Page 168 of Fame & Chaos

Foam.

Death.

I scream as tears pour down my face and collapse onto the floor in a trembling heap, curling into myself while sobs rip from my chest.

I hate him for this.

Hate that he dragged my past back into the light and forced all these memories to the surface again.

I force my eyes open to escape the images of my parents, but instead, I’m assaulted by memories of Caleb kissing me against the door, touching me in my bed, looking at me like I was his entire world.

Everything is too much.

The grief.

The betrayal.

The heartbreak.

I roll onto my side until my cheek presses into the soft carpet and cry harder than I ever have before. My gaze locks on the bedroom door where Caleb kissed me so passionately that it stole my breath.

Just like now.

I can’t breathe.

Snot bubbles from my nose while tears soak the carpet beneath me, but I can’t pull myself together. The pain is unbearable. My chest aches so viciously it feels like it’s crushing me into the floor, and my breathing grows so shallow I don’t even know if I’m still breathing properly anymore.

I close my eyes again, and the horrifying images flood back instantly. Scrunching my fists into my hair, I tug hard enough to hurt myself, desperate to make it stop. But nothing helps. Everything is too overwhelming, and I have no idea how to escape it.

“Indi?”

The voice sounds far away, muffled beneath the roaring in my ears.

“Jesus, Indi…”

Warm arms suddenly wrap around me, lifting me from the floor and cradling me tightly against a body. I don’t even know who it is, but they’re warm and safe, and I cling to them desperately while their hands rub soothingly up and down my arms.

“Shhh… it’s okay. You’re okay. I’m right here.”

Whoever it is sinks onto the floor with me still wrapped in their arms, and I crawl into their lap like a frightened child.

“Hey, just breathe for me, okay?” the voice says gently. “In and out. Nice and slow.”

I stutter in a shaky breath before exhaling slowly, trying desperately to follow the instructions while clutching onto them.

“Goddamn girl, I told you not to read the article.”

The familiar voice finally cuts through the panic.

Kenzi.

My heart gradually slows while my stomach settles slightly as she continues rubbing soothing circles over my arms.

“Kenzi?” I croak.

“Yeah, babe. It’s me. I’m here.”

I loosen my death grip on her arm and stare down at the angry red marks already forming on her skin. “Shit. Sorry.”