Another way (Young Royals)

The phone call

My birthday had ended the best way possible. We went straight to bed when we returned home to Simon's house. I was so happy, but also exhausted from all the dancing and socialising. Simon held me close in his sleep. I felt his body against mine and I felt so safe. Safer than any other place in the world. I fell asleep slowly, and then all at once. That was until I woke up to my phone ringing. I watched the display and saw my mothers name. I clicked her and tried to fall back to sleep, but she kept ringing back.

"Baby, what is happening?" Simon asked tiredly. He was still closing his eyes.

"My mom is calling me," I replied.

"So pick up," he said.

"I don't want to speak to her," I said. He opened his eyes and looked at me as if I was a little bit stupid.

"Wille, she has not called you once this summer. It is the middle of the night. It must be important," he said, a bit irritated to be woken up.

"Okay then. I will call her up," I said, a little bit irritated being told what I should do.

"Yeah? So do it," he said. I sighed and did as he had told me. I wondered what she wanted. I got irritated at her for calling me, in the middle of the night and all.

"What do you want?" I snarled at my mother. I did not want to talk to her. I did not want anything to do with her or the royal family anymore. Well, except for Erik.

"Wilhelm," I heard my mother's voice say. It sounded like she was about to cry. Like she could not get out what she wanted to say. She could almost convince me she was missing me. But just almost. She only missed the prince Wilhelm. Not her son. Not me.

"What?" I said, a bit irritated.

"It's Erik," she replied.

"What about Erik?" I asked. I could not understand.

"He has been in a car accident," she said. She actually cried. I could not remember ever seeing her cry. Hearing her cry. I could not even imagine her cry. I felt my heart beat harder in my chest. I could not really understand what she was telling me. Erik, who I had seen at the party, just hours prior, could not have been in a car accident. It was not possible.

"What?" I asked.

"Your brother is in the hospital, Wilhelm," she repeated. I felt tears fall down my cheeks.

"Is he alive?" I just asked. That was the only thought I had. I Would not survive losing him. I could not lose him. He could do anything, but he could not leave me.

"Yes," she said. I breathed out. That was everything that was important to me at that moment. "He is alive, but he is badly hurt. Could you come to the hospital, please Wilhelm?" She begged me, for the first time in my life. I nodded a little. I had to go and see him.

"Okay," I said and hung up. I sat down on the side of the bed and looked into the wall. All quiet.

"What did she want?" Simon asked. He sat up next to me. Embraced me. All of his prior irritation was blown away. "Wille, what has happened?" He was worried. I could feel it.

"It's Erik," I said. Tears flooded my cheeks.

"What has happened to Erik, darling?" he asked.

"He has been in a car crash," I said. "And he is in the hospital." I could not understand what I was saying myself. I could not comprehend it. He could not be in the hospital. He could not be hurt. I didn't even know how bad it was yet, but I already felt the anxiety build up in my chest.

"It will be okay, Wille," he tried to comfort me. "It will be okay." He repeated those words, as if he tried to convince himself it was true.

"What if it won't be?" I whispered and cried uncontrollably.

"Whatever happens, I am here for you. Do you hear me?" he said. I felt his lips against my forehead. His arms tightly around my body. I nodded a little. I knew he was. He would not leave me. I knew that. But what if Erik would? I would not survive that. I knew that too.