Speak of the Devil

Trying to process everything around me, I feel a hand on my shoulder. Flying away from the touch, I feel myself fall off the couch.

"Don't touch me!"

I realise it was Dillon who tried to touch me. I don't want him to see me like this. How long has the news been out? What if he's on his way here now? I feel like a sitting duck.

"Astra listen to me. I need you to breathe. Take a deep breath with me."

As Alexi inhales and exhales, I struggle to keep up and take shortened breaths. 

"You're doing great. I know this is hard, but I need you to keep breathing. Can you do that?"

I nod my head and try to keep breathing with him. 

"Do you want me to hold your hand?"

Nodding my head again, he takes my hand and gently rubs in as he keeps taking those deep breaths. Over and over we do it until I can finally breathe regularly again. I'm still shaking and crying, but I have more control over myself. 

"What do you need?"