Page 2 of Beautiful Collide

With a force that rocks my feet, I’m ripped away from the stadium, falling into my memories and succumbing to my vicious monster.

I’m there again.

In the dark . . .

No.

You’re not.

You’re at school. Going to a hockey game. Because everything is normal now.

I’m safe.

I’m protected.

Maybe if I repeat it enough, I’ll believe it.

Someone bumps into me from behind.

“Move, freak.”

I don’t even know the girl scowling at me, but I’m sure she knows me. Thanks to Dane, every student at Redville High knows me.

She turns to her friends and giggles. “I don’t care that her brother is some NHL hotshot. The girl’s a weirdo.”

Her insults barely register. My feet are still weighed down. It feels like someone dumped concrete in my shoes, and for the life of me, I can’t lift my legs to keep going.

Move. Now. He’ll catch you if you don’t.

The sound of rushing water fills my ears, and I know it’s only a matter of time before the darkness pulls me under.

You’re going to die.

My heart thunders in my chest. It’s impossible to breathe.

Great.I’m going to die of a heart attack at seventeen.

I shake my head. No. I won’t let this happen now.

I’ve researched panic attacks, and if I let the intrusive thoughts break in . . .

“Who is she saying no to?” the girl whines, still mere inches away from me in the gridlocked crowd. “Is this bitch for real?”

A shoulder hits me, and I stumble forward.

She laughs. “Careful.”

Usually, I’d say something.

Normally, I also wouldn’t be a sneeze away from a full-fledged panic attack.

I thought I had them under control.

But every time I seehim . . .

Without a word, I head in the opposite direction, away from the entrance to the rink. Toward anywhere but here.

I’m almost to the door. Just a few feet away.The exit sign blares red with promises of my escape.

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