trigger warning: panic attacks
❝FOLLOW ME.❞
Finally feeling the harsh grip on my chest loosen, my breathing stabilised. I start becoming aware of my surroundings as I felt an arm around me tighten, followed by an apology I didn't quite understand but I was too out of it to bring it up.
This wasn't my first time having an attack. I used to get them after the accident but no matter how many times I got them, I'd never be used to the dreadful feeling.
I lifted my head from Archer's shoulder and pulled away from him. "Red." He looked at me with eyes that brimmed with worry but I couldn't bring myself to meet his gaze.
My eyes remained fixed on the ground. He can't be gone. We never had a chance to catch up. We haven't even had a chance to have our stupid phone call yet.
Jax must have been confused or delusional or something because I can't take any other alternative. I called them here and now— oh God, I should've never called them. "I need to go." I rasp as I stand but fall right into Archer's arms, legs weak.
"Red, maybe-"
"I need to go back home, Archer!" My voice barely comes out, still breathless. Route 9 was just on the outskirts of my hometown. It'd be a long drive back but I had to go. Now.
"We'll go. I'll take you." Archer runs his hands up my arms as I try to stop the shivers the wrecked my body. I finally look into Archer's stricken eyes and they're full of emotion. "I'll take you." He repeats in a softer voice, getting me to calm my frantic breathing.
I allow him to pull me to him and then he takes me to his car.
• • •
After a few hours of agonising silence, Archer pulls up in front of the hospital. I throw his door open and rushed through the glass doors. The sharp smell of disinfectant swarms my senses as I round the corridor of the hospital. I reach the counter and it's like they don't even see me.
"Excuse me," I call out but the nurses are occupied. "Excuse me!" I raise my voice and finally, one pair of eyes snap to mine. "Is there a Riley King or Jackson Vaughn here?" I ask the red headed nurse and she motions for me to wait as she types something into her computer.
Archer makes his presence known by placing a hand on the small of my back. I loved it when he did that. It made me feel protected and assured and that's exactly what I needed since I was 2 seconds from falling apart.
"Are you family?" The nurse asks and before I could shake my head, Archer speaks.
"Yes, we're family." And that's when it hit me. We wouldn't be able to see them unless we were family.
YOU ARE READING
Vintage Love
Romance❝You're sleeping with your professor, aren't you?❞ . . . An accident leaves Elreda Adair riddled with guilt and the town with rumours. She leaves home to have a new start, in a city she isn'...
