"We have to call her," I demanded, walking into Chris's living room. The tour had ended a few days ago and we were all "conferencing" at Chris's house.
"I don't think she'd want us to do that," he argued, leaning up against the tv unit.
"She asked us not to," Star agreed, taking Chris's defense.
"You think she knew this was gonna happen?" Joey argued, walking in behind me.
"Does anyone know where she is?" JC asked, walking in behind Joey. "Seriously, if anyone does, this would be the time to tell us." Everyone shook their heads.
"Does she have her cellphone with her?" Justin asked. "Maybe we could reach her through that.
"She doesn't have it on," I said. "We could leave a voicemail, though.
"She doesn't know how to get them," Roxie said.
"Well, we have to get to her somehow," Mel said. "This isn't exactly one of those things that she'll want to hear when she gets back."
"Maybe Josh knows where she is," Lance suggested. I shook my head.
"He's as clueless as the rest of us."
"Why don't we try announcing it on MTV?" Justin suggested.
"And risk her private lives infront of millions?" I asked, scowling. "I don't think so."
"You know she watches it," JC said. "Why don't we just say that there's an emergency and have her call us. That way, she'll still be alone like she asked, but she'll get the news." Chris thought for a moment, then picked up the receiver.
"It's worth a shot."
"Alex! C'mere, quick!" I ran into the family room at the sound of Claire's voice. She was sitting in front of the television, her eyes glued to the set.
"Why would they ask for me to call them?" I said, confused. "And on international television?"
"The only reason Elis would think of invading your privacy, besides the fact that she's nosy, would be an emergency," Claire said. She turned around to look at me. "I'd call her." I bit my lip in thought, then grabbed my cellphone off the couch.
"I'll call Chris. I don't think I could handle Elis's constant badgering." Picking up my cell phone, I dialed Chris’s cellphone.
“Hello?” His voice sounded strained and frustrated.
“Chris? It’s me.”
“Alex!” he said, excitedly.
“Ssh! God damnit, don’t yell it!” I exclaimed. “I don’t want anyone knowing where I am. What’s going on.” Chris didn’t answer. This wasn’t good. “Chris . . .” I said in a warning tone. “Tell me.”
“It’s about your father.” I panicked. My dad had been diagnosed with cancer a year ago. The doctors had said it was getting better, but you never know what could happen.
“What happened to him?” I asked, growing worried. Chris paused again. “Chris! God damnit, tell me! Please!”
“He, umm . . . he took a turn for the worse,” Chris finally said. “Josh called and asked us to look for you. He’s in the Abington Hospital.”