''Hello?''

''Is this Ember Clayton?'' A female voice asks.

''Yes,'' I answer, already trembling.

''We would like you to come to the hospital right now. It's an emergency about your mother,'' she says with a calm voice but I can tell that she's actually stressed. The strange mix of moods make me really worried, of course.

''What's going on?'' I ask, my eyes stuck on the TV, not even thinking about to content of whatever's on it.

''I think that it's better for you if we tell you in person. Are you able to come in as soon as possible?''

''I'm in Paris right now, I'll try to get a flight,'' I mumble fast, wanting the phone call to end.

''Good. Just try to stay calm and we will talk at the hospital!'' She says and I almost laugh at her words. Should I stay calm when something like this is happening?

''Okay, bye,'' I say before pressing the red button with trembling hands. What should I do? What was I supposed to do? I run a hand through my hair before feeling how the tears start to escape my eyes. Why did I do this? Why would I go on a fucking tour with Billie when my mom is in coma? How stupid can I be? Everything bad happens to me, why am I even alive? I need to get home. I unlock my phone again and go to a website to buy tickets to the first flight to Los Angeles.

I struggle, but after a while I manage to get a ticket back home. I don't want to bother Billie, but I need to call her so she knows what's going on. I feel guilty as I deal her number, pressing the phone against my ear. She picks up after a while and as soon as I hear her voice, I let out a sob.

''Ems? What's going on?''

''I need to get home,'' I manage to say between the sobs.

''Did something happen?'' She asks, her voice filled with concern.

''I think that my mom will die, Billie,'' I admit, realising the weight of my words.

''What? Why?'' She asks as her voice starts to sound really stressed and confused.

''They called from the hospital and wanted me to fly home,'' I explain, my voice shaking and I hear how Billie lets out a shaky sigh.

''Okay, Ember. Listen to me. I'll follow you home,'' She says and I immediately shake my head, even though she can't see me.

''No, don't. You have to do your shows,'' I say, feeling even more guilty.

''But I need to help you!''

''No, please just stay. I've already booked a flight to LA,'' I say.

''Okay,'' she sighs. ''Please let me follow you to the airport at least? I need to see you.''

''Billie, you don't have to-''

''Shut up! I'm on my way home!''

I hang up after that, burying my face in my hands. Why, why does this happen? It doesn't feel real at all. I lay down on the soft bed, trying not to cry. I need to be strong. I need to get on that plane and be there for my mom. I am strong.

After a while, the door opens and I don't even get to see who's there before a pair of arms is wrapped strongly around me.

''It's gonna be okay,'' she says and I nod, not even believing myself.

''I need to leave,'' I crack out, wanting to get home as soon as possible.

''I know, just let me hold you for a while,'' she mumbles, not letting me go.

After a while of her holding me, I actually manage to get a bit more energy. She pulls away, stroking away my hair from my face.

''You will get through this. I'll follow you to the airport, okay?'' She suggests while holding my face to make me listen more, I guess.

''I'm scared,'' I manage to say and those two words, those two words almost make me break down again because it's how I feel. I am scared. Fear has taken over my body and I don't even know myself anymore.

''I know, but you are also strong,'' she says, furrowing her eyebrows.

''I'm not.''

''You are!''

''Billie, I'm crying!'' I outburst, pointing at my red, puffy eyes.

''That doesn't make you weak, I promise,'' she says before hugging me again. ''I need to call Julia.''

I don't listen to the conversation between the two girls that mean the most to me in the world, I just think about all the things that may have been going down. What if she's dead? What if she noticed that I stopped visiting her at the hospital and gave up? The thought makes me shiver. That can't have been the case. No, that's impossible.

''When does your flight leave?'' Billie asks after hanging up.

''Three hours,'' I answer with a shaky voice.

''We have to leave now, then,'' she says, smiling weakly and I nod, biting my bottom lip. Billie grabs my hand, pulling my up to my feet before walking to my suitcase to pack my things. I appreciate it, I wouldn't manage to do that by myself right now. I just sit down on the edge of the bed, getting ready to see what the doctors want. I hate them. I hate them so fucking much. They told me that nothing would happen, but now I'm here. Fuck them.

Later

The airport is crowded, but it feels as if I'm the only person who will travel today. Billie is walking next to me, but it feels as if it's just my shadow, following me. I go completely autopilot-mode as I check in and do everything else that you do at an airport. After a while in the waiting room, I realise that it's almost time to leave.

''Please, can I go with you? I can buy a ticket,'' Billie suggests, desperation in her voice. I sigh and put my hands on her shoulders.

''Billie, you need to stay here, okay? I'll be fine,'' I say, looking right into her eyes.

''Promise that you will be with Julia all the time? I don't care if she wants to or not,'' she says, making me giggle sadly.

''I promise.''

Right then, a message about the plane being boarded blasts through the speaker, making me realise that it's time to leave Billie now. She wraps her arms around me, holding me tight.

''I'll tell everyone that you had an family emergency, they don't have to know anything unless you want me to tell them. Kevin and Julia will pick you up at the airport and drive you to the hospital," she mumbles into my shoulder.

''Thank you,'' I mumble back.

''I love you so much, I can't wait to see you again in a few weeks,'' Billie says when we pull away.

''I love you more,'' I say immediately as she pulls me into one last hug before I start to walk against the plane.

''Bye,'' I say, feeling the tears in my eyes. I can't leave the only thing that makes me feel safe.

''Bye.''