I stand there, shocked. There's a billion thoughts going through my head. Does that give him an excuse for being a douche? Do I hug him? Do I cry? Do I tell him it's going to be okay even though it won't be because of his sister?
Before I act, he wipes his eyes and looks at me. "I guess I should go home and deal with it." His voice wobbles and he starts crying again. He puts his hands in his eyes as if to try to stop the tears from falling.
"Theo.. I can't imagine what you're feeling right now, but I think you should stay here for a while and try to gather yourself up.. If you want." I suggest. Okay, one more chance. He said he's sorry, he sounded sincere, so just give him another chance. "Let's do something that will get your mind off of this." I grab two Cokes and head to the gaming room.
"Holy... This room is SICK!" He was looking at the seats. We have pallets staggered on the floor with cushions and pillows on them.
"Do you wanna watch a movie? Or do you wanna play a game?" I ask. I was maybe thinking playing Guitar Hero.
"Do you have Due Date? The movie with Robert Downey Jr.?" He asks, finding the blankets by the pallets and grabbing all of them.
"Actually, yes.. I do. I've been wanting to watch it." I put the movie in and pull my shoes off. I pull a blanket off of Theo and pull it up to my chin. I can hear Theo breathing and I can smell his cologne. Somehow, in a creepy way, it calms me way down- from- well, from my thoughts.
About halfway through the movie and I feel him move closer to me and rest his head on my shoulder. I tap him on the arm and whisper, "Hey, you still awake sleepyhead?"
He reaches across my waist and buries his head on my chest.. What..? Should I wake him up? Do I cuddle in with him? Do I just stay and let him sleep and watch the movie? But what happens after the movie is over? WHAT ABOUT MY PARENTS? Oh, right. They don't get home until 9 and 10. It's 5 right now.. I pull my blanket over him and move closer to him and lean my head back on the pillow. I manage to keep my eyes open until the end of the movie and fall asleep.
I wake up to Theo squeezing my side with his hand. I look at his face, which is all scrunched up and it almost looked like he was about to cry. I panic a little and shake his shoulder so he wakes up.
"Theo, bad dream?" I ask him.
"What? Oh, yeah. Maerie died." Then he started crying. "I j-just don't-t want to LOSE HER!" He choked and buried his head into my chest and grabbed a fistful of my shirt. I could feel something wet on my chest- his tears. The only thing I can think of to do is to hug him. Not say anything, I hold him close for a while. He sobs and keeps clenching and unclenching his fists.
Theo wipes his eyes and sighs. "I should seriously be getting home. My parents are going to be wondering where I am." He pulls his shirt up and wipes his face with it.
"You don't look good enough to drive, Theo." I tell him.
"I'm fine, I'm fine I'm FINE!" He sobs again, taking a huge breath.
"Theo, let me drive you home. Just take deep breaths and calm down. Can I have your keys?" I reach my hand out and he looks at me. He's breathing heavily. He reaches in his pocket, and when he takes his hand out he's shaking so bad that he drops his keys. His eyes bug out and he tried to mumble something. "In hvgancttagh." He runs out of breath.
He's having a panic attack.
"Okay, Theo, I need you to sit down. Count my fingers." I hold up five fingers. I've looked up what to do when people have panic attacks- I've never had one, but I've seen some happen and it's very useful to know how to handle one- like now. Theo looks at me after he abruptly sits down and squints at my fingers. He counts to five and I notice his breathing slow down a little, but not back to normal. "Do you need a drink of water?" I don't touch him because I read that people feel claustrophobic or can't take people touching them when they have an attack. He rapidly shakes his head yes and tell him to stay. He spills the water all over his shirt and pants, but he finishes the glass. He practically rips his sweatshirt off, then his shirt.
"Jesus, it's hot as hell in here." He tries to fan himself with his hand. I turn on the ceiling fan.
A few minutes later, he's breathing normally again.
"I'm.. I'm sorry you had to see that. Christ, that was so embarrassing. Thank you for not touching me, though. Are you some sort of nurse or something?" He picks his keys up.
"Nope. I just look up what to do when people.. You know.. So I know what to do. I'm glad I did."
"Thank you.. I haven't had an attack in years." He hands me the keys. "How are you gonna get home if you drive my truck home?"
"I can walk. It can't be that far, can it?" I give him a reassuring smile.
"It's like two miles. Maybe you could bring a bike or something and put it in the back and then ride it home."
"Good idea." I grab my phone and go to the garage to get my bike. "Okay, let's go!" I get in and he gets in the passengers' seat.
"Thank you." He says as we pull up by his house. "Just park it by the curb, here."
"You don't need to thank me so much. It's nice being able to actually do something for someone and want it. So, thank you for thanking me-" I'm cut off by him kissing me. "A-are you sur-" He kisses me harder. He pulls me to the center and he moves and hugs me and kisses me and this is all happening so quickly and I don't know what to think and all of the sudden I feel like I've found my place and I forgive him and he just needs someone right now and all these emotions and who even knew kissing could make me feel this way and then he pulls away and his eyes are shining and he's beautiful.
A/N:
Yes, Maelie's name is actually spelt Maelie. It's pronounced May-lee. I picked it out because I think it's pretty and the meaning of the name fits her perfectly, which I didn't even plan.
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