𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐔𝐌𝐁 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐊𝐄|𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐊𝐒

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝘄𝗼:𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻, 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁

Esme couldn't breathe. It was as if each time she tried to inhale oxygen into her sensitive lungs a shockwave of pain would be sent through her body, forcing her to lean up against the wall and place a hand to her heaving chest. Esme couldn't even understand how she had gotten herself into this situation. One second she laid beside Pope, tracing her hand over his face while smiling softly. Esme assumed soon after that she had fallen asleep, for the only time she had such terrible panic attacks was when she fell asleep and suffered from nightmares. Whether they were about her traumatic experiences with her mother and Ricky, watching Ward confess to killing her father, or Rafe torturing her, each and every single memory made her want to crawl in a hole and never come out.

Esme hated herself. She hated the person she had become. Just weeks ago she was tough, badass. Now she was no longer to close her eyes for more than two seconds before waking up drenched in her own sweat. None of her friends seemed to take notice of the pain she had being going through, and she planned to keep it that way. As long as Esme's friends were under the impression that she was fine, that there was nothing to worry about, she could carry on with her day.

Chewing on the inside of her cheek, Esme finally built up enough courage to pick herself up and walk over to the bathroom. She slammed it shut with a shaky breath escaping her quivering lips, leaning up against the counter seconds later. Her vision became blurred as her breathing became more irregular by the second. Esme hoped that her body would go into so much shock that she would pass out, saving her from the pain and suffering she was going through. Esme turned her head, staring at herself directly in the mirror. She looked like complete and utter hell. The bags under her eyes were more than visible, along with her disheveled hair and tear stained cheeks. She didn't even want to examine the rest of her body, for she knew that would make her feel even worse. Nothing about her was good, only awful. Rafe Cameron made sure to shove that thought into her mind that day they were on the boat together. The thought of his voice whispering into her ear caused her to sob loudly, gaining the attention of Pope who had just so happened to be walking past the bathroom.

"Esme?" Pope mumbled, immediately wiping the sleep out of his eyes before knocking on the door harshly. "Esme, you ok in there?"

Esme cursed under her breath, tugging on her hair as she tried to figure out a good cover up story. Her eyes flickered over to the sink, and she quickly picked herself up from the ground and ran the cold water over her face. She would say that she was simply washing up. Yeah, that seemed like a valid response. Esme dried her hands, reaching over to open the door. Pope stood across from her, a frown plastered across his features. Esme could feel her heart pound in her chest, the fear of Pope knowing her secret flooding through her veins in a matter of seconds. However she managed to cover it up well, smiling brightly and cupping Popes cheek.

"Hello lover," Esme greeted, pressing a kiss to his lips. "Do you really love me that much that you can't stand a second away from me?"

"I do love you," Pope grumbled, shoving away Esme's hands in a playful manor causing the girl to giggle. "I just wanted to make sure you were alright, that's all."

"I'm fine," Esme assured, although it was the biggest lie in the universe. "Just couldn't deal with your snoring, that's all."

Pope playfully rolled his eyes, grabbing onto Esme's hand and leading her back into his room. "Is our entire relationship jusr surrounded by us picking on each other?"

"Well that's how Ian and Mickey handled their shit," Esme shrugged, falling back on Popes bed. "Their love language was kicking the shit out of each other and sex. Don't even think of putting your hands on me though, 'cause it wouldn't end pretty."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Pope moved to lay beside Esme, caressing the side of her face causing for her to lean into the touch she desperately craved. After coming down from a panic attack, all Esme wanted to do at the moment was lay in the arms of her boyfriend and allow her thoughts to carry her away. "I really do love you, Esme."