Split Lives

Chapter 24

~Marcus~

I'm backstage with my friends in my own world, lost in my thoughts, while the warm up act is on "hey man, what's up?" Oliver breaks me from my trail of thought "what?" I asked, Oliver knows me so well "what's up? You look worse than before" Oliver has such a way with words, I shake my head "nothing, just got a call from my mom" "everything ok?" Tyra so softy asks, I can't hide something like but I'll have to so she can still have fun "not really" I say but trying not to sound as upset as what I was "why man?" Oliver is first to ask followed by Tyra "what's up?" I can't give them bad news now, they need to enjoy this performance as with all because they love it and this would upset them too much, I can't do that to my friends "just go and have fun performing" "how can we now?" Oliver again "just go and perform, don't forget to have fun out there" Tyra and Oliver look at each other then back at me "ok, but this ain't the end of it" Tyra says as she walks with the others "she right man, you gotta tell us what's up" Oliver says, I just shrug "ok whatever" then I look at him "have fun out there" I say patting his arm, then he catches up with the others.

I lean against the wall behind me 'please AJ, please survive. Just wake up, you have people wanting to meet you. There's so much for you, please survive' I think to myself as I get my phone out of my pocket and dial a number that I've been meaning to call for hours, there's 5 rings before I get an answer "yeah urm....I need to ask you for a favour..." I begin as I try to take my mind off what is happening.

~Oliver~

It's about an hour after we first went on stage, we have a 'quick change' break meaning we prepare for the 2nd part of our show 'so glad we're half way through the show' I think to myself as I make my way over to Marcus who is sitting on the floor up against the wall "hey man" I say to Marcus as I reach him, but before Marcus could answer his phone began to ring, so obviously with all that's going on with Azura he answers it in case someone is trying to update him, although he really didn't sound happy "what?" Marcus starts "oh hi, what do you want?....What?! NO! You...you said.....I'm on my way" and with that Marcus ends the call.

Marcus stands up off the floor then turns his gaze to me "I've got to go, it's AJ. Carry on with the show, break a leg" and off he goes, I was dumbfounded what's with AJ? Where's he going? confused I ask "What?" I was too late as I see him running off, so I go back to the band. 

~Marcus~

I didn't think twice, I got on my motorbike and came as quick as I legally could. When I arrived I turn my bike off and jump off and ran into the hospital, taking my helmet off whilst I'm on my way it.

I arrive on the intensive care unit (ICU) ward when my phone rings, as I walk through the corridors I answer my phone "What?....I'm on my way to AJ's room...why? You're asking why? How about the fact they want to turn off her life support so I've came to say goodbye to her" I snap, I then sigh "I'm sorry man, I'm just upset. I've been an awful friend and only just had weeks with her" I sigh, upset I carry on "no man, you've got to carry on your performance. Really, I'm being serious, finish your performance with the guys....ok man, I'll see you later man. Bye" and then I end the call, I keep walking and arrive out side Azura's room and walk in.

When I walk in I see my mom standing next to Azura, so I make my way to my mom and throw my arms around her pulling her into a hug upset and hurt "I know son, I know. I made sure they never turned it off until you came, so go on, say your goodbye so we can end her suffering" I let go of my mom and nod letting her know that I understood what she said, then as I go to Azura's bedside I hear my mom "Come on guys, let's leave him to say goodbye on his own" with that the room emptied so the only 2 people in this room is me and my friend who I have to let go. 

I sit next to Azura, holding her hand and placing my mouth right by Azura's ear and say very clear and loudly because of her hearing "hey AJ, I came to see you. Sorry I weren't here yesterday, unfortunately I've been busy. I know I've abandoned you for years, I never visited you in juvie, I didn't come looking after you when you'd skip school and so many other things, and I'm so, so, so sorry. I just can't believe you're leaving me" a tear rolls down my face and I wipe it with the back of my hand, my voice starts to break as it gets shaky while I'm trying to hold back tears "you was always amazing, even with your volcano temper, your fiery attitude, and fierce personality. You was like family to me, both you and Talia were like little sisters to me" I couldn't believe I was saying these words to my best friend, saying my last goodbye to her I start to cry "and I know you may not be able to hear me well, if at all, I know your condition gave you poor hearing that gets worse by the days, but I hope you can hear me" I begin to rub Azura's hand with my thumb, she liked sensory stuff like that, I keep crying as I carry on to say "I really wish I weren't saying this, but you've suffered enough, it's time to end your suffering and let you go" I keep stroking the back of her hand the best I could with the drips in, with my other hand I wipe away the tears and take in a deep breath, then I stroke Azura's face, she always loved that as a kid. With a shaky voice again I say my final words to her "goodbye old friend, may we meet again someday" once again tears roll down my face, I stop stroking her face to wipe my tears away then I turn around and let my grip go on Azura's hand so I can walk out the room.

But just as I stopped stroking her and go to walk away, I find I can't walk away as I feel a grip on my hand so I turn back to Azura as I feel her grip loosen "AJ? Did you just grip my hand?" I ask confused as to what just happened.