Just Off The Key || Lizrei

Chapter 27: She's Like the Wind

The second time Rei experienced one of Liz's panic attacks, they were in the same building. The same room, which happened to be a huge studio apartment being shown to them by a realtor. Liz had been antsy and agitated all morning. Rei thought she was just grumpy because she had to get up early and only had a banana for breakfast.

A banana. It was crazy. Cornelius had eaten all the Sugar Puffs.

Liz had even seemed better half an hour ago, sliding around the waxy wood floors of the studio in her scuffed up shoes.

But then they started talking with the realtor about payments and moving days and building rules, and Liz started rocking on her heels. It was when they began discussing neighbors and bus routes that Rei realized Liz was breathing more rapidly.

Excitement or panic? She wasn't sure at first. She turned to check on Liz's face, and did a double take.

Her eyes were squeezed shut, and the realtor trailed off with whatever she was saying about building policies, looking at Rei questioningly. Rei grabbed Liz's hand.

"Liz." She whispered, stepping halfway in front of her girlfriend. Liz exhaled sharply through her nose.

Rei turned back to the realtor. "Could you give us a minute, please?" she asked quietly. The woman nodded quickly and hurried back out the front door. Because there were no walls in this damn apartment.

No segmentation at all. It was kind of cool, because no murderers would be able to sneak up on them. They wouldn't find themselves in any When a Stranger Calls situations. Well, they might, but they'd be able to see the stranger.

But they wouldn't be able to play hide and seek.

So, it was probably a no.

Liz started backing away. Where she was going, Rei didn't know, but she was about to fall on her ass, so Rei held her hand tighter. If Liz went down, Rei was going with her.

"Mmm, no." Liz whined, prying her hand out of Rei's grasp and shaking her head around.

"Okay, okay." Rei said softly, watching Liz carefully. Liz backed up until she hit a wall, and then sat down and crossed her legs, hunching over and pressing her face against her knee. She had her hands over her ears again.

Rei stepped forward carefully and lowered herself in front of Liz, sitting exactly the same way. Liz was crying quietly. Rei felt that vice grip on her heart come back.

God. Where did this even come from? Was it the hide and seek thing? Because Rei would live in a maze if it meant Liz could play her games.

Liz's wheezing started to increase, and Rei did exactly what she'd done the first time at the animal rescue. She put one hand on the top of Liz's head, and used the other to pull Liz's hand off her ear.

"Liz." She said softly, hunching over so her face was right in front of Liz's. Liz didn't respond. "Honey, can you look at me, please?"

Liz whined again and shuffled to the side, shaking Rei's hand off her head. Rei followed.

"Big bear, let me see those eyes." Rei pleaded quietly, watching the tearstain on Liz's knee grow. Liz started coughing into her jeans and Rei shifted even closer, so their knees were overlapping.

"Liz, you need to sit up. You can't breathe like that, honey." Rei coaxed, trying to gently push Liz upright by her shoulder.

Liz complied, and then tried to turn and face the wall. Rei grabbed her knees.

"No. No, bear, listen." Rei said meaningfully, reaching out to palm one of Liz's flushed cheeks. "You're okay. You're okay, Liz. Give me some animal facts. Can you do that? Tell me about elephants."