Chapter 10 #2
“Yuri.” Andrej motioned for the driver. Scarlet watched the man turn away from her and open the car door. Her eyes darted to Nora giving Andrej a hug goodbye. Scarlet swallowed, and took a deep breath. She kept her eyes on Nora, willing the horrible feeling to pass.
A wave of dizziness hit her, and she instinctively reached out, fearing her legs would give at any moment. Alex’s hands closed around her upper arms, keeping her upright.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
Scarlet kept her gaze on the oblivious Nora waving to the vehicle as it left the curb.
“I don’t know,” Scarlet managed. “It’s hard to breathe. Everything’s fuzzy. I feel like I need to run, but I can’t.”
Alex led her to a metal bench outside of the restaurant. He gently guided her into a sitting position and knelt in front of her.
“Force yourself to take deep breaths,” he instructed. “Listen to my voice. You’re okay, you’re safe.”
“I don’t understand what’s happening.” Scarlet bent over.
“You’re having a panic attack,” Alex said matter-of-factly. “It’s normal after a traumatic event. You just have to ground yourself.”
Normal. Traumatic. The words echoed through her brain, trying to make sense of the racing panic.
“Okay,” she managed, taking in a deep breath. She let it out slowly, feeling the tension ease.
“Sometimes counting helps people.” Alex reached into his pocket. “Or singing their favorite song.” He pulled a small box out of his pocket and took Scarlet’s hand, placing a small item in her palm. She blinked at it curiously.
“Mint,” he explained. “It’ll help you relax.”
She quickly popped the candy into her mouth, immediately inhaling the vapors. Surprisingly enough, the tension in her body eased.
“What are you?” She looked at him. “The panic-attack whisperer?”
Alex gave her a short laugh. “Something like that.”
Scarlet liked hearing his laugh. She bet he was the kind of guy who didn’t laugh enough. She reached out to touch his arm.
“Thanks,” she said. “I feel better.”
“What’s going on?”
Scarlet looked up to see Nora standing over them with her arms crossed.
Alex straightened and backed up. “Scarlet’s having a panic attack.”
Nora blinked. “Right now? You were fine a second ago.”
Alex’s brow creased into a frown.
“That’s why they’re called attacks,” he retorted.
Nora blinked at him before narrowing her eyes.
“I feel better.” Scarlet held up her hand. “It passed. It was nothing.” She shifted her weight under Nora’s stare. It felt just as judgmental as it did inquisitive. She didn’t want Nora to think she was losing it.
“Feelings of panic and anxiety are common side effects of traumatic shock,” Alex nodded to Nora. “They can occur at any time with different triggers. This will be something to look out for since you’re around her the most.”
Nora bit her lip, reaching for Scarlet again. “So, this is like … PTSD?”
“It very well could be,” Alex responded looking back to Scarlet. “I figured the doctor would have explained this to you.”
“She might have said a thing or two about it.” Scarlet got to her feet. “I don’t have PTSD. That’s silly. It was nothing. I barely remember what happened last night.” She pulled Nora after her.
“Downplay is kind of your calling card.” Alex followed. “You like to minimize everything.”
“Thanks, doctor,” Scarlet snapped.
Alex caught up to her to block her from going any farther. Scarlet stopped short, making Nora bump into her. She cast a scowl up at Alex.
“Get in the car,” he said. “We can discuss this with Edward.”
Scarlet’s face flushed with embarrassed anger. “You’re going to involve Edward? It was just a little?—”
“Just a little what?” Alex challenged. “A little moment of not being able to breathe, think, or move? You want that to happen when you’re talking to someone important or performing on opening night? You think Edward will understand then?”
Scarlet clenched her jaw, remaining silent. She didn’t want to admit Alex was right.
How could he be right? He didn’t know anything about ballet or…
She couldn’t get a firm grip on her emotions, and the loss of control scared her more than anything else. She opened her mouth to argue, but the words never surfaced.
“Miss Rush,” Alex said with a sigh. “It’s my duty to protect you, even from yourself. Please get in the car.”
Nora squeezed Scarlet’s hand in her own. “Come on, Scar, let’s just do as he says.”
Scarlet nodded stiffly, turning back to where Alex parked the SUV. Nora climbed in, and Scarlet turned back to Alex.
“I don’t want to involve Edward,” she said softly. “I’ll take the medication the doctor gave me, and call the number I have for a psychologist. Will you meet me halfway?”
Alex looked as though he were going to argue again. He unbuttoned his blazer and frowned.
“Please,” Scarlet pressed. “At least until the gala is over? If you think I’m not doing better, we can talk to Edward and see what he thinks.”
Scarlet couldn’t explain to the man how much she wanted to be prima. She couldn’t explain what it meant to be plucked from obscurity and given the world. She wanted to try, but she needed him to trust her first.
To her surprise, Alex’s face relaxed and he nodded.
“That’s fair,” he said. “But I’m going to count on you to tell me if something’s wrong.
” He smiled at her, stepping close. She couldn’t help but look into his solemn brown eyes, searching for an answer to her sudden mixed emotions.
His handsome smile made everything seem better.
Scarlet nodded eagerly. “Deal.”