The Bet

Chapter 36

The Bet

Janet's eyes fluttered open. She blinked a few times and tried to regain her focus. Her head was resting in Clarke's lap. She sat up slowly.

"What happened?" She asked and looked around feeling dizzy and confused.

"You passed out and nearly hit your head." Clarke said touching her cheek. "We're on our way to the hospital."

Janet looked around again. "No!" She said. Her loud tone startled Clarke. "Preston, turn the car around now please."

"But Ms. Jackson..." He said and glanced at her through his rear view mirror. She met his gaze and she didn't have to say another word. He nodded. "Yes ma'am." He said and glanced at Clarke before making a u-turn.

"What? Are you kidding me, Preston no! We have to make sure she's okay." She looked at Janet. "Baby please, we need to get you to a doctor."

Janet didn't respond. She just let her spinning head fall in her hands and remained quiet for the rest of the ride.

When they arrived, Clarke made her way into the building so that she could find Gil. She spotted him standing near Janet's dressing where he was waiting patiently for them.

"I need to talk to you." Clarke said. She looked panicked. Gil took her by the hand and lead her into the dressing room where he closed them inside. The door opened again Janet walked in.

"Gil, its not a big deal." Janet said right away.

"Not a big deal?" Clarke said and turned to Gil. "She passed out, in front of the hotel. If it wasn't for Preston she could've really gotten hurt." Clarke glanced at Janet again, tears swelling in her eyes. "She refuses to go to the hospital." Gil looked at Janet, concern lining his face as she tried to avoid his eyes. "She was out for nearly ten minutes."

"Dunk?" He said. Janet shook her head at him.

"I'm fine, really." She said. "Gil, I can't cancel this show, I can't do that again." Gil was quiet. Clarke snapped her head in his direction.

"Please tell her that she needs to see a doctor." Clarke said breaking the silence. Janet walked over to the door and looked back at them.

"I have to go. Will you talk to her? I don't have time to explain this right now." She said. Tears were streaming down Clarke's face as Janet opened the door and walked out of the room.

"Janet." Clarke called out to her but she kept walking.

"Way to have my back Gil. I can't believe you let her walk out of here." She said and looked at him with hurt in her eyes.

"Clarke I need you to listen to me." He said as he reached for her hand and made her join him on the love seat in the room. "I know you're new to all of this but baby shit is different for her. If she goes to the hospital it will be talked about for weeks." He said. "The doctors will tell her it's dehydration and or exhaustion. But the media will say its drugs, pregnancy, age or whatever other bullshit story they can come up with. In her life, there is always a plan B. You need to learn to understand that."

"But what if something is wrong? You don't know how scary it was to see her like that." Clarke said looking him in the eyes.

"Yes I do, I've seen it before. Clarke the last show is important to her. It's important to her fans. She is getting on that stage tonight and there is nothing any of us can do to stop it."
He said and stood up. "I'm going to go check on her. I promise I will make sure she is good and I'll call her doctor. But the only thing she needs from you tonight is focus and support. Besides... you can take out your frustrations on her later..." He said and waited for her reaction. Clarke rolled her eyes. "Too soon???" He asked and laughed. She smiled finally. Gil always had a way of calming her.