Sit Back, Gotta Catch My Breath

"And, finally, in first place..."
I looked up at the judge on the stage. We didn't get first place... I should have known this would happen. I knew we weren't good enough.
"... Simple Plan!"
I sighed and bit my lip as I watched the members of the winning band file onstage. I was happy for them. They're dream was coming true. My eyebrows pulled together and I looked down at my shoes.
They're dream was coming true. After watching their performance earlier, I could tell that they had worked hard for this. I looked back up at the stage as the band thanked the crowd for being so amazing and for watching them tonight. I felt a smile form on my lips. They had worked hard for this. And I was happy for them. If anything, this experience has given me the drive to work harder on this band and help us become the best that we can be.
I clapped along with the rest of the crowd as Simple Plan walked offstage. As soon as they were out of sight, all the lights in the room turned on and people started filing out of the building. Some stayed to congratulate the band. We were about to leave as well when I noticed the lead singer of Simple Plan walking over to us. I tugged on Jack's jacket sleeve, signaling for him to stay with me.
The dark-haired man smiled at us and held out his hand. I took his hand and shook it as he began to speak. "Hey, guys. The name's Pierre. I thought you guys did really well up there." He gestured over to the stage and then returned to looking at us. "Keep it up, and maybe you'll win the next 'Battle of the Bands'."
"Maybe," Jack said, smiling, "We can only hope."
Pierre chuckled. "Well, you guys are definitely good enough." He patted Jack on the shoulder before starting to back away. "Maybe our bands will play together sometime in the future." He smiled before turning his back to us and joining his band mates.
I looked up at Jack, who was smiling down at me. "You did amazing, Lex." He kissed me on the nose. "I'm proud of you."
I smiled back up at him before following him out of the building to join Rian and Zack outside.
"You guys ready to go?" Zack asked, opening the driver's side door of his car. Considering how cold it was outside now, I'm just glad Rian suggested we put our things in the car earlier when it was warmer. He slid into the seat. "I'll meet you guys at Alex's," he said before closing the door and starting up his car.
The rest of us got into Rian's car and drove to my house. When we got there, we carried in our instruments and returned them to their places in the basement. Then, we all said our goodbyes and the other three went home, leaving me to my own thoughts of the night.
I kicked off my shoes and hung up my coat and started up the stairs, but stopped when I heard my mum's voice coming from the living room. I didn't even know she was home. I walked back down the stairs and turned into the living room, and, sure enough, there she was, sitting on the couch and looking at me.
"How was it?" she asked, sounding tired, "Did you boys win?"
I bit my lip and shook my head. "No. We got second place."
She offered me a weak smile. "Well second place is better than nothing."
I nodded and smiled back at her. "Yeah." I looked at her with a puzzled look. "Mum, maybe you should go to bed. You're not looking too good."
She shrugged. "I haven't been feeling too well all day. I think I might be coming down with something. That's why I took the night off."
"Well," I said, "Get some rest, okay? I'm going to bed. I'll see you in the morning."
I ran back up the stairs and went straight to my room. I plopped down on my bed and instantly fell asleep, not bothering to change into my PJ's.
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"Alex... Alex, wake up."
My eyes fluttered open and I looked up at my dad. "D-Dad? What's going on?"
He sighed. "It's your mother, son. She's not doing too well. I'm taking her to the emergency room."
I sat up in my bed quickly. The thought of my mum having to go to the emergency room made me feel sick to my stomach. "W-Why? What's wrong with her?" I could feel tears welling up in my eyes.
He shook his head. "I don't know. But We're going to find out. She's having chest pains and she's feeling light-headed." He stood up and walked toward the door. He turned to look at me once more before leaving. "If you want, you can call Jack and ask him to spend the night with you. I have a feeling you could use a close friend right now." He nodded to me before walking out of my room and closing the door beind him.
I sat there dazed for a second. What could be wrong with Mum? She's always been perfectly healthy. She's taken good care of herself. She's never smoked or done drugs, and the only drinking she does is a glass of wine here and there.
And then there was the fact that my dad suggested I invite Jack over for the night. Wasn't he worried that I was 'confused'? I shook my head to myself and picked up my phone off of my bed-side table. I bit my lip when I saw the time. It was 1 in the morning. I sighed. I think that under the current circumstances, he wouldn't be mad at me for calling him at this time. I tapped on his number and called it. I put the phone up to my ear and listened to it ring.
It rang twice before I heard Jack's very-tired voice on the other end. "Hello?"
"Jack? Can you come over?"
"Lex?" I heard him shift, probably sitting up. "Why? What's wrong?"
I took a deep, shaky breath. "I would rather tell you in person."
"What about your parents?"
"They're not here. They just left."
I heard him shift again. "Alright. I'll see you in a few."
"Okay." I quickly hung up the phone before I started to cry. Something was wrong with Mum, and it scared me.

Notes

Dun dun duuuunnnnnn!

-Ryan