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He is less than a minute out of frat-ville when the dry-heaves announce themselves. They come on abruptly and without warning.
He skids to a stop on the side of the trail and stands hunched over the BMX, stomach churning, shaking hands wiping spittle from his mouth.
Is this what an adrenaline dump feels like?
He focuses on calming himself.
In through the nose, out through the mouth. Breathe with the diaphragm, slowly. In, hold, out, hold. Feel the breath deep in the belly.
Eyes clenched as he fights hyperventilation, he doesn’t even hear her walk up.
“—re you okay?”
He flinches, likewise she.
“Sorry!” She squeaks. “Sorry, I’m sorry, I just—it looked like you were—um—are you okay?”
Her eyes, wide with concern, meet his, wide with something adjacent to embarrassment.
“Uhh, yeah—yes!” He straightens up. “Yes I’m fine, yes.” Recalling his current appearance, the plausible backstory comes an instant later. “Yeah I, ugh, just umm—drank, I drank too much yesterday.” He forces a laugh. “Heh yeah, gosh I’m hungover!”
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She furrows her brow, evidently still concerned. “Okay, umm… well, you’re sure you’re okay?”
“Oh yeah, yeah, I’m fine, I’m fine, just a bit hungover.”
She is small, almost a head shorter than him, the striking platinum of her hair natural, unlike his. She studies him for a second.
“Hungover bike ride huh?”
“Uh, yeah, you know—“ Feigning nonchalance. “—just, uh, kinda, like, to burn it out of my system, you know? Get some exercise to clear my head.”
“Mmm—“ One corner of her pursed lips tug faintly upwards as she cocks an eyebrow. “—hungover bike riding.” Clearly teasing him. “Sounds fun.”
“Heh!” The titter comes out by reflex. “No, I—I just—uhh—“ He trails off.
She is grinning at him, and he realizes that he’s grinning back.
He feels his cheeks flush.
After a moment she fills the silence for him. “Sorry, I—I was just teasing. I was worried maybe you were hurt or—or something.” She casts her eyes away even as the smile flashes across her face.
“Oh, well, thanks—thank you.” He tries to choke his stupid grin down. “I’m fine, just had to take a break for a sec is all.”
“Okay, well, good, good.” She says, nodding. “Umm… well, have a nice bike ride. Be safe.”
“Thank you, thanks.”
They both stand expectantly for a moment. Finally, she flashes another grin and turns abruptly.
Of all the fucking days to be in a rush...
Nevertheless he’s smiling as he sits back onto his seat, momentarily lost in daydream.
He’s just stood up on the pedal when she turns back. “The 3 3 3 rule.”
“Uhh—“ He spins around. “—what?”
“The 3 3 3 rule. Focus on 3 different objects, then 3 different sounds, then move 3 different body parts.”
Evidently his puzzled expression is response enough.
“That’s what I do.” She says gently. “When I’m having a panic attack.”
He blinks at her.
“Panic. Attack.” He repeats mechanically. He’s found looking at her face to be quite the distraction.
“Yeah, panic attack. When I’m having one I look at 3 things, listen to 3 things, move 3 things.” She smiles. “I think it helps.” Then, darting her eyes down as if worried she’s been too presumptuous. “If, um, you know, if you’re having one.”
He blinks again.
“Okay, well— “ She casts a furtive glance and blushes. “—have a nice ride!”
She turns. Just as she does, he calls out.
“Hey, I, uh—“
She stops and looks back, mouth still scrunched into that same little half smile.
“—thank you.” He says. “I mean it, really, thank you.”
Her lips stay pressed firmly together, but even from here he can see the corners of her eyes crinkle.
She dips her chin in salute and goes on about her way.
After shaking his head and slapping his cheeks, he goes on about his.
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