Erik watched as Alanna stepped offstage, stretching her arms over her head as she yawned. It had been a month, and yet she was still sick, he was starting to get truly concerned now. Erik leaned of the rafters as he watched her, and he just about leapt from the banisters as her thin form crumpled to the ground. Heart racing, he watched helplessly as Alice yelled out, and Rufus came to her aid and carried her out of Erik's line of vision.

()

I opened my eyes slowly and proper myself up on my elbows, blinking a few times to clear my vision.

I was in my room, several people standing around me, including Alice and Rufus.

"What happened?" I groaned.

"You collapsed," Dr. Daws explained as he pushed past my worried friends and shoved a thermometer in my mouth.

"'ow long 'as I out?" I asked around the thermometer.

"A few hours," Alice piped up.

I groaned again.

"Alright, everyone out!" the doctor said. He herded Alice and the rest of the cast out of the room.

"Do you know what's wrong with me?" I asked eagerly.

"Yes, I believe I have successfully diagnosed you," he said, pulling the thermometer from my mouth.

()

I leaned against my vanity, bracing my hands on the edges. I hung my head letting my hair fall over my face. I knew it was only a matter of time before Erik realized that I was awake, but it gave me some time to think. How could I tell him? Should I tell him? He had a right to know, but what would he say, how would he react? I just didn't know what I could do.

There was the creak, and I heard Erik climb into the room. I didn't turn around, I didn't saying thing.

"Alanna," Erik said cautiously, putting a hand on my shoulder, causing me to glance over my shoulder at him. "are you alright?"

"I'm fine," I murmured, turning around and facing him.

"You were unconscious of hours," Erik said sternly.

"Honestly, I'm alright." I smiled up at him, but it was a false smile. I just couldn't tell him.