The Dance

Breakfast and Panic Attacks

    Even in the midst of a lunch rush my favorite diner was slow. One of the waitresses waved at me as we took a corner booth in the way back. Sebastian had his ball cap low on his face and his hoodie up. He had raced back up to his apartment to retrieve these items after I agreed to take him.
     "You were right this place is slow." He exclaimed looking over his seat at the handful of people.
     "During the day it is, at night it's jam packed." I smiled as he turned his attention back to me. Our waitress came and took ours orders, giving Sebastian a funny look before she left.
     "So, do you have nightmares that often?" He asked, I sighed running my hand through my hair.
    "I used to, they don't happen as often anymore." I fiddled with napkin, eyes downcast. "So what brings you to our city? I know Chris said work but he didn't exactly elaborate."
    "Uh," He paused, I looked up as I could see he was trying thinking of a response. "We're in the film industry."
     "Really?" I chuckled, I was about to ask another question when a large body plopped down next to me. The whole side of his body touch mine, heat radiating off of him. Chris slung his arm over the edge of the booth, he looked down at me, smirking.
     "Going to breakfast with out me?" He chuckled, slightly out of breath.
      "Didn't realize you wanted to go out, thought you were still asleep." Sebastian's tone was clipped, his eyes narrowed at his roommate. He crossed his arms leaning back in his seat.
     "Went out for a run, I was on my way back when I saw sunrise in the window." He replied as the waitress delivered our food. Chris asked if could get a menu and some coffee before she darted off, grinning ear to ear.
    "Sunrise?" Sebastian countered back, brows lifted, his eyes landing on me. I giggled at his reaction. Suddenly I realized that Chris's side was still pressed against mine, I scooted to the side putting a bit of distance between the two of us.
    "Yeah, you call her rooftop. Figured I should give her my own name since you wouldn't  tell me what it was." He snipped back.
    "Boys, that's enough." I warned them as I took a bite of pancake. "And for the record, my name is Jay, though rooftop and sunrise will do."
     Sebastian shot Chris a scowl, before shoving some eggs in his mouth. I could see the smile plastered on Chris's face from the corner of my eye. The two of the them doing an eye show down, if I didn't know any better I would of thought there was contest going on.
     "How long have you lived here, Jay?" Sebastian finally broke the silence, his eyes finally leaving the man next to me.
      "About five years."
      "Maybe you could show us around." Chris spoke as his food was delivered by a different waitress. Her eyes wide and jaw slightly slacked, she, just like her co-worker, made a hasty retreat.
     "I guess I could." I responded looking up at Sebastian, his brows knotted together looking at Chris. "I mean, I'm probably not the best tour guide. I wouldn't take you to any cool touristy places, I tend to stray away from crowds."
    "Actually that's perfect. Seb here hates crowds, and I like going off the beaten path." Chris beamed, ignoring the draggers being obviously thrown at him.
    "Really you don't have to." Sebastian's was slightly strained, still glaring at the other man. "We have a meeting today at 2, and since someone at this table is chronically late for those and gets side tracked easily, it would probably be in our best interest not to go sighting seeing today."
     "Awe, coming Sebby, just a little tour?" Chris chuckled next to me. "We've got two hours to kill."
     "Don't call me that." Sebastian's tone was icy, tension filled the booth. I was suddenly feeling closed in, I wasn't sure what was going on, panic rising in chest. Part of me wished Chris hadn't sat on the outside of the booth, another part of me wished I hadn't agreed to come out here.
     I swallowed hard trying to still myself, I could feel my hands start to shake. Sebastian's tone had caught me off guard, taking my mind back to dark places, places I wanted to keep shut and shut tight. I breathed in slowly, I could feel the seat of the booth against my back, the cool metal of the fork in my fingers, my hair brushing the back of my neck. I was trying to ground myself, to keep the panic attack from happening.
     I felt a large warm paw on my shoulder, and a hand place over mine on the table. I snapped out of it, Sebastian's face had turned soft, worry etched across his face. I could still feel the faintest of tremors from my hand under his. I darted a glance at Chris, his face knotted in confusion.
    "Rooftop, are you okay?" His voice came out soft, and caring like it had last night. I glance down, remembering to breathe. This, this was the reason I didn't have any friends.
   "I'm... I'm fine." I lied, I couldn't escape.
   "Are you sure about that?" Chris's baritone voice was full of worry. "Cause you don't seem fine."
    "I promise, I'm fine okay." I said meekly. I stared at my half eaten food, my appetite gone. What was I doing here?
    "Hey, Jay." Sebastian's voice cooed softly, I kept my eyes down. "Hey now, rooftop, will you just look up at me."
    I flicked my eyes up at him before returning them to my plate. He had been staring at me, a small and encouraging smile on his face. Gently he squeezed my hand, I steeled myself with a deep breath before slowly returning my gaze back him.
    "There you are." His words gentle, the icy tone from earlier afar distance memory. "I know you don't know us, and you have no reason to trust us but if you ever need someone to talk to."
   His words were cut short by three waitresses returning babbling on about something.  Asking for pictures with the two men at my table, I took the opportunity to slip out as they oblige them. Quietly I dipped out, and into the street.