a continent apart

chapter 15. tour and Shes awake

Macie's Pov:

As my eyes fluttered open, the muted hum of the airplane cabin enveloped me in a cocoon of confusion. Shadows danced across the faces of my companions, their expressions a mixture of concern and relief. The air buzzed with whispers, their words a distant murmur that slowly coalesced into a coherent narrative.
"Should we take her to the hospital after we land?" Addie's voice cut through the haze, her worry palpable in the strained edges of her tone. Before anyone else could respond, Oliver's voice, steady and reassuring, filled the space.
"If she wants to, we can have a doctor come and see her versus going to the hospital. The press would catch wind of it, and that means fans will find out. She's better off seeing the doctor at the hotel. I'm sure Carson can make that work, right Carson?" Oliver's gaze flicked to Carson, seeking confirmation in the silent exchange that passed between them.
"Yeah, I can make that happen," Carson affirmed, his voice a firm anchor in the sea of uncertainty that swirled around me. "Plus, he's right. Fans would be a problem if they found out."
A surge of gratitude welled up within me, mingling with the remnants of confusion that clouded my mind. Their unwavering support and consideration touched me deeply, reinforcing the bond that tethered us together in the face of adversity.
Summoning my strength, I shifted in my seat, making my presence known to the group.

as soon as I do I hear a gasp coming from Addie and she runs over. "Macie Macie your awake!!" she shouts and hugs me the best that she can since I'm still sitting my seat.

All eyes turned towards me, their expressions a mosaic of surprise and relief. Oliver's gaze, a mix of concern and tenderness, locked onto mine, a silent question hanging in the air.

"Macie, are you okay?" Oliver's voice, tinged with a note of apprehension, pierced through the veil of uncertainty that shrouded me. His proximity, a comforting presence at my side, anchored me in the tumultuous sea of emotions that threatened to engulf me.
Drawing a deep breath, I met Oliver's gaze with a nod, gratitude shining in my eyes. The unspoken understanding that passed between us bridged the gap of words left unspoken, weaving a tapestry of connection and solace in the face of uncertainty.
As the plane descended towards our destination, a sense of unity and purpose.

As soon as the plane landed, we headed to the lobby to wait for transportation, and everyone was feeling the jet lag from our arrival in America to kick off the tour. As we waited, I absentmindedly scrolled through my Instagram, and that's when I saw the announcement that my ex-friend and boyfriend were now dating, with the added news that Jess was pregnant. The sight hit me hard, and tears welled up in my eyes. I quickly hit the block button on both of them, feeling the pain cut deep, and proceeded to block their numbers as well.
Then, I stumbled upon some articles spinning rumors at lightning speed. The headlines ranged from a fan's accident to questions about Oliver's relationship status, all accompanied by a video I chose not to watch, titled "Girl gets crushed by a fan and is Oliver now single? Or is he cheating?" It was all too much.

olivertomas_henderson: "Hey everyone, I wanted to address some concerning posts I've seen about a close friend of mine who was recently injured while working with me. It's disheartening to see her facing harsh words and rumors. I want to make it clear that I am not in a relationship currently, so I'm free to date whoever I choose. Regarding the videos circulating of a fan causing harm to my friend, I will not stand for it and have requested their immediate removal. Additionally, I urge everyone to stop spreading hate towards this kind-hearted girl. She is a wonderful person hired to take photos for me, and she does not deserve unwarranted negativity. Just to be clear, we are not romantically involved, and even if we were, it's our private matter. If you disagree with that, feel free to unfollow me and exit the fandom. It's been a pleasure having you around. "