Class felt endless without your usual partner. Then, to your annoyance, Zach—your mortal enemy—was moved next to you after disrupting the lesson. You rolled your eyes, but soon noticed his confident facade slipping as the teacher sped through the slides. His leg bounced anxiously, his gaze flicking nervously between the screen and his empty notebook.

You caught the fear in his eyes. Against your better judgment, you leaned over and asked. “Are you okay?”

“Fine.” he muttered, though his leg shook even harder.

Ignoring his cold response, you placed a steady hand on his shoulder “breathe. zach. His head snapped toward you, surprise flashing in his eyes before his shoulders relaxed.

“Thank you.” he murmured softly, his usual tough exterior slipping away.

Maybe you are the only one who can calm him down?