Fucking breathe Rie!

I knew what was happening. I could feel my heart pounding hard against my chest. My hands were trembling and my breath was heavy.

Oh, God! Please, not in here of all places. How could I be losing my shit in public like this?!

"Miss, are you okay? Miss?"

Yes. I mean, no! Help me?

"I think she is having a panic attack!"

No shit, Sherlock!

"Okay, everyone, give her some room!" I felt someone crouch beside me and place their hands on my shoulders. " Miss, I need you to take deep breaths with me."

"I... I... can-," I tried to say.

"You can. Now, I will help you. We'll take deep breaths. I'll count and then we'll take them together, okay?"

I tried nodding in response, but I felt like my head would explode. This was not going to work. All I needed was to be under my blankets and it would pass.

"One...Two...Three...That's good. Keep looking at me," he said, smiling slightly. Concern was written all over his bearded face, and I wondered how bad the situation was. "Now, I'll guide you to a seat for a few minutes because the metro is about to stop."

My body felt heavy yet, I mechanically walked to a seat and laid my head back once I was seated. I could feel everyone's eyes on me as I sat down, parted my legs, and rubbed my hands along my thighs catching my breath.

Rie, please keep it together. Please do not cry. Not here.

"Are you getting off soon?" He asked, squatting before me.

"Yeah, this is my stop," I managed to say, amid short breaths. "Where is my grocery bag?"

"No worries, your ice cream is safe," he replied, chuckling softly. "Just take your time and breath. I'm Eli by the way."

"Rie," I said, finally calming down. "Thank you for helping me." The metro doors opened, and I slowly tried to get up. 

"Woah, steady there. Lucky for you, this is my stop too," Eli said, carrying my grocery bag and holding my arm. "Is there anyone I could call for you?"

"I can do it."

"Well, you are still a bit jittery. I'll do it for you."

"Rose. Could you please call Rose," I said, handing him my unlocked phone. "Put her on speaker."

My hands were still shaking and my chest was still tight. I took in deep breaths and pictured myself in bed. I was slowly calming down.

"Rie, what is taking you so long?" Rose answered, sounding all impatient and eager.

"Hi, Rose, this is Eli."

"What? Where the hell is Rie? Have you kidnapped her? Where is she? I can track her phone you know! Put her on, right now! I am calling the cops!"

"Rose, calm down. She is right here. There was an incident-"

"What incident? Rie? Are you there? What is this guy talking about?"

"Rose...please come pick me...I had a panic attack and I'm waiting at the metro," I replied, as clearly as I could.

"WHAT! Are you ok? I'm on my way. Do not move! Eli, are you still there?"

"Yes, I'll stay with her as long as it takes. She is doing okay, just a bit shaky but the worst has passed," Eli said, smiling sweetly at me.

Who the hell is this guy?

"Your friend is something else! I am afraid to meet her," he said chuckling. "You should take a seat for a while before you topple over."

"You don't have to stay," I replied, sitting beside him. "For all I know, you're planning on kidnapping Rose and me."

"I was thinking about it, but there are too many people down here to comfortably carry you out," he said, laughing. "You seem to be doing better. If I may ask, what triggered your attack?"

"I'd rather not talk about it," I replied, tacking my nails into my thighs.

"Rie!"

"Maybe some other day then?" Eli said, handing me back my phone. 

"Are you ok? Oh my God! I ran all the way here! What happened?" Rose asked, taking the grocery bag.

"Could we just head home?" I begged.

"Hi, I'm Eli," he said, stretching his hand.

"Wow, uh, thank you for helping her. I'm sorry I blew up like that," Rose replied, returning the handshake. 

"It's okay. I guess this is goodbye," he said, picking up his backpack that I had apparently not noticed before.

"Do you live nearby?" Rose asked.

"No, I actually have to take the metro," he replied, smiling at me and walking into one of the cars.

"But I thought-" I started.

"Call me," Eli said, slipping into the metro, the doors sliding shut.

"Did he just tell you to call him?"

"I think so?"

How am I supposed to, oh...