Broken

.29.

Three days later

I leaned over, taking in deep breaths and trying to get my shaking limbs under control as Ani rubbed my back. I hated flying. I could repeat it over and over again and it would never change. I crouched down, trying to keep my breakfast from coming back up.

"You really do not like flying." Ani said it slowly and I coughed, holding back a gag.

"No shit, Sherlock." I wheezed it out as I rubbed at my chest. It felt too tight and too heavy. I really hated flying.

"What?" She sounded so confused and I tried to focus on my breathing as I waved at her weakly.

"It's just a saying. I can't explain it right now. Need to breathe." I focused on my breathing. In and out. In and out. My limbs shook and I pressed a hand to the floor to help me stay upright so I wouldn't fall over into a trembling heap.

"Still have that issue, Liviya?" Ami'la's voice was teasing and I lifted my head to look at her. I gave her a weak smile. I was very happy to see her even though I knew I looked like a trembling, sweaty mess.

"Always, Ami'la." I doubted I would ever get over the fear I had of flying. I attempted to get to my feet and Ani helped me, keeping steady hands on me so I wouldn't fall over on my shaky legs.

"Come here and give me a hug." She moved over, I almost expected to hear her heels clicking on the floor but she was surprisingly dressed casually, with sneakers of all things. Her arms wrapped around me and she gave me a quick hug. Ani made a slightly disgruntled sound in her throat and I glanced at her as Ami'la let me go.

Ani looked rather wary of the new woman. "Who are you exactly?" She looked confused but her tone was hard and I gestured between them, even as Ami'la looked rather affronted by the tone.

"Ani'tah, this was my case worker and is my good friend Ami'la. Ami'la, this is my good friend Ani'tah from the ship, she's my roommate." I was starting to feel a bit better, my limbs not shaking as badly and the fear slowly seeping out of my body. I wiped at my forehead, hating the stickiness that I felt.

"Very pleased to meet you, Ani'tah." Ami'la held out her hand for Ani and she took it quickly, giving it a friendly and rather enthusiastic shake. All confusion and wariness gone from her form.

"Likewise. So are all Orrians down here friendly to humans or is it just you?" Her tone was earnest and I pinched my nose and closed my eyes with a sigh. Ani lacked tact sometimes.

"Umm, well..." Ami'la sounded a bit caught off guard at the question and I silently apologized to her. "A lot of us work closely with humans so we are generally friendly towards them. We wouldn't have a good working relationship otherwise." She started out slowly before she seemed to gain some confidence in what she was saying, losing the slight shock at the sudden question.

"Okay. I was just wondering because nearly everyone on the ship looks at Liv like they want to toss her over the railing into the shipping bay." At that Ami'la made a choked sound in the back of her throat.

I finally looked at her with a wry smile. "Ani doesn't know when to stop talking." I gave Ami'la a look, rolling my eyes slightly. I doubted Ani was listening to me or simply ignored me because she didn't react to my statement.

"I want to move to Earth after the Learning Centre. I will live right beside you if I can, Liv." She grabbed my arm, wrapping hers around it in excitement. I honestly didn't want to argue with her about it because living on Earth with Rhex was something that I hadn't actually thought about and it sounded wonderful. Not having to live among those that hated me and being in a community that would be more accepting of Rhex and I as a pairing was something I hoped to the Source we could have.