met-a-noia

Chapter 19

Amira's POV:

Tarian pulled into the beach's private entrance, my eyes widened when I realized that it was completely empty. What the hell? That cant be normal.. right? I look at her as she kicked the kickstand down on the ground, keeping the bike in place. "Hey Tarian?", I asked her as she rolled her shoulders back a bit.

"Yeah, what is it love?"

"Why is it so empty?"

"Because this beach has been closed off to the public after an accident, I had it closed off in respects of the parent's wishes"

"Do you know who died?"

"... "

I felt her back tense against my cheek before She answered silently, "no...", her face becoming stone cold.  I pulled away from her as she dismounted the motorbike, offering her hand out to me. Well, that was definitely something. I take her hand and let her help me down, my feet hitting the soft sand below. Tarian offered me a half-smile as her hands settling on the top of my helmet as she pulled it off, a small sigh leaving her mouth and a frown crossing her lips.

"Im sorry, I messed up your hair", Tarian said in a dejected voice as she placed the helmet down harshly on top of the motorcycle's seat. Since when did she care about my hair? Wasnt she the one who said 'too bad so sad' when I complained about helmet hair? Now, shes sad that she ruined my hair? Well, now I know something's definitely wrong. I look down between us, my eyes widening a bit as I noticed her hands were shaking. "Hey.. its okay", I whisper hesitating a bit before gently grabbing her right hand in mine, as she rolled her left hand into a shaky fist. Her eyes held so much sadness as she looked down at my hand that was currently on hers before looking back up at me. Whats going on here? Why is she so upset?

"Im.. sorry", Tarian whispered, letting her gaze drop to the sand underneath us. My brows knit together in worry as I asked, "Whats wrong?". Tarian's brows knit together as she turned her head away from me and said, "Nothing.. its nothing", yanking her hand out of my grip as she turned to walk away. I sighed, following after her, "Tarian, I know damn well that you're not alright, so stop walking for a god damn second and talk to me. Tell me whats wrong at the very least because you're not acting like yourself".

Tarian shook her head, ignoring me as she quickened the pace of her walking.  "Tarian! I know you can hear me", I shout after her before taking one large step and grabbing her right hand, making her swirl around and yell, "DONT TOUCH ME!". My eyes widened as I let go of her, studying her as her chest rose and fell erratically, her breathing frantic, her eyes held panic, as her body trembled capriciously. I sighed, watching as she closed her eyes, taking controlling breaths. I only watched as she calmed down. Shes having a panic attack.. did I push her too far? Did I do something? Is it this place? Im not sure.. but she seems to be calming herself down just fine.

"Are you okay now?", I asked gently watching as her breathing went back to normal and her trembling subsided. Tarian nodded and said, "I..Im fine". I hum and ask, "Will you tell me what caused this?". Tarian sighed, looking at me, her eyes narrowing a bit before her head dropped and she sighed murmuring something before nodding. I waited patiently, waiting for her to gather herself up a bit more.

Tarian took a deep breath and said, "This place.. this beach is where my brother drowned". My eyes widened as I asked softly , "So your parents asked to close this place, and Im guessing the public didnt agree?". Tarian nodded and said in one of the most genuine voices I've ever heard from her, "Im sorry.. for yelling at you. I didn't want to, its just I had a-"

"You had a panic attack?"

Tarian nodded, a streak of embarassment flushing across her cheeks. I chuckle and say, "Now you have the mind to get embarrassed?". Tarian huffed and said, "Oh piss off, please lets get going or it'll be sundown before you know it". I nodded and said, "Will you be alright..? Being here? Because im fine with going to another beach". Tarian shook her head and said, "No, im fine being here. Besides, its a special place for me.. as fucked up as it sounds".