Chapter 9:

NOVEMBER 2001

The sound of her cell phone going off woke Amy and looking around she realised she had fallen asleep at the kitchen table. She had been writing an assignment and had fallen asleep mid sentence. She quickly grabbed her phone and answered the call. "Yep?" she asked wiping her eyes

"Well hello to you too! You sound drunk" Nicholas's voice echoed in her ears making her smile

"Hey sorry I was sleeping" she explained and looked around the room. She noticed the clock said it was 11am

"Oh I'm sorry you go back to bed"

"No I guess my busy schedule has taken its toll! I've been in meeting after meeting over the publicity, budget, and costumes for the play. Add lectures, spending time with my family, Anthony and assignments on top I've been losing sleep for weeks. I fell asleep writing an assignment and I've just realised I must have been leaning on my laptop as I have ten pages of a document consisting of the letter 'e'" she heard Nicholas laugh. "I guess I could do with a break from everything really! I haven't really had a life lately, I've only seen Anthony for a few moments at a time and the last was two weeks ok. Now I've realised I'm babbling so what can I do for you actor of mine and please don't say you want to quit because I will pass out right now if you do?" she asked in an over the top theatrical tone

"No I'm not asking for that so you can breathe again! I was wondering if you would do me a favour?"

"That depends, what is the favour?" she asked closing her laptop

"I've had a great idea for my end of year 2D art project. I've discussed it with my tutor and he really likes it. I want to combine my photography skills with my other art skills by taking photos of people and integrating them into a 2D art environment. However I need a subject. I'm taking photographs of various different people for the project; I've already shot all the guys in the play and even my tutor Mr. Larson but I still haven't got a great main shot so I was wondering if you would pose for me?" Nicholas asked and Amy sat in silence for a moment

"Wow ... I don't know what to say! Sure I'll do it. I'm busy today working on my assignments so when do you want to do this?"

"Well what about we tomorrow at 10am, I've got access to one of the small art rooms that my tutor uses. That's where I've been shooting"

"Yeah that would be great" she said and yawned "Sorry"

"That's ok, you had better not let your dad see you yawning so much or he'll put you on permanent bed rest!"

"Well lucky for me he's gone to Chicago for a few days to see some artist who is interested in his new song. Another one for a movie I think, I didn't really focus on the details!" Amy explained feeling the tension in her neck increase as she moved about in her chair

"He left his 15 year old daughter all alone for a few days?"

"It's not like I'm totally alone, I get phone calls from dad and visits from the gang every five minutes of the day and every night one of them has made an excuse to sleep over. Mark got caught up in traffic last night and couldn't get out of the city. The night before Tom wasn't feeling too good and the night before that Maureen and Joanne realised they had never been to a slumber party and wanted to know what it was like! I know I'm 15 and my dad is worried about me being alone but I'm not a baby you know?"

"Well in the absents of your dad I say get back to bed before you fall asleep or else you'll find another ten pages but of the letter 't'" Nicholas said making Amy laugh

"ET? Next you'll be saying you want my phone to call home!"

"Quite literally in your dream Davis now off to bed. I don't want you groggy on our shoot tomorrow"

"Yes dad!" she said like a five year old making both of them laugh and she hung up the phone. She lowered the phone on the table and rubbed the back of her neck to trying and relieve the tension. Suddenly shooting pains hit an area of her neck which she had rubbed. She brought her hand to her face and the colour drained from her face seeing her hand, a sight she had never seen before. Her fingers were covered in her blood. "Oh shit" she muttered and ran to the bathroom to be violently sick

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"So what is it exactly that you're doing in this project of yours?" Amy asked sitting on a stool in front of a black screen and the lights set up by Nicholas whilst he finished sorting the focus on his camera

"Well I'm creating a painting which, I haven't fully decided yet but I think it will be a part of the city that is very visual such as the Bethesda Fountain. Anyway integrated with the brush strokes I'm going to make a collage of parts of black and white photos to make up the textures and the shadows of the overall image. Even if you are not the chosen subject as it were your pictures may become a part of it" he explained and she nodded. Right as she did Nicholas took a picture startling her

"Oh that wasn't one of them was it?" she asked and Nicholas smiled looking up at her

"I'll make it a test shot don't you worry. Well I'm ready when you are" he explained and she raised an eyebrow

"I hope you don't mind me wearing my hoodie? I've been feeling the cold a lot more lately!"

