How to steal a heart

Part 20

Autor's note
Hey everyone! I hope all of you have a great Thanksgiving tomorrow!! (and for non Americans well uh happy random Thursday) tysm for reading :)

Disclaimer: I do not own any of Rick Riordan's characters or settings

Katie's Pov.

I knew something was up. But I didn't push him. It just made me more confident in his surprise. He either could love it or he could hate it. And I'm really hoping he loves it. Later that night, I'm sitting in my bunk with my laptop in my lap. (Leo made me a computer that doesn't attract monsters) I log onto a flight service and schedule a flight for two, to Newark, New Jersey...

I don't remember falling asleep. I do remember dreaming though. I was in a white room. Suddenly the walls changed colors to familiar, horrifying scenes. Josh threatening me, the anger in my step-mother's voice, all the attacks after running away... the walls captured all my fears that I have been trying to escape for so long...

I wake with a jolt, sitting up so fast I almost hit my head on the top of my bunk. I try to control my breathing but I can't. I can't control the tears either. I'm breathing so fast now I don't know what's happening. When I extend my arm out, my hand is shaking so badly, but I can't stop it. I try to wipe away my tears but they keep coming. My palms are cold and sweating and my throat is dry. Suddenly a wave of nausea washes over me and I feel like I might pass out. Someone grabs my hand but I can't comprehend who it is. I hear a voice, but I can't understand it. I concentrate so hard it makes my head hurt. "hey shh I'm here now, It's okay." I hear someone say, someone next to me. "hey, think about fun things, like Christmas, or hot chocolate." Christmas, think about Christmas. "Hey, there you go. Happy thoughts. Think about the night under the stars, campfires..." Campfires... I try to hold on to the thought. "good, now make a fist." I clench my fingers together. "now breathe in." I can finally register the voice. Travis. I breathe in as steady as I can. "okay, now out." I exhale. "you are in control Katie." But Travis doesn't understand. I want to be in control, but I can't...

Travis's pov.
I wake up to Miranda shaking me. "Travis!! Wake up!" I open my eyes. "What-" "It's Katie. We need your help." I wasn't sure what to think. But when I saw Katie, it made my heart hurt. Her eyes were red with tears, her hands shaking uncontrollably. My eyes sting as sit down next to her. I grab her hand and say, "hey, shh I'm here now." She doesn't seem to hear me but I keep talking. "hey, think about fun things like Christmas, or hot chocolate." Something in her face changes, like she's trying to focus. "hey, there you go. Happy thoughts. Think about the night under the stars, campfires..." I can tell she's trying really hard now. "good, now make a fist." She does until her knuckles turn white. I rub her hand and say, "now breathe in" Her breathing steadies a bit as she inhales. "okay, now out." She exhales and shudders. "you are in control Katie." I tell her. I squeeze her hand. "hey, it's okay Kates I'm here." Her breathing slows down and she leans her head on my shoulder. "I've got you Kates. I'm here..." She is breathing normally now, but I can tell she's not okay. I squeeze her hand again. "shh it'll be okay, I've got you, I'm here..."

A/N (pt.2)
Okay this was my first time writing a panic attack scene and yeah. Please let me know how I did in the comments! Againnn thank you for reading!

-claire