One Shots

I Wanna Be Stronger Than Oceans (Austin Carlile)

Claire's POV

Lately I have been feeling unwell, really unwell. At first I thought that it might just be the common cold due to the amount of coughing that I have been doing each day. Then it got worse and I started coughing up blood. As soon as I saw that pile of red in the palm of my hand I knew that this wasn't just the common cold. The first thing that I did was drive myself to the nearest hospital to get myself checked out. Whether I liked it or not there was something serious going with me. Later that day I found out that I have lung cancer. Once I got home tears began to run down my cheeks, I wasn't going to cry in front of my doctor. I don't even smoke, nor have I been exposed to any kind of smoking environment. I don't know what I am going to do. The doctor said that I have at least six months to live, if I accept treatment than I have a 50% chance of prolonging my lifespan. A distant ringing filled my house. I didn't want to move but at the same time it was only 3pm, no one would believe that I would be asleep. I wiped my face and then made my way to the phone, picking it up and pressing it against my ear. "Hey Claire, it's Austin." I heard the sound of my boyfriend on the other line. Austin was on tour right now, I haven't seen him in a few months. "H-Hey Austin, how're you?" I asked, trying to steady my voice. "Claire, what's wrong?" Austin asked me. "It's nothing, we just haven't spoken in a while, that's all." I lied. I can't tell him. "Are you sure? We only spoke a couple of days ago..." Austin pressed. I let out a sigh, he is going to find out later anyway. "You know how I have that cough?" I asked him. "Yes, Claire what's going on?" Austin asked. I waited a few moments before answering. "I-I have lung c-cancer." The other line fell silent. I couldn't even hear Austin's breathing on the other line. More tears began to run down my face, why did something like this have to happen to me? "Austin?" I spoke. "Claire, we're postponing the tour, I need to be with you right now and I can't do that while I'm on tour." Austin said rather quickly. "We just have to book our flights back and we'll be home as soon as possible." "Austin are you sure about this? What about your fans?" I asked him. "Claire, you're all that matters to me right now." Austin said a few more things about when he'd be home tomorrow and then the conversation ended. On one hand I was happy that Austin was going to be able to help me through this but on another hand I know that some of his fans would be upset that they'd have to wait longer to see the band live.

It's been three months since I began treatment and so far everything was going wonderfully for me and Austin. The doctors had said that I have gained at least three years to my life expectancy since the treatment and I am grateful for that. Of Mice & Men are back on tour now, they have been for a week now and they've brought me on tour. Austin said that he wanted to be around in case anything serious happened and my doctor has given me the all clear, I just have to stay away from cigarettes. "Claire, I've got an interview now, do you want to come and watch?" Austin called from the front of the tour bus. "Sure." I called back from our bunk. I quickly got changed into something a little more than just what I was wearing in the bunk and followed Austin off to the side of the venue where the camera crew was waiting for him. "I'm Austin Carlile and I scream in a band called Of Mice & Men." Austin smiled as he began the interview. After a few questions about touring and possible albums, the interviewer asked a question that got Austin rather emotional. "We've heard a lot about your girlfriend's battle with cancer, how's that been going?" The interviewer asked with a sincere tone. Austin frowned a little and a few tears ran down from his eyes. "S-She's been doing so well, I'm so proud of Claire for pulling through this." Austin spoke with a shaky tone. I smiled at Austin as he continued to do the rest of the interview. "Claire, I love you so much. I really am proud of you." Austin smiled as he spun me around. "I love you too Austin, thank you for always being there. It means a lot to me." I pressed my lips against his and smiled slightly. "You're amazing Austin."