"You look fine, relax!"

"Well how do you want me to be exactly? When I've done photo shoots in the past with magazines I tend to be told be the all American girl who's naughty inside!" Amy giggled

"Well that could work! My way of shooting is to be totally relaxed. Act natural and have fun! I want to catch reality" Amy smiled broadly and Nicholas began to take various pictures of her. She posed in various ways, leant forward with her head in her hands, her hands in her hair, serious, laughing, and standing up, spinning in circles, dancing, anything that was fun all the while Nicholas took her pictures. As time went on Nicholas and Amy began to get to know each other more talking about everything and everyone associated with the play as well as their own lives

"You know you are more like Mark then you realise. Instead of a video camera you have a regular camera. Joined at the hip, always being used every minute of the day"

"I guess that is why we get along so well. I love photography, to be able to capture a moment of brilliance on film takes a lot but I think it is harder in photography and that is what I love. The challenge and the thrill of it. The ways you can get into someone's' mind and express their emotions with one click, it's amazing. You know when I first found out who you were and who you live with every single day it really struck me you are so lucky" Amy looked down at her lap and saw her beeper. It went off but she wouldn't press the button to turn it off

"Yeah I get to hang out with my family two of which are known worldwide. I get followed around by paparazzi; I can't do anything without it being ripped apart by people. I live a lie everyday and survive on medication that makes me feel sicker then I already am. On top of that I have to be a regular teenager. I'm not so lucky Nicholas ... you're the lucky one" when she glanced up at him her face extremely pale and looking tired. Nicholas took another picture and saw the look of fear and sorrow in her eyes. For a moment they just looked at each other, a form of understanding formed between them both. Nicholas looked at his camera before glancing back up to her

"The film is full, I'll get a new one, how about we take a break?" he suggested and she smiled softly. She stood up and turned off the beeper. Nicholas put the used film roll away and found he couldn't find a replacement. "I'll be right back my spare rolls are in my room, do you need anything?" he asked and she shook her head pulling out her pills from her bag. Nicholas nodded and left the room. He had to take a few deep breaths to calm his own emotions before heading for his place. He rushed over so he didn't have to leave her alone for too long. He grabbed a couple of rolls and headed back for the main building. When entering the reception area of the campus the sound of a motorbike caught his attention. He watched the motorcyclist with a passenger circle the bike and come to a stop. He instantly recognised the driver as Anthony from the jacket he always wore. From behind a pillar Nicholas watched Anthony remove his helmet as the passenger stood up. Nicholas raised an eyebrow seeing the passenger under the helmet was a beautiful girl with jet black hair and big black eyes. She smiled broadly and handed over the helmet. He couldn't hear their conversation but he understood what he saw. The girl bent over towards him and kissed him softly. She turned to walk away but he grabbed her arm to spin her around and pulled her into a passionate kiss. Nicholas turned away and kept out of sight. The sudden thought to Amy hit him as he heard Anthony's motorbike drive away. Nicholas headed back to the art block and entered the room where Amy was. When he entered he saw Amy on her mobile laughing so he changed the film in his camera

"Yeah that sounds great ... Look I'm sorry I haven't been around lately, everything has been so crazy ... yeah sounds great ... ok bye" she hung up the phone and bit her bottom lip

