All Hidden Away

Alex’s POV

We sat waiting for Tasha for about ten minutes and I could see Luke starting to freak out.
“They’ve still got the few performances and then its pop and country. Want to go check she’s okay?” I ask leaning towards him. He looks at me.
“Would you mind helping me?” he asks standing. I shake my head.
“We’ll be back now.” I say to Jack before patting him on the shoulder and walking out the exit Tasha left in.
“I’ll head to the bathroom so long, thanks mate.” Says Luke before he jogs off slightly. He’s so whipped. I think to myself before I see a group of people. I slowly walk towards them about to ask when I see Tasha push through the centre of them and practically run to the emergency exit. The cameras and people try to follow her. “TASHA? Woah. Woah can’t you see she’s upset? Let her alone.” I say standing in front of the doors. “Go pick on someone your own size.” My heart beat increases when they don’t move. Sorry Luke… “I think I saw Luke Hemmings headed to the bathroom.” I say and they run off like the vultures they are. I turn back and head outside, noting the chill in the air. I see Tasha what looks like mid panic attack. Hands fisted in her hair, walking in circles and choking on her the air she is so desperately trying to breathe in. I walk over and try calling her name. Clearly she can’t hear me and she walks to the wall and sits down, effectively slamming herself against it. I walk over carefully still calling out her name. I reach into my pocket to grab my phone and realise it’s still on the table so I can’t call Luke. Come on Lex…you know exactly what to do… don’t be an idiot.
“Tasha?” I ask carefully as I sit next to her. “Tasha, it’s Alex. You met me earlier tonight… I’m friends with Luke and Niall.” I say not touching her just getting her to listen. It takes a couple of repeats but eventually I hear her mumble small and quiet-like.
“A- A-”
“Yeah, it’s me…Tasha is it okay if I touch you?” I ask carefully knowing if I don’t get permission to try comfort her it could set her back hours. Her head moves quickly but I can’t be sure it was a nod. “Tasha I need you to tell me if it’s okay…” I say not moving but practically willing her breathing to slow down.
“Ye – y – yes.” She gets out through stutters. I place a hand on her back and slowly move her so she is pressed against my side.
“You need to slow down your breathing. Can you do that for me?” I ask gently. She nods but her hands are still pulling on her hair tightly. I turn so she is sitting in front of me. I see her small clutch hand bag and relief floods through my system as I place a hand on her clenched hand and find her phone with my other. I dial Luke’s number and I’m glad he picks up on the first ring.
“Tasha? Where are you??” He all but screams into the phone.
“It’s Alex. We’re outside by the emergency exit… I’m trying to calm her down but think it would help if you’re here.” I say quickly. I can hear him running and I hear the door open behind me. I return my focus on Tasha.
“Tasha? Okay I’m going to try get you to release your hair now, okay?” I say holding onto one hand and gently rubbing it till the blood slowly returns to her fingers. She nods slowly and sighs before hiccupping and continuing to struggle to breathe. She starts to cry making it harder for her.
“Mate, talk to her.” I say continuing to rub her hands.
“Tasha? Hey, it’s me. It’s Luke. Can you breathe for me, babe? Please?” he says. I’ve never heard Luke so concerned before but I focus on her hands. She slowly let’s go of the one hand, whimpering slightly. From experience I can tell it’s from the numb feeling in them. I get her to let go of the other one after a few tries. Luke seems to be helping calm her down a lot.
“Okay, Tasha? I need you to tell me what hurts, okay?” I say using a system that helps me in times like this.
“Ch-che- my che-”
“You’re chest?” I ask and she nods. “Luke, I’m not going to ask you to do this. I’m just going to.” I say looking at my mate.
“Just please let her breathe.” He says sounding panicked and staring at her slightly blue lips and pale face. I tilt her head to look at me.
“Tasha. Tasha look at me… Natasha look at me.” I Say sternly. She opens her eyes and her green orbs great mine. They are dilated and petrified, but they look at me. I take her hand and place it over my steady heartbeat. “I need you to get your heart beating like mine, okay? So you need to breathe with me.” I say but her eyes close again and she shakes. “Natasha, look at me.” I say and she does. “Deep breath in…” I say doing it for her. She tries to follow as best as she can. “Deep breath out…” I say doing it with her. After a few tries and words of encouragement from Luke her breathing is slightly better. After a few more minutes she’s a better colour and her breathing pattern is almost completely normal.
“You okay?” I ask as she looks around and takes her hand off my chest. She nods letting me know she’s okay. She still doesn’t look fully composmentus.
“Sorry…” She says automatically but I can tell her eyes aren’t fully focussed yet. She was still panicking. It was getting better; the worst was over. But she wasn’t a happy camper.
“There is nothing to apologise for, babe. As long as you’re okay.” Says Luke looking thoroughly relieved. I look at him.
“She’s not fully around yet…” I say quietly as she sits there staring into space hugging her knees to her chest. Luke’s eyes widen and he places a comforting hand on her shoulder. She flinches slightly indicating my suspicions are correct.
“Tasha? Babe, can I hold you?” he asks gently. She waits a few seconds but eventually nods slowly. She curls into Luke’s side and just continues to stare. I feel like I’m intruding a bit but I don’t want to leave if she starts panicking again. Luke strokes her hair out of her face and runs his fingers through the dark locks. She closes her eyes and I see a tear escape as she regains control. She leans further into Luke who gently shushes her. I check her phone and see we still have fifteen minutes to get to our category. And let’s be honest, they will be late as usual. Once I know Tasha has calmed down sufficiently, I let out a breath I didn’t realise I was holding. I hand Luke her phone and sit down in a more comfortable position. She sits up slowly and looks around with better colour in her cheeks.

