Exotic

XXXIII

Sydney

After meeting Kath's family, we decided to go to my house. Mum was in the living room, so she saw us come in.

"Hey, Sheila. How'd it go?" Mum smiled. Kath and I walk further into the living room and stand by the door.

"It was really good. Kath's sisters are great." I reply.

"That's good... What's on your neck?"

"Huh?" my hand instantly found my neck, rubbing the front of it. Mum stood up and came over to me while Kath walked around to look at my neck.

"She was really anxious earlier and she was pinching at her neck." Kath explained.

"She stopped doing that ages ago." Mum raised a brow.

"I thought so too. But it was really bad earlier. She could barely breathe." Kath told my Mum.

"Yeah, we actually wanted to talk to you about that. I think I need to go back on those meds." I spoke.

"Yeah, of course. It's been a while since you did the neck pinching. I think it's picking up again. I'll contact the GP in Australia to transfer your prescription over, okay? Go rest up." Mum worried.

"Thanks, Mum." I smile a little and take Kath upstairs. We sit on my bed and I scan her face. She looked slightly worried but also pleased with herself.

"What?" she questioned.

"You lied to my Mum."

"Well, not entirely. You would've gotten I trouble if she knew it was a hickey." she whispered to me.

"How did you know about the neck pinching thing?"

The fact that Kath knew that I used to pinch my neck when I was a kid as a result of anxiety was surprising, to say the least. I used to pinch my neck whenever I felt anxious and it used to leave bruises that kinda looked like hickies. Lots of judgemental looks thrown our way.

"Your Mum told me." she shrugged.

"Oh." I nod. I'm just worried that she's going to think I'm a freak and it'll scare her away. I don't want to lose Kath. Ever. And I know that's a bit far fetched since we've only been dating for two months. But even if we break up, I'd still want her in my life. Her face brings me so much comfort. So much. She's been the only one who can calm me down easily when I have an anxiety attack without needing any other resources. Mum would always have to use distractions like games on her phone or something like that, but all I need from Kath is a hug. I can't lose her, I can't.

"It doesn't scare me. I'm gonna stick by you, no matter what." she assured me.

"It's almost like you read my mind."

"I know when someone is spiralling. You looked like you were about to." she said, taking my hand in her soft one.

"Yeah?"

"Well, my Mama has anxiety and some of my sisters are autistic. I've had to learn to look for the non-verbal signs, you know?"

"Yeah, I get it. You're too good for me."

"Ah, shut up. No such thing as being too good for someone. I'm your girlfriend, deal with it." she dismissed.

"I think I might deal with it."

"Oh yeah? How so?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Like this." I say before smashing my face against her in a heated kiss. She got me on my back as she straddled my waist. She quickly pulled away and cuddled into my neck when we heard footsteps coming up the stairs. She let all of her weight into me too, which was oddly comforting.

"What's going on?" Mum's voice asked.

"Well," Kath started as she sat up, "I'm not inexperienced in the world of anxiety and so when my Mama or one of my sisters has a panic attack, we'd do pressure therapy. This would be when a hug, squeeze or sometimes a swaddle helps calm down the patient as it increases seretonin and reduce cortisol, meaning that there's less anxiety to experience for them." Kath explained, "I was just showing Syd how my Mom does it with Mama."

"You know an awful lot about this stuff, don't you?" Mum asked, sitting on the bed next to my feet.

"Where there's neurodivergency, there's other mental health issues." Kath shrugged.

"Oh, okay. Um, thank you for sharing your knowledge. I just need to talk to Syd for a sec, if that's okay?" Mum said.

"No, I want Kath to stay." I pout.

"No, I'll go. I should probably go home anyway."

"You can stay if you want, Kath. I just need a minute with Syd."

"Nah, it's fine. I'm gonna go. Bye bye, Syd." Kath smiled at me, kissing my head gently.

"I don't want you to go." I tell her has I pull her down to my lips, kissing her.

"Too bad. I'm going." she chuckled as she got up, "Bye, Nat."

"Bye, Kath." Mum smiled at her as she left the room.

"I'm gonna miss her." I mumble.

"You'll see her tomorrow." Mum shook her head.

"Still... Anyways. What's up?"

"I just got off the phone with the GP and she said that you'll have to go to therapy for a re-evaluation in order to determine whether you need the meds again. And I've got an appointment booked for Thursday, is that okay?"

"Yeah, that's fine. Can Kath go with me?"

"If you want her to. You're really happy with her, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I am."

"I'm happy for you. Kath's a great girl."

"Thanks, Mum."

"No worries. Besides, I love Kath. I think she's great."

"I love Kath, too!" Abigail's voice rang from the hallway. It made Mum and I chuckle.

"I'm sure I'll love Kath one day."

"How could you not already?" Mum scoffed.

"I don't know. But if she carries on the way she is, I will definitely fall for her."

"When's the wedding?"

"Ha ha. Very funny." I drone.