“That was so much fun, where did you find this place?” Sophia asks as they leave the record store, two overflowing shopping bags in hand.
“Saw it on the TV last week, some band is going to do a signing here soon. Thought we should get ahead of the crowd.” Katha signs and chuckles lightly, “We are hipsters.” She jokes and Sophia laughs.
“Yeah right, you wish.” She signs back and they wait to cross the street, heading home after three hours of shopping. Sophia takes a breath and presses in her other earbud, completing the surround sound effect of her music. Katha doesn’t notice, too busy watching the cars waiting for them to cross. Their apartment building looms overhead as they walk down the crowded New York City street. When they step foot on the pavement to cross the street Katha’s eyes dart back and forth, never fully sure that they have the right away, and with drivers like this it’s a reasonable paranoia.
The doorman escorts the ladies to the elevator, knowing them both well enough to not say anything, but to wave instead. Katha nods back as the doors shut, confining them in the space. Sophia isn't bothered by the small space, which baffled doctors years ago. One of the major side effects of her situation was supposed to be claustrophobia, but with her music playing it’s as if all her fears fade. The shaking stays though, her fingers are never still, the touch screens will be the death of her. Her iPod screen displays the song playing, but she doesn’t care for it. Her fingers dangle over the fast forward button, but she can’t seem to land it on the right button, pausing the song. She breathes quickly, unpausing it, then tries again. Her fingers won’t stay still enough for her to press fast forward. She gives up and lets the less than desirable music play.
She hears the ding of the elevator and a man walks in calmly, but it puts both girls on edge. They look to each other and then watch him with wide eyes. Katha sees his fingers search his pockets, she tilts her head to get a better angle. She can’t see in the pocket, which makes her more nervous. He could take anything out of there. Sophia watches his lips in the reflection of the door. His back faces her, but she still watches him. His lips don’t move, not once, closed shut. When the door dings again, both girls bolt from the elevator. Sophia looks back, his face unrecognisable, but she fears him anyways. Katha places her hand on Sophia’s shoulder and leads her to the room.
The door clicks closed behind them and Sophia leans against the door, locking all three of the various contraptions keeping the door closed.
“I need more therapy.” Sophia admits, but Katha doesn’t face her so she doesn’t see the words. “It’s been five years, why is it still so bad?” She closes her eyes as a song closes out, the three seconds of silence is almost too much. Her hand shakes as she trails her fingers through her hair. Katha finally notices Sophia’s state and sits down next to her.
“You have an appointment in two days, you can make it.” Katha signs to her, but Sophia knows the once a week sessions aren’t enough. She needs more help, she just wants to be normal again. Katha stands and hurries to the kitchen. The song comes up and her foot taps to the beat as she opens her eyes. Katha comes back with a glass of water, and the pill. Sophia is not prescribed any pills, besides this one, to prevent her panic attacks. She can feel it coming on, the sweat collecting above her lip is another hint. She takes the glass and the pill, then by habit take the pills dry, chasing it with water. She gasps, knowing the numbing feeling comes next. Katha helps her up, walking her to the bedroom before her legs give out. One earbud falls out, but Sophia hardly notices. When they get to her bedroom the other one falls out, and her music isn’t playing. Even the pill can’t stop the panic scorching her veins.
She sets Sophia on the bed, her whole body shaking, collapsing in on itself. Katha finds the loose earbud and puts it in her ear. She stills, like magic, the music relaxed her. No one, not even the doctors know why this is the cure-all for her. Music, of all things. Katha walks to the boom box and presses the power button, she places her hand on the speakers and feels light vibrations letting her know the music is playing. She turns and sees Sophia’s body on the bed unmoving and completely calm. A crisis has been averted.
Katha leaves the room slowly, watching over Sophia until the moment the door clicks into place. She sighs inaudibly and presses her eyes closed, allowing herself to take a moment to calm down. Whenever Sophia gets worked up Katha can’t help but join her. It’s a wonder they were placed together. She walks into the kitchen and her eyes catch sight of the business card magnetically attached to the refrigerator. This is no normal business card, because calling the number on that card will get both girls shipped out of here, in separate directions. Sophia has had the number called on her too many times, forced to relocate here, there, everywhere. That’s why Katha and her make sense, they don’t want to leave again. The phone number is power, and she doesn’t want any part of that.
I'M BAAAAACK, Finals are over, I've watched three days worth fo Criminal Minds, and I have a tub of nutella, let's do this shiznit.
I'll update as much as I can, but expect once a week, usually on mondays. See you then!
I just edited the first chapter, you may want to check it out, since there is a new scene or two that will come into play later.
P.S. I need to pic which boy (Harry, Niall, Zayn, Liam, or Louis) will be the main character. So it's up to you! I need three comments with one of the guys names to choose him, so comment below who you want this to be about!
