As if She’s Someone Else.
1287 Words
I plunged my head into the cold water and sighed with relief as the shock cleared my head. I had left things in an awkward place with Mara and her stepbrother, and it was beginning to weigh on me. I hadn't seen either of them for the rest of the day was thankful as Cain was enough trouble without him sulking.
I was sure I had done the right thing in helping Mara. I could see the wolves closing in at the time, and I like to think a protective instinct had told me to interfere. However, it was more likely that my actions had been driven by my own desire to win Mara's trust. I had even interrupted their family business, pushing Cain to tell Mara the truth. I had thought to drive a wedge between them even though Cain was right. Not only could it damage her mental health, but her business also has nothing to do with me.
When I heard what could only be described as wailing, I was on my way out. The day was ending, and the campus was all but empty. I detest being home alone, so I am always the last to leave campus. I remember being surprised that there was still someone here.
I headed toward the noise, but as I drew near, it had gotten quieter. I could hear muffled sobs and a heated discussion but couldn't make out what was being said. However, I instantly recognised a few backs approaching the small crowd. All were wearing the same team jacket as myself. Zack and a few hangers-on were all gathered around something, most of them laughing and jeering. You could describe it as a guffaw except one or two who shifted uneasily, looking uncomfortable.
I looked on. My stature, silence and stern approach had startled those closest to me to an embarrassed silence. The effect rippled out among the group as I pushed my way forward. Zack spun around on the balls of his feet to investigate.
He had been squatting down next to someone who was partially obscured. It took a few moments to recognise the bike leathers, but it felt natural to rush to Mara's side once I did. She was on the floor, clutching her chest. Her face was red and stained with tears. Between gulps of air, she was begging for help. With a pang of guilt, I pulled her against me and away from Zack. He had just been watching her in delight, but now his face twisted into concern for himself. I looked at him in contempt before cradling the shaking woman. "You're okay, it's okay. It's a panic attack; it will pass." With a free hand, I rummaged in my bag for a bottle of water. Mara's hot breath was becoming slower against my neck. The heat tickled "there we go", I hummed, rubbing her back as I rocked her. Where had the lioness gone? Finally, when she was calm enough, I handed her the bottle of water. She remained in my lap. I angled my body to become a monolith between her and Zack.
"Were you just gonna watch?" the question was addressed to the group, but my eyes focused on Zack. "What did you do?"
"Only spoke the truth. Clearly not something she's familiar with" Zack paused. When no reaction came, he looked over his shoulder with annoyance" I'm only here 'cause she upset Akari." He gestured to the small figure beside him, who I noticed for the first time. She wouldn't meet my eyes and was anxiously chewing on a nail with her arms folded protectively across her. She avoided my stare and continued to sniffle, "where you the one crying then?" I asked.
Akari was heiress to her father's fortune. It was common knowledge that he and Sam's father were liaising. Sam and Akari's connection had been encouraged by their parents wanting to solidify their business relationship. Presumably, at Akari's behest, at least her feelings seemed genuine. "We...broke up!" she managed to cry before dissolving into tears.
I felt Mara tremble beneath me and managed to carve through Akari's sobs. "Look, whatever happened, I think we all should go cool off." I had ensured my tone was authoritative. Then, realising she would not get sympathy from me, Akari fled down the hall. A few members of the crowd chased after her. I looked up the remainder, anger replacing my earlier remorse for overworking them. "You all clearly have too much energy, so I want 30 laps from each of you in the morning." There was a collective groan from the group, but they took the hint and disappeared down the hallway. I became increasingly aware of how painful the marble was on my bare knees. I had thrown on some baggy shorts and a t-shirt after my post-practice shower, having planned to go straight home after class.
"Sloane." her voice made my heart pound, and I looked down at her exhausted face.
"You doing better?" She nodded in response and, propping herself up, took a long drink of water. Her face relaxed, and she let out a satisfied groan as she drank. I adjusted my position beneath her. The movement made her clutch onto me "please don't leave me", she pleaded.
"I won't, but... let's move over there" I pointed to a pillar, and reluctantly she let go of me. As I moved, she scrambled across and picked up a ragged bit of paper off the floor. "What's that?"
"Oh, it's a map."
"Oh, here", I rummaged in his bag and pulled out a new map I had got that morning "they give us them every year, but we all know the place by now. You can have mine since I don't need it." She stared at the map in my outstretched hand, then looked down at her own. "Mines special", she stated before sitting beside me. When it became clear she wasn't going to elaborate, I let my arm drop to my side. "Do you have them often? Panic attacks, I mean?"
"Is that what that was?"
"It seemed so. My sister has them. She doesn't speak much, but she told the doctor they make her feel like she feels like she's going to die. It's...horrible." She seemed dazed and stared off into the distance. Occasionally a breath would get caught in her throat. The guilt began to gnaw at me again. Now I didn't know what to do.
"Sloane, how well did you know me?"
"Not well. You seem different now...and sometimes change is a good thing."
"Do you think I'm a liar too?"
"No." He felt a hand on his arm and turned to look at her, her skin was back to normal, but her eyes were still puffy. They fixated on him, glinting with curiosity. s**t, how was this my job? "I don't think you're a liar. Someone close to me... let's just say I know Sam better than most. I don't think you lied, but that's not the question you should be asking." I told her everything then. How she accused Sam of drugging women and using them as toys. How she was branded a liar, bullied, an outcast. How her brother had found her at the foot of a building. I told her the minimum and told her what she needed to know whilst being as tactful as possible. I was expecting her to be shocked. I had even kept my phone handy if it triggered a bad reaction, and I had to call for help, but there was no emotional connection. It was odd. She looked almost as if I was telling her a story about someone else.
- Writer
