Small trigger warning: mention of self harm

*Stephanie's Pov*

It was finals week here at Westhills High School, and I was absolutely terrified. Although I did study for a solid month, there is still this feeling that I will fail.

The test was placed in front of me and I looked down at the questions, but as soon as I did my mind went blank and forgot everything. 'Oh no I'm going to fail.' I thought.

I felt my chest begin to tighten as tears slid down my face, the room began to spin as my breathing became irregular. I was having a panic attack, something that I wished I never had in class but I guess things don't always go as planned.

My fingernails began scratching my left wrist, this was something I did when I'm stressed or have an attack. It scared me when I actually drew blood sometimes, but it was just something I couldn't control.

"Stephanie? Are you okay?" An Irish voice said, putting their hand on my shoulder. The voice seemed so familiar but I couldn't quite put my finger on it, then I realized that it was my teacher, Mr. Horan.

"Yes, I'm fine sir." I answered, my voice cracking, the tears no longer falling.

Mr. Horan held his hand out to me. "Can I talk to you in the hall for a minute?" I took hold of his hand and stood up from my desk.

"Sure..."

I followed Mr. Horan to the empty hall- which had the occasional student or teacher walk by. I slumped down to the floor and Mr. Horan followed, simply not caring if he got his clothes dirty.

"What happened in there Stephanie? It looked like you were having a panic attack." He said.

I sighed, "I was having one, it was embarrassing, I'm sorry."

"No no, don't be sorry. Panic attacks are something that nobody can help, they just come unexpectedly." He told me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

A few minutes of silence passed before I decided that I should tell him about the scratches, hopefully he won't think I'm some type of freak.

"Mr. Horan, I have something I need to tell you." I said catching his attention.

"What is it Stephanie?"

I gulped. "Well you see when I was having the panic attack, I scratched my arms with my fingernails." Immediately I was pulled into a hug by him, it was strange since he was my teacher but maybe he did care.

"Class is almost over, so when it is I'll escort you to the nurses office. The nurse here is wonderful, he's also happens to be a doctor and my best mate." Mr. Horan said, pulling away from the hug.

(At nurses office)

"Hey Niall, what can I do for ya?" The green eyed, long curly haired man asked. He was dressed in gray dress pants, a light blue dress shirt and a doctors coat.

"Well, this is my student, Stephanie." He paused to gesture to me, "She had a panic attack during class and I thought it'd be best to have her come see you, she also revealed that during the panic attack she harmed herself."

"Alright thanks mate, I can take it from here." The doctor said, which I still didn't know his name.

Mr. Horan left the room after wishing me good luck and I was left here with the unnamed Doctor.

***

Okay I'm just gonna leave it there... Maybe I'll do a part two ;)

Love,
A. ❤️