"Ok we are ready to roll!" Nicholas said trying to smile and seem relaxed

"That was Anthony, he's been checking up on me. Making sure I'm taking my medication and such. He is such a worrier. We are going out later it'll be the first time in two weeks I can't wait. I've missed our time together you know?" she asked looking at Nicholas but he kept focused on the camera

"Yeah I know" he muttered

"Are you ok Nicholas?" she asked walking towards him

"Yeah I guess I'm feeling a little tired. I think it'll be a night in for me tonight, I guess we've switched roles for the evening"

"Yeah I guess so! ... Um Nicholas?" she asked and he plucked up the courage to look at her. "I want you to know that ... this whole thing with me being sick I ... I can't escape it but I was wondering if it is ok that I talk to you about it? I really need a friend at the minute who will really listen to me" she asked which surprised him

"I have to tell you something" he suddenly blurted out before he could stop himself

"I have to show you something ... I need your help" she explained and the look of terror came over her face

"What is it?" he asked and touched her shoulder. She instantly hissed and took a step back confusing him even more. She took off the hoodie and underneath she wore a white wife beater. She slowly turned around and he saw small blotches of blood absorbed by the white wife beater against her back making him feel sick to his stomach. She lifted up the back of her top and he saw a few legions on her neck and back. The shock of seeing it made him cover his mouth and stand in stunned silence for a moment. He saw she was shivering so he came to her side and helped her put her hoodie back on. She glanced to him with a soft tear rolling down her right cheek

"We need to get you to a hospital" he said wrapping his arm as softly around her as possible

"I'm so scared ... when dad found legions three years ago he found out he had AIDS ... I'm not ready for that I can't cope with any of it" she explained breaking down crying and he pulled her into a soft embrace and she cried softly against his chest

"It's going to be ok. We need to call someone, Mark or Tom. Someone needs to know"

"No I ... I just need to do this with as few people as possible, please Nicholas I need you" she begged and he nodded

"Come on let's go find Jane and we'll go to the hospital ok?" he asked and he felt Amy nod slowly and the sting of tears hit the back of his eyes. "You're going to be ok Amy, me and Jane will stay with you all the way I promise ok?" he said as they parted and he held her hand

"Ok" she muttered

"Right you sit down and I'll pack up all my stuff" he commanded and she did as she was told. "When did you find those things?" he asked as he quickly packed up his things

"Yesterday after you called me, I've never had them before. I know so much about HIV and AIDS I mean damn it I've lived with it for 15 years. When something changes like this everything in your mind just disappears in the blink of an eye"

"Well let's think positive ok?" he said as he put his bags and hers on his shoulders. "Ok let's go find Jane" Amy took his hand once more and they slowly walked through the campus to the bar. It was packed as it was now lunch time Amy had to close her eyes since the music was too loud for her. Nicholas sat her down on one of the chairs. "Ok I can see Jane across the bar so I'll leave you here for one minute ok?" Amy nodded looking up at him and began to shiver

"Do you see Anthony?" she asked and he looked around

"No but I can ring him if you like?" Nicholas asked with a soft smile trying to make her feel better whilst inside he felt his heart being ripped out due to what he knew

"No ... just find Jane ... I'll be ok here" she reassured him and he gave her hands a soft squeeze before making his way across the bar as quickly as possible. She was alone for less than two minutes as Jane ran over and knelt in front of Amy

"Amy, girl are you ok?" she asked worried and Amy saw how scared she was

"Yeah just ... I need to get out of here" she explained and swallowed as her throat was dry

"Ok come on" Jane said picking up Amy's things. Nicholas held onto Amy softly wrapping his arm around her. They made their way across the room slowly but surely until Amy suddenly stopped

"Amy what is it?" Nicholas asked turning to face her

"I ... can't ... breathe" she explained and suddenly fell to the ground. As she did she hit one of the pool tables next to her

"AMY!" Jane screamed alerting everyone and the music stopped as Nicholas knelt to the ground by the semi – conscious Amy

