The Stoic And The Beast

My Hero's Meet My Parent's

Jake's POV

We were just finishing up the last couple of applicants when my phone began furiously vibrating in my pants pocket. I put my hand over it to stifle the constant buzzing sound clinking at the change I had stuffed in there with it. It paused but then started up again. And then again. Someone was repeatedly calling me. I know I blocked everyone's number who I thought would blast my phone like this. The noise was disturbing the maestro as I noticed him shifting in his seat in annoyance. He dismissed the second to last applicant after only hearing the first twenty seconds. He had made a mistake. Maestro waved his hand in the air and told him he could leave. Then he looked at me.

"Go ahead and sort that out, Jake. We're almost done here anyway."

I thanked him and shot out of my seat. Pulling my phone from my pocket as I exited the auditorium. It was from Luke. What could be so important right now? He knew I was at the auditions. He knew better than to call me. I swiped the green button on my screen and held the phone to my ear.

This had better be good Luke, I growled.

Luke sounded out of breath. Jake, come to the ladies restroom at the auditorium. Ground floor. Quickly. He hung up.

I spun on my heels and headed for the restroom. What was he doing in the girl's bathroom? And what could be so important? I walked through the winding halls and hesitantly peeked through the door. Not sure of what I was going to see. My heart jumped into my throat at the sight before me. I shoved the door open and flew to Luke's side. He was crouched over Alicia who was laying flat on the floor while dangling halfway in Luke's lap. He was holding her head up and patting at her cheek.

"Alicia, wake up!" He billowed frantically.

"What's wrong with her Luke? What happened?"

"I dunno. Maybe she fainted and hit her head on something? But I don't see any bumps or blood."

I scooted over to the other side of her and laid my head on her chest. I could hear her heartbeat. The panic in me subsided a bit but she is unconscious. I then listened for breath sounds.

"She's breathing," I said.

"I know that idiot. But she won't wake up. I've been trying to wake her for ten minutes. Get some cold water and splash some on her face." Luke ordered.

I immediately complied. I splashed her face with water. But she didn't move or react.

"We should call 911," I said.

"I already did that. They're on their way."

Smart Luke. Always one step ahead.

"Tell me what happened." I pushed him for answers.

"She got sick out near the front doors. So I brought her in here to freshen up. She was too weak to walk so I had to carry her in here. I left her alone for a minute to give her some privacy. I went to go get her things. When I came back to check on her, she was laying there on the floor unconscious."

I looked closely at her while Luke explained what happened. She was pale and was sweating beads all over her body. Her hands were burning hot inside mine as I held them. The same goes for the rest of her.

"She's burning up Luke."

"I know, I noticed that when I was carrying her in here. And she sounded lethargic when she spoke to me. I shouldn't have left her alone in here. That was so stupid of me."

"She seemed fine half an hour ago."

I said that to Luke but I was lying. I couldn't tell him that I kissed her forehead. When I did, I thought her skin felt hot on my lips but I thought maybe she was just nervous. I didn't think at the time that she could have a fever.