Trapped (Book 2)

Chapter 3

I pulled my hair up into a messy bun and looked in the mirror. I fixed my slacks and black blouse. My mom had made me put them on to make myself look professional when I met the lawyer. I argued with her that it was just a hearing and that I didn't need to look nice. In the end, she won.

"You ready, honey?" My mom asked from the other side of the door, knocking softly.

"Yes, Mom." I gave myself one more look, rolling my eyes, and headed out of the house with Mom and Gavin.

"Charlotte?" the voice snapped me out of my trance. I looked over at the woman sitting across from me.

"Sorry," I whispered.

"You're fine, Charlotte. Now. Regarding tomorrow. It's going to be very stressful and you're going to want to leave. Just breath through it, focus on one thing in the room." She grabbed a folder and looked through it.

I looked over at Gavin, who grabbed my hand. "I'm here for you," he kissed my cheek.

I looked back at the lawyer. I wasn't ready for tomorrow at all.

I left the building with a heavy heart. My chest felt tight, my feet felt like they had cement blocks strapped to then. I was starting to hyperventilate. I stopped in my tracks and grabbed the back of Gavin's coat. He turned around, not knowing the terror I was in. His expression was full of shock.

"Charlotte. Charlotte, deep breaths. Look at my face," he cupped my face, pulling me close to him.

My vision darkened at the edges, but all of my focus was on him. The feeling didn't go away, though.  It just wouldn't fucking go away. I squeezed Gavin's shirt tighter. He fumbled in his pocket for my inhaler. He finally got a hold on it and held it up to my face. I grabbed it and took a deep breath.

He held me close as I took in deep breaths. I closed my eyes until I felt somewhat normal again.

The drive home was quiet. Mom focused on the road, Gavin looked on his phone while running a thumb over my hand, and I just stared out the window. I couldn't do this. I don't care how much support I had. I couldn't fucking do this.