“Michael…” Elliot said, turning to look at me.
“I’m fine,” I said as Elliot reached his hand out to brush over my forehead.
“Well, if you feel sick, tell me so we can take you to the hospital. You’ve never dealt with a panic attack as strong as this before and I hope it doesn't put stress on your body,” he said with a serious expression.
"No, I'm fine. Just tired now." I tell him.
I turned away feeling exhausted that I wasn’t sure how to feel now that I have more control of myself and I laid there, staring off, as I tried to clear my mind. I couldn’t tell if I was still upset at how I felt, scared of how I reacted, or just wishing I couldn’t feel like this anymore. Elliot wasn’t saying anything as he stared at me when I noticed that he took my hand but I didn’t pull it away knowing he’s trying to comfort me and it felt so warm feeling his hands in mine that I slowly
“So, you felt sick last night? Was it from swimming at night?” My dad asked.I shook my head, looking down at my plate, as I felt nervous explaining to him.“No, It's just that… Um, I couldn’t sleep.”“I’m sure with Michael’s history that you know that he has some health complications,” Elliot said, cutting in after seeing my hesitation.“Well, briefly after discussing with his mother and she’s told me a few events that have happened. Is there more that I’m not aware of?” My dad asked, glancing over at me.“I get panic attacks when I'm stressed and get anxious that I have a hard time breathing.” I tried to explain fringing with my hands trying to calm myself.“Should we send you to see a doctor? Is it that serious?” Lily asked.“It’s actually a bit common to develop these traits after such a traumatic past. There are moment
I felt everyone staring at me as I couldn’t handle how the conversation led to and I just decided to leave without responding back as I felt my legs move while I opened the front door and was practically running not bothering to look back. Taking deep breaths trying to calm myself, I was uncertain if I was upset, angry, or overwhelmed, but I couldn’t take it anymore in that house. I knew my dad didn’t change much, but he didn’t have to talk that way if he wanted to discuss my past and be patient with me if he gave me the time I could have told him. Yet the more I was listening the more it felt like he just wanted clarity that he wasn’t at fault.“Michael.”I glanced back and saw Elliot running to catch up to me after walking down the street.“I’m not going back,” I said, continuing walking.“Just wait,” he said as he reached for my hand to stop me. “Hold on.”I pull
I pulled his hand so he could follow me, “Yeah… Seeing Caesar like that made me realize a few things.” I said as we both started walking.“And what’s that?” He asked, curiously.“Forgiveness,” I answered, squeezed his hand lightly for encouragement as we started making our way back to the house.“Can I ask for more details?” Elliot asked.I took a deep breath as I tried to figure out how to explain it. “I’m still mad about my dad for not understanding my situation, but that doesn’t mean I can be mad at him when I might never explain to him about what happened to me or learn more about my health. Also, if Caesar can apologize then that means people can change as well.”Elliot came to a stop almost pulling me back to face him, “Does this mean that you can forgive yourself as well?” He asked with a serious expression.I stood there before leaning ov
I saw my dad at the shed we have by the side of the house and I walked over grabbing a chair to sit down when he saw me but continued to rearrange things inside. Maybe he wanted to talk or he wasn’t ready to listen as well. Sometimes I’m not even sure what he’s thinking and not approaching him always felt like an easier option.“Are you going to stay out here all night?” I asked him.“Just a bit.” He answered.I sat there by the side as I watched him and I took a deep breath before saying, “Dad, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were so affected by my actions and it just never occurred to me that it would hurt you because I was in the right mind to think about what would happen when you find me.”My dad walked over to me pulling a chair to sit beside me. “I don't want you to apologize to me for what happened and I had a lot of thinking to do while you were away. I know I have my own faults
Elliot pulled on the sleeve of my shirt to lead me in the house and we made sure the doors were locked before going upstairs. We took turns to use the restroom preparing ourselves before getting in bed and the whole time I waited outside my bedroom until Elliot was done because I didn’t want to be alone in my room. I wanted to say that the room felt tense, but I also think that it was just me as we moved to lay down and laid down closer together as we realized that the bed was a bit small. Elliot wrapped his arm around me to hold me closer as I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath, as I tried to remain calm and hoped that I could fall asleep soon.“Do you want to know what I worry about when I can’t fall asleep?” Elliot asked me as he leaned his head closer towards me and I can feel his fingers brushing across my palm as if trying to get my attention.“What?” I asked him.“Before meeting you, I wondered a few times about
Elliot stood up as well. “How was your weekend?” he asked Luis.“Alright,” Luis said as he rubbed the back of his neck and I could see a hint of blush on his cheek.“What did you do?” I asked, curiously.“Well, after the hangout, I spent almost the whole weekend talking with Jennifer.” He started to say and cleared his throat as if he’s unsure how to continue on from there.“Wait, so did this get serious?” I asked him.“Well, no, not like it’s that serious as you think but maybe we might go out when we’re free,” he answered.“Like a date?” Elliot asked.“Yes, but I’m not sure when I should take her out or where to take her,” Luis replied as we started walking inside the building.“Well, I was kind of hoping for all of us to try and hang out again this weekend…” I said, beginning to feel shy
We all started making our way to an ice cream parlor and we got in line. “I know how hard it is coming out and it can be hard when they don’t understand. It’s harder when they don’t want to accept it.”Elliot sighed as he hugged me, “How did it go when telling your mom? You always talk about how it went with your dad, but you never talked about coming out to your mom.”“I never really did. She found out while I was recovering and I’m sure they told her everything after my therapy sessions. I didn’t have to say it to her.” I told them and glanced at Luis. “She was pretty open about it which surprised me, but I think she was just accepting to help me be comfortable around her and also to be living with her.”“How old were you when your parents divorced?” Luis asked.“Um, six, I think,” I tell them as I try to remember. “I was in both of their custody
“The last real friend I had… He knew what was going on between Chris and I so he tried to help me, but I was scared.” I tell Luis. “He was a good friend that wanted to help me and get me out of that abuse, but I got scared that in the end I only pushed him away so that he could give up on me.”“He said that he didn’t mean it.” Elliot cut in and I glanced over at him.“I know, but still,” I mumbled.Turning away as I felt like I’ve shared enough and I wasn’t too sure if I wanted to answer any more questions that Luis might ask me. I think I’ve reached to an extent that I just want to close myself off from saying something that might be viewed wrongly or having to go to details that I’m not comfortable enough to do so.“We still have a bit of time, should we go somewhere? Want to go walking around the pier?” I heard Elliot say.“No,” I answere