Austin’s POV
It had been almost two months since I last saw Essie. It was so weird and everything was a mess. Cory had no idea either where she was but anyone could see that he knew, but didn’t want to say anything. He always called someone from time to time, and he always looked so sad. I even heard him say her name once, but I wasn’t sure if he was talking to her or not.

But then the most shocking surprise came. ERSA. Essie was going to perform on ERSA in London. Apparently she had a new song that would be performed on the awards, a song called “The End”. And it seemed like I wasn’t the only one that got surprised by that. Semuncia, who lost a lot of their fans after Essie was kicked, was really surprised.
"I had no idea she was still in the music business" Scott said.
"Me neither" Caspian said and shrugged.
"Have anyone of you guys heard from her?" I asked and looked at them, and they all shook their head.
"I haven’t seen her since we told her that we kinda… kicked her" Scott said.
"Me neither" I said and sighed.

I looked out over England as we went in for landing. ERSA would be in about two days and I was really curious to see Essie. To see if she had changed. Had she lost weight? Had she gained? the thoughts were many and to be honest all I wanted was to see her. To talk to her and see if I could help her in any way I could.

- - -

I placed a brush in my hand and brushed my new, long, black curls. For the ERSA I had put in extensions in my hair and it was long and black. Causing me to look even paler and sicker. But with some makeup I would look flawless. When I had brushed it I made it into a long braid and I put on a big tee and a pair of skinny jeans. Today I as going to meet Austin. I was surprised he had agreed to meet me, and I was really nervous. Today I was going to tell him the truth. The whole truth.

- - -

Austin’s POV

I barely recognized her when she walked inside the coffee shop. She was so pale she looked like Death herself, and her body was so thin you could see the bones. Any second now she would probably trip on her own feet and break into pieces. She looked that fragile. I just stared at her when she sat down across the table from me.
”Hi Austin” she said.
”When was the last time you had a proper meal?” I asked. She looked at me and then she shrugged, with a small smile on her lips.
”It’s been a while” she said.
”The drugs really got to you” I said.
”It’s not drugs Austin” she said and handed me a paper. I read it and got a bit surprised. It was painkillers. Prescription painkillers. Strong ones.
”Why would you need painkillers?” I asked and looked at her. She just smiled.
”Do you remember that time when my voice failed me?” she asked.
”Yeah, you had tonsillitis” I answered.
”Yes I had, but that wasn’t the only thing they found” she said, and I almost choked on my drink when she said that. Not the only thing? What? Wait… just what?
”What did they find?” I asked and just stared at her. My heart started to race, my hands got sweaty. My vision got a bit blurry but I could see her just perfectly fine.
”A tumor, growing on my vocal cord” she said. I just stared at her for a while.
”A tumor?” I finally asked.
”The painkillers is for the pain that every day increases” she said and looked down on her hands. She looked so sad, yet peaceful. She looked up and she smiled. She smiled like she had accepted her fate. A peaceful smile, and sad eyes. But not sad because she had a tumor. Sad because she was telling me. Telling me the truth.
”Who else knows?” I asked and she just kept smiling. I waited for her to answer when I realized that I wouldn’t get an answer. Because no one else knew.
”No one?” I asked and pulled the fingers through my hair.
”Except my doctor” she said.
”Why would you need the painkillers?” I asked.
”Because I refused treatment. I rather die a singer, than live a mute” she said, and explained what the doctors had explained to her. I just stared at her.

Everything became clear. Her over attachment because she was afraid she would die, without being near me. The drugs was just painkillers. For her to properly function.

Shit.

"Why are you telling me this now?" I asked.
"Because I finally know I only have a few days left" she said and my heart dropped. She had only what?
"Honest is our thing" I whispered and she smiled again. I just stared at her and then I realized.
"But you are supposed to sing at ERSA" I gasped and she just continued to smile.
"My final performance" she said and I just stared at her. That was the reason behind the name of the song. The End. It was literally the end.
"I have to go, I have an appointment with my doctor" she said and got up.
"Please… Can I come?" I asked, and she got surprised.
"If you want to" she said, and gave me a small smile.