Except Him

Chapter 4-Mila

Sorry for mistakes and such a long time for an update, I was in the hospital yesturday which is why I didn't updat yesrterday. I hope you guys understand :)

After waking up three or four times, I decide that I'm going to actually get up this time. It is still dark out-side and River isn't in the room. I look over at the alarm clock that is sitting on the table next to the bed. Wow it's only 8:30 PM. Where is River? I quickly jump out of bed and run downstairs, looking for him.

When I see him on the couch watching a movie, I jump into his lap and laugh at his reaction. He wraps his arms around me, and a smile of amusement shows on his lips.

"Hello there Mila, how was your nap?" River asks me and I laugh.

"I woke up like four times." He laughs with me and we sit there in silence for a minuet or two before I hear a door open. A boy who looks River's age walks in and I hold my breath. I guess River feels me tense up because he quickly introduces the stranger.

"Mi this is Bradley, my best friend." He tells me but that doesn't stop the panic attack that happens. I try to breath and I try to focus on Rivers arms around me, but I can't. Why am I like this?

At this point there is a pain in my chest, and I can't breathe. I hear a voice though.

Breathe, you have to breathe. Mila, Breathe. Take a deep breath.

I follow the voices orders as best as I can but I'm still having trouble breathing. I take one breath in, and slowly exhale. It burns my chest, but the voice is telling me to do it, so I do.

I didn't know I was crying until my vision cleared up, and when it did, I saw that it was just River and I on the couch. Except he is now in a sitting position, with me still in his lap.

I try my best to avoid his eyes, but that's near impossible when he puts his finger under my chin. I still try to avoid eye contact, but he then talks.

"Mila, look at me." His voice is soft and is laced with concern. I look at his eyes and that makes me break again. His eyes are worse than the tone of his voice. They are watering and the fear and worry is obviously there.

"I-I'm s-sorry." I whisper looking away from his eyes. He moves his hand to where I have to look him straight in the eye.

"Don't you ever be sorry for that. None of this was your fault, so I don't ever want to hear that your sorry again, okay?" The whole time he was talking, I cried. For some reason I feel like everything was my fault. I can't remember what happened exactly, but I feel it was my fault.

"I should've been more careful with Bradley. I should've told you he was over, so you didn't have a panic attack. I didn't think it would be that bad." He said while wiping my tears away with his thumb.

"Are you willing to meet him now? I promise he won't hurt you, and I will be by you the entire time." He assures me and I think for a second. As long as he is with me and if the strange person stays away from me.

I nod my head and he smiles. I love his smile.

"Bradley you can come in now!" He yells and the boy enters the room, more slowly this time.

"Mila, meet Bradley. Bradley, this is the girl I was telling you about." River introduces us and Bradley waves awkwardly. I don't follow the movement and study him.

He has blonde hair like River, but his eyes are baby blue. He's tall, just like River, and obviously he works out or something. His muscles are showing through his shirt, but I think River's are better. What am I saying?