Finding You

Chapter Two- Full of Surprises

I spin around, startled by the voice. Nash is leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest and of course he is smirking at me. Of course he's here. His eye roam down my body and back up before meeting me eyes. Is he actually checking me out? I straighten up, crossing my arms over my chest and shoot him a glare. I didn't need to explain myself to him.

"Whatever," I mumble, starting to walk past him but he steps in my way, causing me to bump right into him. The touch sends butterfly's through my stomach. I ignore the feeling that I get from touching him and take a step back. "What do you want?"

"Why'd you lie to Noah?" He asks, looking down at me. I have the urge to punch him all over again. I clench my fists and shoot him my meanest look.

"It's none of your business."

"It's my business if you're going to lie to my best friend," he argues.

"I don't need to explain myself to anyone!" I feel myself starting to lose my control. How do you tell a stranger that you lied because boxing is something you did with your dead brother and don't want to share that part of your past with anyone else?

I will not cry in front of him.

"Then don't lie to my friends!"

"I don't mean to-" I stop talking, my tongue feels thick and I feel like I can't breathe. No no no, not here. I turn away from him, trying to calm myself but nothing seems to be working. The panic grows and my breaths become shorter. I need to get out of here.

Hands on my shoulders spin me back around and I struggle to focus on Nash in front of me.

"What's wrong?" Does he actually care? "Do you have panic attacks?"

His hands move to cup my face and I hold onto his arms. I hear him speaking but I can't make out the words. My mind is racing.

Focus. I need to focus.

I push to focus on the feeling of his hands on my face. Warm. Soft. Gentle.

"It okay, its okay, take a deep breath, just focus on my words," his voice is soothing. I fight to focus on his voice. I pull myself together enough to take in a shaky breath. Nash keeps speaking in his soft tone and I keep working on taking deep breaths.

After a few minutes I'm calm enough to focus on my surroundings. Nash stops repeating his soothing words. I realize how close Nash's face is to mine. He looks really worried. I blink a few times.

"I'm okay," I whisper softly. He slowly pulls his hands away from my face and I let go of his arms.

"You have panic attacks," it's not a question, it's a fact. "Have you always had them?"

"It's uh, a recent development," I've never had one until Brandon died. I duck my head. "I'm still learning how to deal with them."

"Seems like you're full of surprises," he mumbles. I can see he's shutting down again.

"I need to go," I grab my bag and move to walk past him and this time he lets me pass. He follows me out of the gym in silence. What is with this guy? Why can't he just let me be?

"Look, I'm sorry I punched you okay? I don't blame you for hating me," I blurt out, hoping he will just go away.

"I don't hate you," he says and I nod my head, turning to walk away. "But I do think you're hiding something and I'm going to find out what it is."