Push and Pull

"My lady, please, we must get you inside and cleaned up now," the same handmaiden said, her voice filled with urgency and worry. She didn't understand the haste of her Young Miss. She had never once seen the Young Miss run or behave this rashly.

Li Xueyue was always poised and graceful. Perfect etiquette and composure were what she prided herself to be; almost every maidservant in the house knew of this. 

Li Xueyue breathed out in shock, running a hand through her hair, grabbing the top of it out of frustration. The simple touch was enough for her last remaining hair accessories to come tumbling out. 

Her chest was rapidly rising, gasping for puffs of air that she struggled to intake. It was difficult to properly breathe, especially when her lungs felt like it was on fire and her throat was as parched as the southern desert.