Ocean

After we danced, which was exhausting, we walked over to the refreshments.
Hayden suggested that we find a place to sit and I happily agree.
I had no idea how much longer I would be able to survive this.
Sitting down, Hayden glanced around before standing with a simple, "I'll be back."
I sat alone for a minute before Haydens parents found me.
"What a pleasant surprise..." Mr. Wood trailed off.
"Ocean." Mrs. Woods finished for him.
I smiled up at them as Mrs. Woods asked, "May I sit here?" She pointed at the chair Hayden had once occupied.
I nodded.
"Thank you darling." The smile on her face was genuine and wonderful.
"I hope all is going well for you two Emma."
"Ocean." His wife once again corrected.
"Ocean. My greatest apologies, my memory is not what it used to be, especially when it come to names."
Mrs. Woods snorted softly. "Not what it used to be? Sure, it's gotten worse but not by much." She turned to me now. "It took him two months before he remembered my name. And we were dating in that time."
"Freya." Mr. Woods tone was firm.
"Finally got it right?" She winked at me before continuing. "Lucky Hayden got his memory from his mama."
I let out a soft giggle.
"Mom, are you teasing dad again?" A masculine voice spoke from behind Mr. Woods.
"Why yes, that's my job." Mrs. woods smiled. "Why haven't you asked your mama for a dance yet?"
Hayden blushed slightly before say, "Alright, would you like this dance?"
"Wonderful." Mrs. Woods took her sons hand and bounded to the dance floor.
"That woman sure is something." I heard Mr. Woods mutter. Glancing over at him, I smiled seeing the love in his eyes. "Perhaps I can offer you a dance since my dance partner has bee taken?"
I nodded, slowly getting to my feet.
Mr. Woods offered me a hand and we made our way to the dance floor.
After a short, slightly embarrassing dance we made our way back to where I'd been sitting.
Lucas walked up and joined in the random conversation. Hayden and Freya joined us soon after. They joined in the conversation not a second after sitting down.
I sat there half listening to what was being talked about. That was until the topic changed.
"So, I see Oceans mother is out of the picture." Mrs. Woods touched the painful subject.
"Ah yes," Lucas pretended to be sad. "About 10 years ago she was in an accident and didn't survive."
I held my breath trying not to cry. My hands shook with both sorrow and anger.
I shook my head trying to clear it.
"I my goodness you poor girl." Mrs. Woods covered her mouth.
I couldn't ask to excuse myself to go to the bathroom and I knew leaving would be rude but the tightness in my chest was increasing.
My hands were clenched, trying not to cry, knuckles going white.
"So, she was ten?" Hayden asked. his hand made its way to mine, gently prying them apart and taking one in his own.
"Oh my must have much longer ago then, she was five."
Great my life story is being spilled.
"My goodness, she's not fifteen, is she?" Mrs. Woods gasped.
"No, she's 18."
I glared at him before shaking my head.
"What?" He asked.
I held up two fingers.
"20. Right." Lucas shrugged.

"Hey, Ocean and I are going to have one more dance." Hayden's voice broke the conversation. he took my other hand as well and half dragged me off to the dance floor.

I fought back tear the whole time we danced, and Hayden didn't seem to think anything of it. I tried to act natural like my uncle hadn't just insulted my parents.

As the music faded out, Hayden pulled me over to a table that held four people.

"These are my friends, Nick, Vira, Nicola and Jayden." Hayden motioned to each of them.

I waved hello and found myself being forced into a chair. "Where are your dates?" Hayden asked.

"They went to go get something to drink." Nicola seemed nervous I noticed.

"Quite a while ago." Jayden added.

"Honestly, you are so sweet," The other female commented. She stood up and came near me. She hugged me which I didn't return. I felt sick. I got up and left hearing Hayden call my name softly. I made my way to the hallway that held the bathrooms. Just as I left the crowd, Hayden caught up. "Are you ok?" he looked at me worriedly. I nodded slowly, hoping he would buy it.

"Ok," we rounded the corner to the bathroom and Hayden stopped dead in his tracks.

Two people, passionately making out, is what we feasted our eyes on. Nicola and Jayden were right behind us. Not a word was exchanged. The two stopped their make out session and we all stood frozen for a solid minute.

Nicola then turned on her heal and disappeared back into the crowd with Jayden hot on her heals.

"Get out," was all Hayden said and they scrambled past him and out the back exit.

I could not believe my eyes, the anger in his voice, it was terrifying.

The tightness in my chest increased. I couldn't breath. everything started to go fuzzy. I felt dizzy and sick.

My vision cleared slowly; a hand was rubbing gentle circles on my back. I was sitting on the floor, Hayden next to me.

"Are you ok?" he asked quietly.

I nodded confused.

"You collapsed; I did my best to catch you. and set you down gently." He said softly. "I know a panic attack when I see one..." He trailed off, and I knew that I wasn't getting my answer anytime soon.

"You know, this is a wonderful party, but I believe it'll be over soon." Hayden hastily changed the subject.
"Come let's thank the guests."
I was pulled over to the door where we stood in the cold and wave people off.
I couldn't help but shiver hoping nobody would notice.
Hayden did though and he through his suit jacket over my shoulders.