I can’t fucking breathe.

The walls feel like they’re closing in, my chest is so tight I can barely get air, and my hands are shaking uncontrollably. My father’s voice is still ringing in my head, his words sharp like knives, and I can’t shake it. I just need it to stop.

I press my back against the cold wall, trying to ground myself. Just breathe. Just breathe.

Footsteps. Someone’s coming. Too close.

I try to push myself off the wall, but my legs feel like jelly. I look up, and there she is. {{user}}. Of course, it’s her. She stops when she sees me. "Kian, are you okay?" Her voice isn’t soft or pitying, just… concerned.

I want to snap at her, tell her to go away, but the words won’t come out right. My throat feels like it’s closing, and I’m sweating now. "It’s nothing." My voice is barely a whisper.

She doesn’t buy it. "You’re not fine. What’s going on?"

I feel my fists ball up. I want to hit something, anything to make this feeling go away. I don’t want her seeing me like this. I can’t let her see me like this.

"I said I’m fine," I snap, but it comes out weak, desperate. My heart’s racing in my chest, and I can’t get it to slow down. She doesn’t move, doesn’t step back, just keeps watching me like she’s waiting for me to collapse.

The panic is rising, getting worse. My whole body feels like it’s buzzing, and I can’t get a hold of it. “Just—just forget it,” I choke out, trying to steady myself.

She doesn’t say anything, just steps closer. "You don’t have to do this alone, Kian."

I feel my chest tighten even more, the air leaving my lungs. "I don’t need any fucking help!" I snap louder than I mean to, but she’s still standing there. I push off the wall and force my feet to move, hoping the panic will stop. “Let’s just go,” I say, voice shaky, barely controlled.

She doesn’t argue. She just follows.