Shortly after my first encounter with Alex, Chris decided to take me to the tour bus that will become my new home.

The walk to the bus is fairly silent with me, my dad, and Bob trailing behind Chris. I just hope he doesn't think I'm a total loser for having my dad and his friend follow me around like I'm a child at their first day of kindergarten.

"Here we are," Chris says as we reach the door of a huge black bus with tinted windows. He opens up the door and gestures for us to step in.

I step up first and make my way past the driver's seat, into the bus which is like a five star hotel compared to the van I'm used to traveling in. First off, there is a small lounge slash kitchen area furnished with a TV, small table, seating area, counter tops, cabinets, sink, microwave, and mini fridge.

"Whoa," I can't help but breathe out.

"Yeah, it's pretty nice," Chris says nonchalantly. "This is the kitchen area. You can hang out in here whenever you want. I'll have you go out to the store in a day or two to stock up on food and other things before we leave. Then this door over here is to the bathroom," he says, going towards the back area of the front loung. "It's really small, but it probably won't be used too much. We usually shower at the venue or hotel."

I walk up to where he's standing and peek my head in. He's right, it is pretty small. There's a toilet that's barely an inch away from a very small sink, and a couple of feet away on the opposite wall is a small glass shower. But I am in no way complaining.

"Then if you come back here I'll show you the bunk area," he says, pushing a button on the wall, causing a door to slide open.

In this section, there are eight different bunks all hidden behind individual curtains. Chris points out a top bunk that he declares as mine. I draw back the curtain to see it has pillows, sheets, lights, and a small pull down TV screen. Damn, I could get use to this.

"And back here is the back lounge," he says, opening another door that reveals a room with black leather couches lining the three walls in a U shape.

On the wall with the door is a huge TV to the left with all of the DVD players and game systems to the right. "This is where we chill out and watch movies or play games to pass the time when traveling.

"Oh, and these panels on the walls are mini closests to store some of your clothes and things. You can have this one." He opens a middle panel for me. "Whatever you can't fit in here just keep it in your suitcase and we'll store it in a compartment under the bus. Well, that's about it. I'll get out of your way so you can get your stuff situated. When you're finished, find me back inside the arena and we'll go from there," he says, giving me a tiny smile and heading out of the bus.

"Well shit, I should have taken this job," my dad jokes.

"You'll have to fight me for it," I joke back.

"I just might. Well, come on, let's get some of your stuff unpacked."

After hanging up half of my clothes and placing other personal items in my new closet, my dad and Bob help me take my suitcases out of the bus to store them in the underneath compartment. Once the bags are neatly placed in the compartment, there is a somber silence that surrounds us and I know what's coming next.

"So, kid... I guess this is where we say our goodbyes," my dad says, slightly pursing his lips.

"I guess so," I say as a lump starts to form in my throat.

"Come here." He pulls me into a big bear hug. "I'm going to miss you, kid," he whispers.

"I'm going to miss you too, Dad," I say, gripping him tighter as the back of my eyes start to pinch.

"Hey, listen, it's going to be ok. You're going to be fine, and I even bet in a week or two you're going forget about me, living your new lavish lifestyle and all." He laughs, his warm brown eyes trying to hide his sadness.

"Highly doubtful," I mumble.

"Joss, are you really going to miss being trapped in a tiny ass van with four unruly, smelly boys?"

"Yeah," I admit as the tears start to fall.

"We're all going to miss you too, so much. I don't know how I'm going to handle them without you, so please don't be mad if there's less than four of them when you get back."

"I won't," I laugh out and break apart from our hug to look him in his now glossy eyes. "Just be sure to tell them I love and miss them when you get back."

"I think you've told them plenty of times already." He smiles, remembering the mini goodbye party we all had the other night.

"Well, tell them again. I love you dad," I say, giving him one final hug.

"I love you too, Joslyn. Just always know I'm only a phone call away."

"I know," I say, wiping under my eyes.

"Don't worry, Jeff. She's in good hands, I'll keep an eye on her," Bob chimes in.

We both smile and thank him.

"Alright, I think it's time for me to go. You don't need your old dad anymore, and if I stay here any longer I may just not let you go."

"Ok, dad. I'll call you later. I'm just going to head back into the bus and straighten up a few more things before I go back inside," I partially lie.

"Ok. Bye, Joss," he says, and then him and Bob make their way out of the bus area.

I quickly sprint into the bus and head directly for the tiny bathroom, locking the door. I brace my arms on the sink and let out some deep breaths as a few tears fall.

God, why am I acting like such a baby? I feel like I'm at my first day of preschool all over again. I remember balling my eyes out thinking my parents were never going to come back to get me. Little did I know they would surely be back to pick me up in just a few hours. But that's the thing, my dad's not coming back for me. I probably won't see him, or anyone for that matter, in a while. I'm leaving my family and everything I know behind, and that scares the hell out of me.

I'm having to start all over. Just like preschool, I'm being thrown to the wolves, except those wolves weren't so bad. They were just as scared and confused as I was. Plus, making friends in preschool was a breeze. I doubt I can just go up to someone now and ask if they like Barbies or Play-Doh and expect them to become my best friend ten minutes later.

Never did I think I'd miss being cramped in a van with four smelly boys so much. But at least Alex didn't seem so bad. I don't even know him, but he left a pretty good first impression with me so I'm hopeful we'll get along and this job won't be so bad. I'm still wary about Chris and what he really thinks about me, but I guess his impression of me isn't so bad since he already let me move into the bus.

After my small pity party, I quickly splash my face with some cold water to mask my puffy eyes that give away the fact that I've been crying.

On my way out, I grab a black cardigan and pop back into the bathroom to check out my appearance one last time, straightening out my clothes and giving my dark ponytail a pull to keep it tight on top of my head. When I'm satisfied, I make my way out of the bus and head back into the venue.

When I get back inside I realize I have no clue where to find Chris. I decide to make a few laps around the backstage area before stopping in front of a door that reads "Alex Walker" on a red piece of laminated paper.

The door is halfway open, but I tap on it three times with the knuckle of my index finger. When someone calls out to come in I slowly peek my head into the room to see Chris, Alex, and the lady who looks like a top notch lawyer sitting on couches in the large dressing room.

"Joslyn, come in," Chris says, motioning for me to come over. He stands as I enter and I come to stand beside him.

Alex shoots me a smile while lawyer looking lady quickly types away on her phone.

"You've obviously met Alex, but this is his mother, Sandra," he says, gesturing to the woman.

"Hi, I'm Joslyn. Nice to meet you," I say, leaning over the coffee table to extend my hand out to her.

"Likewise," she says, momentarily taking her eyes and one of her hands away from her phone to shake my hand. The long, fake nails of her manicured hand gently poke into the back of my hand.

As soon as she lets go she is back to her phone and out of the corner of my eye I can see Alex rolling his eyes.

"Ok, well, now that you've all met, I'll show you around and introduce you to some more people and go over a few things," Chris says, heading for the door, gesturing for me to follow.

"Sounds good," I say, wrapping my cardigan tighter around my body, following him out the door and down the hall.