This is Where my Demons Lie

Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Your laugh is treasure
Nathan Brady
"You're at school," I was shocked when I saw Reverie with her books.
"Yeah, remind me to never come again," she rolled her eyes.
"Is everything okay," I worried, glancing at her.
"Just peachy," Reverie snapped sassily. "Never better."
"Really though, how are you," I pressed.
"I just want to get out of this hell," she muttered, walking away.
  I sighed. Why couldn't she just talk to me? Was it really that hard?
"What am I doing wrong," I said, gripping her elbow and spinning her around to face me. She winced slightly, rubbing said body part.
"You're doing nothing wrong, Nate," Reverie assured me, ice blue eyes softening. "This isn't your fault. This is my 'family's' fault. I think Marie is calling for you."
  I was left alone, completely shocked by her quiet answer.
"Nathan! Can you come over today please? Please, please, please? I wanna watch a film," Marie exclaimed, begging me.
"Uh, sure," I agreed, following her to class.
"Why would you do this!" I could already hear screaming, and it sounded like Tammie.
"Since when did you care about me?! You only care when my actions screw up your perfect little lives," Reverie shrieked. Marie rolled her eyes and opened the door.
"Shut up, Reverie. Nathan's here, so you need to be somewhat civil," Marie ordered. Reverie glared at her sister before storming upstairs. "C'mon."
  It was only half an hour into the movie, and Marie had fallen fast asleep. Her parents were out at some party, I think, and Reverie was still in her room. I heard the fridge open and wandered to the kitchen, curious as to what was happening.
"Rev?" I said cautiously, spotting her silhouette in the dark.
"Ack!" she jumped, nearly dropping something too. "What, Nathan."
"What's that," I pointed at her mug.
"Tea," Reverie sighed. "It calms me down a little. Want some?"
"No thanks," I politely declined, standing beside her. On a whim, I threw my arms around her, pulling Reverie into my chest. She smelled like campfire smoke, the woods, whiskey, and something I couldn't detect.
  She froze up before relaxing, melting into my touch. Reverie exhaled in relief, content. I studied her face. Closed eyes, face relaxed, mouth not smiling or frowning. Her hair dangled in front of her nose and I gently pushed it back. I had never seen her so... so at peace before.
"Beautiful," I breathed, hiding my face in her neck. Reverie pulled back, startled.
"What," she asked timidly.
"I said you're beautiful," I smiled, gently kissing her forehead.
"Nathan?" Marie.
"You should go," Reverie told me softly, my heart falling. "C-come visit me before you leave," she finished uncertainly, leaving the kitchen.
"Oh, there you are," Marie hugged me and dragged me back to the couch. "Sorry for falling asleep, I do that during movies. Let's keep watching."
  As the film played, Marie stayed awake. A clap of thunder startled us both, causing me to jump a little. We shared a look, turning off the tv and rushing to the window. Sure enough, it was pouring buckets outside. Lightning and thunder struck the whole neighborhood, maybe the whole district, terrifying inhabitants.
"This is insane," Marie cried, eyes wide in excitement and fear.
"I suppose I can't go home now," I chuckled, calling Mom and explaining that I would be staying at the Lark house until it cleared.
  The storm wasn't over at nine o'clock. The streets were flooding and the power had gone out five times. Thunder and lighting made my stomach tingle with anticipation, terror, nervousness, and fascination. When it didn't clear up at ten, Marie offered the spare room to me. I agreed and followed her there.
  By pure luck, I had brought sweat pants and a random shirt for gym today. It turned out that gym was tomorrow, and school might be cancelled from the flooded roads. I changed and bid Marie goodnight.
"Night," she called back, closing the door to her own bedroom.
  I remembered Reverie's request from earlier. Although I wasn't leaving, I felt the urge to visit her anyway. I rose from the bed and crept down the carpeted hallway to her bedroom. The door was slightly ajar, no light spilling from the crack. I could hear ragged breathing and sniffles.
"Reverie," I said softly, a bit shocked and worried at the sight of her. She sat on the ground, curled in a ball, head cradled in hands with tears running down her face. Her whole body was trembling and her breathing was shallow, quick, and uneven. "What's wrong?" I had a small idea, but needed confirmation.
"Anxiety... attack," she gasped, covering her face.
"Can I help," I had helped someone before and learned that some people preferred to be asked first.
  She simply nodded her head and I crouched beside her. I rested both hands on her back and gently took her own hand and set it on my chest. Breathing in and out as steadily and rhythmically as I could, I watched her carefully. Tears still fell from those ice blue eyes, breaths were still rapid, but I could tell she was trying. I moved a hand from her back to covering her hand on my chest. Reverie clutched my wrist.
"Breathe with me. Inhale... exhale. Inhale... exhale. See, you're doing good, just keep going," I assured her, smiling down at Reverie. One hand still on her back, I felt her breathing grow steady. "Inhale... exhale. Inhale... exhale." Her breathing returned to a regular pace but I didn't let go of her.
"Thank you," Reverie croaked, rubbing away tears. "You didn't need to do that."
"I'm happy to help you, Reverie. I don't care if it's three am, I want you to contact me, okay, love?" I ordered, holding her in my arms.
"Love?" she repeated weakly.
"Sorry," I apologized quickly. It had come out naturally, just slipping off my tongue.
"No, no, it's fine. I... I kinda like it," Reverie shyly admitted.
"Are you going to be able to sleep," I checked. Even though she nodded, I pulled her carefully to the bed. We fell onto it and she laughed quietly as I tugged the blankets over us.
"Goodnight, Nathan," Reverie whispered, snuggling against me. I smiled at her.
"G'night, Rev. Your laugh is treasure."