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Imogen Halstead (age 17)
Word count: 887
Tw: ptsd/potential triggers? And a panic attack
Jays POV
"How's she holding up?" I look up to see hailey holding a coffee out for me to take. I smile thankfully as she sits down on the edge of my desk, "not too good" I sigh. She frowns, "she isn't sleeping, and we can barely get her to eat. She just doesn't wanna talk to us about it" I rub the back of my neck. She sighs and squeezes my shoulder, "if there's anything I can do to help, please let me know" she nods. I smile in response as she walks away to the break room.
~
"Hey punk, what're you up to?" I approach Imogen as she leans on the counter. She looks up, "just taking an Advil" she mumbles as she throws it down her throat and takes a gulp of water. I frown, "what for?" I set my things down on the table. She sighs, "headache" she shrugs. I sigh and pull her into a hug, "maybe sleep might work better" I plant a kiss onto her forehead. She shakes her head, "doesn't work" she protests. I sigh but nod, "we'll order a takeout tonight, your pick" I wave her into the living room. We greet Will in the hallway before we all take a seat at the couch.
After the food arrives, Imogen grabs one slice of pizza and takes no more than a few bites before putting the rest of it on her plate. I shoot Will a defeated glare before I feel my phone vibrating under my arm, he's texting me from across the room...?
Will: "turn the TV over"
I look up to see that the TV is on the news programme, and Imogen is sat watching the latest update on the explosion she was in last week. She's too focused on the TV and not focused enough on eating her dinner, I grab the remote and turn the channel over to a more calmer scene. She groans, "y'know, being kept on the dark is making all of this worse" she folds her arms. I shoot Will a small side glare as she ignores us both, and he returns the permission. So I turn the news back on and let her hear what they have to say.
It's storming right now, and we can all hear the rain on the windows nearly smashing the glass, it's chaotic.
After a few minutes of Imogen listening to the latest update, she must've gotten bored. There's been no new updates for days and I can see it's starting to affect her. So far they ruled the explosion at the mall as an accident in the kitchen, but we're all convinced otherwise.
As me and will indulge in more pizza Imogen sits back and watches the film we now have on. She doesn't really say much other than the odd mumble or hum of agreement, but at least she's with us and not alone in her room.
We're minding our own business, when a huge boom of thunder shakes the house. Imogen jumps up and looks around, clearly panicked. She covers her ears and shoots me one of the most heart breaking looks I've ever witnessed; tears free falling down her cheeks. I stand up and pull her towards me as she lets out a huge sob, "everything sounds like it did..." she cries into my chest, and I feel her breaths growing shallower.
Within a few seconds shes lost complete control of her breathing and I'm knelt in front of her on the couch as wills pouring her a glass of water. She shakes her head as I try talking to her, "you're safe. Imogen, you're okay. You're at home, nothing can hurt you here" I squeeze her hand. Will shoos me away and I'm eager to let him help.
"Hey Imogen. Look at me, please? Look at me, kiddo. There we go, nice deep breaths just like me. In through your nose, our through your mouth" he guides her. She eventually listens and copies his breathing, "you're okay, everything is okay" he adds. I sit down on the couch next to her and hand her the glass of water Will gave me. She gratefully accepts it.
"Maybe it's time we talk, see what the next best thing is for everyone" I suggest and unlike every other time I suggest this, she nods. I smile weakly at Will as he sits on the other side of the couch. She sets her glass down and rests her head on my shoulder, wiping her tears away in the process. I wrap my arms around her, "you're not alone immy, I still get scared sometimes" I reassure her. She looks up at me, "yeah?" She enquires. I nod truthfully, "yeah, and I find that talking about them helps a lot" I admit.
"I wanna get help, I'm scared" she tucks her legs up. Will reaches over and squeezes her knee, "it's okay to be scared, and we're proud of you, we really are" he smiled weakly. Imogen let's out a small sigh of relief, presumably feeling a lot of relief. I plant a kiss onto her head and rest my chin on top, we have your back kiddo.
