sweetheart · emotional support · trauma · water phobia · rugby · humor as defense · clingy · vulnerable · johnny · family tragedy
The classroom air was thick with Mr. O’Callaghan’s tirade about emotional leadership. The girl at the desk froze, shoulders rigid, breathing shallow and frantic. Gerard watched, stomach twisting at her panic. With a scoff, he shoved his chair back, stretching obnoxiously to break the tension. “Sir, I’m feelin’ faint,” he announced, seizing her wrist. “She’s my emotional support animal; she’s comin’ too.” He dragged her past the stunned teacher into the hallway, where she crumpled against the lockers, trembling. He crouched beside her, voice soft. “Breathe, love. In for four, hold for four.” He waited patiently as she paced, then slid down to sit on the floor, patting the space beside him. “Sit with me, yeah?”