Making It Up As We Go Along

34. Helping Lizzie

Nellie's POV
I smiled at Elizabeth and Robbie as we walked up towards the Hollywood sign. It had been my first time hiking since third grade, but I didn't mind it. Besides, Robbie and Lizzie were being pretty entertaining.

"Look at that bird Nellie and Lizzie, it's almost as if it's flying directly towards us, ready to devour us any second now." Robbie said in a fake British accent, which sounded more Australian than British.

Lizzie ducked down as the bird flew over her. The bird lets out a squawk and I laugh.

"Oh my gosh, what am I going to do with you two?!" Lizzie laughs, looking at Robbie and I. We shrug our shoulders and keep walking.

As it gets quiet between the three of us, I start to sing.
"Into the thick of it
Into the thick of it
Into the thick of it (ugh)
We're tramping through the bush
On and on, we push
Into the thick of it
But we can't see where we're going
We've made a stellar start to find our jungles heart
But all we'll find is nothing if we can't see where we're going
Into the thick of it
Into the thick of it
Into the thick of it
But we can't see where we're going
Into the thick of it
Into the thick of it
Into the thick of it
But we can't see where we're going (ugh)
The jungle's kind of tricky, the path is never straight
And sometimes there's no path at all, which makes it hard to navigate
Although the jungle's thick, we're moving through it quick
But that won't do us any good if we're going around in circles
Into the thick of it
Into the thick of it
Into the thick of it
We're going 'round in circles (ugh)
These trees look so familiar
We've been here once before
You're right, except it wasn't once
It was three times or four
Stuck in the thick of it
Stuck in the thick of it
Stuck in the thick of it
We've gone around in circles"

"What the heck was that? Are you okay?" Elizabeth asked, laughing. "Yes. That's what I like to call, when 2000's kids get Tik Tok songs stuck in their heads."

When we finally get to the top, I see the Hollywood sign and am able to see all over the valley.

"Woah, mom this is incredible!" I exclaimed, smiling as I looked around.

"I'm glad you like it. I don't really come up here often but it's always a gorgeous view." I smile and take a picture of the view, posting it on my Instagram.

Taggged robbiearnett
heyitsnellie: Party in the USA 💕
comments
rye._2021 Finally a post not related to Lizzie. Also, it looks so pretty sisty.
s._h._a._y._l._a Gorgeous 😍
plazadeaubrey Why didn't you guys ask me to come?
jules.ilene Ah! Love you guys @ elliotarnett and I need to see you guys some time.
paulbettany Yes! Classic Hollywood

I smiled and put my phone away. I looked at the view one more time and then we started to walk back.

When we are almost back to our car, I see a large group of people turn and stare at us. I look over at Lizzie and could see she was visibly uncomfortable. Before I could ask her if everything was okay, she darted to the car and left Robbie and I standing there.

I pick up my pace and run after Lizzie. I was scared, wondering what was wrong with her.

When I eventually get the car, I saw Lizzie in the backseat, curled up in a ball, having a panic attack.

"Mom, can I come hug you?" I ask, getting into the car and sitting next to her. I see Lizzie nod and I put my arm around her, letting her know I was there for her.

"Mom, it's okay. I've got you. Can you tell me five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell and one thing you can taste?"

Lizzie shakes, but turns her body to face towards me. "I-I see you, t-the car seats, m-my phone laying on the front seat charging, the sun aand the little key chain I got Robbie on our first date hanging up in the front." I rubbed mom's back and let her continue when she felt ready to.

"I-I'm hugging you, I'm touching the seats around us, I feel the clothes on me a-and I feel my nnecklace." "Yes mom. You got this. You're so strong." "I h-hear your voice, the birds chirping and the winds. I can smell my perfume a-and your bath and body works hand sanitizer. I taste, idk."

"Good mom. I've got you, I'm here for you." I hold Lizzie for a minute until she calms down and Robbie comes back.

"Lizzie, baby is everything okay?" Robbie asks, getting into the front.

"Yea. I just had a panic attack, but Nellie helped me." I smiled and hugged mom.

"Good. I'm glad my girls are happy."

Robbie drove to the farmer's market and I checked my phone. I saw that the paparazzi did catch us earlier and that the picture was all over Lizzie fan Instagram accounts. Oh, what a life it is to be famous.