Help Me

A tear leaks out of my eye as I try to slow my breathing down. His face changes to one of panic, and he places a hand over mine, which is clutching at my chest.

"You have to breathe, please!"

I'm trying so hard, it hurts. Literally. There's a pain in the back of my head from my concentration on my breaths. But it's not working.

He's rubbing my back, slow, reassuring movements. "Come on, you can do it..."

My sharp, jagged gasps are cutting into my windpipe, and I try to match them with the rhythmic circles being traced on my back.

In, out. In, out.

My lungs begin to work at a regular pace, and soon the panic is replaced with relief, and fear.

I collapse into Niall's arms, with a stupid girly sob that normally wouldn't be heard coming out of my mouth in a million years. In the background, I hear the door open. Liam and Harry must be leaving.

"He was everywhere...", I choke out, tears soaking Niall's shirt.

"I know, Brooke... I know." He's still rubbing circles into my back.

I allow my stiff body to finally relax into his comforting arms. I don't open my eyes until I hear the door of the room open. My hands automatically latch onto Niall's biceps. I'm not letting go of one of the only things that make me feel safe.

He gently peels my hands from his arms, but lets me clutch onto his right hand as we turn to face Doctor Bennet, who Harry and Liam are leading in, followed by Zayn and Louis.

"Boys, could you leave us for a few minutes while I ask Brooke a few questions?", he says, looking enquiringly around.

Niall nods reassuringly, gently prying my hand from his. "We'll be right outside", he whispers. I nod, trying to ignore the funny fluttering feeling in my stomach when his hand slipped from mine. "Harry!", I call. He turns around in surprise. I look down shyly. "Can you call Caitlin... see how far away she is?" His face lights up and he nods eagerly, before stepping out of the room.

Once the door is shut, the doctor turns to me with a frown on his face.

"Okay, let's figure out what just happened. You were unable to press the panic button?"

"Yeah, I couldn't reach it. I tried, but someone must have knocked it away."

"So Brooke, do you have any idea what caused this panic attack?"I look down, suddenly embarrassed. "I... keep hearing his voice everywhere. It's like he's in my mind or something... it sounds dumb now though!"

He nods while looking down at his clipboard and scribbling some notes. "I'll need to run some more tests to be sure, but the attack may have affected you emotionally. If you're ok with it, we'll take a blood sample from you in the next hour or so. I can also set up some sessions for you with one of our resident therapists, which will help you to become mentally stronger against the lasting effects of this event."

I smile, and reach out to take his outstretched hand. In a softer, warmer voice, he squeezes my hand and begins to speak. "I understand how hard this recovery will be for you, but I'll do everything in my power to help you get back out there as soon as possible! We'll get there in the end." I smile at him, and whisper, "Thank you so much." He stands up, and nods at me. "It was my pleasure. You are so lucky to have those boys standing outside for you."

"I know."

"I'll send Jackie in as soon as she's free to do a blood test for you," he says as he opens the door and walks out.

I nod, and whispering coming from outside leaks through the open door. It's a few seconds before the conversation abruptly stops and the boys re-enter the room. I look curiously up at them, but they all awkwardly avoid my gaze and hurry to find chairs to sit in. "Anything you want to say...?" I look around. Liam just shuffles around awkwardly, Zayn and Harry fiddle with their phones, and Louis and Niall are playing with the end of their sleeves.

"How are you feeling?", Louis speaks up. "Way better thank you, you don't know how thankful I am that you guys came back for me."

"My God, we weren't exactly going to leave you to suffocate to death were we?" Niall reaches over to smack Louis on the back of the head as we all start laughing. How am I so comfortable with them? It's like I've known them for my whole life, rather then a day.

"Oh Brooke, Cat says she's 10 minutes away!" Harry beams. My mouth drops open. "Did you just say... Cat?" Everyone's staring at him. "Uhh... yeah?" "Ooh, someone's got a thing for her!" I crow triumphantly, and wiggle my eyebrows suggestively at him. He turns bright red, and the rest of the boys start cackling like immature three year-olds.

"Shut upppp!", Harry groans. I snatch the remote off the bedside table, and turn on the TV, opening Netflix. "What do you wanna watch?" "Well, what's your favourite?", Niall asks. "Brooklyn nine-nine!"

"No way! That's mine too!" I turn my head excitedly to see Liam grinning at me. "Who's your favourite character?", I ask. He thinks for a bit. "Probably Rosa, she's kick-ass." I gape at him. "No way, Boyle definitely wins! He's like perfect side-kick material!" "Oh yeah, he is pretty awesome!" I pat the spot next to me on the bed, and Liam shuffles up next to me. "I think we're going to get along just fine, Payne." He wraps his arms around me in a friendly hug, and I press play on the remote.

As the opening credits role, I can't help but see the glare that has taken over Niall's normally angelic face. I pat the other side of the bed, and his face immediately changes to one of happiness. One by one, the boys all clamber onto the bed until we're in one, huge, comfortable lump. Surrounded by warmth and strong, protective arms, I feel the events of the past hour catching up to me and I drift off to sleep.

Notes

Helloooooo!!
Sorry for the super late chapter, I had this finished a week ago but I've been on holiday without wifi :( But now I'm back for a week and I've almost finished chapter 12!!! Thank you to the person who subscribed, I'm up to 3 subscribers now!!! You made my week <3 and over 2,000 views AHHH!!!

And super exciting news, LITTLE MIX is coming to NZ, and I might get to go!!!! I've never been to a concert before, so I'm really excited!!!!!

I love you all so much,
Half_a_heart x