More Than Friends

Chapter 8 - Stars

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There's a panic attack in this chapter so if it makes you uncomfortable please don't read it :)

-Mateos pov

I didn't expect to fall asleep to Annabelle with Zaya. I also didn't expect us going out tonight. What can I say, Vicente is a lively person. He's all for going out but I'd rather sit inside and hangout.

Zayas probably waiting for me in the car as I wash my hands. The foaming soap smells like the sea and lavender. The smell of the soap reminds me of Zayas preferred perfume. I get a whiff of it anytime she passes by me or even stands next to me. I'm not complaining since it smells amazing. I actually can't get enough of this smell. I walk towards the door before forgetting my phone on the coffee table.

My screen lights up with a notification the text reads 'hurry up I needa see Z' from Vicente. Why am I surprised I knew something was going on. I just didn't think they would public it this fast. Zaya has been back for only a few days and he already is staking his toxic claim on her. What an asshole.

Leaving him on read I shut the front door and lock it. Zayas on her phone and the screen lights up her pretty face. It's cold tonight so the windows are slightly foggy giving me a blurred look of her face. My eyes don't leave her even when I open the driver door. The key is already in the ignition and the heat is on low.

"Vicente wants us to pick up juice." She murmers and throws her head back with a oomph. Her curls bounce with her abrupt expression. Her eyes close and I can't help but admire her beauty.

"Okay." Is all I can say. I slide my hands to the steering wheel and tear my gaze to her gray garage door that matches the rest of the house.

"What store should we get it from." Her attention turns to me and I swallow harshly. What's happening to my brain? I never act this way around her.

My chest is fluttering and making me lightheaded. Zayas oblivious to what's going on as she watches me with brows furrowed but I can't bring myself to look at her. I bring my gaze to the steering wheel. I should really respond to her but I can't. My voice is stuck in my throat and I can't help but swallow harshly trying to release my stuck throat.

Taking a deep breath I shrug my shoulders and put the car in drive. I move my body so one arm is on the steering wheel and the other on Zayas chair as I reverse the car out and start driving.

"It doesn't matter the store just the stuff we get." I take another deep breath and focus on the road.

Why is my body acting like this? I can't even process this right now. My chest is hurting and my Brain is pounding. Am I overwhelmed? No no no not while I'm driving. My breaths get deeper and faster.

My mind shuts off while I start to hyperventilate.

"Mateo pull over ok?" Zaya says frantically. Her hand is on my shoulder but not pulling me.

(Panic attack starts)

I pull over with shaky hands and put it in park. My chest is going up and down in a fast rhythm while my head is pounding. Someone's hands finds my shaky ones and hold thems in a tight grasp. I look around ignoring the persons presence and stare at the trees and dark road around us. This isn't the best place to be overwhelmed and have a panic attack.

The walls of the car slowly but surely making me light headed. My eyes blur with tears and I can't get a breath through my bitter lungs. I grip the wheel hard and shut my eyes.

The thought of losing Zaya swarms around and I can't seem to swat it away even though she's still here. I can't lose my best friend of seventeen years.

My chest tightens at the thought.

A sweet harmonic voice brings me back to reality and I glance at Zaya not fully aware of what she's saying but just knowing she's speaking to me. My eyes are blurry and I'm sniffling while my lips are trembling. Zayas hands are squeezing my fingers in a constant rhythm while effectively calming me down.

"Mateo can you understand me baby?" Her eyes are filled with worry and her voice is shaky and uneven. I nod and squeeze her hand right back.

"Take a few deep breaths with me okay?" She demands softly before taking deep breaths and I match my breathing with her.

I finally calm down enough to figure out what triggered my panic attack. I'm lost in thought as Zaya rubs the back of my hand in circles with her fingers, grounding me.

(Panic attack ends)

I don't know exactly why I had a panic attack but I know it has something to do before I got in the car. Was it the fact that her and Vicente are talking? It might have been. My insecurity surrounds me and my breathing picks up again. I quickly calm myself down remembering that Zaya is right next to me with my hand in hers, not Vicente's. Even if they did date she wouldn't leave me for him.

"Are you okay Mateo? What triggered this one?" Her voice is filled with nothing but worry and that comforts me even more. I glance at her face. Her brows are furrowed and her lips are turned down as she looks at me frantically trying to figure out what Happened to me. Hell if I know.

"I'm okay now Zay, thank you. I don't know what triggered it but I'm fine." I mutter not meeting her eyes at the last two parts. She nods and still holds my less shaky hands. My body trembling a little.

"Let me drive Valdez." She says in tone filled with worry. She leaves me no room to argue as she opens her door and rounds to mine. Before I can open it she does and I don't mind letting her drive.

I look around again and realize we're in the middle of a forest. I don't know where I was driving but this road doesn't include a gas station or anything. It's plain creepy. I shouldn't have let her get out of the car first. I don't get a say as she shuts the driver door and shoos me to my door with her hand through the window.

Following her command I get in and buckle and place my hand under my chin holding up my head. My eyes are probably red from my panic attack. I just hope it goes away before we see Vicente.

Actually I don't want to see him after that. I feel guilty even thinking about it. I'm basically saying with my brain that I don't want Zaya to be happy. But the thing is I know she won't be happy with him and I can't help but frown at the thought of them together.

The ride is in silence before I hear the blinker and we pull over. We're on the outskirts of town on a cliff. I can see the towns lights around and make out some shops. I look at Z with a questioning glance and she beckons me to come out with her hand. Her hair hitting the roof of the car as she steps out.

I step out after her and she makes her way to my trunk and pops it. No words are said as she grabs a picnic blanket from when I would go to the beach with friends over the summer.

I follow her to the top of the cliff, overlooking the city. I swear I can make out my ma's bakery. It's closed since she's out of town and she doesn't trust me enough to run it or whatever.

"Thank you Zaya, I really mean it." I smile genuinely at her while we sit next to each other staring at the stars in the sky.

"Anytime Mateo I mean it. If you have another one and no one is around you call me." She states and stares at me in the eyes before grabbing my closest hand and holding it in hers.

We stare at the stars together, hands entwined. My heart can't help but skip a beat. Her hair is brushing against me and she's lost in thought. Our matching Vans touching each other, whispering secrets, stealing glances.

The sky speaks volumes with us. The stars have never been this easy to see. It seems as though they clear for us. It's silly to think but maybe the universe is telling us to stay together.

"Look Mateo a shooting star!!" I look where she's pointing and sure enough a shooting star is to our left.

"Make a wish." I stare at the side of her head secretly wishing she would be mine forever.

A/n

Hope you enjoyed the chapter :)))
Mateos a little puppy I would say

Word count: 1524

- Ella :)