streaming down her face. Billie Joe handed her sole tissues and rubbed her leg gently.
"The doctors will check you out, they'll take care of you. There's nothing he could have done that they can't fix"
Maria shook her head while wiping her face, attempting to take deep breaths and calm herself down.
"You don't understand. I was a...a...virgin...and I'm worried he took that from me"
"Oh..."
Billie Joe didn't know what to say.
"I'm sorry, this is a lot to spill to a famous rockstar I met a few hours ago"
"You tried to fight me too, you know"
"What?"
"Right after we got you onto the bus, you sorta woke up while I was trying to clean up the cut on your head. You tried to hit me"
"Thanks for taking care of me anyway. I don't know how I'll repay you guys"
"We'll figure something out"
Billie Joe winked and stood up.
"You should try and get some rest. I'll be right down the hall if you need something, and the other guys are close by too"
"Thanks, I'll try"
Billie turned to leave, starting to close the door behind him. He paused.
"If he did take that from you, it's not your fault. I won't think any less of you"
Maria managed a small smile, and Billie left her to sleep.