Emotional Tethers

Chapter 11 - Panic Attacks and Kisses

The drama with Kate was behind them. She got arrested less than two weeks ago while it seemed like Scott and Stiles didn't stop worrying about Lydia. Scott knew her birthday was coming up in two weeks, but she didn't plan anything. He knew she missed Allison terribly, but he also knew that she had to go on with her life.

"Stiles!" Scott said running towards his best friend in the hall.

"Have you seen Lydia today?" Scott asked.

"Yeah, I saw her in chemistry just awhile ago. Why? Is everything okay?" Stiles asked as Scott shook his head.

"It's her birthday in less than two weeks. She hasn't done anything. It's her 16th birthday. Usually girls are all over with this. I don't understand why she is so quiet. I've tried texting and calling her about it, but she isn't answering," Scott said.

"She lost her father and best friend within 24 hours. Don't you think she deserves a bit of a break?" Stiles asked.

"Just try and talk to her. She might open up better to you," Scott said as he was off.

Lydia exhaled while she looked at the messages on her phone. Yes. Her best friend was severely obsessed with getting hold of her. But she didn't know why. She did, but she didn't want to be right. Her birthday was coming up. But not just her birthday in general. Her sweet 16 was coming up. But unlike other years she didn't want to do anything. After everyone that she had lost, she didn't want to face anyone. She had difficulty even talking to Scott and Stiles lately.

"Lydia!" Stiles said as he had approached her while she looked at him.

"Yeah, Stiles? What's up?" Lydia asked.

"Apparently you and I need to talk about something because Scott..."

"I don't feel like celebrating," Lydia said while Stiles looked at her.

"The messages Scott gave me has made it more than clear enough why he wants to talk to me - my birthday. And I..." Lydia said as she heard her phone ringing.

"Sorry. Lydia, hello?"

Miss Martin, I'm calling you from Beacon Hills General Hospital. Your mother, Natalie, has been admitted.

"What? Is she okay?" Lydia asked as Stiles sensed the panic in her voice.

She is currently undergoing surgery and...

The words became blurry to Lydia. She dropped the phone as Stiles looked at her. He saw her breathing anxiously while she looked around trying to find something to focus on.

"Lydia, take a breath," Stiles said.

Lydia closed her eyes, breathing hardly, as Stiles picked her phone up from the ground. He ended the call while he grabbed Lydia and dragged her into the locker changing room. Dropping their bags, Lydia fell against the silver stell rack while her breathing was heavy.

"Lydia, just slow down your breathing," Stiles said while Lydia tried to focus on something.

"Think of something else," he says.

"Like what?" Lydia asked out of breath.

"Good things. Happy things. Friends, family... Oh hell. Maybe not... Uh..." Stiles said as Lydia looked at the ground.

"Lydia," Stiles said as he grabbed both sides of her face.

"Hey, shh. Lydia, look at me. Shh. Lydia."

At that moment, Stiles placed his lips on Lydia's resolving in a soft kiss. Lydia didn't know why Stiles chose that moment to kiss her. But he did. After a few seconds, Stiles pulled away looking at Lydia, unsure what she was thinking.

"How'd you do that?" Lydia asked.

"I once read that holding your breath could stop a panic attack. So, um, when I kissed you, you held your breath," Stiles said biting his lip.

Lydia didn't look into Stiles' eyes. She couldn't. Her feelings she might have slightly buried, but not completely. She exhaled leaning agaisnt the metal rakc behind her. Stiles heard her head bumping, but he didn't want to say much about it. He knew that Lydia already had enough on her plate. He moved until he was next to her while he leaned agaisnt the rack himself.

"My mom's in the hospital. Oh my gosh. My mom is in the hospital and I'm just sitting here," Lydia said as she got up, gripping the rack as Stiles jumped up.

"Okay, calm down first. You're not invincible. You did just have a panic attack," Stiles said as Lydia looked at him.

The look screamed orphan. He looked at her while he took her hand in his helping to balance her out.

"Okay. Come on. I'm taking you to the hospital then," Stiles said as Lydia nodded.

Stiles dragged her hand, and they got into the jeep. All Lydia could think about was that she already lost one parent and couldn't lose her mother as well. Stiles wanted to say something. About the kiss or about her mother. But he couldn't. He knew it would go out of her ears instantly. Arriving at the hospital they saw Melissa McCall as Stiles exhaled.

"Nurse McCall," Stiles said as the woman approached them.

"Lydia, I'm so sorry, honey," Melissa said hugging the girl.

"What? Is she..."

Tears appeared in Lydia's eyes while Melissa looked at her.

"No. No, no, no. Your mother is going to be okay. She's still in theater but as soon as she gets out, you can go and see her. Your mom is strong. She'll make it. I'll go find a doctor," Melissa said.

Lydia exhaled, tears running over her face. Stiles looked at her, as he instantly pulled her into his body, holding her tight.

"She's going to be okay. Shh, it's okay. I'm here," Stiles said.

"I was so sure... I was so sure I was going to lose her," Lydia said.

"Not likely, Lydia. She's going to be fine," Stiles said as Lydia laid her head on Stiles' chest.

Stiles arrived home. It was late. Way past ten while he saw how Scott was waiting for him in his bedroom.

"Don't. Don't even ask if I spoke to her. Today was insane enough. Her mother..."

"I know. Mine called me. Is she okay? Lydia and her mom," Scott said.

"Lydia is in a state. She's been so emotional lately. She's been through a lot more than she should have gone through. Her mother is fine. Lydia had a panic attack when the hospital called her," Stiles said as Scott looked at him.

"Was someone there to help her?" Scott asked.

"Yes, me! And I chose the most idiotic way to calm her down and get her to hold her breath," Stiles said.

"What? Kiss her?" Scott asked as Stiles looked at him.

"Dude you can't be serious. You kissed her to calm her down? How did it go?"

"She was shocked obviously. She didn't expect it. But, it got her to calm down. Thankfully. I was scared out of my damn mind. Now I know how Dad felt each time I had them after my mother's death," Stiles said.

"Just don't take advantage of her, please. I know you said that you don't like her, but she's been through a lot. She doesn't need someone to take her for a ride," Scott said.

"I won't do that," Stiles said.