"Argh," Alex groaned as he was standing against the wall.
"Alex? Are you ok?" Charlie asked as she walked past.
"Yeah. It's nothing."
"Ok," Charlie replied and she kept going. Alex winced and looked down. He had a hand held up to his side, and he wasn't alright. He had been getting pain for over a day and it was only getting worse. He didn't want to tell anyone because he didn't want to be seen as weak.

"Argh," Alex groaned in the lounge and everyone looked over.
"Alex. What's wrong?"
"It's nothing."
"You've got your hand on your stomach. It's something."
"It's not. Argh..." Alex winced as he went to leave, and he had to lean on the sofa.
"Alex," Charlie said as she stood up. "You're not ok."
"I'm fine."
"You're in pain. Just admit it."
"No. Pain makes you weak," Alex said. He shrugged Charlie off and went upstairs.

"Alex?" Mike asked as he came out of the office. Alex had come downstairs and he was leaning on the coat stand.
"Hmn?"
"What are you doing?"
"Resting. My..." Alex said before he opened his eyes and saw Mike. "It's nothing."
"What's nothing? Are you ok?"
"I'm fine," Alex said and he started to walk to the kitchen. "Argh!" He called halfway there and he had to grab onto the piano.
"Alex!" Mike called, coming over to him. "You're in pain. What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"There's something."
"I'm fine."
"You can tell me Alex, it's ok."
"No. I'm fine," Alex said, and he struggled to the kitchen.

"Argh... no," Alex said before he shook his head and he stood up from the table.
"Alex?"
"What is it?"
"Are you not hungry?"
"No. Oh," Alex said as he rested a hand against the wall as his other one when to his stomach.
"Is something wrong?"
"Are you in pain Alex?"
"I'm not in pain... Argh!" Alex yelled and both Mike and May-Li went over to him.
"Alex."
"Alex. Tell us what hurts."
"I'm fine. Argh!"
"You are not fine Alex."
"I'm ok. I... argh."
"You are in pain. Come on, we'll take you to the doctors," May-Li said as everyone was watching.
"No. I can't go. I... ArArgh!"
"No arguing Alex. We're going. I'll start the car."
"Ok," May-Li said and Mike started to leave. Alex fell and he landed on the ground. "Alex!"
"Alex?"
"Alex, look at me," May-Li said, getting his attention. He was sitting against the wall and Mike came back over.
"I'm tired."
"The doctors isn't going to cut it Mike."
"Yeah, he's becoming pale. Should I call for an ambulance?"
"No... You can't. Argh!" Alex said before he yelled.
"You need help Alex. You're in pain."
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not," Charlie said as she came over to him.
"You just collapsed," Ryan chipped in.
"No... I don't need any help... GAARGH!"
"That's it. I'm calling for an ambulance," Mike said before he stood up and he got on the phone.
"Don't. I don't need one, I... ARGH!" Alex shouted as he guarded his stomach more.
"You're not fine Alex. You're pale and you're in a lot of pain," May-Li told him.
"Really pale. It looks like you're about to pass out," Ryan told Alex.
"I fine. I'm just a bit light headed, that's... that's all..." Alex said as he closed his eyes and he started to lean sideways.

"Woah, Alex. Lie down for me. Lie down."
"They're on their way," Mike told May-Li as she lay Alex down and Charlie knelt beside them.
"Thanks Mike."
"I'm... alright..."
"You're not Alex. Everyone needs help sometimes, and being in pain is not a sign of weakness."
"Argh," Alex groaned.
"Try to relax Alex. The paramedics are on their way."
"Try to stay awake. Falling unconscious is not good Alex."
"My stomach... really hurts."
"We can see that Alex."
"I'm here," Charlie said as she took his hand. "Just stay awake for me."
"Ok," Alex agreed and he squeezed Charlie's hand in return. "Argh."
"Is he going to die?" Someone commented.
"No. He's going to be alright."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I am Finn."
"It could be his appendix."
"Yes, it could be Sasha."
"Alex? Are you still awake?" Charlie asked, but Alex was quiet.
"Alex?"
"Alex? Can you hear me?" Mike asked and Alex moved a little.
"...yeah," Alex whispered.
"They're not far away. Stay with me."
"...who?"
"I can hear the sirens. Guide them in Mike."
"I will," Mike said and he went to meet the ambulance by the front door.
"You're going to be alright Alex. You're going to be fine."
"Thank... ank... s..."
"The pain must be bad. He can barely talk," Ryan said, and Alex passed out.

"Alex? Hey," Mike said as Alex woke up and he tried to move.
"Argh!"
"Woah, don't try to move. You've had surgery."
"What did they do?" Alex asked Mike as he lay back in the hospital bed.
"They've taken your appendix out. You're going to be fine. You just need time to come round from the anaesthetic, then the doctor will be able to discharge you."
"I scared everyone?"
"You certainly gave it your best shot."
"I'm sorry Mike."
"It's alright. You couldn't have stopped this."
"No. I've been getting pain for the last two days. I've been throwing up and I should have told someone how bad I was."
"Oh Alex."
"I'm sorry."
"You should have told us. Then you wouldn't have collapsed and we would have brought you to hospital sooner. But it's in the past, and I'm glad that you're alright."
"Thanks."
"Do you want some water?"
"Yeah."
"Ok, I'll be back in a minute," Mike said and he left Alex to get some water.

"How's Alex?" Charlie asked as May-Li came into the dining room.
"He's awake. The surgery went well and they're going to discharge him in the next few hours."
"Thank goodness," Charlie sighed.
"Good. I'm happy for him."
"Yeah, that's great news."
"It was so scary when he collapsed."
"It was, but he's going to be ok. Now, come on. Eat your dinner," May-Li said and everyone settled down to their food.

An hour later, Alex returned and many of the kids hugged him gently. They settled down to watch some television and Alex fell asleep on Charlie's shoulder. Mike and May-li lay him down and they let him sleep on the sofa overnight. They next day, he took it gently and everyone was nice to him.