CHAPTER EIGHT – COMFORT
Stella's panic was escalating, her breaths shallow and ragged. Her hands trembled uncontrollably, as if they were chained to an old working wash machine. She could feel the ground beneath her knees, realizing she had fallen. 'And I'm wearing black, perfect!' she thought bitterly. Her attempts to vocalize her distress fell silent, her ears ringing with a heavy echo. Aisha's voice, though muffled, reached Stella's ears. Her friend's face was etched with concern and fear, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Oh my God, Stella please. Please be okay."
A new figure emerged, his confidence evident in the way he carried himself. Waist-length black hair framed piercing blue eyes. Aisha trusted him instinctively, though she couldn't fathom why. "Can you... can you help her? Please say yes!" Aisha implored, tears streaming down her face. Nabu, arriving to assist, gently guided her to her feet. "Helia is a med student. You don't have to worry okay? He'll help your friend." She sniffled, her focus shifting between him and the scene before her.
The newcomer, Helia, began a measured countdown, his hands held up in front of Stella. It was a technique to help regain control, a lifeline in moments like these. Helia was counting down. Aisha while praying for Stella blamed herself. Her panic attack has gotten worse after her parents started to leave her alone at home. They didn't know their daughter had those attacks, maybe because Stella never mentioned and she never let the girls tell them. 'But as parents they should've known!' thought Aisha even though that wasn't the right moment to think about it. She went to hospital so many times, Aisha each time thought that, 'That was it. They will know after they see the record in insurance.' but they never noticed! 'I swear, I don't care what Stella thinks; I'm going to tell them as soon as possible!' But she had to make sure Stella was doing okay first. Helia wasn't touching Stella, he was looking at her just helping her breath. "What's her name?" he asked, without turning around.
"Stella," came a voice from behind him. Brandon's presence surprised Helia, he thought that Brandon had left with his bike. He turned to Brandon, brow furrowed. "You know her?" Brandon remained silent, kneeling before Stella and pushing Helia aside slightly. He longed to touch her, but his determination to help her overrode his desires. "Can you tell me five things you see around?" Brandon's voice was gentle, his eyes locked onto Stella's.
Stella felt her panic subsiding, she was looking directly in Brandon's eyes, focusing at the emeralds that fascinated her. "Emerald," Stella's voice, though soft, was clear. Her answer making everyone but Helia momentarily puzzled. "Emerald?" Brandon repeated, seeking clarification.
"Like the gemstone?" Nabu added, a touch of confusion in his voice. He held Aisha securely, unaware of her inner chaos.
Stella nodded, tears now streaming freely. Brandon felt a rush of desperation. 'Even while crying, she looks beautiful,' he thought to himself. He watched Stella closely, too afraid to let his guard down.
They had only met yesterday, yet Stella had already faced chaos twice because of him. He was certain he had left a negative impression on her. It wasn't as if he'd be a suitable match for her anyway. Even his friends insisted he wasn't the right fit. So why did he find himself caring so much?
Helia, understanding the connection between Stella's words and Brandon's eyes, smiled gently at her. He sensed a deeper bond forming between Brandon and this enigmatic girl. It was heartening to see Brandon express emotion, to see cracks in the stoic facade he usually wore.
The air rushed into Stella's lungs, a welcome surge of freshness. She shifted her gaze from Brandon's intense eyes to her hands, now smudged from the ground. She resisted the urge to wipe her face, silently thanking the inventor of waterproof mascara. 'Thank you, thank you so much! And I want to thank myself for using it,' she thought with a trace of dry humor. Her eyes met Aisha's, a smile breaking through the remnants of her anxiety. Stella wondered if Aisha was aware she was cradled in Nabu's arms. Surprisingly, it didn't feel all that bad to have had a panic attack in the first place. Aisha's eyes flicked down to Nabu's arm that still encircled her. She gently freed herself, determined to reach Stella on the ground.
Stella took another deep breath, ensuring her lungs were cooperating once more. Brandon's unwavering gaze on her caused her cheeks to heat up. Why was he looking at her like that? 'Oh no, it's probably my face! I must look awful right now. Dammit, dammit, dammit!' she fussed inside. As Aisha tenderly stroked Stella's long blonde hair, she asked, "You okay, Stell? Do you feel like walking? Do you need anything?" Stella shook her head, but realized her mouth felt dry, "Maybe some water?" she requested, sniffling.
"Sure, yeah. Hold on," Aisha replied, rising to her feet and scanning their surroundings. "Do you guys know where I can get some water?" she inquired. Stella wanted to let Aisha know she had some in her bag, but when Helia offered, she decided there was no need to speak up.
Aisha gently wiped away Stella's tears and tucked her hair behind her ears so she could breathe easier. Meanwhile, Brandon continued to watch Stella with unwavering intensity. He wished he could comfort her in the same way her friend was doing, but he clenched his hands into fists, struggling to contain himself. Nabu suggested a nearby spot where Stella could get some fresh air. He directed his question at Aisha, recognizing that she was the one who needed to make the decision in Stella's stead. "Do you want to, Stell?" Aisha asked her friend.
Stella took a moment to consider, and in that time, Helia returned with a bottle of water. Stella took a few sips, feeling the lukewarm liquid soothe her throat. Despite the uncertainty of whether the fresh air would truly help her lungs, she found herself saying, "I don't know, I feel tired to be honest. Can we go home instead?" she asked Aisha still with a dry throat, she drank more water so her throat would soften a little. Aisha replied while she was helping Stella clean her hands, "Of course Stell, we'll go home and I'll stay with you so you don't have to be alone?" she smiled at Stella who returned the smile just as fast. "But how Ash? The cab driver said we can't find any ride in here." Stella voiced her concern to Aisha.
