Page 236 of Collided

This can’t be happening right now.

For fuck’s sake.

What will Hope think of me?

She’ll think I’m weak.

She’ll think something is wrong with me.

I’m being strange.

I wish I were in my room.

I can’t cry here.

What should I do?

And why the fuck can’t I breathe?

I need my mind to slow down.

Why are there so many thoughts flooding in my mind?

Why the fuck can’t I stop thinking?

I need air.

I need to lie down on my bed and stare at the ceiling.

I need that right now.

The mayhem in my head gets stronger and louder. I hear so many voices; I can’t find my own.

“Heath, look at me.”

I do as she says.

“Listen to me only.” She runs her thumbs over my cheeks. I realize she’s cupped my cheeks.

My face is in her hands.

“It’s okay,” she assures me.

“Take a deep breath with me.” She shows me.

I copy her.

“Again,” she instructs.

I do as she says, maybe because she’s doing it with me.

I’m not alone in this.

Doing it with her doesn’t make it seem so difficult.

We do it for a while, I don’t know how long, but by the end, a string isn’t tied around my chest.

“You’re okay,” she tells me as she wraps her arms around me tightly.

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