𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒

In and Out | Oliver Wood

The room was filled with sound, people chatting, music booming through speakers and laughter. But the only thing I could hear was my hysteric breathing. I was hyperventilating. My dress felt too tight, my body exposed. My lungs compressed and my windpipe felt strangulated, like someone had wrapped their hands around my throat and squeezed with all their strength.
My eyes darted back and forth, though they were unseeing and glossed over. I could practically hear my own blood rushing, my thoughts being cut off to be replaced with only four words.
I'm going to die.
I'm going to die.
I'm going to die.
I'm going to—
"Miss? Miss? Are you alright."
I barely heard the man's voice, I was too concentrated on myself, the way sweat trickled down the back of my neck, how my hair stuck to my glistening forehead and how incredibly hot I was.

A hand closed around my arm, pulling me to my feet and through the crowd of people. I didn't object. I was not even able to form a complete sentence in my head. I didn't even know where he was taking me.
Suddenly, cold air hit my overheated face and i felt myself being pulled onto a bench. My chest rose and fell with every strangulated intake of breath. Tears rolled down my cheeks and my heart beat loudly in my ears, as if to remind me how quickly it could stop. the muffled voice of the man forced itself into my head, though I couldn't understand what he was saying. His voice was deep and the more he talked, the clearer his voice sounded. "Hey, hey, shhh. I need you to listen to me, okay? Okay? I need you to take a deep breath for me, okay? Do it with me. In," He inhaled deeply, "Out."
I followed his instructions.

In.
Out.
In.
Out.
In.
Out.
In.
Out.

I felt my breathing slow, the pressure on my windpipe released and my lungs flooded with cold, night air. My eyes opened quickly and I stared into the man's eyes. They were a deep chocolate brown— soft and inviting. i felt, if I stared long enough, I would sink into them, deep, deep down and drown in them. he searched my eyes as if to see if I was alright again.
I drew another shuttering breath and felt my body relax against the back of the bench. Only then did I realise, I had been clutching his very expensive looking suit sleeves. My eyes widened in shock and my hands immediately released them.
"I— I'm so sorry, sir," I gasped, trying to smooth the wrinkles out frantically. "Really it's fine," He tried reasoning, but I couldn't hear him.

He grabbed ahold of my hands, making me freeze and raise my eyes to his slowly. "I— It— uhh, sorry," I stuttered, turning away, a crimson blush decorating my cheeks. "Don't be," He chuckled, turning my face towards him again with his thumb and forefinger, "I get them too— Panik attacks."
My eyes widened a little, of course, everyone could have panic attacks, but this sophisticated, expensive looking man didn't seem the type for such, but appearances can be deceptive.
"I- It's just— I've been having some trouble lately, with my family, friends and it's just been really hard. I came to this club with the thought of letting lose a little. You see, I've been working three jobs next to my education. My dad's really sick, my mum's dead and my siblings are too young to understand the struggles," I didn't know why I was pouring out my heart to this complete stranger, but I felt a weight left off my shoulders as I rambled on.

"Well that sounds like a lot of pressure on your side." He said, brushing his hand through his hair, "What's your name?"
"Y/n."
"Y/n, that's a pretty name. I'm Oliver."
I blushed at his comment, pushing back a stray strand of hair.
"Say, we don't really know each other, but would you like to get some food?"
"I— uhh yeah sure."
"Great, there's a restaurant a few minutes walk from here, if you want, we can go there."
"Sounds good," I smiled.
He smiled back, getting up and reaching out his hand, "Shall we?"
I took it, following him down the street, watching the sun disappear behind the trees of a nearby forest.

"And that, my loves, is how I met your father."

—

Okay, so, this was very random and it was supposed to be Tom Riddle originally, but I didn't really feel like it.

Lmk what you thought and— I beg of you— comment on ideas or just generally so I get some feedback!! (Please send requests, I am desperate!!)

Stay safe <33

~ j.