Chasing Storm

12. Thank You

~ Storm ~

I was bent over panting heavily while Ace stood there rubbing my back.

I don't know what he was still doing here but his presence was very comforting at the moment. 

After a couple of deep breath I finally got my breathing under control. I stood up straight and wiped the tears that was running down my face before I turned towards Ace.

"Thank you for standing here with me." I whispered.

"It's no problem." He said smiling, "are you ok though?"

"Uh yeah I'm ok, I think I was just having a small panic attack.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked.

I took the hair tie from my wrist and pulled my braids into a low ponytail.

"Uh Not really." I replied.

"Ok, that's fine, but I'll be here if you need a shoulder to lean on."

I stared at him for a good minute, trying to figure out why he even cared.

"Storm, are you ok?" I stiffen as I hear Niyah say from behind me, snapping me out of my haze.

I quickly looked towards her,"Uh I- um y-yes I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" She asked.

"Yeah I'm good." I let out an awkward laugh.

"You know I'm here if you need anything right?" She said.

"Yes I know, thank you. um do you mind if we reschedule for another day."

"Of course, just let me know when." She said then walked back inside the store.

I sighed and looked over at Ace to see him still staring at me.

"What are you still doing here anyways?" I asked, confused on why he didn't leave once he dropped me off.

"Well I was going to leave but then I figured you might need a ride home, so I was just going to sit out here until you were ready." He said.

I stared at dumbfounded at the fact that he was willing to sit and wait for me to finish.

I raised my left eyebrow and placed my hands on my hip, "And what if it took me two hours to finish." I asked.

He smirked and then shrugged his shoulders, "i guess I would've been sitting out here for two hours."

I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to see if he was being serious or not.

"You trying to be funny." I said with a straight face.

His smiled dropped, "w-what? N-No no I promise I'm not." He stammered.

"I'm just messing with you." I smiled.

His face relaxed and he smiled, "Ohh...so um are you ready to go?" He asked.

"Yeah I guess so." I chuckled nervously.

We walked over to his car and he opened the door for me, waiting for me to get in.

Once I got in the car I buckled myself in and leaned back in the seat and sighed.

God I can't believe I reacted that way. I understand that people move on but I just wasn't prepared for that. Seeing that she is doing great and is continuing on with her life make me sad but I'm also happy. I want her to be happy. I want her to be able to find someone she loves.

Even though I had a breakdown, I still want to met up with her and hear more about what she's been up too. Yes I'm still upset about her leaving me but I get it. That might have been her way of coping with the situation and I can't be mad at her for that.