Destined To Explode

I smile weakly as the girl thanked me for the t-shirt, quickly rushing away to push her way back into the crowd, her friends following her loyally, that group was hopefully the end of the rush that had been caused by We The Kings ending and the promise of All Time Low starting in about ten minutes time, Evan’s music choices was keeping everyone cheery and helping maintain the positive atmosphere.

Vinny watches me with worried eyes as I collapse back into the fold up chair that we always have set up behind the table, the shirts that usually occupy it, now remain discarded on the floor beside it.

“Pop, if you wanna go lie down or something, I can handle your stuff too.”

I shake my head. “I’m fine; it’s just a stomach flu, Vin. It’ll pass. Best to sweat it out.”

“At least let me ask Matt to bring us more water? You gotta keep yourself hydrated, kiddo.”

I shrug in reply as another customer approaches us, eyes scanning the Glamour Kills stuff before she grins and waves at me, and I’m on my feet again.

* * * *

“I can’t have any more painkillers, Lex.” I groan, hearing the clicking of the bottle grow closer, my eyes tightly closed as I lay on my back in the dressing room of the venue, the pain that had suddenly flared up halfway through their set refusing to leave, despite having my fill of pain medication.

A few minutes later and I’m sobbing, the pain having suddenly intensified even further without warning, Alex sat behind me as I rock myself, knees pulled up tightly to my chest with my face pressed into my knees, my jeans turning a darker shade of blue as they soak up my tears caused by this not so normal stomach ache. Any contact on the right side of my stomach was further agony, as I’d learned when Alex had tried to soothe a hand over it.

“Jack, go find Matt, we have to get her to a hospital or something. This isn’t right.” I’m huddled in on myself, Alex in as close proximity as he can, scared of causing me more pain as Jack almost sprints from the room, everyone else’s worried eyes on me as the feeling of someone searing my insides with hot pokers continues.

I’d normally protest from the fuss, but even I knew this wasn’t healthy, the pain pushing me to the point where I might pass out.

“Ambulance or cab, Alex?” Matt’s voice is present in the room again, having left to go tell security to get the fans to move on because no one could go and meet them while I was in this state.

“Poppy?”

I shake my head roughly. “W-we need to get to the next c-city.” I whimper. “I can cope.”

“Now’s not the time to be a hero, kid. Just hold on in there.” Matt crouches to pat my foot before he’s twirling out of the room again. “I’ll call a cab, no flashing lights.”

“Lex, I can cope until-“

“No, you can’t, okay? Just sit tight, baby and for the sake of everyone’s sanity, shut up about being alright?”

* * * *

Alex’s POV

“If you’d have gotten her here any later, the infection would have likely spread, and Miss Zicarelli would be in a far worse state than she is now.”

“But, she’ll be alright?”

The doctor nods with what I suppose is a reassuring smile. “She’s recovering now, and once we get her into a private room, you can see her. The nurse will be with you shortly.”

Matt turns to us with his own smile as the doctor walks away again, squeezing Jack’s shoulder as he finally cracks a smile.

“We can all stop worrying now, okay? The surgery went fine; she’s going to be okay.” He nods at me as I keep worrying, my lip between my teeth. “I’ll call the boys; let them know what’s happening.”

He walks away as I drag Jack to sit back in our seats line along the corridor of the Emergency Waiting Room, Poppy having been whisked off almost three hours ago, her appendix having burst and in need to be removed, the infection having luckily stayed in a small area, at least according to the guy who’d taken out the useless organ.

“What is going to happen, Lex? We can’t leave her here, but we can’t miss the show and there’s no way that she’s going to be discharged before then.” His voice is tired; the alcohol that he had consumed before and during the show gone, just stress remaining evident in his eyes as he looks to me for an answer.

I shrug, the same thoughts having run through my head. It was pretty set in the rules that as long as we were all okay to perform, then the show would happen, no matter the situation, except of course, death, but thank god that wasn’t the case this time.

“I think that we better call her Mom, let her know and see what she thinks.” I grumble. “You gonna stay here, or do you want to do it?”

“I think that I’d better do it.” He sniffs, pulling out his phone as he stands up, squeezing my shoulder as I slump down again, hoping that it’s not too long before we’re allowed to see Poppy, and I can prove to myself that she’s perfectly fine.

Notes