Can I just take this time to point out that I am the HAPPIEST PERSON ALIVE right now? Because, I've just – just being yesterday, actually, because I started writing then – found out that I'm going to the Jonas Brothers concert in London on June 15th!!!! I thought I was actually going to die of excitement in Latin – and believe me, that's a first. I am so happy – my friend thought I'd had too much Red Bull without her noticing. But anyway, because I just LOVE to write happy stories when I'm like this, I'm going to let you read this now. I'm not actually sure whether I'm being sarcastic…because this is a pre-story author's note…I haven't actually started writing anything yet…and I'll stop my rambling now…

Shane took a deep breath. He stared at the back of his best friend's straight-ironed hair and stepped forward out from under the shelter of the hospital. 'Don't be a coward…c'mon, Shane, you can do this…'

He willed himself to step forward and slowly took another step, and another, and another. It was almost as if he was being pushed forward by something other than himself.

Or someone.

Shane had to turn round just to check that Nate wasn't standing there in ripped jeans and a t-shirt, pushing him forward in an attempt to make him apologise.

He wasn't, unfortunately.

Shane was only two steps away from tapping on Jason's shoulder, when there was a shout from the doors. 'Shane, Jason!' Shane scrunched his face up, and balled his fists. Why-oh-why did everything have to be so God damn difficult?!

Jason turned round from his sitting position on the bench and jumped at the sight of Shane standing there with his hand – now a fist – hovering just over his left shoulder. He raised his eyebrows at Shane, silently asking for an explanation.

Shane smiled sheepishly. 'Hello…' he trailed off. 'Wow…' Awkward.

'Shane, Jason!' Mitchie ran up to them. 'Why didn't you answer me?! There's something wrong with Ashlee; they said she burst her stitches or something. What happened to you? I thought you were with her!'

'I thought you were with Nate.' Shane countered, his hovering fist finally dropping to his side.

'I was – but let's face it, I could stay with Nate – who, frankly, at the moment,' she emphasised before Shane could say anything, 'is better off than the girl who was rushed into emergency surgery. I don't think Nate would forgive any of us if we put him before her in her time of need.'

Shane was left speechless by his girlfriend's small tirade. 'Um…'

Jason cut in. 'Is she alright?'

'I don't know – they won't tell me anything. Her mother and brother are talking with the doctors – and I don't know where her friends are.'

'I think I saw them leave a half hour ago.' Jason replied, turning his head in the direction they'd gone.

'Oh ok, well…I'm not allowed to know anything until they finish the surgery.' Mitchie said, looking down. 'I'll leave you two alone.' She said, not bothering to be tactful.

She walked off, and Jason got up, starting to follow. 'Jason!' Shane yelled to get his attention.

Jason stopped in a silent way of asking him to carry on. 'Please listen to me.'

He said nothing, but Shane just kept going. He wasn't going to give up on this – not now. 'Jase, when I said I blamed myself, I didn't mean that…I didn't mean that no-one else should…' Jason turned round, raising his eyebrows. '…that came out wrong.'

'You think?'

'Okay, I'll start again. I didn't mean to be so self-centred; I just…I was so worried about Nate, and I didn't know how to react to Ashlee, and her baby, and…I…'

'Yes?'

'I wanted to say…'

Jason turned fully and walked forward towards him. 'I wanted to say…I was…sorry…'

The last word came out as a mumble, but Jason smiled anyway. 'That's a first.'

'Hey, it's–!' Shane cut himself off. 'Probably true.' He corrected, deflating.

'I didn't really think you were self-centred, you know. Not since Camp last year.' Jason informed his band mate. 'I was just angry that you were blaming yourself for something that wasn't your fault.'

Shane smiled. 'Thanks.'

Jason returned it, and held his arms out. 'Give me some hugging.' He said, grinning stupidly.

Shane grinned back and hugged him. 'I seriously am sorry, Jase.'

'It's okay – let's go see Mitchie.' Jason pulled away and started walking in, Shane next to him.

'So, why do Chihuahuas have giant ears if they have tiny bodies? I'm sure the inventor knew it looked stupid!' Jason said, as they walked into the hospital.

Shane paused for a minute. 'Jason…nobody invented Chihuahuas. They were founded.' Jason looked blank. 'You know…like, natural selection, Darwin…none of this rings a bell to you?'

'Um…'

'Oh, forget it.' Shane laughed at his friend's lack of commonsense. 'So, you've never heard of…Mitchie?!'

'Of course I've heard of Mitchie – the girl with the voice. Hello, someone turn the lights on in there…!' Jason reached forward to knock on Shane's head for emphasis but his band mate batted his hands away and ran off down the hallway.

Upon reaching his girlfriend, Shane knelt in front of her. 'Mitch, what's wrong?'

'Ashlee…' she choked. '…Nate…'

'What?' Shane said, tipping her chin up to look at her. Her mascara – although waterproof – was not in the perfect condition he left it in. Her eyes were shining with tears, and he used his thumb to wipe the ones on her cheeks away. 'Mitchie, what's happened?'

'Ashlee…she's, she's in a coma…' Mitchie whispered, glancing towards Ashlee's mother, who also had no control over her emotions.

'Oh my God…' Shane blinked slowly, trying to make some sense of the world around him. 'How; why?'

'I…I think she lost too much…too much blood. The stitches had ripped open, and they…they didn't get to her…in time.' Mitchie explained; her head bowed and her hair fell over her face.

'Oh God…' Shane quickly lifted her chin up again. 'Mitchie…what about Nate? You said something about Nate. Tell me what it was.'

'Nate…he…' Shane's breathing was becoming ragged by this time. He felt like shaking the words out of her. Mitchie swallowed. 'He woke up.' She whispered, almost inaudible.

Yeah, so I'm still really happy about the concert. If anyone lives in England, tell me if you're going too. :D Review?

Cassie xo