Emergency
I awaken to my phone ringing off the hook, but when I look for a contact name, I am taken back by a series of numbers unfamiliar to me. The situation of being called at this hour had me uneasy. It's creepy, yes, but the fact that this time was chosen is nearly impossible. Something is wrong.
"Hello", I ask, carefully putting the phone to my ear as I wipe the sleep from my eyes, darkness engulfing me as I look for something I do not find.
The shallow breath of a man on the other side of the line was consistent with the sound of someone trying to control themselves. His breathing was ragged and erratic, every breath he took was nearly his last because from the sound of it, he never got enough air. "Is-is this Natalie?" The man asked. He had a voice of silk, but his breathing was breaking it off every so often as a sob was choked back.
I immediately tensed at the extreme of emotion. The man isn't hiding an evil intention through a veneer. He's breaking. "Yes, this is she. Why do you ask?"
"Umm, hi I'm- I'm Nick and I need you to come to the ER in the Hospital Of Los Angeles. It's Demi".
Who's Nick? I scatter memories around my head looking for a memory or a reference, I almost give up but Suddenly I remember. Demi was going on tour with him. The best of my heart stops dead in its track and I abruptly end the call. I get dressed as tears fall freely and sobs are swallowed like secrets. I'm out the door within five minutes, scenarios playing like horror movies at the back of my mind.
The drive was full of misty eyes and heart-wrenching sobs that almost took hold of the steering wheel as we fought for dominance. The radio came in and out of connection and every time I heard white noise I was receiving reminders in the form of angry whispers. Late night phone calls and longing goodbyes rang in my ears as Katy Perry intensified the metallic taste in my mouth. She was coming home, she was finally going to be sleeping by my side by the next sunset. Every second I spend in this car I lose more air. The hands of misfortune have a hold on my throat almost as strong as I do the steering wheel.
The roads are wet with this afternoons downpour, but the puddles are the only company they keep aside from myself. Things change however, when the white building and red cars come into view and I step on the gas even though I am well past the speed limit. I don't care for rules, not when Demi is in god knows what condition as fluorescent lights make her seem two dimensional.
Parking the closest I can, I hop out of the drivers seat and sprint to the automatic doors. The lights make me squint and hiss. I feel so exposed, my tearstained cheeks feel cold and my eyes seem entranced as I blindly make my way to the desk.
The woman before me seems to be in her forties, with soft green eyes and curly blond hair. Her name tag reads Tina. She seems nice, but sad. Stressed, but content.
"Demi Lovato", I say, panic lacing my out of breath tone. My wet eyes must look desperate because She looks up and is clearly taken aback. She smiles sympathetically and searches her computer. Her smile shatters like a wine glass before my eyes. Sadness leaking through the reflection of the computer screen in front of her.
"I'm sorry, they're still working on her". Tina the receptionist taps my hand gently and I feel my tears swell and my face increase in pressure.
"But I need to see her, I need to know she's ok", I scream.
"We will not receive updates until the operations are complete, I'm sorry ma'am. Also, information will not be released unless you are a family member".
I am very patient and sensitive toward others. However, when the love of my life may not be in my life anymore, everyone else's importance is minimized. They can wait. Demi is what I want, need. The soft touch of her hand keeps me in my own skin and her deep brown eyes are what I need to find sight necessary. I don't know Tina, I bet she's nice, but I'm prepared to tear her face off her bones.
Out of the corner of my eye I see a relatively unfamiliar face. A man sits in a plush chair withholding tears as white knuckles grip the armrests. I immediately walk over to him and examine his features. Sharp jawline, short hair, warm brown eyes. "Are- are you Nick?"
His head jerks up to meet my gaze and he takes his bottom lip between his teeth. Slowly, he stands and nods before embracing me. I push back the hint of claustrophobia at the back of my mind. This guy needs a hug, and frankly so do I. I can see it in his eyes and feel it in his tense muscles. I grip his tight blue shirt and let his little hurricane fall on my shoulders as mine fall on his.
"I'm Nick Jonas", he introduces himself slowly as his strong arms release my shoulders and he wipes droplets from his eyes.
"Natalie. What happened to her?" It might seem rude, but the two of us would not be introducing ourselves if this event was not underway. With one long glance, I knew this stranger and I were at an understanding.
"A couple days ago, we were rehearsing for the night in Seattle and a sandbag used for a lighting pulley fell on her head after the rope snapped. It wasn't too high up, and she said she was fine a few minutes later so we carried on and she did great at the concert that night. Earlier we were in Jacksonville and she just...fell and starter seizing. We got her to the hospital and they decided to send her home. They don't know how long it will effect her if she lives".
It is as if the Grim Reaper knocked on Demi's door and entered without permission. Just last night she smiled that smile that did not need teeth to show happiness. I decided I would wait until sunsets became sunsets and dawns became dusks. I would wait until God himself walked through those freshly cleaned doors. I would wait as long as it took for my girl to open those chocolatey brown eyes and whisper I love you as if it was still a well kept secret.
I sit in a chair in the corner, my body hunched over itself to protect itself from further damage. There is this urgent scratching at the back of my mind that is making my skin crawl. The anxiety of losing Demi is paralyzing me to the point I just let the worms under my skin take over.
A large but gentle hand rubs my back slowly as a form of comfort. When I weakly lift my head I find Nick with silent tears flowing freely down his cheeks. I could see what I didn't want to see through him. The lack of hope and overwhelming amount of despair. It was endless, the black hole ending at his heart was sucking the life out of both of us. He didn't think she'd make it. Maybe he saw her collapse, maybe he saw the screens in the Jacksonville hospital. I don't care why or how he feels that way, I just refuse to believe it. I refuse to give up on her and assume there will forever be a void within me. It's Demi, strong, unstoppable Demi with her steady heartbeat and grounded mind.
Now she's gone or never the same, I'm not sure which is worse. Not seeing her or not knowing her.
----------------------------------------------#thatwaschickedydoodoo
So guys, I don't know if any of you guys are aware but @lovaticfanficawards just added a new category to their nomination list for Demi fanfics. Check out their book to look at all the categories and if you think this book or one of the characters fits one nominate them and tell your friends to help! But make sure you read the instructions.