Chasing My Dreams

Chapter 8

Semi edited.

When I open the door, Ty is just wearing a pair of basketball shorts and slides, his hair a mess probably from him running his hands through it and dried tears on his cheeks.

Whenever I see him I feel like I want to cry, but I know I have to be strong for him.

I pull him into the apartment and he walks through just making it to the living room and sits on the floor.

He's still gasping for breath so I get on the floor and cocoon myself around him from behind, wrapping my legs and arms around his back and hips. He laces his fingers through mine on his chest, electric shocks shooting throughout my body.

Not the time hormones.

I kiss his sweaty back a few times. "It's ok Ty, we'll get through this. Tell me 4 things you can see out loud."

He tries to take a breath. "Your tv, yo-your hands on my chest, the couch, the cinnamon toast crunch on the counter" He said taking more breaths, but his voice still sounding croaked.

I squeezed his hand. "Good Ty. 4 things you can feel."

Taking a deeper breath. "Your hand, my shorts, your breath on my back, the warmth from you on my back" He said starting to sound normal.

I squeezed his hand and body. "Good. Ok 3 things you can hear."

"My breathing, your breathing, cars going through the parking lot" He said back to normal.

"Ok good. Alright take 5 deep breaths with me. Ready here we go."

We inhale, hold, and exhale 5 times just to make sure his heart rate is back to normal.

"Ok, good Ty. You are fine, and you are loved, you will get through this" I said giving his back a few more kisses.

He leaned back against me making me have to adjust my hold on him.

"I know Angel, thank you" He said bringing my hand up to his lips, his lips searing my skin.

I unwrap myself from him and scoot back so he can turn around. "What happened this time?"

"For once it wasn't a dream, I was worrying about going home tomorrow, well today, and my mind started racing and I couldn't stop the spiral" He shook his head.

I figured going home for Thanksgiving might bring back memories. I told him he didn't have to, but he said he wanted to, he said he needed to face his fears and he really wanted to see my parents.

"I know you won't be able to sleep for awhile so why don't we play a game or something?"

"Ok what do you wanna play?" He asked.

"I have Uno."

"Prepare to get your ass kicked" He smirked.

"Dream on buddy."

Ever since we were kids, Uno has been our favorite game to play and we've played all the different versions, but Uno flip is our favorite because it has 2 different sides and multiple opportunities.