« hometown »

6

As my eyes snapped open from a horrible nightmare, I sat up. I could feel myself sweating profusely, and my heart was beating fast. It felt as if my threat was closing up and I was short of breath. Although Josh had told me to come get him if anything happened, this wasn't the first time this had happened. I knew how to deal with it myself. What 'it' was, I didn't know.

I got up and out of bed, sitting up against the wall, clasping my hands together to stop them from trembling.

Why was I so weird? This doesn't happen to anyone else.

I bought my knees to my chest and I tried to even out my breathing. It seemed to be working too, until suddenly I was tapped on the shoulder.

I screamed from shock and hid my face in my knees. There was now no air passing through my airways, and I was truly scared. It had never really gotten this bad, but now, it was at the point where I didn't know what to do anymore.

"Aria, it's okay. It's me. Tyler."

That made me tense up even more despite his soothing tone. I didn't know Tyler very well. I didn't know him as much as I knew Jenna and Josh, and he scared me still. I didn't know if he was unpredictable or not.

"Josh!"

I'm sure Tyler yelled it, but it was muffled to me. Black, fuzzy rings invaded my vision. All I wanted to do was scream. And cry. But I was numb.

"Aria. Aria. Look at me."

I looked up. Josh was now in front of me. It felt like I just collapsed as he opened his arms out to me, which scared me. I had no more energy, yet all I could do was cry hysterically. I couldn't feel anything anymore, but I was in pain. And nothing was helping.

"Breathe."

Tyler extended his hand towards me and I took it feebly.

The corners of my vision grew dark once again as I fought against it.

"I'm sorry." I choked out. "I don't know what this is."

"Shh," Josh whispered. "It's okay. Just breathe."

As I began to take control over myself, my heart slowed down to its regular pace and my breathing evened out.

"Aria, it's okay. You're okay." Tyler let go of my hand and informed me he was going to get me a glass of water.

"I'm so weird," I breathed deeply, the previously pleasant air poking at my lungs.

"No you're not," Josh soothed. "You had a panic attack. Happened to me all the time when I was your age. Tyler had his fair share of them too."

"A panic attack?" I questioned urgently, my eyes wide.

"You'll be okay." Josh squeezed my hand. "Do you have any idea what caused it?"

"No idea. I woke up from a nightmare and it sort of just happened."

"Would you be able to tell me about the nightmare?"

"I don't remember much of it, but I do know that my dad was involved."

"Has anything like this ever happened before?"

"It used to happen all the time at school, and it happens a lot during the night."

Josh nodded.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"It's almost five."

"I'm sorry for waking you up."

"To be fair, Tyler's the one who woke me up."

"He still woke you up because of me."

"And I'm glad he did."

It was at this moment that I realised I was slumped into Josh's strong hold, still weak, still at a loss of energy.

"I feel numb." I whispered.

"Pins and needles numb?" Josh asked.

"Sort of. In my hands. But internally — I feel empty."

Josh sighed. "You'll be okay. I promise you."

Before Tyler had even come back with the promised glass of water, I closed my eyes and sunk into Josh's chest tiredly.

"Don't leave me alone," I whispered almost silently.

"I won't."