@Story_Siren group
(Inspired by wanting to have a mental breakdown of my own) You save everyone, but who saves you?
“You save everyone, but who saves you?” Angelo asked. He sat beside her on the wall, staring at her. He was blurry, almost there but not quite.
Andrea frowned. “Nobody, that’s the point.”
“It shouldn’t be.”
“Well,” Andrea balled her hands, the words catching in her throat, “It is. And always has been. You, you’ve had Dad and-and Roane and Clara had each other and I’m. Here.” Don’t cry, don’t cry, not in front of him. “If I can’t save myself, then I should save everyone else.” She thumped a fist on her chest with each word.
“But you shouldn’t have to-“
“Well I do. Why can’t you see that?” Andrea growled. It was the same argument, with the same answer. Crescent moons bled red on her palms.
“Nobody has to save me! I’m,” A stray tear slid down her face, traitor body. “I’m used to being on my own, to being everyone’s go to, and I need that, don’t you see?” He didn’t he couldn’t and she could see him staring at her and she was crying and he couldn’t see-
No. Andrea slid into the present for a moment. The haze lifted over her eyes showing not Angelo, but Cole. Cole, her best friend and confidant and, he was here not Angelo and oh he knows now-It was too much.
She didn’t remember when cold stone became wet grass, when the blistering heat of an afternoon became a warm drowsy sunset, but she was grateful. Andrea collapsed. It hurt. Falling sucked all the air from her lungs and brought back aches she felt all over her body. Andrea wheezed, trying to breathe, to live-
“Andrea?” No no nonono his voice, he was scared, because of her and what had she done-She could feel him rubbing circles on her back and she didn’t deserve it why “Andrea, Andrea breathe!” She opened her eyes and light, a face, worried and shocked. Air whooshed into her lungs as Andrea gasped heavily. He was going to hate her why did she have to do it? Why now? It was the last step over the threshold.
“I’m I’m hic sorry, I’m so so so sorry, I-I hic please don’t hate me!” She curled up, her ribs, arms, legs, hurt from the compression but it felt good, reminded Andrea she was still alive.
“Andrea.” Cole, her brother, her best friend whispered softly, “You-you have to stop, you’re going to hurt yourself.” And stars above, she could her the hesitance, the fear in his voice and she did this to him, she did. She couldn’t take it back and she had to get up, get up you stupid lump-
Andrea uncurled. She faced her friend, brother. His external aura was flickering, between mauve and violet and coral-He was sad, worried, scared for her.
“Andrea?” No she didn’t deserve to be spoken to so soft she had yelled at him, he wasn’t going to be her friend why- Cole gripped her shoulders. “Andrea, breathe, you have to breathe.”
“Andrea, breathe!” Okay, she can do it, she has to do it. Andrea took a breath, interrupted by hiccups. She took another one. They stayed there, Cole still gripping her shoulders and she coming back to life and Cole making sure she did.
“I-I-I,” She took stuttered gasps, needles pricking her lungs, “I-I-I’m f-fine. Every-everything’s fine.” Andrea tried a watery smile, sweep it under the rug. Maybe then she could actually, really apologize and they could go back to the house-
“You’re not.” Cole shot back swiftly. He was still worried for her, but slowly the turquoise was draining out. Well that wouldn’t do. Andrea squared her shoulders and tried again. Her smile softened.
“Yes, I am. I’m fine.” But this time was different. Her face smiled but her eyes didn’t. “I’m fine.”
How did you like? What did you think? It's more of a just because scene than anything else. What could improve? Thanks!
