Gableen: The Back Row

(10)

Colleen's POV:
I leave the stage to quickly change back into myself before Gabbie, Joey and Liza arrive, leaving Kory and Rachel to clear the stage.
Gabbie enters before the others, and I pat her a space down next to me. She looks slightly breathless and anxious, keeping her eyes on the floor "Hey are you ok Gabs, you feel dizzy?" She shakes her head and remains staring at the floor. The others join the room and sit down opposite us "Great show Colleen, thanks for inviting us" they both say together, "Well thank you for coming" I smile. The atmosphere grows tense as the others gather somethings not right with Gabbie "Gabs is everything ok?" Joey asks quietly. I rub her back trying to support her as I feel her breathing heavy "Yeah, yeah I'm ok"
Kory and Rachel finally get back with the props, I look over at Gabbie and see her face turn white. I hear Rachel mumble something to Gabbie as she walks past her, and with this she starts shaking. I put my arm around her "Wow is everything ok?" I say out loud to make sure everyone knows my concern. At last she looks into my eyes, I can almost feel her cry for help. Immediately I jump up and drag Gabbie out the room with me, I hold her hand walking down the corridor and I lock us into a cleaning closet.
I want her to feel safe with me. She collapses onto the floor in a heap, burying her head between her legs and arms. Almost rocking in a ball. I sit down behind her and gently move her between my legs so she's facing away from me. I grab her from behind into a hug and feel her tears being soaked up by my jumper. "Gabbie I need you to follow my breathing ok?" We sit for a while just hugging. Her fragrance enlightens me with a smile as I remember the same one from the last show. "I'm sorry for ruining your last show Colleen" she says quietly sulking into my arm "Don't be silly, you haven't and will never ruin my show" she pulls me even closer. Suddenly she twists her body around and looks into my eyes. I brush the hair off of her hair and she gives me the first genuine smile I've seen so far today. "Gab, I'm not going to force you to tell me anything you don't want to, but tonight your coming home with me so I can look after you, and I hope you'll tell me a bit more about what happened." She simply nods in return and we exit the closet.