The sudden jerk of the lift sent me staggering into the wall. The lights flickered overhead as it came to abrupt halt. I closed my eyes briefly, drawing in a deep breath, before turning so that my back was pressed against the cool metal walls.

"NO," a familiar blonde shrieked. Her hands jabbed the lifeless buttons over and over again as if hoping that if she pressed them enough times the lift miraculously start again.

It didn't.

"Stop it." I murmured, my voice calm and even despite the thudding of my heart. "It's not going to help. Just press the emergency button and then relax. Panicking won't get you out of here any sooner."

Erica threw up her hands and growled, her foot kicking into the doors with a clang. Abruptly she slumped to the grimy floor. "I can't believe I'm stuck in here with you." She grumbled under her breath.

"It's not like I'm any happier about this situation that you are" I bit out through gritted teeth. "I'd rather be anywhere but here."

Sweat formed on my brow and my palms grew clammy. As the reality set in, that we were trapped in a suspended metal box, my chest grew tight. I struggled to draw in air. Black spots formed at the edge of my vision as my legs gave out beneath me. I tried to concentrate on my breathing but I couldn't focus properly.

"Hannah?" There was a scuffle and suddenly Erica's face was filling my vision, her blue eyes sad as she looked down at me. "I didn't realise you still had panic attacks."

Her hand rubbed soothingly up and down my arms, her eyes holding mine as I battled against the onset of the attack. It helped but I didn't want it to.

I shrugged off her hand and glared up at her. "How would you know? You're never around anymore." I demanded, the effect dampened by my desperate gasping breaths.

Erica staggered back from me, her face scrunching up as if I had just slapped her perfectly painted face. She slumped down across from me, her gaze dropping to her lap.

"Why did you leave me behind?" I panted, hating how pitiful I sounded. She had always been there, from three years old she had been my best friend, and then she had disappeared overnight. "Why did you suddenly change?"

The blonde sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. I stared at her, begging her with my eyes for answers. She pressed her lips together and kept her gaze averted from me.

Silence fell between us.

"I was jealous of you. I wanted to be more like you."

My head jerked down so quickly, I felt a jolt of pain in my neck. "What?"

"I was jealous of you." She repeated, her eyes staring at anything but me. "You're so kind and caring. People are just drawn towards you and you don't even need to try. I wanted to be noticed too. I wanted people to like me."

I blinked. My panic receded as I focused my gaze on the woman before me.

"Are you being serious? You're beautiful and talented. You have an amazing voice that just blows me away. And you were never afraid to be yourself. I always admired that you did your own thing regardless of what everyone else thought. I could never be that person." I stated, the tightness in my chest unravelling. "You're also the person who bunked off of school and watched Disney films with me when I was unwell. You're the one who punched Jack Draper when he tried to kiss me. You're the one who stood by me through my parents' divorce. I liked you because of that. It never mattered to me what you wore – you were my best friend."

Erica shook her head, her eyes wide as a strangled sound escaped her trembling lips.

I gave a watery smile. "You are kind. You are caring. You are the person who is there when it counts. You're also stubborn to a fault and you can appear standoffish to those who don't know you. But I know you Erica. I know the real you."

A tear pooled at the corner of her blue eyes and then spilled down on to her cheek. "But you never tried to be friends with me when I changed how I looked. It's been months Em."

I shook my head, my own tears trailing down my cheeks. "I didn't think you wanted me around anymore. You changed so suddenly. Then you had all of the others and I'm just, you know, me. I didn't fit in with that group so I gave you space."

"I always wanted you around. You're my best friend."

"Present tense?" I blurted hopefully. My shoulders slumped when there was no immediate response.

"Always." Erica whispered finally as she nodded. A tentative smile formed on her lips. "I've missed you, Han."

"I've missed you too."

I opened my arms and with a sob she threw herself into them. I hugged her tight. Despite the months since we had last spoken to one another, in my heart it felt like no time had passed at all.

"I'm sorry." I muttered into her hair. "I've been so stupid."

She pulled away, sniffling loudly. Her red blotchy skin was visible even through the layer of makeup as she swiped at the tears. "I'm sorry too."

"How about we both agree not to do this again?"

"Get stuck in a lift?"

I gave her a glare. "Very funny."

"I thought so."

Rolling my eyes, I leant back against the cool metal and sighed. "Not to sound too cheesy, but I really do think you are amazing. No matter what you decide to wear."

Erica leant of her head on my shoulder, her hand clutching my clammy palm as we waited together to be rescued. "I think you're amazing too - just the way you are."