Finley's P.O.V.

I stared up at him, blinking several times before answering. "N-No, you didn't."

"Yes I did," the boy countered.

I thought back to the squeak of a shoe I heard when I was taking a drink. "I-I was never in t-the hallway e-earlier."

The boy's eyes glinted. "I never said anything about the hallway."

Damn, he's good. I swallowed hard, trying to move around him. "Excuse m-me, I really need t-to get to class."

"Hey, Finley, I did see you earlier," the boy said, touching my arm.

I looked at my arm for a second before taking a deep breath, trying to keep my panic under control. All this attention on me was not good for my health. I needed to get to class before this boy drove me insane. "H-How do you k-know my n-name?"

"I've gone to school with you since forever," the boy explained, as if I was dumb.

"I d-don't know y-yours," I admitted shyly.

"It's Eli," the boy said confidently.

I looked Eli over properly, and I noticed he was fairly tall, taller than I was, and he had a lip ring, a small silver ring. I found myself studying it, wondering if it hurt when he got it pierced. I took a deep shuddering breath and found myself saying "I need to get to class."

I stepped around him and quickly walked to English, trying to make it before the bell rang. I was just outside the door when the bell rang, meaning I was late. I hurried in and tried to act like I had been sitting there the entire time. Unfortunately, my teacher, Mr. Johnston is quite strict and hands out detentions like they're nothing.

"Ms. Collins, why are you late?" he boomed, drawing attention to me.

I shrunk down in my seat before answering. "I-I was held u-up-"

"Detention after school!" he announced.

My mouth dropped along with my stomach. I'd never gotten a detention before, I'd hardly even gotten in trouble. Mr. Johnston wasn't a fair teacher, and I was really started to dislike him. I spent the rest of the class fuming silently as Mr. Johnston went over the correct way to edit a paper for the millionth time. When the bell finally rang, I hastened out of the room to the cafeteria, where I quickly purchased my lunch and went outside, where I sat under a willow tree and studied my maths, as I wasn't there for half the lesson. I was so enthralled in my text that I didn't notice someone sat next to me until I glanced up and almost had a heart attack when I saw Eli sitting next to me.

Scrambling to my feet, I put a hand to my heart, feeling it racing as I tried to calm down my breathing. I closed my eyes and breathed in several deep breaths, trying not to have a panic attack right in front of a cute boy.

Eli was studying me with an amused expression. "You breathe really heavily, did you know that?"

I nodded, too nervous to speak. This boy, Eli, had searched for me, and had found me. What did he want?

"So, I was just curious," Eli continued. "What were you doing in the hallway earlier? You looked like a freak."

I bit my lip, trying to fight the few tears that were gathering in my eyes. I couldn't handle being called a freak, it hurt my feelings. I was too sensitive for my own good. "I', n-not a freak."

"Never said you were," Eli said easily. "Just said you looked a little strange."

I crossed my arms and sat back down at a respectable distance away from him, trying to get back to my studying. Eli didn't say anything, just simply studied me as I studied my books. We stayed like that for several minutes before he spoke.

"You don't talk much, do you?" he asked.

I shook my head, proving his theory by not answering with words.

"Why not?" he asked.

"B-because I get n-nervous," I answered.

"Is that why you stutter too?" he questioned.

"Y-yes," I replied.

Eli simply studied me, and I found myself peeking over the top of my textbook as he surveyed me. His lip ring suited him, and he didn't look dangerous, just simply like any regular high-schooler. His eyes were a dark brown that glinted with curiosity and his face was rather narrow. All in all, he was a very good looking boy.

"Are you checking me out?" his voice was laced with amusement.

My cheeks heated up and immediately buried my face in my book, shaking my head to answer his question.

"You were!" Eli laughed. Once he calmed down, he added, "It's okay, a lot of girls do it."

"I-I wasn't c-checking you out," I said quietly. "I-I was looking at y-your lip r-ring."

Eli's hand came up to his lip and fiddled with it so easily, I think he was doing it subconsciously. "What about it?"

"D-did it h-hurt?" I asked quickly, my curiosity overruling my fear.

"Like hell," Eli said casually and the bell rang. "Come on! We've got to get to class!"

...

I stood in the bathroom at school, having another panic attack. My breath was coming in short gasps and my lungs hurt from trying to keep oxygen in my lungs. Tears were coming out of my eyes and I was shaking violently, too scared to leave. I couldn't go to my detention, I was terrified. Just thinking about it made my breath quicken, but actually having to go now, it was worse. I tried to take deep breaths to calm down, but I couldn't get air into my lungs. I buried my face in my hands, realizing that I was going to start crying soon. I just wanted to go home and hide in my room. I wiped my eyes and gathered my things, heading out of the classroom.

I sat down in my desk, staring straight ahead. How is it my luck is so bad? I've been a good girl, being nice to people and yet, here was Eli, in detention with me. I wondered what he did to get a detention, and the fact that he was here with me only proved my theory that he was a bad boy and dangerous.

Hey," he whispered, trying to get my attention. "Were you crying?" When I didn't answer, he poked me. "Fin," he whispered urgently. Fin? That's a new one. "Finley!" he whispered a little louder. "You look like you were crying, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I answered harshly, making him leave me alone.

I spent the rest of my first and hopefully last detention staring straight ahead, not talking, as we weren't supposed to do anything but sit there. When Mr. Johnston finally dismissed us, I was the first one out the door. Walking quickly, I found my locker and grabbed the things I needed for my homework tonight. Closing my locker, I dug my keys out of my bag and walked to the parking lot, eager to get home.

I unlocked my car and sat behind the wheel, closing my eyes as the full weight of my day hit me. I was exhausted. I had talked more to people today than I had all year so far, and I was hoping that this wouldn't become a regular thing. I could barely do it today. Glancing at my clock, I realized that it was 4:15 and I needed to get home. Shifting my car into gear, I drove out of the parking lot and turned left, heading home. As I neared my street, I could feel a smile spread across my face until I was parked in my driveway, positively beaming. I opened my door and stepped out, ready to just get home. I strode up the walk, still smiling as I opened the door.

"I'm home!"

____________________________________________________________________________

Okay, sorry about the wait, but I'm in Ohio and I'm in my hotel little office area updating my books. Some guy just looked at me and my sister and was like, you're taking over this area. Go away. So um yeah., the wifi sucks, my Youtube isn't working which makes me want to cry, but Wattpad does, so I can still talk to you guys! Yay! If you didn't see, I started Letters from Liz due to popular demand, so that's up and here is the first chapter of Anxiety Attack! Just so you know, for my long stories my update schedule is every Tuesday, as I am busy with school and soccer. I probably won't update this Tuesday, but simply because I'm updating now and I'll probably still be in Ohio. Please vote and comment, I love your feedback, it makes me fangirl, seriously. Bye!

-11tay99