Tasha’s POV

I finally feel like my head isn’t pounding and that my heart is beating somewhat normally. I start to take in my surroundings and realise that I’m cuddled into someone’s side. Their long arm is resting around me so that their hand is gently drawing circles on my lower back. I blink a few times and ignore the goosebumps forming on my skin. I slowly realise that it’s Luke and I sit up a bit straighter. I put my head in my hands and mumble out apologies. Luke places his hand on my back and pulls me slightly closer to him.
“You don’t need to be sorry. It’s okay… you’re okay.” He says gently. I look up and lock eyes with Alex.
“Thank you.” I say snuggling into Luke’s side for comfort. He nods and places a hand on my knee.
“Anytime…” He says nodding. We sit in silence for a few minutes before I get the courage to ask.
“How, how long?” My voice sounds strained like it normally does after these kinds of things. Alex checks his watch.
“About ten minutes?” he says shrugging. I sit up and turn to Luke. his blue eyes follow my closely and it gives me butterflies.
“Did you call Ha-… Niall?” I ask remembering the situation. Luke shakes his head and I groan quietly. Well done Natasha. You’ve fucked up, again.
“Hey. Don’t stress, it’s okay.” His deep voice echoes in the space and he keeps rubbing my back. As he says this I hear the door open and I see Niall, Harry and Ash rush over. Harry practically slides over to me and places both his hands on the side of my face.
“Oh my god. Thank god you’re okay.” He says before pulling me into a hug and out of Luke’s grasp. I hide my face in his neck.
“I’m sorry… they just came out of nowhere and-”
“Shhh… it’s okay. You’re fine.” He says shushing me. I pull away and see a very confused Alex.
“Wow… okay. So the interviewers were right.” He says to himself. Harry looks around and looks like he finally notices Luke and Alex. Ash stays back but sends me a worried look. I shoot him a half smile and see him relax some more. Niall sits down next to me and pulls my hand into his.
“What interviewers?” I ask as I feel Luke’s hand find my knee making me more relaxed.
“One group of people asked us why, if you were Niall’s cousin and dating Luke… why you and H seemed so close.” He says slowly. My heart drops to my stomach.
“Yeah… they asked us that too.” Says Harry. I freeze and focus on Luke’s hand on my knee, until I see Harry looking and realise and begin to blush. I push myself off the floor and straighten out my dress. Alex reaches out a hand and I pull him up and into a hug.
“Thank you.” I say quietly into his shoulder.
“No problem. I know you’d do the same for me.” he adds making me smile before I pull away. Everyone seems to thank him before Luke takes me towards the bathroom to clean up my face before we head back to the table. We left Alex, Niall, Harry and Ash talking in the main lobby area to try explain Harry’s reaction and the entire situation. I walked into the Ladies and checked no one was there before I called Luke in. I didn’t want to be alone right now. I look in the mirror and sigh before grabbing my clutch and grabbing the eyeliner and mascara Lou forced me to bring. I made quick work of re-applying it to almost perfection. Luke stood back and watched me work in silence. It was a peaceful and comfortable silence.
“Okay?” I ask raising my hands and turning to him. He smiles and shakes his head.
“Perfect.” He says while running a hand through his hair. I relax a bit more and walk forward for a hug.
“Thank you… I mean it.” I say as he wraps his arms around my waist and wriggles his head into my neck.
“It was worse than the one I had seen before. If Alex wasn’t there- I don’t know what I would have done.” He says quietly. I sigh and suddenly realise this isn’t a ‘friend’ pose. I pull back slightly but he doesn’t let go and moves his hands to the sides of my face gently. He places his forehead on mine and I can feel his breath tickling my face. “I’m so sorry…” He says quietly and full of emotion. I take a deep breath. I put my hand on top of his and whisper to him.
“Me too…” I say as he rubs circles on my cheeks comfortingly with his thumbs. We don’t move for a couple of seconds. “Come one… we’ve got to go.” He nods and pulls away, leaving me slightly cold as I pack away my things and quickly run my fingers through my hair. He takes my hand in his and it sounds silly, but it feels different and I suddenly don’t feel like it’s just for the crowds or the cameras.

Notes