Finding Harmony

Chapter 2: Aeroplanes and Choices

"Viggo, hey, wake up," someone shook me awake.

"What's happening?" I asked sleepily.

"We gotta hit the road. Need us to drop you off somewhere?" Leon asked as they were packing a van.

"You're leaving?" I asked.

Little did I know the classical concert had been three days long, and the night before was the third night. Today, everyone was going back home.

"Yeah, some of us are going to the airport and some to the bus," Kim answered.

"Oh, cool. Let me just call someone and I'll get back to you," I said, a forced smile once again.

I called Jamie. No answer.

I called my other friends. No answers.

I started to panic. Anxiety coming into view like a bullet.

I called Jamie again. No answer.

"Hey, you okay, Vi?" someone said, snapping me back to reality. It was Leon.

I couldn't lie. I shook my head as my legs gave up and I entered into a full-blown panic attack.

How could I go back home? My parents didn't want me there.

What was I going to do?

Was I going to have to live on the streets?

"Hey, hey, look at me," Leon said, trying to get me to concentrate on him.

"Tell me five things you can see," he said to me.

I looked at him as if he had grown a second head.

"Come on, five things you can see," he repeated.

I tried focusing, but it was so hard, tears blurring my sight.

He wiped my eyes and asked me again.

"Um *sniff* trees, chairs, the van... clouds and... *sniff* your violin," I said.

"Good, okay, now four things you can hear," he said.

"T-Talking... um, people's footsteps, trees with the wind and... and an engine," I said, slowly calming down.

"Good, you're doing great. Now, three things you can smell," Leon said.

"Perfume, aftershave, and food," I said, feeling more and more relaxed.

"Okay, two things you can feel," he said.

"The ground and... and my... jeans," I said.

"And one thing you can taste."

"Sweets."

Leon smiled reassuringly as he saw me calming down. "See? You're okay," he said gently. "Do you need a ride somewhere?"

I hesitated. I had nowhere to go, and the thought of going back to my parents was unbearable. "I don't know where to go," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Leon looked at me with concern. "Do you want to come with us for a bit? We can figure something out together."

I nodded, grateful for his kindness. "Thank you," I said, feeling a bit of hope for the first time in a long while.

As we got into the van, I thought about my family. My parents had never understood me. They were strict and unyielding, expecting me to fit into their mould of who I should be. Any deviation from their expectations was met with harsh criticism and punishment. Love was conditional in our house—given only when I adhered to their rules and performed to their standards.