Fallen Angel

Sophie stopped. It wasn't that she didn't want to see Ben. She really did. It was just that she was really trying to stay clean for Andy and Ben was making it hard on her.

His looks, his sex appeal, his sweet words and most importantly his drugs. It was all so tempting and Sophie was torn. She knew Andy would be upset with her if she didn't sober up but she didn't want to lose Ben either.

She put her finger to her lips to tell Sammi to be as quiet as possible. The two girls slowed their pace and kept walking to the stage but managed to stay behind Ben as far away as possible. Their plan had been working. He hadn't noticed them behind him yet until a tree branch snapped under Sammi's foot.

"Shit." Sophie muttered to herself.

Ben turned around and smiled when he saw Sophie there. He really did like her, after all. "Hey, Sophie. Long time no see, eh?"

"Yeah, yeah, Sammi's been keeping me occupied since she got here." Sophie explained. It was half true, anyway.

"Oh, right." He nodded in understanding. "Well, are you two off to see Andy and the guys play? Danny and I were just on our way over there."

"Actually yeah, we were." Sophie said.

"Awesome," Ben took her by the hand. "Let's go!"



"Please promise me you won't get into any more trouble while I'm gone. Okay?" Sammi looked Sophie straight in the eyes.

"I'll try my best, Sammi. I really will, okay?" Sophie responded. Trying was the best she could do at this point. She hated making promises about her addiction because she knew the promise would always be broken.

"That's the best I'm going to get?" Sammi pouted.

Sophie laughed slightly. "I'm sorry, Sammi. I just... I can't promise. I would hate to break another promise. What I can promise is that I'll try. With an addiction like this, there's never any guarantee things will get better."

Sammi nodded. "Okay... Well, I hope I'll see you another time when the boys are done with touring. And next time, if you ever need somewhere to stay, I want you to call me up. I'm not going to let you live on the streets anymore."

Sammi had been what Sophie had always looked for in a friend. Someone who would be there for you whenever you needed them.

When Sophie returned to the venue, she ran into Ben. It was no surprise to her. He must've known Sammi was leaving today and he was probably out looking for her.

"There you are." He said out of breath. "I've been looking all over for you."

"Well," Sophie shrugged. "Here I am."

"Is Sammi gone?" Ben asked, hopeful.

Sophie nodded. "I just got back from the airport."

"Look, Sophie. I really do like you and I don't want this whole relationship we have to be based upon the drugs but... how about we get together in a few hours? My bus? And, uh, get a little twisted?"

It sounded so tempting and the demons inside her mind screamed at her to say yes. They pounded against the walls of her skull and demanded that she take the offer. It was just an offer that they wouldn't let her pass up.