One Breath at a Time

...I was breathing but it felt like I wasn't. Every contraction of my lungs felt strange, it hurt. I couldn't do much more than process each and every ragged breath as it swept past my lips. I barely comprehended the figure that sat down next to me, weighing the bed and making it sink under the pressure. Everything felt slow and thick like molasses and I was only vaguely aware of the boy I had grown to care about wrap his arm around me. I felt his stare on me, the concern radiating from his warm flesh and closed my eyes on a long hard blink.

"Louis, I don't know if I can do this. I just feel so... People keep telling me to 'take it one step at a time', 'just keep going one step at a time'. But I don't know if I can do that. It all just feels like too much! I don't know what to do, Lou! I just feel so lost... I can't do this..."

I put my head in my hands and ran my fingers through my tousled mass of hair. My breath sawed from my lips, getting heavier, harder. My chest felt tight and my throat knotted up. My vision blurred as tears started forming. I fought them back but they came anyway, with thick, harsh , wracking sobs.

"Hey... Hey. Shhhh... It's okay." He soothed, pulling my into his arms. My head fell to his chest as I curled into his lap. He petted my messy locks and hushed me.

"Hey," he placed his finger under my chin, lifted my face to his and stared deeply into my watering eyes, "I know it's hard but you have to keep going. You can do this. You are so strong, Autumn. And if one step is too hard to take, then take it one breath at a time instead. Just breathe... In and out. You can do that. And I'll be right here with you. You won't be alone. We'll take it slow. One breath at a time... together..."