”What kind of theme do you want tonight?” Oscar asked and I looked at him.
”Anything you would like to do?” I asked, and he shrugged.
”Then I want you to think about candy and make me a really candy inspired light show” I said with a grin. He laughed and nodded.
”Sure thing” he said and walked over to the sound and light tent and I went backstage, and started to warm up for tonights show. I took two jumps and let out a small scream, smiled and turned around. I saw Austin, Alan, Mike and Jack by the side stage. Why Mike and Austin together? I let out a small sigh and decided to not let it bother me.
”HELLO GERMANY” I called out and the crowed growled.

Oscar was doing one hell of a show with the light. The crowd was dancing and jumping, and the few lines I had they sang themselves. It was such a feeling and I felt so alive. I loved doing this. I loved every second.
”Okay Germany, would you like to hear something new?” I asked and they cheered. I laughed and began a little pause beat, and looked out over the big crowd. I smiled.
”This one is called ‘Second Chance’ and I hope you like it” I said and they cheered again. The first tunes began and I closed my eyes. I had only one person in mind for this song. My mother. And the fact that she had been given a second chance. Then I held up my hand and the crowd did the same, stood still and closed their eyes and I let out a sigh. The bass dropped and the whole crowd went nuts. Never had I seen them the way they behaved right now. People were dancing like there was no tomorrow. They jumped to the music and they looked so happy. And the light. Wow Oscar. Just wow. I glanced to the side stage and I saw that Austin looked at me. He smiled when out eyes met. But his smile faded and I saw how he ran out on stage together with the others. I looked towards the crowd again to see what was happening and just as I turned my face back I saw this really tall man, with ripped clothes, pretty much naked, coming towards me with an angry face. In his hand he had a small knife and I just stared. It didn’t take long before his face changed and all I did see was he face of my father and the knife turned into a kitchen knife. My body froze and i just stood there and stared at him. Suddenly Mike and Jack jumped at the guy with the knife and my vision got black when a big hand covered my eyes, and the other arm wrapped itself around my body and turned me away from him. I fell on my own feet in the turn, but Austin held me up and I felt his breath in my neck.
”You’re okay” he whispered. More like a confirmation for himself, rather than to me. I lifted my arms and squeezed his arm and closed my eyes, and he moved his hand from my eyes and hugged me instead. Holding me tight against his body.
”DIE” I heard the man growl behind the music. I still held my eyes closed and I leaned my whole body against Austin, and gently pressed myself at him. Feeling more safe. I pressed my fingers into his arm and I felt his arm tighten just a little around me.
”I’m here” he whispered, and I barely heard it. Alan stood in front of me and he looked at Mike and Jack struggling with the man. They got help from the security and Austin looked over his shoulder and looked when they escorted him away.

I was sitting backstage on the ground, between Austin’s legs, and curling up to a ball. Leaning my head against my knees that I hugged tightly against my chest. I had blocked every sound out. Austin had tried to talk to me but he gave up after a few minutes and now he just sat there. To show his support and because I know that he wouldn’t want to walk away. I thought I heard Oscar once as well but I guess Austin had said something to him. Austin jumped a little when I relaxed and just fell back against his chest. But he stroked my arm a little and I opened my eyes, and I looked up into his brown. He gave me a small smile.
”I guess a welcome back is in order” he said and I couldn’t help but to smile a little.
”Well thank you, kind sir, how nice of you” I said, but it was more like a whisper. First he just gently lifted his arms and leaned them against me, but it soon became more like a hug. I curled up a little and leaned against him, and he saw that as a permission to hug me. I looked around and saw that it was completely dark above us. I could hear some people in the distance and when I glanced over I saw Mike, Jaime and Alex. They were walking towards us and then I saw that Mike saw me, and Austin. I met his eyes just as Austin’s lips graced me shoulders. I closed my eyes and nuzzled up a little against his chest, and I felt his smile against my skin.

Austin was walking half a meter in front of me and I held his hand. Or more I held two of his fingers as I slowly walked behind him. Following him back to our hotel. In the lobby he stopped and looked at me and he cupped his hands over my cheeks and he let his lips gently grace mine before he gave me a soft kiss.
”Will you be okay now?” he asked and I nodded. Or maybe not now because of the kiss. But yes. I would be okay. He smiled and gave me a second soft kiss before we parted our ways and he got over to his room and I got to mine. Just as I entered the room my phone buzzed and I saw that I had a few missed calls from Cory and Carol. And it was Cory who called. I answered and smiled.
”Hi Cory, what is going on?” I asked.
”Finally you answer” he said and sighed in relief and I got a bit surprised.
”What is going on?” I asked again.
”It’s your mother” he said and my heart dropped.
”What about her?” I whispered.
”She passed away earlier today” he said and this time my heart didn’t just drop.

- - -

Austin’s POV

I was down in the restaurant eating breakfast with Alan and Tino when I saw Oscar coming, or more like running. He was looking around and then he saw us and he came over. We all just looked at him.
”Where’s the fire?” Tino asked.
”Have you guys seen Essie?” he asked, and we all got confused.
”No… why?” Alan asked, and he glanced at me. I stared at Oscar.
”Apparently she checked out from the hotel yesterday” he said and we all just stared at her. She had what? Was it because… I kissed her? Shit. I’ve ruined things. I scared her off.