"Oh my God! Is she ok?" many people began to ask crowding around her

"Back up guys give her some air!" Nicholas said softly stroking Amy's hair. "Amy can you hear me?" he asked but the only response he got was the occasional flicker of her eyes opening and closing. She began to shake even more so Nicholas took off his jacket and draped it over her torso

"Coming through" a bar man said approaching Nicholas. "What happened?" he asked kneeling at Amy's side

"Her name is Amy. She's not well, we were on our way to the hospital and she said she couldn't breathe then she was on the ground. I think she may have hit her head on the pool table as she fell" Nicholas explained as quickly as possible

"Ok Amy? I'm Steven. Can you tell me if your head hurts at all?" he asked but got no response from Amy so he turned to his co – worker. "Call an ambulance tell them we have a possible head injury and she is semi – conscious and open the windows she needs fresh air" the other bar man nodded and pulled out his phone. "Is she on any medication?"

"Yeah she has HIV" Jane said kneeling by Nicholas and instantly regretted saying it out load as everyone was listening

"Alright everyone please back off we need to give her as much air as possible, the beer garden is open so you can take your drinks out there we would really appreciate it if you did so" Steven explained and everyone did as they were told

"Thanks" Nicholas said

"No problem, can you contact her relatives?"

"Yeah" Jane said with tears flowing down her cheeks

"Can we move her at all? She found these things on her back that were bleeding. I'm afraid they'll get worse if she lies like this" Nicholas asked

"No not until the paramedics come and access her" Steven explained

"She is going to be ok isn't she?" Jane asked and Nicholas wrapped his arm around her

"Let's see what the paramedics say ok? The most important thing is that we make sure Amy is comfortable and try to keep her conscious. Talk to her about anything it could work" Steven explained. For the next five minutes through tears Jane talked to Amy about the play and her costume choice but had to stop when the paramedics arrived. Through the whole experience Nicholas stayed at Amy's side and explained about the legions on her back

"Only one of you can come in the ambulance" One of the paramedics said as they wheeled her into the ambulance

"You go I'll use Amy's phone to call Mark" Nicholas said holding up Amy's phone

"Are you sure?" Jane asked

"Yeah go you're in no state to be alone right now. She needs you so go ... go!" Nicholas said and Jane quickly hugged him before entering the ambulance. He watched it pull away and took a deep breath. His hands suddenly began to shake and he headed out of the campus, going through Amy's phone book. He finally found Marks number and as he jogged through the streets of New York he dialled the number. "Come on! Pick up, pick up, pick up, pick up" he said over and over as he heard the ringing tone

"Hey Amy you ok?" Marks voice finally echoed in his ear

"Mark its Nicholas"

"Oh hey Nicholas you ok?"

"No not really. It's Amy, something has happened"

"What happened? Is she ok?" Mark asked in a panic

"She collapsed and banged her head. She couldn't breathe and she found these legion things on her back and neck. Jane went with her in the ambulance. She's on her way to hospital. I didn't know who else to call since Roger is in Chicago and you were the only other person who entered my head in such short time. I'm sorry you may be in a meeting for all I know" Nicholas explained feeling tears fill his eyes

"No it's ok you did the right thing. I'm leaving now. Where are you?"

"I'm on my way to the subway"

"Ok I'm on my way; I'll meet you at the hospital"

"Is there anything I can do?" Nicholas asked feeling useless

"No you've been great but now you have to leave it in my hands ok? I'll call the necessary people and I'll see you there"

"Ok I'll keep Amy's phone on in case you need to call me"

"Thanks Nicholas I'll be there soon"

"Ok bye" Hanging up Nicholas felt relief but then everything that happened filled his mind and in the corner of the subway cart he cried softly unsure what to do or even if he did the right things in the first place

(A/N: Ok I'm doing the whole stages of this disease like they did in Philadelphia in which it isn't exactly in the correct medical order but go with it!!! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! TKAMB aka Becky)