Panic Mode

"Wait WHAT?"

We ran our 2 miles on the long track, which was a breeze. Running was something I loved to do, and 2 miles was simple, plus Bree was fine with keeping up with me.

" I know" I had just informed her on my situation. I studied her face and evaluated that she had the same reaction as me. We were both equally shy, and hated the spotlight.

"What am I supposed to do?"

"I don't really know" she confessed. She had a boyfriend, Travis, and he was nice. They've been together since Freshman year. That was the only experience with a boy she's had, so she didn't know what I was supposed to do.

"Maybe Sarah would know." She said.

"Probably"

Sarah is the least shy of all of us, with a whopping total of 8 boyfriends since Freshman year. At least that's where I stopped counting. She's good at talking to boys. Irina has a boyfriend too, Kevin.

I was feeling a little strange, lightheaded, from panic or stress I don't know. I stopped for a long minute, out of breath. I put my hands on my knees and gulped in air. Bree stopped too.

"Girl are you ok? You never stop when your running"

"I'm good. I don't know what happened, I just lost my breath for a second."

"K," She studied me cautiously. She was right. I don't ever stop when I'm running.

I guessed it was the panic, and I forgot to breath for a second. Sounded like me. When I was deep in thought I was DEEP in thought , as proved by bumping into Zach, and forgetting to breath.

I changed the subject. We were talking about me too much for my liking.

"How's Bubba?" Bubba was Bree's 5 year old brother, the sweetest boy I know.

"He's good." She sighed. She would do anything for Bubba. Bubba has aphasia, which means he has problems talking, reading, and writing, although he tries his hardest. It frustrates him greatly.

"He just isn't getting any better. We've tried multiple doctors, therapists, but it's just not helping." We both frowned at the ground. He didn't deserve to have trouble with his learning. He was the sweetest little boy who only thought of others happiness. I know for a fact that Bree would happily get Aphasia, if it meant Bubba got to get better. She would do ANYTHING.

"Hmmm"

***

After science, we walked to the big cafeteria. We sat at our usual spot, and I spotted Irina and Sarah come in. I waited impatiently for them to sit down, bouncing in my seat, planning to tell them what happened, when I feel a small tap on my shoulder. I turned around slowly, trying to guess who it was. My eyes widened. It was Zach! I shot a panicked look at Bree for half a second and she gave me the same look. Zach Smiled at me.

"I told you I would talk to you again, you look surprised."

I blushed and looked down. My face betrayed me! I thought I'd had a good poker face on. Zach continued talking

"Anyway, is it alright if I steal you for a bit?"

I panicked and shot a look behind me at my friends. Sarah looked like she was watching her favorite scene in a movie, eyes wide with excitement, and Irina and Bree has looks that probably mirrored my face.

"Go ahead!" Sarah hissed.

Zach heard and laughed in his deep voice. I turned red again and nodded at Zach.

"Ok" I half whispered.

He led me to an empty table. I sat automatically, TERRIFIED.

He stated at me while he took a bite of his pizza.

"Your not gonna eat?" He asked after he swallowed.

"I'm not hungry." I said in a small voice.

" I have a feeling your terrified of me."

"A little" I confessed.

"Well please don't be! I'm not gonna hurt you." He grinned and waggled his eyebrows.

"That really doesn't help you know. The grin and the eyebrows? That makes me doubt that your not gonna eat me." I babbled without thinking. He laughed loudly. I blushed again. The people from the tables close to us were staring now, and no doubt my friends were staring. I could feel their eyes on me.

Zach ignored the people and continued talking.

"Let me introduce myself for real. My name is Zach Ray Hale. I have a younger brother, Isaiah, and a dog named Lola. Your turn."

"Um ok... my name is Kira Grace Wú. I have an older brother, Ian, and a younger sister, Amara."

"A middle child, I see. No pets?"

"No my moms allergic to dogs and cats, so we've never had one."

" Ya know, you're super pretty."

I looked down my eyes wide. Did he really just say I was pretty? That was random. And bold. I smiled.

"Thank you"