Lights Up

Prologue

(Warning: talk of a Panic attack. Not very descriptive but I'm putting this just in case)

March 2017

Harry is sitting on a bench trying to catch his breath. He's partially covered by the surrounding foliage, hidden away from prying eyes.

In just one month his first single as a solo artist will be released and he should be ecstatic, but he isn't. The negative thoughts snuck into his head and they suddenly started to spiral.

One after another, each thought led him lower and lower until he had to collapse onto the nearest stable surface from the dizzying effect they had on him. Or could it be the hyperventilating and tears that caused his dizziness?

The approaching sound of wheels on the sidewalk made Harry scramble to clean up his appearance. He didn't want anyone to see him so out of sorts. He looks up and sees a little boy crouching low on a skateboard roll towards him.

They make eye contact and the boy stops his board. It's not very graceful, but Harry finds the scene adorable anyway.

"You ok mister?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for asking."

"You don't look fine. Maybe I can help 'cause I'm going to be a nurse when I grow up ya know." The little boy abandons his board and clambers up onto the seat next to him. Harry, shocked helps him up onto the seat and lets him hold onto his shoulder for balance.

"Forest! What are you doing?"

Another boy, this one older comes running towards them worried.

"I'm checking if the mister was okay. He was breathing all hard and crying like you do sometimes."

The teen sighs, "I'm proud you decided to help someone but you know you're not allowed to talk to strangers. What if you got hurt?"

"Sorry big brother."

"Aww. Just promise me next time you see someone in need of help you'll get me or Aunty to help too."

"Okay." The little boy turns to face Harry again. "Mister my brother can help make you better. He makes me feel better when I have ouchies."

"You must have the greatest big brother in the world then. My big sister used to take care of my ouchies too."

"That's just what big brothers and sisters are for." The older boy smiles proudly. He glances at Harry and then toward his brother with a gentle smile. "Why don't you go play in that grass over there while I help him out. This ouchie needs a big brother to fix."

"Okay." The toddler is placed on the ground and he runs off to his board.

"Stay where I can see you please."The boy sits on the bench next to Harry.

"I'm fine."

"You're pale, your hands are shaking, and your breathing has gotten faster since I got over here. You are not fine."

Harry's breath hitches and suddenly he can't breathe. His heartbeat is pounding in his ears and he feels sick to his stomach. "I'm having a heart attack."

"No, you're having a panic attack." He reaches out to grab one of Harry's hands and Harry flinches back at the feeling. "Shh. Follow my breathing."

He grabs his hands again, keeping the holding firm, and grounding, as light touches always feel like needles to him when he's like this. "Inhale through your nose for 4 counts."

Harry does this.

"Good. Now hold it for 7 counts."

Again Harry follows the directions.

"Exhale through your mouth for 8 counts. Good." They continue to do this until Harry feels his heart settle and he can breathe easily again.

An unopened bottle of water is offered to Harry and he gratefully accepts it.

"How did you know that would work?"

"Because that's how I handle my own panic attacks. Well, that and a bag of weed." They share a laugh.

"Thank you. My name is Harry."

"I know. It took me a second to recognize you without the hair, but you look good. My name is Parker and that's my little brother Forest."

"How old is he?"

Parker recognizes Harry doesn't want to talk about his celebrity status and doesn't bring it up. "He's three. Can you believe it? He always saw me on my board and decided he wanted to ride one like me."

"That's impressive."

"Yeah. No doubt he'll be better than me in no time."

Harry's phone rings and he checks it. Jeff calling to check on him. Probably wondering why his walk took longer than he said it would.

"I have to go." Harry sighs and they both stand up from the bench.

"Nurse Wu, you're needed!"

Forest smiles and runs back towards them stopping at their feet.

"Nurse Wu, our patient has to leave now."

"Okay. Oh, wait." He pulls at Harry's jacket until he bends down to his level. Forest gives Harry a big kiss on the cheek.

"What was that for?"

"You didn't have any smiles so I gave you some of mine." Forest smiles widely and Harry returns it.

"Well thank you, Nurse. You and your brother have made me feel so much better. Goodbye."

They watch him walk away for a while before turning around to continue on their way home.

"Parker! Nurse Forest!" They hear Harry yell their names as he runs back toward them.

"Yeah?"

"Can I have your number, just in case I need more smiles?"

They laugh, "Yeah, Harry. You can call us anytime."

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💙Alright here we go! I'm publishing my stories as my account was deleted again. It'll take me a bit of time to get them all back up but I'll make it happen💙

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