Long road ahead.

Day 1 (part 2)

"Honey, it's me. Where are you? Mama Jan's here to check you out!" my mom called.

"Back here!" I tried to call back, but my voice cracked and I launched into another wet, phlemy coughing fit. I held on to the bathroom sink with my left hand, coughing harshly into my right. I heard my mom come in and I soon felt a warm hand soothingly rub my back.

"You okay?" she asked, but I couldn't answer. I stopped coughing after a second, but turned away from my mother slightly, keeping my hand to my face.

"Hep-shh! HESSHH! HUSSHH! HESSHOO-HESSHOO!! H'nxxt! H'nxxxt! H'nxxtSHoo! Heh! H'xxtSHHH!!"

"Don't stifle them, Honey, it's bad for you," my mom said. She kept on rubbing my back as I erupted into yet another harsh, messy sneezing fit.

"HESSHH!! HUSSHHOO-HU-HESSHH!!! HEPSHOO! Heh-HESSHH!! HEPSHH! HUP-SHH! HESSHHOO!!"

"Bless you, Sweetheart," my mom said. I just nodded, suddenly really tired. But I knew I couldn't get any sleep sneezing like this.

"You okay?" she asked gently.

"Yeah," I replied.

"Oh, gosh," Mama Jan said softly when she heard my voice. I cringed, my throat burning. My voice was scratchy and so congested you could barely understand me. My nose was so blocked I had to breathe through my mouth, making my throat dry and even sorer. I just realized how tired I am. I grabbed a tissue and wiped my nose, then threw it away and began washing my hands. After I was done, I turned and sniffled, but it just made a congested squelching sound. My mom embraced me in a hug and I laid my head on her shoulder, absolutely exhausted.

"Mom, I feel awful," I admitted, about ready to burst into tears.

"I know, Sweetheart. Let me go see if I have any of your medicine in my stuff," she said. She pulled away and dashed off to her room, leaving me standing there, one step away from bawling my eyes out in complete misery. I slid down the wall and hugged my knees to my chest, laying my head on them, coughing wetly. I stopped coughing after a couple seconds and leaned my head back against the wall and sniffled.

"I think we're gonna cancel the concert tonight. You sound awful," Mama Jan said softly. That was the last straw. I put my head back down and burst into tears, sobbing. Mama Jan looked shocked. She had a right to. Nobody here except my mom has ever seen me cry.

"I found some of your medicine in my suitcase," my mom said. She came in with a bottle of water and a pill, then stopped in her tracks.

"Omigosh! Sweetie, what's wrong?" she asked, coming over to me.

"I-I just f-feel really, really bad," I sobbed. I sniffled again and wiped my nose.

"Here, baby, take this," she said, holding the water and medicine out to me. I reached up and took the water bottle first, bringing my other hand to cup my nose and mouth.

"Hesshh! Hep-shh! Hep-shhh!! Hup-sshh! Husshhoo! Hep-shoo! Hep-shoo! Hepshh-uh! Heh-pshh! Hesshh!!!" By the time I finished, my hand was covered in spray from the sneezes. My mom plucked a couple tissues from the box and handed them to me.

"Thanks," I said hoarsely from behind my hand, and discreetly cleaned myself up.

"Aw, Sweetheart, you're losing your voice!" she informed me. Mama Jan looked a little pained. I slowly stood up, threw the tissues away, and washed my hands. I opened the water bottle and took the pill from my mom. I swallowed it quickly. The cool water soothed my singeing throat. I rubbed my red, itchy, swollen eyes and coughed out another sob. My mom gave me another warm hug.

"Go take a shower; it'll make you feel better. I'll make you some tea for your throat, okay?" she suggested. She pulled away and kissed my forehead. She looked at me, concerned, and put her hand to my forehead, frowning.