Worthwhile: The Sequel (A Jonah Marais Fanfiction)

Chapter 8

"We pretend that we don't care, but we care."

His head throbbed from the all-nighter he pulled. He massaged his temples and groaned from the unbearable pain.

"You. You are not allowed to stay up all night anymore!" Jack warned, offering him an Advil. 

The brunet smiled cheekily. It quickly turned into a frown as a wave of tormenting pain washed over him. 

Daniel shook his head in disappointment, "I told you to go off sleep."

"I wouldn't have been able to complete the song the then." Jonah argued. He popped the Advil into his mouth and gulped down the glass of water.

Corbyn got in the back of the lounge and glared at his bandmate, "Start taking care of yourself."

Zach patted Jonah on his back, making Jonah struggle to not wince. He tried to hid the full-body ache that he was experiencing but failed miserably as Jack caught his reaction.  

The youngest bandmate joked, "Yeah, man! You need to get better. Who will take care of us then?"

Jonah chuckled, "I'm fine. Come on, get ready! We've got an interview to give."

As soon as he got up, the world started to spin. His vision blurred and he stumbled backwards. Jack and Corbyn caught him before he fell forward. They sat him down. Jonah blinked his eyes and clutched his head, coughing in the process.

The boys exchanged glances and Corbyn gave Daniel an unnoticeable nod. The fake blond understood the indication and walked out of the lounge. 

"Tell Jon, Jonah is not going for that interview today. I'm sure we can handle it, right guys?" Corbyn asked the remaining bandmates. 

Jack agreed completely, "He definitely needs the rest."

Zach thought for a while, "Jo, how long has it been since you've had coffee?"

At this, the sick brunet's green eyes shot open. He didn't meet any of their gazes. His eyes examined the carpeted floor of the bus like it was the most interesting thing in the world, "I never noticed that the ca-"

"JONAH!" The three boys scolded him in unison.

His green eyes widened and he raised his hands in surrender, "None of them taste like the ones she used to make for me! Either they put in too much sugar or too much coffee powder. She mixes it perfectly. It's never too strong or too mild. It's just the perfect cup of coffee."

With every word he uttered, an involuntary smile grew on his face. It was one of the few real smiles that you could've witnessed.

If talking about her made him so happy, imagine how happy he was with her.

The bandmates' eyes softened at the confession. She had spoiled every single one of them. They don't regret it but it makes it hard for them to not compare anymore.

Jonah realized what he said and mumbled a quick sorry. He didn't intend on confessing that he missed the perfect cup that she would make for him. Every time they'd visit each other at their houses, she would make sure to make coffee for him. If they were meeting outside, she would carry a small flask with her. After the nights they spent together, she would have his cup of coffee ready before he woke up.  

Now, no coffee, no matter how expensive or appetizing it tasted, didn't measure up to the ones she'd make for him.

She spoilt him. 

Always knowing what he needed even before he asks for it.

Jack excused himself as he went to inform Jon about Jonah situation.

Corbyn wondered how sick his best friend actually was that he ended up mentioning the grey-eyed beauty. He was sure that the brunet would never mention her if he was sound. Concerned, he leaned forward to check his temperature. 

As soon as Corbyn's hand touched his forehead, he pulled away. A worried expression washed over his striking features.

He was burning up.

Jonah's body temperature had sky-rocketed since the last time Corbyn had checked, and that was an hour ago.

"We need to get a doctor." Corbyn breathed out.

This freaked Zach out. It was true that Jonah had looked after the boys ever since the day the band was formed. The youngest band member had always looked up to him like an elder brother figure in his life, taking care of him when he was away from his family.

Seeing him in this condition scared him, "Where the hell is Daniel?!"

Right then, the fake blond made his entrance, talking on his phone. Daniel gave the phone to Corbyn, knowing that he would be able to handle the receiver better.

"Danny, if anything happens to him, I swear to God I will bury you all alive!"

"Hey, sis! Watcha doing?" Corbyn chuckled nervously. He gestured Daniel to take his place as he walked to the front of the bus, out of the unwell brunet's earshot.

"Corbyn Matthew Besson! I thought I could trust you guys to take care of him! How and why did you guys let him be so reckless?!" The girl on the other end of the line scolded.

"Sis, calm down. We're taking him to a doctor. Everything will be fine."

"Should I fly down? I could do that! In fact, I will book a ticket right away!"

"No! Not at all! You've got an album to work on and we are there to take care of him! I promise I'll keep you updated."

"Is he... Is he doing okay?"

Corbyn sighed, "His body temperature just shot up..."

"Did he have coffee? You know that he cannot function without coffee. Did he get enough sleep? He isn't coughing or sneezing, right? He must've had something cold. I know him-"

"Sis, stop. He's going to be okay. You need to stop worrying. Don't stress yourself. The boys and I aren't there to take care of you. Please stay calm. I'll keep you informed."

The girl croaked, "You promise?"

"I promise." With that, the blond hung up the phone. He sighed, cursing the situation that they were in.

He was sure that the girl wouldn't stop worrying all day long. This would keep her up at night. But he had to tell her. He had made her a promise that he'll keep her informed about how Jonah was doing. He believed that she would pace across her room or go driving to ease her nerves but none of that would have any effect because she wasn't here, near him. 

Jack had overheard their conversation. He approached the tensed boy and patted his back reassuringly.

Without looking at his bandmate, Corbyn said, "She was in a frenzy. She isn't going to sleep or function properly till we tell her he's okay. She will surely wander the streets at night and cry."

"He's calling out for her. Mumbling her name over and over again. Saying how much he misses her." Jack informed Corbyn.

"Don't we all miss her? Yeah, we are still her best friends but it just isn't the same anymore. She's changed. Doesn't talk anymore... Doesn't joke... Doesn't tease or laugh... Doesn't smile. There isn't a sign of happiness in her face." Corbyn stared at the roof of the bus. 

Glanced over to the lounge, he continued, "Jonah isn't the same either. He's getting worse day by day. Started drinking again. Keeps staring at that picture in his wallet. He doesn't smile like he used too... Pretends he's alright and everything..." He paused. "Every day, she asks about him... He believes we don't know that he keeps a check on her through Ciara... Those two can't live without each other..." 

Jack sighed as he added,

"There's almost something surreal about what those two shared together."