His story isn't mine...

Breath.

"Breath, Miles breath."

His back was raised gently and carefully. The touch reminded him of his mother's touch. compassionate, full of sweet promises.

"Huh?"

He didn't turn around .He didn't need to turn around.

This. This warmth—he couldn't confuse it with anyone else.

But the million-dollar question was, What was she doing here?

Margo didn't dare approach him from the front; she just walked toward him and sat down, her back against his.

"Breath," she said, her voice softer than a feather.

Miles was grateful for that; for everything seemed louder to him. He followed her lead and took in a breath.

"Then release." She instructed him while placing the back of her head against his. His head moved forward a bit. He breathed out, mimicking her by resting the back of his head against hers, closing his eyes.

"You okay."

It wasn't a question, but he answered anyway.

"No,"

A pause on Margo's side lingered a bit as she placed her hand on the ground.

She didn't take his hand; she wanted him to reach out when he felt better, and he did.

Miles swiped his thumb over the back of her hand, back and forth, calming himself down. It was like his own little therapy.

slowly but surely. Everything fell into place. The rhythm of Margo's pulse guided his heart, and his breathing followed. The ringing sound in his ears died off.

He breathed out. The feeling of being trapped in his suit and in his skin disappeared, and his shoulder relaxed.

Breathing now felt like heaven.

He couldn't help but ask himself, What was the point of paying for a therapist when just holding Margo's hand calmed him down?

After a few minutes of silence. Of hearing his own breathing sound. Miles asked a question.

"You had training with Miguel?"

"...Yeah." Margo's answer was hesitant, as if she was worried her answer was going to hurt him.

His head drifted from the back of her head to her shoulder as he looked at the ceiling.

"He's nice to you, ain't he?"

"...yeah,"

"He had good intentions when he did that, right?"

Margo knew what Miles was referring to, and as much as it hurt him, he was just repeating what others told him over and over again.