Sink or Swim

Chapter 10

Her eyes glared at the glass. It felt like a magnetic force, trying to pull her in. It would make her feel better, it would make her stop worrying and it would certainly keep away the anxiety attack that was climbing in her breaths.

Pulling her blue hues from the bottle was like pulling a foot up from a sticky piece of chewing gum, but before she knew it, she'd done it. Her eyes reached out to the front door for a moment but darted back to the bottle again. It felt like the walls were all moving closer, blocking her in.

After downing the majority of the champagne, Skye stepped forward and wrapped her hand around the doorknob. She held onto it so tightly that it felt like the old piece of metal could break any second.

She steadied her breaths and took the leap, taking her crutches and stepping outside. The evening air hit her so suddenly but it was a welcomed distraction from her stomach churning emotions.

Then she walked.

She walked and she walked and she walked until she couldn't steady herself any longer. The walk had been slow, but the dribbles of rain that collapsed onto her skin made her feel alive. Skye crashed down onto the top of a sandy hill on the beach. Her eyes shone out at the sea, reflecting the dove-grey sunset in her watery hues. The dim sunset had settled between the clouds.

Skye was still in a state of panic, maybe the alcohol wasn't working as she'd hoped. She forced herself to take deep breaths, breathing in for four seconds before holding her breath for another four. And release. Her counsellor had taught her some breathing work, but it never seemed to help.

The most difficult part was trying to stop the terror that thundered down on her mind. The pain that swamped her insides, the sweat that was scattered all over her back. Tears began to spark out all over the place and there was only so much the sleeves of her sky blue jumper could mop up.

Cascades of rain started to fall down, but still Skye didn't move. She brought her knees up to her chin and rested on them. The swimmer stayed there for half an hour, barely moving as the sky fell darker by the second. A rusting sound echoed through her ears, coming from behind her. Suddenly worried for her safely, her head spun around to see who or what was approaching her.

As her weeping eyes gazed up, she noticed a beautiful woman staring back at her. The female had deep brown hair and warm, blue eyes that seemed to sparkle in the darkness.

"Skye, isn't it? You look like you could use a friend." Her deep, southern voice shocked Skye. It didn't quite match her classy, girly exterior.

As she grew closer, Skye realised that she recognised her. The woman was Lydia Campbell, the sister of  Cassandra's boyfriend, Freddie Campbell.

Skye tapped the sand next to her and gave her a watery smile. She couldn't quite muster up a nod. Whilst it vitiated her peaceful trip out, she was aware that she didn't have a queue of people lining up to listen to her problems right now.

"I thought I was the only person mad enough to sit out on the beach in the rain. Why aren't we friends already?" Lydia laughed, pushing her wind-swept hair behind her ear whilst trying to sit down.

The only other people around were those who were only out to walk their dogs. Skye would have loved a pet of her own but her career had always been too busy for it. Plus, having Sierra and an animal in one house would be hectic.

Skye stared off into the distance. "I just love how fresh it feels. I could probably stay out here all night." Her words were spoken so dreamily.

"Perhaps not the best idea though. What's up? A problem shared is a problem halved."