My New Life (One Direction Fan Fiction) - Sequel to How Everything Changed

Chapter Two - Vacation Plans

Niall's P.O.V

I jumped up and ran to her side as I noticed her crying. She was having a panic attack. She had been doing so good the last month and I was so proud of her. She had only been fighting with the lack of sleep from the nightmares. Her last panic attack was over two weeks ago when she woke up from a nightmare and immediately went into one. Luckily she was already laying with me in my room from the nightmare earlier that night. This panic attack seemed different. I hated that I knew I was the reason for it. I know she is afraid of us leaving her. She starts to panic every time she feels ignored. That's part of the reason we agreed that it's best when she goes with us to the studio or Zayn takes her out for the day.

Her and Zayn get along great and he really enjoys it too. She and Zayn had this special bond and it seemed to be helping her get better as soon as they started doing this. But right now I was terrified. Her body had collapsed onto the ground and she was shaking with sobs. Her arms were crossed and she was digging her finger nails into herself. She was hyperventilating. I carried her to the couch and sat her down as I knelt in front of her.

I kept a hand on her arm as I turned off the TV so it would be quiet. I cupped her face in my hands a gently pressed my thumbs down on her high cheek bones. She stiffened up in fear from the touch. Her eyes were wide open and I looked carefully for something to show she was still here, but she was so far away. I wanted my princess back and I knew I was gonna have to put up a stronger fight this time. I've never seen her this bad.

"Kathryn, I'm right here, princess. I'm right here and I'm not leaving." I assured her. I knew what I could and couldn't say. I had to be careful because if I said the wrong thing then I could scare her more and she would fall farther away.

I reached next to us where the small table sat at the end of the couch. I opened its small drawer and pulled out the brown paper bag. I shook it open and placed my left hand behind her where her head meets her neck. I kept my thumb on her cheek and gently stroked her cheek to help soothe her. I placed the paper bag around her mouth and made sure no extra air could get in as well as none of the air being able to get out. I waited for a while, remembering how the doctor had told me a long time ago that she needed to breath with the paper beg for 10-15 minutes, or longer until her breathing was as close to normal as possible.

I was prepared for the reaction I got. She was more alert now as she felt like she was not able to breath in enough air, although that wasn't the case. She was taking in too much air. Tears continued to fall even harder. I couldn't even begin to imagine the pain she must be in. The doctor explained that during a panic attack, a person feels extreme pain throughout their whole body and become trapped in this fear landscape.

I continued to hold the bag around her mouth as she fought for more air. I kept repeating 'You're okay', 'everything is okay' and many other things like how great she was doing and how proud I was of her. I could slightly see a glimpse of her coming back to me. I was getting my princess back. I smiled at her.

"You're doing so good. You're so brave, princess. I'm proud of you and I love you so much. Never forget that. Okay?" She gave a small hesitant nod. "Keep it up, baby girl. Almost there."

It took almost twenty minutes to get her breathing as close to normal as possible. Even then she was still so far away it seemed. I knew she was aware of everything but she was also in shock. I took the bag from her mouth and wiped away the tears that were still falling lighter than before. I picked her up bridal style and she cuddled into me as I carried her to her room. I set her up on top of her dresser, keeping a hand on her as I pulled out her onesie. I lifted her off the dresser and set her carefully on her feet, making sure she was stable standing on her own. I puller of her jeans and T-shirt, leaving her in her sports bra and panties. I helped her put on the onesie and zipped it up.