“Just breathe. You’re okay.”
“Don’t be an ass, she’s not in heat. It’s a panic attack.”
“I’m going to put ice on the back of your neck. It might be cold, okay?”
“Go finish your waffles. We don’t need your help.”
“Babe, take some breaths with me. Slow in and out. You got this.”
“I swear, if you don’t step off, you’ll be a knotless wonder. We don’t need an alpha.”
“That’s good. Take another breath for me.”
“Fucking alphas.”
“Nope. Don’t move yet. We don’t want you passing out.”
“Should we call Bella?”
“I don’t think this is an omega thing. I think this is a trauma thing.”
“I have Xannies.”
“Yeah, let’s try that.”
“Oh. Okay. We’re sitting up. Let’s go slow. Easy. There you are.”
“Here, take this, then a sip of water. Good girl.”
The colors and the shapes in the room are sloshing around like being in a snow globe someone shook up. Blinking a billion times doesn’t help, so I just keep my eyes shut.
“Okay. We’re back now, this is good.”
Estelle is smoothing my hair back, and I never want her to stop. Tia holds a straw for me. My mouth is gross and gummy.
“Better?”
I nod and take another sip of water.
“I’m sorry.”
“Babe, this was a long time coming. I’m glad we were here to catch you.”
I don’t know what that means, so I just nod again. At least the room has stopped spinning.
“If I let you stand up, will you pass out?”
“I think I’m okay.”
“Good. We’re going to have a little time-out in the office.”
“But I have to finish my shift.”
Both Estelle and Tia laugh.
“Yo, Kai! You’re promoted to waitress for the day.”
“Nice, bruh.”
