Hold On

Chapter 1 - Signs

Leanna could feel it coming again. She frantically looked around for a place to hide, but of course there was nowhere in sight. All there was, was a wide open hallway filled with people.

She took a shaky breath, but it didn't help. All eyes seemed to be on her, which only made her tremble more. She couldn't breathe now. It felt like there was a weight on her chest that wouldn't allow her to inhale. She coughed, sputtered, and felt her arms go numb.

The first sign.

No, she prayed. Please not here. Not now, in front of all these people.

It didn't matter what she wanted, though. It was coming, and there was no stopping it. She felt herself sway, then her legs gave out.

Leanna sat up with a jolt, her sheets soaked in sweat. She was gasping for breath, just like in her dream. Only now, thankfully, she was alone.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Leanna leaned over to her night table, sighing as she turned off her alarm. 6:45. So early.

Slowly, she began to drag herself around her bedroom, fixing her hair and putting on what little makeup she wanted to wear today. It was a fairly large room. Both of her parents were doctors, and they had plenty of money, seeing as how Leanna was their only child. That meant a big house, a good school, and plenty of other things they didn't need but made them look wealthy.

It also meant that Leanna was left on her own quite often, with her parents working strange shifts. When she was younger, they'd made sure one of them was with her at all times. With her condition, she hadn't been left alone for a moment. But as she'd aged, they had trusted her to care for herself. Sometimes, she felt that her parents were being irresponsible and inconsiderate. But so far, nothing too dramatic had happened. She'd learned to cope with her condition... more or less.

Her room was the only one on the second floor of her house. It held a four-post queen sized bed with plush, light blue covers and gray pillows. The walls were a baby blue color. A large bay window sat on the outside wall. Oftentimes, Leanna would sit here to do her homework or pleasure read. 

Her walls were bare of any posters or photos of celebrities, like most girls her age would probably have on their walls. Instead, pieces of her artwork hung in frames. Only the best had made it on her walls. She was incredibly critical of her art.

She glanced down at her phone, the newest iPhone of course. Her parents wouldn't want her to have anything less. Most kids would be ecstatic. She was somewhat annoyed. She knew how the other kids saw her; spoiled, stuck up, and prissy. She wasn't. But they wouldn't know that. No one took the time to get to know her. And even if they did, she wouldn't welcome their friendship. It would only mean that, eventually, they would learn about her secret. Her condition.

She checked the time on her screen. 7:00. She sighed.

"Guess I should pick out today's outfit," she muttered unhappily, shoving open the door of her walk-in closet. Inside, there were probably hundreds of articles of clothing. Some were flashy. Some, the ones she'd chosen herself, were a more modest. It was to this pile that she gravitated now, grabbing a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. On her way out, she kicked a pair of white Nike tennis shoes out into her bedroom.

Once dressed, she quickly rushed to her bathroom, which contained a wide vanity and sink, as well as a walk in shower and a full sized tub. She brushed her teeth, glancing once at her reflection in the mirror before returning to her room. She grabbed her school bag and trudged downstairs.

"Good morning, Miss Leanna," a kind woman said from the kitchen. Leanna rolled her eyes.

"Molly, for the last time, it's Anna," she said with a kind smile. "My parents hired you as our maid four years ago. It's about time we are on a first-name basis."

Molly smiled in return. She nodded.

"Sorry, Anna. What'll it be for breakfast this morning?"

Anna hesitated. "I think an apple and some peanut butter today," she decided. Molly frowned.

"Will that be enough to keep you until lunch?"

Molly was one of the few people, aside from Anna's parents, that knew of the girl's condition. Anna had to keep herself filled with protein for her energy. She had to be careful not to miss a meal. At any moment, her blood pressure could drop. And if that happened, she could find herself in a rather awkward situation.

"It should be," Anna replied, grabbing an apple and a knife. "That's what I had last week, and it..."

Anna's voice faltered before trailing off. Something was wrong. She felt the familiar tinging in her fingers.

"Anna?" Molly's concerned voice asked from across the kitchen counter. When Anna didn't answer, she made her way to the girl's side. "Miss Leanna, what is it?"

"N-nothing," Anna lied. "I just need to..."

Slowly, Anna sank to the ground, leaning back against the cabinets for support. Molly knelt beside her, taking one of her shaking hands in her own.

"Do you need me to get you something?"

Anna shook her head slowly, fighting to keep her breathing steady.

"Just give me a minute," she gasped. Molly hesitated before moving away to give Anna room to breathe.

Slowly, Anna felt herself calming down. Her numbness dispelled, and she regained control of her body.

"I'm alright," she said, standing carefully to her feet. As if nothing had happened, she returned to cutting her apple. Nearby, Molly watched nervously, unsure of how the girl could be so casual about what had just happened. Eventually, after several reassuring smiles from Anna, Molly went back to cleaning.

Anna quietly finished her breakfast, the wheels of her mind turning despite her calm outer appearance.

Please don't let this mean what I think it does, she prayed. Then, reluctantly, she grabbed her things and headed out the door for school.

So this is, I think, my first real attempt at a Wattpad book that isn't a fanfic. Let me know what you guys think as the book progresses! Thanks for reading!