Chapter 1

“Cut, cut, cut!! Fox, what is wrong now?” my director spits out angrily. I clutch the chair in front of you.

“I’m sorry Rob. I just got nauseous again, but I’m fine, really,” I say as I strain to stand up straight.

“You know what? Forget it. We’ll stop here today. Go home and rest,” he says and stalks off. I sigh as Oscar Taylor, long life friend, pats my back lightly.

“Come on. I’ll take you home,” he says. I nod thankfully and hold onto his arm as the backstage crew starts putting everything away. I get into Oscar’s maroon blazer and buckle up, leaning my head back, trying to keep that un-tasteful feeling down. Oscar drove out of the theatre parking lot, and headed to my home. A few blocks later--

“Oscar… stop! Pull over!” I say, covering my mouth. He immediately complies and I fumble with the seat belt, swinging the door open and spilling my lunch all over the sidewalk. I, disgusted, swipe my mouth with my sweater’s sleeve.

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah I think I got a cursed stomach flu. It hasn’t stopped yet,” I tell Oscar as he goes back on to the road.

“I’m taking you to the doctor tomorrow,” he states.

“That’s not necess-”

“Yes it is. You’ve had this flu for almost three days! You have to get it treated. I have to go take Amanda to her classes but I’ll drop you off first,” he finishes.

Amanda Miles. How I hated her. You see, I’ve been in love with Oscar all my life but I always keep these feelings hidden. I don’t want to risk the great friendship I have because of this. They have been going around for almost three years already. Fortunately, I’ve never heard anything about an engagement ring or marriage.

“Fine,” I respond simply.

He smiles at me lightly as he parks in my driveway. He quickly exits the car and briskly walks around to open my door. He helps me gently down and I grasp his arm as I feel the floor moving under me.

“Whoa, easy there,” he says as my knees buckle for a second.

“Thanks,” I reply as I walk up to my door.

“Tomorrow at 10 a.m., got it?” he asks.

I nod lightly.

“Think you can make it to your room?” he asks.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine. Thanks for everything Oscar,” I mutter.

“No problem,” he says smiling.

I smile back and close the door behind me. I lean against it, waiting to hear Oscar leave. His engine comes to life and I see the headlights pierce through my curtains then disappear out of view. I sigh and head to my room at a normal step.

Okay, so I had faked some of it, but I only did it to be close to him. His smell, the warmth with which he held me… I sigh again. But I hadn’t faked the nauseating feeling during rehearsal, or when my lunch met with the sidewalk on the way home. That was real and it worried me.

I worked hard to get the lead female role in this play and this flu is ruining it for me. Especially since Oscar was the leading male role.

‘Cursed thing,’ I think as I step out of my sweaty clothes and throw them into the hamper. I step into a warm shower and just stand there, the water washing away all the stress from today.

‘Doctor’s appointment... I hate going to the doctor,’ I think as I wrap myself up in a towel and step into my bedroom. I set up my alarm first, not wanting to forget, then start to change into my usual shorts and tank top. I go back into the bathroom and brush my teeth. I sigh and look at my reflection.

“Amy Lee Fox. When will you let all these feelings go?” I ask my image.

I gaze straight into my forest green eyes with flicks of gold. My deadly straight chestnut brown hair reached my lower back, brushed to a shine with chin length bangs. I stood at 5’5” and my Aikido classes had not only provided me with protection but had given me a fit, very slightly built body.

I pout my rosy lips, thinking of the fact that I had to go to the doctor but immediately smile knowing Oscar will at least drop me off.

I sigh and go into my bedroom.

My eyes widen suddenly and a scream gets caught in my throat as I encounter a brilliant, golden figure on my bed.

“Hello love. Long time no see.”

Before he can say anything else, darkness engulfs me.

“Amy! Amy Lee Fox, open up right now! You are NOT missing this doctor’s appointment!” Oscar yells as he pounds on my door.

I groan and find myself still on the floor. I jump up immediately and look around wildly. No golden brilliance. No awe-striking man on my bed.

I shake my head lightly.

‘Shoot. Doctor’s appointment’ I think. “Coming! I’m just changing!” I holler at him as I scurry for some jeans, tennis shoes, and at the same time shut my alarm off. I stay in the black tank top and place my hair in a messy ponytail, my bangs left free.

I briskly walk towards the door, snatching my purse and keys along the way.

“Why weren’t you ready to go at 10? I had to go drop off Amanda before it was too late,” he starts saying using that irritated-but-trying-to-hide-it tone of voice.

Surprised, I check my watch. 10:45 a.m. My eyes go wide.

“How long have you been threatening to break my door down?”

“Thirty minutes with Amanda, about fifteen minutes right now,” he mutters.

“Oh crud! I’m so sorry! I was in the bathroom with my radio. I really am sorry!” I say.

Oscar sighs and nods. I was glad he knew me so well. I always played my music too loud for my own good. I smile shyly.

“Well, at least I’ll be able to go with you to the doctor’s appointment now,” he says as I lock up my house and walk towards his blazer.

“You can drop me off at the theatre you know and I’ll take my car from there. You don’t have to go,” I tell him as he backs out from my driveway.

“I want to,” he says looking at me and smiling.

I return it and wait patiently to arrive at the doctor’s office.

The ride to the doctor is a quiet since Oscar had the radio on. He switchs the song to Simple Plan’s “Addicted”. I smile lightly as I hear that song. It is one of my favorites and Oscar knows it.

We get to the office as soon as the song finishes.

“Alright then. Ready?” he asks as I look out the window nervously.

“Let’s just get this over with,” I say and get out of the car.

Oscar falls into step next to me as we approach the glass doors. I take a breath and open the doors.

Ugh. The smell of cleanness along with the brightness of the white walls made me dizzy. I start tilting a bit to the side but Oscar immediately steadies me.

“You okay?” he whispers.

“Yeah,” I nod and stand up straight again.

“Alright. Sit here and I’ll go ask the nurse if you can go in,” he says and I nod, sitting to the chair closes to the receptionist.

I turn to see him muttering something to the nurse as she checks her list. She shakes her head and indicates something on the clipboard she has before her.

I can tell Oscar is getting irritated. He keeps shifting his weight around.

“I’ll see what I can do sir. Please take a seat,” I hear the nurse say in a loud tone of voice.

Oscar stiffens, and then nods. He comes and sits next to me as I lower my head in shame.

“Sorry,” I mumble to him.

He sighs.

“Don’t worry. It’s these damn nurses. They’re so lazy,” he says offhandedly.

I look up at him and slightly smile. He returns it and we both wait for the nurse to call my name.