"Take a look in the mirror and cry

Lord, what you’re doing to me

I have spent all my years believing in you

But I just can’t get no relief, Lord"

Shane fumbled with his hair as he looked in the mirror. He felt on the brink of tears realising that instead of the happy figure who usually stared back at him, his reflection looked sad, lost… hollow. He blinked a few times and tried to regain his vision in order to do his hair.

Kian emerged behind him and pushed Shane’s hands away, silently fixing his hair.

"There you go."

Shane looked at Kian through the mirror. "Thank you."

"No problem. And Shane, you will be all right tonight. Last time was just a one-off. Now, let’s get going or we’ll be late."

Shane just nodded and followed him. He knew he wouldn’t be all right. Hadn’t been since the day he passed out. He couldn’t tell anyone though, there was that voice telling him not to trust people. And it had such a strange power over him.

---

He started to feel strange sooner than expected. They had just got out of the car… all the reporters… fans… all looking at him. The camera flashes made him dizzy and the high-pitched screams of teenage girls haunted him.

Kian grabbed Shane’s hand as they lined up for a few photos. He could tell Shane was getting stressed and worried more about his friends health than what would be written in the following days tabloids.

They went inside. Shane felt nauseous and kept close to Kian, smiling and nodding at people who talked to him.

They finally got to their table and Shane relaxed a little as they sat down. Kian leaned over to him.

"Are you ok?"

Shane nodded.

"Are you sure?"

Shane nodded again.

"Ok, but you will tell me if you don’t feel well, right?"

Shane managed another nod and Kian smiled at him. He wished he could have told Kian and they could have spent the evening in the hotel room, instead of in this place that was cluttered with people. But he didn’t want to ruin Kian’s evening so he kept quiet.

Chapter 4 >>