Love, Eternal

Alive

They had been in Italy for two days already. Nola spent one of those days catching up on awful jet lag, which Charles nearly killed her for because she didn't answer her phone or answer the door to her room, that was until he managed to get a keycard for Nola's room and let himself in to find her sleeping. He then told Nola this afterwards which she found funny, but also not funny because she had panicked him in Australia. The second day she spent on and off the phone with her mum, brothers and Freya. Her mum tried convincing her to come home, to settle myself down, which Nola couldn't bring herself to do, because she knew how much she missed Charles when he was away before. She had text everyone back to confirm she was alive. Literally a message from Lando was "are you alive" which he had received and he now hasn't stopped messaging Nola, worried about her and wanting to make sure she was okay. She appreciated everyone's time and care, it made her feel better and she needed it. Nola had perked herself up quite a bit, letting go of the issues in Australia, and trying to enjoy her time where she could in Italy, she felt weirdly at home here, she wasn't sure if it was because she could speak Italian and it was also near home, or just because she felt calm in general.

All in all, Nola was feeling better sort of and there was only one thing she needed to try and fix, or at the very least make less awkward, and that was Pierre. So on a day where Charles was at the Ferrari headquarters which was an hour away from where they were staying, and the track, she decided to meet Pierre. He was at home in Milan, so they decided to meet half way as it was three hours away from where we were staying in Imola. Nola had a car, courtesy of Charles, which was a nice Ferrari, perfect for being in Italy. So Nola got up early and got ready for the day, trying to be brave. She had to talk to him and she wasn't doing it over the phone. He had called so many times and text hundreds of messages and she didnt reply to any. Until she finally text him last night asking if he could meet her, which brings us to the plan of today. Pierre spent so much time worrying and checking his phone, all he wanted was one text. He finally got it when Nola asked to meet him, he'd drive across the world if he needed to, so he was glad she wanted to talk. He got ready and left his home to drive to meet her.

Nola left her hotel room, Charles and Charlotte knew the plans and knew Nola would be out for the day, Charles had Nola share her location with him on her phone so he could make sure she was "alive" as he put it, Charlotte was with him all day today. Nola went down to the lobby and the valet pulled the car around. She stepped in and started the engine, put some music on and drove, feeling very free going through the streets of Italy, following the navigation though as she didn't actually know Italy all that well, not by herself.

Nola arrived at the restaurant where she had agreed to meet Pierre, she let out a sigh, this was it now. She stepped out the car bringing her bag with her, She put it on her shoulder before sitting on the front of the car waiting, Nola was trying to build herself up that it was going to be okay, trying not panic all over again. Pierre arrived at the restaurant and drove into the car park, he saw Nola leaning against the car playing with her car keys, he reversed into the space next to her and got out and walked towards her, he was desperate to see her and talk to her, he missed her, she looked amazing, she always did.
"Beautiful" he said as he greeted her
"The car or me?" Nola said trying to joke around and break tension, he looked her dead in the eye
"Hmm, the car" he said
"I'm hurt" Nola said clutching at her chest. The tension subsided, Nola wanted nothing more than to dive into his arms. Pierre wanted to hug her to, but wasn't sure she would be okay.
"How are you?" He asked
"Better, getting there. Are you okay?"
"I'm worried about you" he said simply. Nola sighed and walked towards him and wrapped her arms around him. She had to, it's all she wanted. She also felt so bad that he was worried for her. Pierre reacted instantly and put his arms around her and held her tight, he let out a breathe and smiled
"Don't, I'm okay" Nola whispered into his chest
"Let's go eat and we'll talk properly" he said, Nola nodded and Pierre held her at arms length before they walked into the restaurant together, he spoke to the waitress and she sat them both down in a booth in a quiet area.

After ordering food and drinks, Pierre turned to Nola locking eyes. He looked so serious
"Did you get the space you needed?" He said quietly
"The space wasn't from you specifically" Nola said to him, trying to make him feel better. It was nothing against Pierre
"I know, Charles said you shut yourself away for two days" he said
"You spoke to Charles?" She asked
"I couldn't get hold of you, so I was talking to him to see what was happening" he said, Nola was realising the affect on the people closest to her and it made her feel guilty
"I'm okay, I just needed to calm down. I was so drained" She said quietly
"What happened? On that night?" He asked
"Im sorry" Nola said
"You don't need to say sorry. I need you to talk to me. Don't hide away, I want to be here for you but I can only do that if you speak to me" Nola sighed, he wasn't going to let it go. He was stubborn, and the only way to move on was to talk
"I felt trapped, overwhelmed, and I felt pressured and like everything was happening at once, I thought I had upset you and I was annoyed that it was a topic of conversation when it wasn't even important, especially when we were there to celebrate Charles" Nola said, Pierre nodded following along so Nola continued "and it got too much and I had a panic attack" Nola said to him, she looked down at the table
"Have you had them before?" He asked, Nola nodded, Pierre took her hand on the table and held it in his. He wanted to know and he wanted to help her, but it was so hard to hear how much she suffered "When?"
"It started when Anthoine died, and it's just been a frequent thing when it gets too much. I hadn't had one in a while, like a very very long time. I think that's why it really hit me because it came out of nowhere" She said to him
"And what happens?" He asked, he paused when the drinks were brought to the table, "what happens when you have one?"
"I don't even know how to explain because I don't know. I just know that I can't think, or see, or hear, I can't breathe and I feel sick"
"You did nothing wrong you know, as I said I got jealous and I shouldn't of snapped at you" he said
"You're allowed to feel how you feel. But it was just taken way out of context and blown up into something it wasn't" Nola said to him
"So what happened with this guy"
"Nothing, I'll be honest when he first said hello I didn't even know his name" Nola said, Pierre laughed, "but it was the way he was and he had hold of my arm and I felt so trapped and I was so confused so it started making me feel uneasy. He asked me on a date and I panicked not knowing what to say and I said like I'll check out my plans but I'll get back to you"
"He shouldn't of touched you like that. And will you?" He asked
"Pierre.." Nola said, he looked down at his drink
"Will you get back to him?" He asked again
"No, well yes but only to tell him no. But I didn't know what reason to give. I know now, simply put I just don't want to. And I don't. Because I don't know what this is, but I'm not gonna worry about anyone else" Nola said. Pierre shifted his hand and entwined their fingers
"I don't know what this is either, but I'm not competing with anyone because I'm not sharing" he said, his eyes were locked on Nola's. She shifted a little and her jaw dropped at his words. Pierre started into her eyes, he could never get enough of her
"Well then" Nola said clearing her throat. The food arrived and Pierre let go of Nola's hand so they could start eating.