Tire Swing Talk- A Solangelo Story

Chapter 1- Nico's P.O.V.

"Bianca!?" I call out, grabbing around and finding his hand. He can help me. I squeeze his hand tightly, "Bianca...?"

My vision is so cloudy right now. What am I doing here? When did things change?

Will winces. "Nico, it's okay. She's not... here. You're awake now."

"Help me?!" I ask him desperately. We need to...

I have to find her...!?

"Of course. I'll help you. Just take a few deep breaths first. You can't do anything if you're hyperventilating." He says calmly.

I squeeze his hand harder. "Look."

He tries taking his hand out of mine. "I can look, but you have to quit squeezing my hand so hard. You can look with me, even. But Bianca isn't at camp."

I blink a few times, turning my head so fast it hurts. I stare at him. It's just Will, he's the only one here...?

"Per favore aiuto...Mia sorella..." I sob, bringing his hand to my chest, wanting to keep a hold of him. He can't be lost, too.

He squeezes my hand back, not trying to get away anymore. "I don't know what you're saying sweetheart, but it'll be alright. That must have been some dream, huh?"

"What?"

"It was a dream." He says slowly, "You're safe here."

"A dream?" I repeat, blinking harder, trying to get the tears out of my eyes.

The more I process reality, the more embarrassed I get. He's seeing me like this. For no reason, too. No matter how long I look for Bianca or try to get her back, I can never do that. He's right. She isn't at camp.

"A dream." He repeats softly. "If you need me to sing to help clear your mind, I can."

"I was looking for my sister." I say blankly.

"You were?"

"Bianca."

"Yeah, Bianca. She was lost?"

"I don't know." I tell him, "I don't...want to talk about it."

I look around for her once more. She should be here with me. Who would I even be if she never...left?

"Okay. Do you want to try to go back to sleep?"

"I'm going on a walk." I need to feel like I'm looking for her.

I let go of his hand and unstrap the cord that connects us so I don't accidentally shadow-travel away in my sleep and end up alone. At least it keeps him with me.

"...! Can I go with you and keep quiet?" He asks.

I get up unsteadily. My body trembles, I feel it from my fingertips all the way up my arms, as well as through my legs. I can hardly stand.

"I can't...I'm sorry. I don't know what's going on." I admit. "You can if you need to."

"Are you sure you want to go out?" He asks, coming over to my side of the bed.

"I'm sure." I assure him.

"Do you want to lean on me, or do you want your crutches?" He continues. I'm not sure if he is listening to me.

"No, I want to go, you don't understand..."

"You're leaving leaving?"

"..." What do I want? "I'll go to the city, or a park, or..."