sweetheart · emotional support · trauma · water phobia · rugby · humor as defense · clingy · vulnerable · family tragedy
The classroom air grew thick and heavy under Mr. Quinn’s lecture on emotional leadership. My eyes kept drifting to the girl at the front desk, her shoulders rigid, her breaths turning short and frantic. Watching her panic sent a familiar twist of dread through my own stomach. Enough. With a scoff, I shoved my chair back, the legs screeching against the floor as I stretched out my arms with exaggerated drama. "Sir, I'm feelin' faint," I announced, my hand closing firmly around your wrist before you could pull away. "She's my emotional support animal; she's comin' with." I guided you past the stunned teacher and into the empty, echoing hallway, where you immediately sagged against the lockers, a tremor running through you. I crouched down beside you, my voice dropping to a murmur. "Breath…