It's Us Against The World

3. That Was Dramatic

"Hey, Amethyst?"

"Yeah?"

"What was it like being a police officer?"

I twisted the rings on my fingers and thought for a moment. Did I want to tell Kieth? I let out a slow breath and looked at him. "Well, it's exhilarating. There's a lot of people who look up to you and expect big things from you. But it leaves a sense of accomplishment in your heart. I lost a lot of good people, and I can't get them back. But, being a captain taught me to hold onto the ones you love the most because you'll never know the last memory you'll have with them until they're gone." 

Kieth smiled, his cheeks flushing pink. We sat on the roof of my apartment, watching the sun slowly fade away. Purple, pink, and orange bled into a gorgeous sky above us while my radio softly played beside me. Keith looked at me. "Do you have a favorite band?"

"Coldplay," I replied quickly.

"Can't argue with you on that," he chuckled, taking a swig of the Coca Cola he'd found in my fridge. I never drank. It reminded me of my father, and I didn't want to become him. So, I drank sodas instead. 

"Alright, favorite movie," I leaned back on my hands. 

He pursed his lips together on the bottle. "I'd have to go with The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty."

"Oh my god, I love that movie!" my eyes lit up, and he chuckled. 

"What's your favorite?" He looked at me. 

I smirked. "The Greatest Showman." 

"So, you're a music fan?"

"Big-time," I took a long drink of rootbeer. However, I choked, and it came pouring out of my nose. I set the bottle down and wiped it away while Kieth howled with laugher. My lips curved into a smile, and I snorted as our laughs echoed over the city, and I clutched my sides. I hiccuped, and Kieth looked at me, confused. 

"Did you just hiccup?" he giggled. 

I nodded, still chuckling. "It's a side effect of me laughing so hard." 

"That's a new one," he took another sip of the soda, a smile tugging at his lips. I grinned back, and another silence fell over the two of us. As the sun faded away, I had a feeling of pure content wash over me. I'd finally found someone who's a bit like me and understands me. It's a feeling I never want to lose. 

"Well," I stood up. "We best be getting inside. These suckers can't climb, but I need a good night's rest." Before I could walk inside, I paused. "You should stay here, Kieth. Don't walk back to your apartment. You can stay in one of the ones here for the night. It's dangerous."

Keith stood there, contemplating his options before nodding. "You're right. I wouldn't wanna do something I'd regret." 

A smirk fell upon my lips, and we walked inside. 

Once we were inside, I led him to a room across mine. He opened his mouth to thank me, but a sharp crack of thunder turned my body to jelly. "You're welcome. I'll see you tomorrow!" I slammed my door closed. 

I could tell Kieth was still there, and I wanted to open the door. But the rain splashing against the window forced me to my knees.  I slapped a hand over my mouth to try and silence my sobs, but another thunderclap made a yelp escape my lips. Tears fell in massive gobs down my face, and I whimpered. Why did a storm have to come along now, of all times?

"Amethyst, are you okay?" Kieth's concerned tone sent a chill down my spine. It was one of the worst storms this week. I tried to speak, but all that came out was a pitiful sob. "Amethyst, what's wrong?" his voice sounded scared now. 

My voice was shakier than a leaf in a tornado. "I...ca-can't move..." 

I heard the door handle jiggle and shake. A quiet curse grunted from the opposite side of the door. There was a third crack of thunder, and I screamed. I felt so weak. As I pulled my knees to my chest, I felt my heart beating in my ears. The steady pulse of rain and thunder made it hard to see clearly. There was so much noise. There was too much noise. 

Finally, Kieth managed to open the door, and our gazes locked. He took a wary step toward me, kneeling to where I was.

"Hey," he said softly. "It's okay, Amethyst. I'm right here. You're okay." Kieth placed a hand on my knee. 

Before I could move, a crackle of lightning flashed across the dark sky. I shook my hands over my ears. I goggled at Kieth with terrified eyes. He scooted closer to me on the floor, biting his lip in thought. 

Slowly, he opened his arms to offer an embrace. Without hesitation, I fell forward into his arms. As I became engulfed in the smell of warm cinnamon, blood mandarin, grapefruit, and mint citrus, my heart rate slowed.

"It's alright. Just take deep breaths." He ran a gentle hand through my hair. 

As I sat there with my teary face buried in his chest, I realized the last time I felt this safe; I was with my brother. My heart panged with remembrance, and more tears fell from my eyes. Kieth didn't seem to care that I was soaking his sweater. He sat with his back against the door and his arms around me. 

I wasn't sure when I realized the storm had passed. What I do remember is being too tired to move and falling asleep in the most comfortable place on Earth. 

I woke to a hand rubbing circles on my back. I opened my eyes to see myself sitting on the floor of my apartment. I heard a yawn beside me, and I turned to see Kieth smiling at me. "Feeling better?" he asked sleepily. 

I nodded as I sat up. I stretched and wiped my face, which was still wet from the tears. Kieth fixed his sweater, and I apologized for soaking it. 

"It's alright," he looked at me sympathetically. "What happened exactly?"

"Astraphobia..." I turned my attention to the floor. 

"Hey..." Kieth said gently. I met his eyes, and they held no judgment. If fact, they held understanding. "I've had claustrophobia since I was a kid. I know what it's like to have panic attacks and not know what to do." 

I felt myself smiling despite how embarrassed I was. "Well, that was dramatic." 

A chuckle escaped Kieth's lips, and my heart swelled. Maybe opening up wasn't the worst thing I could do. 

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