12

After Mitch woke up and started to get ready for heading to the concert hall, he nearly had another panic attack in the bathroom. Scott literally told that crazy guy that he was allowed to see him. He was nauseous, he was dizzy and desperate.

He slept through the sound check but the band has promised him that it was alright and they were able to finish his part before the show. While he was applying some concealer Beau was sitting on the edge of his bed, scrolling through social media, seemingly not knowing about the anxiety Mitch was feeling that moment.

Somehow the whole life felt like a bad joke. Like a horrible nightmare.

He wasn't able to say a word without being bitchy so he just pressed his lips together, took his bag and left with Beau in silence. There was a tension between them. Beau didn't even want to touch him anymore. Despite everything he said Mitch knew that he was still pissed and hurt.

At least he gave Mitch a chance to talk about this whole stalker-thing after they got home. That was more than nothing and much better than breaking up.

He really didn't feel like making a show that day – even though he was sleeping long, he was still exhausted and he felt like nothing was able to put a smile on his face. They all got ready for the VIP and he was sharing a dressing room with Scott. Mark was out somewhere, Beau was having a phone call on the corridor. Their makeup artist just left and their time was getting closer and closer. He literally felt like his legs weren't even able to keep him up anymore. The stress was making him nauseous and he needed to sit down. He hid his face in his palms and tried to calm his breathing, hoping that he won't throw up right before the VIP."Are you okay? Are you feeling sick?" Scott asked, furrowing his brows in confusion."I'm just nervous," Mitch answered shortly. He was literally on the verge of a panic attack again so he really needed to do something."Why? We did this so many times."Mitch didn't say anything to that. He knew that if he would talk about the guy, Scott would just try to brush it off. There was the well-known pain in stomach and he knew that he can't hold it anymore. "Fuck," he mumbled. That was it. He was literally getting sick from stress.

He stumbled into the bathroom and barely had time to close the door before his stomach gave the last warning. He felt pathetic."Mitchy?" Scott knocked on the door. It was locked and Mitch didn't want to let him in. He had enough of looking weak. But at the same time everything was a little bit too much for his senses. The lights were too bright, the noises were too loud, the weird pain is his stomach felt too much. He couldn't go out there. He wasn't able to face his stalker again. That guy had the chance to touch him multiple times during VIP and Mitch felt sick and dirty only thinking about that."Baby, open the door please!" Great, now Beau was there, too. At least Mitch only needed to push through two days until he could finally tell him everything. Then things will get better. Hopefully.

Damn, he was so anxious for that stupid VIP. He usually didn't take Xanax before shows because it made him slow down and tired but now he really needed it. There was no way he was able to make this show without it.

Thankfully their makeup artist was amazing and didn't need to redo the whole thing. Everything stayed there as far as Mitch could see in the bathroom mirror. He finally opened the door but couldn't go anywhere because Beau was standing right in the front of him. "Are you really just nervous?" he asked and when Mitch nodded, he continued. "You really don't have to be. You guys did this so many times, it always ended up amazing."

'You don't have to be.' Mitch hated hearing this. 'Just stop worrying. Just quit being nervous.' Like it was that easy. Obviously he didn't have to be stressed but he was and it couldn't be magically healed by saying that he should stop.

They all lined up for the VIP and Mitch already could see from the door that the guy was there. The same colored contact lenses, the same black hoodie, the same strange look on his face. Mitch clenched his teeth.

Scott was very excited for the VIP as always. At the Q&A he was talking longer than usually but then they went on with the questions. He hated that his stalker raised his hand as well and he secretly prayed that no one will notice him but his hope was dead before it was born. It was Scott who asked him what he wanted to say. Scott. Scott knew who he was."It's for only Mitch," he guy started, looking him deep into the eyes. "Do you prefer messages on phone or real letters?"

He couldn't be serious.

"I-" He needed to say something. "Well- Really depends on the situation."Dead silence sat on the room. Kirstie let out an awkward chuckle. "Okay, so next question..."Mitch felt his stare burning holes into him but he was too scared to look up. He knew that some of his bandmates were watching him too because no one really understood the situation, except Scott maybe. At this point Mitch wasn't even sure if his friend realized that this guy was the same one sending him creepy letters.

Then it was the turn of pictures. He needed to force a smile and keep it on while his stalker was getting close to him in the front of the people who didn't believe Mitch. He took a breath and kept it in. After the shot was made, the guy leaned down, close to Mitch's ear. "It wasn't too bad, right?" And then he left. Mitch just stood there, frozen until their next fan.

The show went on quite alright except that Mitch couldn't get the stalker off of his mind. He was seen nowhere but Mitch really doubted that he left home. He was constantly checking the crowd but the guy wasn't there. It was so tiring to pay attention to so many things at once. After they finished, everyone went to their own dressing room.

"So what do you think?" Scott asked while removing his makeup."Of what?" Mitch was still sitting on the couch, drinking water and trying not to break down."Tonight. It wasn't bad, huh? Sad that you've been so nervous in the beginning." Scott wasn't dumb, Mitch needed to remind himself. But he couldn't understand how his best friend didn't see the obvious. After all the stress from that day Mitch was too numb to react. He automatically reached for a cotton pad and for some makeup remover.

***

By the time they left the concert hall there was pitch-dark outside. As usually, some fans haven't left yet. They were standing behind the cordon. Some of them started screaming when they saw the band walking out the door. Scott smiled widely, he was quick to be there, followed by the others. Mitch was the last one leaving the building. He didn't really feel like acting nicely, all he wanted was going back to the hotel and sleeping finally.

But then someone grabbed his arm and yanked it harshly. He hissed in pain and instinctively turned around to see the person behind him. He wasn't even able to speak a word because the attacker pressed his palm on Mitch's mouth and pulled him closer."Listen here, you slut..." But then he stopped. Mitch tried to escape violently, wishing that it will catch someone's attention but they were behind the street lamp in the darkness, both dressed in black.

Of course Mitch recognized who the person was. The stalker pushed him, Mitch's back hit the wall and he needed to gasp for air. He tried so scream out for help but the man's hand was still on his mouth. "I swear the God if you say a single word I'll fucking choke you." He was so angry. Mitch could see the rage in his eyes and it was terrifying. "It's all your fault," he continued. "I hate you... I can't fucking stand you! I should've killed you right at the first time! It's all your fault!" Then he stroked Mitch's throat with his finger. "Too bad that you're so breathtakingly gorgeous. But maybe it's time for someone to take your breath away, right?"

But then all of the sudden he stepped away. His stare burned Mitch's skin."Here's the deal, darling: for now, I'll let you go, alright? It's not the right time for us. However, if I hear just once that you said something about our little conversation here, your friends will need to find another little angel for the band. Also, you better cooperate, otherwise I need to find a way to get your little boyfriend out of the way. Did you understand?" At first Mitch didn't reply. The man reached out, pinching his face between his two fingers. "I asked something. Did you fucking understand?!" Mitch nodded in silence, so the man smiled. "Great. See you soon, gorgeous!" And with that, he disappeared in the darkness.

Mitch was in shock. He couldn't make his body move, he was short of breath and he was shaking. The others were still chatting with the fans. All of the sudden Kirstie looked back and her glance met Mitch's. Her eyes widen.

He could tell her that it was only his anxiety acting up. Would she believe it? That has never happened like this before. What was he supposed to say then? What was he supposed to do? Was the man going to hurt Beau? He wanted to tell him everything, now he wasn't even sure if he could. Beau will break up with him.

Kirstie has reached him already and she was talking but Mitch couldn't make out a word of what she was saying. And then suddenly everything went black.