Falling for the Fire

Chapter 39

*Ariana's POV

As I continued to calm myself down, I became more and more embarrassed that all of this was happening in front of Brooklyn.

I felt like an idiot. I was glad that she ended up being here to help, but I still didn't exactly want her to see me this way.

"Maybe you should just go," I mumbled.

We were both still sitting on the floor, and she turned to me with a confused look on her face.

"Ari I'm not going to leave you here by yourself right now," she said.

"God I'm such a mess," I said as I put my head down against my knees, "I'm so embarrassed."

"No you're not," Brooklyn responded as she squeezed my leg, "and you don't have anything to be embarrassed about, after hearing all of that I - I don't blame you at all."

"Yeah well," I sighed, "now you know why I don't speak to my mom...and why I don't like to talk about it."

"And we don't have to talk about it now if you don't want to," she said, "are you still up for dinner?"

"Yeah," I nodded, "let's go back to focusing on that."

"What do you want me to order?" Brooklyn asked.

"It doesn't matter," I told her, "you can get whatever, I'm not that hungry anyway."

I still felt lightheaded, and there was a pain in my chest that wouldn't go away. This wasn't new for me, but I still hated it. I hadn't had a panic attack in quite a while, but that's definitely what this was.

I looked at Brooklyn as she stood up from the floor and held her hands out to me. I grabbed on to them and she helped me up, but I was still unsteady on my feet.

I wavered as I stood, and she quickly grabbed on to my waist.

"Maybe you should go lay down on the couch or something," she said.

"Brooklyn," I started, giving her a soft grin, "I appreciate your concern, but you don't have to try and take care of me all night."

"Well maybe that's what I want to do," she responded, pulling me in closer.

She pressed a gentle kiss to my lips, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Fine," I conceded, "but don't feel like you have to."

"Just go sit down and I'll take care of dinner," she said, shooing me towards the living room.

"Alright, alright," I said, "I'm going."

"I'm actually going to change first," I continued, "I'll be right back."

I went to my room and put sweatpants and a sweatshirt on, and I grabbed clothes for Brooklyn in case she wanted them.

When I came back out to the living room, she was sitting on the couch waiting for me.

"Do you want something to change into?" I asked, holding out the pants and sweatshirt I'd grabbed.

"Yes please," she said, "I need to get out of these work clothes."

She stood up and grabbed them from me before stripping down to her underwear. I wasn't in the mood for anything, but I could sure as hell still appreciate how good she looked.