The Prince and His Pauper

Chapter 64: The Pauper Returns the Favor

Seeing Antonio scream like that was the hardest thing to witness. After I told him what happened to me that Halloween night, he was about to ask me something but he went silent. I thought he might have decided against asking me until he began to scream and scared the daylights out of me. I jumped in fear from the sudden outburst while I watched Antonio clutching his head and kneeling down to the ground.

It hurt seeing him like he was in so much pain, but I knew standing there wouldn't help him. So, I tried to get through to him by yelling at him, "Antonio! Calm down! Please! J-Just tell me what's wrong!"

Unfortunately, Antonio didn't reply to me and just kept screaming. I don't know if he heard me or not, but I had to try something. Especially after all the times he calmed me down when I was at my lowest, it's my turn to return the favor. This time, I'm going to calm Antonio down by doing something unexpected. What I have in mind might be the best distraction, but I'll only use it as a last resort. So, I'll try to soothe him with some words of comfort first.

I lowered myself to his level where I placed both of my hands on his face. His cheeks were free of his facial hair since he left during Thanksgiving break which I was secretly happy about. His beard made him look a lot older than he actually is so having his clean shaven face made him look more like the other guys at our school. Ugh, bad Cassiel! Don't get distracted with that smooth skin of his! Calm him down and figure out how to help him.

I know! I immediately thought just as an idea popped in my head. I placed my forehead against Antonio's and asked, "Hey, look at me. Just focus on my blue eyes. Alright?"

Antonio did as I instructed him and I noticed that he stopped screaming like he was in pain. However, he did begin to hyperventilate but I can handle that. If Antonio can calm me down with his hugs and sweet words, then so can I. In the most calmest tone I can muster, I spoke to him. "Antonio? I know you can't hear me right now, but I'll try my best to get you out of your suffering. Whatever it is that's hurting you, it's going to pass. I won't lie by saying that your pain isn't real. You're going to be okay, Antonio. Close your eyes and count to ten. Okay?"

By some miracle, Antonio nodded in response which caused me to exhale in relief because that nod just confirmed that I got through to him. When I saw Antonio closing his eyes, I followed my own advice and started to count out loud. I know he's probably counting in his head, but I figured that he might need another form of distraction to calm him. I know I always felt better when I had Antonio come over to my house just to give me a hug, but listening to his heartbeat and his voice helped me to calm down.

"St-Stay back. . . I'm just going to hurt you. ." I heard Antonio quietly beg.

Why is he asking me that? I thought immediately because that came out of nowhere. Now is not the right time to be asking him any questions. He needs to be calmed down first then we can talk when he's ready.

"No, you're not. I know you won't. Trust me on that," I reassure, but I think it did the complete opposite because he started to hyperventilate again while he shook his head.

I don't know what he was thinking inside that head of his, but I did know that he's just going to get worse if I don't calm him down. So, I placed my hands on his face as I felt my brows furrowed into an intense look. I needed to get rid of any doubts he has about being a bad person because that has to be what has him all messed up. If any of his memories came back, there's a possibility that he's remembering all the times he wasn't so nice to me.

"Listen to me. You won't hurt me. I know you won't because you're not the type to purposefully cause me harm. Yeah, you pushed me away before but you never physically hurt me. Okay? So if you think I'm going to run away, think again. I am going to help you get your memories back even if it pains me every time you try to push me away. Got it? I'm not giving up on you so you shouldn't either." I state firmly in hopes that he would believe me.