"It's okay, Brandon and Nabu can help. Brandon, you can take Stella, and Nabu can take Aisha. Plus, a bike ride is also a breath of fresh air," Helia proposed. Nabu wanted to say something but decided otherwise when he saw that Stella was barely holding herself from falling to the ground again. He remembered his panic attacks, they were not cool at all. Aisha was supporting Stella but the truth was, she wasn't feeling that stable either. After everything, they just needed rest. Brandon observed Stella closely, not entirely convinced that her friend was providing the support she needed. "Here, let me," he said to Aisha, swiftly grabbing Stella's waist and drawing her closer. He didn't wait for Aisha's response, leaving both of girls momentarily speechless.
Stella could only manage a single nod, her gaze fixed on the arm that held her. She swallowed hard, now certain that she needed that breath of fresh air. 'God! If I manage to survive today, I might just live forever. Because if I didn't die today, it would be incredibly unfair to die another day,' she mused with a touch of gallows humor.
After they arrived at Brandon and Nabu's motorcycles, Stella could feel her heart race with excitement. She had always been drawn to speed bikes, secretly yearning for one of her own. Her father, however, had been strongly opposed to the idea, fearing for her safety. He couldn't bear the thought of risking his only daughter. Brandon noticed the spark of enthusiasm in Stella's eyes and couldn't help but break into a smile. Making both Helia and Nabu drop their mouth down. Was… Brandon… smiling?
"Do you like it?" he asked, noticing how intently she was gazing at the bike.
Stella was so engrossed in the moment that his sudden question made her jump. She almost forgot the physical proximity between them, which sent shivers down her spine. She couldn't help herself and wanted more of this proximity. She scolded her inner thoughts, thinking, 'Oh, shut up, inner Stella. I can't deal with you right now.'
"Yes," she replied to Brandon, her voice tinged with eagerness, "I've always wanted one, but my father thought it was too dangerous for me, especially since I have a weakness for speed."
Brandon arched an eyebrow at this newfound information. "You love speed?" he inquired further. "Oh, yes," Stella affirmed, a glint of exhilaration in her eyes, "it makes me feel alive." Brandon studied her closely, feeling a strange gravitational pull towards her, strengthen with every passing moment. Meanwhile, Nabu and Aisha observed them with keen interest. After a while, Nabu cleared his throat, a subtle reminder that they were not alone. "Ready to go?" he addressed the group. Aisha nodded, her cheeks still tinged with a blush. She couldn't believe she was here with him, about to ride alongside him! Maybe not everything went bad after all.
Brandon shot a slightly annoyed glance at Nabu, feeling his moment with Stella disrupted. Nabu, realizing Brandon's irritation, was struck by his friend's unexpected behavior. 'Is this really Brandon?' he wondered. Brandon held Stella a little closer, then helped her onto the bike. Stella felt all her senses come alive, she was smelling him and touching him, well if holding his arm was touching it counts, and hearing his heart beat! This was so overwhelming she could have another panic attack right now! After making sure she was secure, he released his hold and mounted the bike himself. 'He's acting like she's her baby. Literally.' thought Nabu. "Hold on tight, okay?" he instructed Stella. 'Definitely baby.' Nabu thanked God his thoughts were unheard, he wanted to live a little more. Stella nodded, her blush now matching Aisha's. Aisha watched her friend, who had transformed from a confident tiger into a bashful kitten next to the boy she had a crush on. 'She's normally such a powerhouse, and now look at her,' Aisha mused. She wanted to giggle, but in that moment, Nabu leaned in closer and whispered, "What did your friend do to him? He's nothing like his usual self. This isn't the Brandon I know." Aisha realized her eyes were wide, fixed on Nabu. 'What's wrong with you, boy? I'd have to punch you so I won't kiss you. Step back!' she chided herself. "I don't know," she squeaked, her surprise apparent. Nabu looked at her, taken aback. "Are you okay?" he inquired. Aisha simply nodded vigorously, as if her head might detach from her neck. He grinned to himself. 'She's a character,' he thought.
"Come on, hop on," he invited Aisha. He didn't have to say it twice. Like Stella, Aisha was enamored with speed bikes. "Hold on tight," he advised, echoing Brandon's words but with less caution. Nabu stole a glance at Brandon, who seemed to be inspecting his bike. "Everything okay?" he asked. Brandon turned to him, the warmth he had earlier replaced by a steely expression. "Yeah, why?" he shot back. "You were checking your bike, man. I thought something might be wrong," Nabu explained. "Nothing's wrong. I just wanted to make sure she's..." Brandon caught himself, clenching his jaw. "I just checked it to be sure it's safe," he stated, shutting down the conversation. 'He was checking his bike before ride. He was checking his bike if it's safe for the ride.' Nabu was watching Brandon, "Since fucking when?" he murmured but no one and thank God no one heard anything. Helia observed them all with a sly smirk, pleased to witness his cousin display something other than anger and distance. Stella's sunny disposition had the potential to reach him, he believed. But what if Stella wasn't as sunshine as she appeared? What if panic attacks weren't her only struggle? Would it affect Brandon in ways that Helia feared?