Between Your Body & Your Soul {Alan Ashby}

Chapter 10

For the next few days, Annabelle and I were able to sneak a few small kisses, here and there. I knew the guys were getting a bit suspicious, considering that the guys knew I had feelings for her.

Austin also started ignoring me more. I didn't understand why. Today, Tino, Phil, and Aaron took Nabel to the fair. I talked to her about it, and we decided that I should stay here with Austin and talk to him.

"Hey man." I said, sitting next to him on the couch.

"Yo." he responded flatly.

"Is everything cool? You've seemed distant lately." I asked.

"Annabelle has seemed distant." He responded.

Austin didn't look at me at all.

"She doesn't talk to me that much anymore." he stirred in his spot uncomfortably.

"I just miss her."

Austin looked at me. It was obvious he was bothered by the thought of Nabel becoming distant. His face was sunken in and pale. His eyes were dull and tired. Something was all wrong here.

"Austin.. I love Annabelle with all my heart." I stated, scared of his reaction.

He just looked at me blankly.

Suddenly he collapsed on the floor, on his knees and forehead. Austin was coughing violently and struggling to breath. I knelt down next to him and called 911. I started to panic and was told to calm down several times. I couldn't tell Annabelle. She was just starting to be happy and smiling again. I couldn't be the one to take that away.

& Tino's POV &

Annabelle laughed and smiled as Aaron danced and sang with some of the fair performances. She looked healthy and happy. I was glad she was finally getting through everything. She was a fighter.

"Tino! Tino!" I heard my name several times. A group of girls came running towards me.

"Can we get a picture?" the girls asked. I looked and saw Annabelle was on the phone.

"Uh... sure." I smiled, posing for several photos. I signed a few things for them and talked to them for a little bit.

I turned to see Annabelle was gone. Aaron and Phil were still singing and dancing and didn't realize anything.

"Hey, you guys I need to get going.. It was really nice to meet you!" I waved good bye and hurried towards Phil and Aaron.

"Where the hell is Annabelle?!" I asked them.

They stopped what they were doing and started to look around. On the ground, I saw her phone shattered in pieces. I picked it up and shoved it in my pocket and continued to search for her.

I called Alan to see if she'd went back to the bus. The phone rang a few times before anybody answered. Finally, someone picked up and I heard crying.

"Hello?" I questioned.

"Tino, I need to talk to Annabelle, she's not answering." he said in between sobs.

"I can't find her. What the hell is going on?" I was breathing heavy, anxiety getting the best of me.

"Austin... he..." he started sobbing more.

"Alan, man breathe. What happened with Austin?" my heart was racing.

There was a few minutes of silence. Alan was trying to control himself.

"He's in the hospital." he whispered through the phone. I stopped.