Chapter 5: Just Keep Singing

"What on earth were you thinking! You know you're not supposed to talk to paparazzi. You have anger issues, and you know that! This is completely irresponsible on your part. And on top of all that, you had the nerve to insult your songwriters who worked hard to make you sound good. You must want to ruin your career. If you wanna be the next teen train wreck, then go right ahead and keep doing what you're doing! Ughh. So ungrateful."

I sat there tuning in and out of her lecture. I was once again too tired to pay attention and too tired to care. I have had a headache since this morning, my throat is sore and I have a runny nose. All I want to do right now is sleep. Especially before the concert tomorrow morning.

"Austin, sit up! Your mother's talking to you. You're being rude."

I quickly rose from my current position which was laying on my bed. I looked up at my mother with my tired, red, baggy eyes. Not only am I sick, but I'm also super tired because all the makeup work I had to do for school and all the conferences I had scheduled. I had to do a press conference taking back what I said about my song being trash and apologizing to the paparazzi I pushed out of the way. Then, I had to suffer through a 3 hour long photo-shoot. Afterwards, I was scheduled for an interview talking about how I was a little drunk that night and didn't know what I was saying. Which doesn't make sense considering I don't drink. Now my parents were reminding me of everything they have done for me and everything that I did wrong. And how I constantly mess up my image, making it harder for them to cover up my mistakes. Which I think is completely unfair.

Have I gotten anyone pregnant?

No.

Have I gotten drunk and vandalized anyone's property?

No.

Have I gotten arrested?

No.

I can't help it if people make stuff up about me. It's not my fault I'm not controversial enough so the tabloids have to come up with their own lies.

"Well, what do you have to say for yourself?" My dad asked me as I sighed deeply dragging my hand across my face. I realized I needed tissue and grabbed a few from my night stand. I blew my nose before answering.

"I'm sorry, I should have been more careful." I said in a nasal sounding voice. I just told them what they wanted to hear so I would be able to go to sleep.

My parents sat down next to me and put their arms around me. Not in a comforting way, but in an annoying way.

"We raised you to be excellent at whatever you do. We have definitely held our part in providing you with the best training. Any shortcomings you may have regarding your music career is on your own merit. You need to understand that." My mom said.

"I understand." I sniffed rubbing my eyes.

"Son, are you sick?" My dad asked as I blew my nose once more causing him to notice.

"A little." I replied.

"Well, I'm sure you'll be okay by tomorrow and ready to perform." My mother smiled.

"Hopefully." I replied.

"Austin you're on in 2 minutes we need you to be ready soon!" I heard Gary knock on my dressing room door.

"Alright I'll be out soon!" I yelled from inside. (cough)

My mom was wrong, I didn't get any better from yesterday. I actually feel worse. I'm coughing non stop, my sore throat has gotten worse and my stomach hurts. My garbage can is quickly piling up with used tissues along with Lipton tea bags. Ally quickly swooped into my room as I opened the door to leave.

"Austin, I think I left my phone in your dressing room, I'm gonna grab it."

"Okay, you can. But, it's not very clean." (cough)

"Hey, are you okay? You've been coughing all morning and through out sound check. You're not sick, are you?"

"Yeah, ummm I have a little stomach ache, but I'm fine." I said covering my mouth as I coughed.

Gorden attached my mic, and asked me if I was ready.

"Ready as I'll ever be!" I replied.

As soon as I got on stage I knew something was wrong. I felt congested, and my nose started running. I tried to hide it, but I'm sure the audience noticed. As did my dancers and the band. I kept sniffing throughout the entire concert. By the time I was halfway through the set list, I began to feel nauseous. I tried my best to hold down the feeling, but it soon came up and so did my lunch. I stopped in the middle of Heartbeat. As I stepped down from the platform with my dancers, I realized I couldn't keep it together. My throat was burning. I began coughing violently, then my body jerked forward until I was fully bending over vomiting. Like a lot. I quickly ran off stage, as the fluids left my mouth. The dancers kept dancing and the musicians kept playing. As they should. I ran backstage and found the nearest trash can. I heard my manager yelling for someone to get me water. Styla, my manager and my parents all crowded around me as I stood hunched over the trash can puking my brains out. If I knew I was this sick, I wouldn't have performed tonight. I would have canceled to show.

"Here, have some water." Styla handed me a water bottle. "Someone grab him a chair!" she yelled. I sat in the chair and drank the water as I waited for my heart rate to slow down. I was sweating like a pig. My mother felt my head and quickly pulled away.

"Are you okay?" My father asked.

I heard my mom sigh before she said, "He's burning up. It must be the flu."

"Out of all the days he could have been sick." My dad complained.

"Do you think you can finish out the rest of the show?" my manager asked me.

I shook my head firmly. Then I threw up again.

"Come on, son we have spent months preparing for this concert. Maybe…"

I was puking uncontrollably as my mom was trying to convince my dad I was not well enough to perform.

"I'm not going back." I managed to say as I held tight onto the trash can.

I leaned back in my chair breathing heavy.

"Honey, Austin needs to go home." My mother told my dad.

"Fine." He conceded.

Ally's POV:

Austin's manager just told me I had to perform for Austin. For the rest of the night. I have no idea why and was kind of freaking out. Was he okay? What happened?

"Ally are you ready? We have the band set up already."

"Umm yeah. I am." I answered as I finished reapplying my makeup. "Wait! Umm is Austin okay?" I asked before Styla left.

"Yeah honey he's just a little sick. He was throwing up."

"Really? Oh my goodness. Are you sure he's okay?"

"Yeah, he'll be fine. Get ready."

"Okay." I replied reluctantly.

"Hello everyone! Austin is not feeling well, so I will be performing for you. Again!"

I heard the crowd screaming and I was more than exited.

"Alright, this song's called 'No Place Like Home' hope you like it!"

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! This one is probably one of my favorite chapters. This one took a lot of editing. Tell me what you think.