Reconstructing Amelia (unedited)

Chapter 65

December 12th, 2019

*Eli*

I pushed open the door to see Mia sitting on the floor, her knees drawn up to her chest and her head between them.

I could hear her panicked breathing even from where I stood in the doorway. "Hey," I whispered gently, sitting down a few feet across from her and offering her a sympathetic smile.

Mia lifted her head, her green eyes meeting mine. She didn't respond, too shaky to get a word out.

"I'm here to help, okay?"

She nodded briefly, squeezing her fingers around her jumper sleeves.

"I want you to place your palm on the floor, like this," I touched my hand to the floor to show her.

She glanced at me quizzically but mimicked me, her slender hand resting on the tile.

I nodded supportively. "Now focus on how it feels; is it warm or cold? Rough or smooth?"

Mia didn't answer me out loud, but I could tell she was thinking about what I'd asked her to do. She focused her gaze on mine after a few seconds, wondering what to do next.

I reached my other hand up, placing it against my nice, my fingers feeling for my carotid. My pulse was steady underneath my fingertip.

She did the same.

"Good, now take deep breaths; inhale for five seconds, hold, exhale for five, and hold again," I instructed, making sure to follow my own advice. I watched her breathe for a few minutes but she was still struggling.

Suddenly, she leapt up and crouched over the nearest trash bin.

I realised what was happening and scrambled over, managing to gather her hair up behind her before she threw up.

Mia sat back after a while, wiping her mouth and breathing hard. She leaned against the wall, her head back and her eyes closed.

"You okay?" I asked softly.

She nodded, but she was still struggling to get even breaths in. Her eyes open and she reached out and grabbed my arm, indicating for me to sit closer.

I slid towards her immediately and she placed her hand against my chest, closing her eyes again. It took me a minute before I realised she was feeling for my heartbeat to help steady her own. The room was still silent, just us breathing together.

Mia eventually retracted her hand, meeting my gaze.

"Thanks," she mumbled, her voice sounding tired. "I'm usually able to do it myself, but..." she trailed off.

I smiled softly, taking her hand. "I'm always here if you need me,"

"You knew what to do," she pointed out, glancing at me questioningly.

"Yeah," I shrugged, feeling slightly embarrassed. "I have experience with it," I admitted.

Mia squeezed my hand, a tiny smile on her face.

"Did we freak you out too much?" I asked curiously, feeling somewhat guilty.

"I guess so," she answered. "It's been a long day,"

I chuckled. "Yeah, I suppose it has,"

"Sorry," she mumbled quietly.

"For what?"

She shrugged slightly, clasping her hands together in her lap. "Everything. I feel like I've made everything worse, and I feel awful. I didn't mean to, I just needed time," She rested her head against the wall again.