People Can You Hear Me? [A Brian May Story]

[10]

"Genevieve wait!"

I turned to see Brian jogging towards me. I was half tempted to ignore him, but my body stopped right in its tracks.

"Please don't leave," he said, catching up to me. "I don't know why you left but I really...," he paused, trying to catch his breath. "Roger told us all about you and I'm-" he bent down, putting his hands on his knees. "I'm apparently out of shape," he wheezed.

I had to smile at that. I let him catch his breath, and he stood back up to his full height. His brows furrowed. "What was I saying?"

I shrugged lightly, giving him a sheepish smile. Brian nervously rubbed the back of his neck. "Umm... just... can I...," he swallowed visibly. "Can I walk you home?" He shook his head. "I mean, to where you live?"

I bit the inside of my cheeks nervously. He was being awfully kind to me this morning, but the truth was I knew little about him. I had only allowed Noah to do it because I had no clue where my apartment was from Kim's. I know how to get home from Kensington Market. My mind is so conflicted, still a bit hazy from my trip. A part of me wants to be alone and try to recuperate my thoughts. But if Oscar is... no, no. I'm not going there.

I guess the reality is that I need some company after yesterday. Looking up at Brian's wide and quite fearful eyes, I nod. He breathes out a rather large sigh of relief. "Okay... lead the way," he says softly.

I walk him down to the tube. We pay and hop on, sitting in silence. I'm just praying that Oscar is okay, not starving to death or meowing loudly of thirst. My throat tightens and I furiously blink away tears. If Brian notices, he doesn't say anything but that's alright with me. I don't expect him to. I mean... what would he do to comfort me, basically a stranger? Wipe my tears away? Give me a hug? Hold my hand?

I absentmindedly play with my hair, which is starting to regain some of the springy curls it naturally has. The tube stops at our destination and we quickly jump off, heading up onto the street.

"Earl's Court?" Brian asks.

I nod firmly. I continue leading him, make a right, then a left, then walking for a while until we turned another right. Brian remains quiet, very patiently I notice. I sneak glances up at him and he seems to be in another world. I don't mind, I tend to do the same.

I pointed to the street sign once we reached the corner. Nerven Square, I sign to him. The street is a bit plain, with lines of three-story buildings. It reminded me very much of Mary Poppins, but unlike Cherry Tree Lane, this street was grey and dull and certainly devoid of flying nannies.

We continue walking until we reach the small apartment complex. Or flat I suppose is the "correct" term. We walked up the steps and I reached into my pocket.

Oh no. I don't have my key. I totally forgot I had a backpack with me yesterday! I frowned and huffed, irritated with myself. I lost my backpack, my shirt... maybe even Oscar. This is becoming too much. Before I could even try to stop it, I began crying. Brian immediately noticed and turned to face me.

"What's wrong?" He asked, his face etched with concern.

I hid my face from him, embarrassed that I couldn't control myself. I try to calm myself down but all my worries are flooding over me. I feel nauseous and dizzy suddenly. I don't notice I'm falling until arms encircle me, holding my body up.

"Genevieve, hey, it's alright," Brian says, though his words sound far away. "I'll get you help."

Once he was sure I could stand on my own, he went over to the wall and pushed the button on the intercom. Still fighting the urge to regurgitate, I sit down on the steps, breathing slowly in and out.