forum l e s b i a n s (closed)

Started November 12, 2018 by @blue_topaz

tune

“Agreed. I think I have to ease into the actual party part of the party.” She made straight for a jug of water an a stack of plastic cups, filling two and handing one to Elide.

“Thanks.” Elide took a few sips of the water and then only really noticed how awkward it was between the two of them. She tried to ignore it.

“Is a party a good place to take pictures? What with the neon lighting and aesthetics and all?” Phoebe asked to cut the tension, hating herself for being the cause of it.

Elide nodded, "Yeah, yeah it is actually. Shame I forgot my camera otherwise I'd take some pictures of you."
(So I had an idea that would revolves around the anxiety/panic attack thing and was wondering if I could do it?)

(Yeah for sure! go ahead)

Phoebe shrugged, blushing a tiny bit. "You'd be better off taking pictures of other people…"

Elide shook her head, "No I-" She stopped herself as a guy walked in and she froze instantly. The guy looked nearly exactly like her brother. Same messy blonde hair, same blue eyes and light freckles. It was almost like an allusion, he was there one second and gone the next but Elide's heart stopped for a moment then sped up a million miles an hour, the room felt to small, to cramped and she couldn't get air in fast enough.

The expression on Elide's face changed to one of shock, of panic. Phoebe immediately stepped in front of her, scrutinizing her face. "Elide? What's wrong?" She recognized the look all too well.

"I-" Elide couldn't get words out, to focused on her brother and how he was gone. Tears pickled at the corners of her eyes. Why now? Why so close to the anniversary?

Phoebe gently took hold of Elide's arm and drew her to the bathroom, where she shut and locked the door. "Hey, what's wrong?" Her voice was soft, comforting.

Elide looked down at her shaking hands and drew a sharp breath, “He looked like my brother… but he’s gone…” She whispered, a few tears falling.

Oh my god…

Phoebe wrapped Elide up in a warm hug, squeezing her comfortingly. "I'm so sorry…" she whispered, trying to draw her back from the anxiety attack.

Elide let herself cry, drawing in shaky breaths every now and again, “They’re all gone… mum, dad, Luke…” She shook her head a little.

Phoebe rubbed soothing circles into Elide's back, letting her cry. "I'm so, so sorry." She gently sat her friend down on the edge of the bathtub. "Is there anything I can do to help you right now?"

Elide took Phoebe’s hand in hers, “J-Just… stay with me… please…”

Phoebe took Elide's other hand as well to keep it from shaking, nodding firmly. "I know this is going to be hard, but I need you to breathe slowly. Concentrate on the details of all your surroundings, forget everything else."

Elide nodded a little and tried to couch’s on the things around her. The bath, the sink, but she mainly focused on Phoebe and their hands. She took a few shaky breaths before her breathing started to slow.

Phoebe squeezed Elide's hands lightly, noticing with a rush of relief that her breathing seemed to be evening out. She began quietly humming a soft melody to ease her anxiety further, mimicking what Jane used to do for her.

Elide took some more deep breaths, her heart rate slowing back to normal but her hands still shook a little. She closed her eyes for a moment and listened to Phoebe humming, relaxing.

Phoebe's thumbs brushed lightly over Elide's knuckles as she calmed down further, trying to ground her. "Better?"

Elide released a breath and nodded slowly, “Yeah… thank-you.” She said quietly.

Phoebe smiled a little, relieved. "I- I'm sorry about your family," she told Elide quietly. "And I'm sorry about what happened just now."

“You don’t have to be sorry… it’s not your fault…” Elide replied, not letting go of Phoebe’s hands.

Phoebe slipped an arm around Elide and drew her close to her side, attempting to comfort her further. "I'm sorry you had to go through it. Panic attacks– they're awful, and so is losing your family."

Elide nodded and leaned into Phoebe, “Yeah.. it is…” She shook her head a little, “Sorry… I’m wasting your time… y-you can go back to the party if you want…”

Phoebe shook her head back, firmly. "You aren't wasting my time at all, I'm happy to stay here for as long as you need." She rubbed Elide's arm lightly.