The sounds of games beeping and children running and laughing filled the atmosphere. Among the many kids, Johnny, Kenzie, Annie, and Hayden were the only non-parent older people at the arcade. They didn't mind, though. It was like taking a trip back in time to be kids again, not having to worry about all the pressures of "adult life" for a little bit.

"Nice shot!" Johnny teasingly clapped Hayden on the back as he missed a 3rd shot in a row. Hayden glared back, and the two girls laughed.

"30 seconds left," Annie informed him, and he tossed and missed another basketball into the net. Hayden huffed loudly as Johnny landed two baskets next to him. "I think it's safe to say I shouldn't be a basketball player," he remarked, and the rest of them laughed good naturedly.

When the time ran out on their game, Johnny checked his phone. "It's getting a little late." he noted. "Maybe we should head out and get something to eat on our way back."

"That works for us." Annie nodded.

"Sound alright, Kenz?" Johnny asked, and she nodded.

If she was being honest with herself, Kenzie was exhausted from being out all day and badly in need of some alone time. But being too scared to be a party pooper, she didn't say anything.

As they made their way out of the arcade, they debated about where to eat, before finally settling on a simple burger place that was on their way to their apartments.

"Oh gosh, it's raining!" Annie exclaimed as they got to the door. "We'll have to make a run for it."

"This will be fun." Johnny took Kenzie's hand, laughing. "We'll run on 3."

They counted down, and then burst out of the door, dashing for their cars. As they crossed the parking lot, a car pulled out in front of them, narrowly missing Kenzie.

"Woah," Johnny jumped and pulled her closer to him. "Missed a bad accident there..."

The driver rolled down his window, shouting something about how they shouldn't be running and the like. Johnny apologized until the man seemed to have calmed down, and then they hurried back to their cars.

"I'm sorry," he said, opening the passenger door for Kenzie before running around to his own. She nodded and pulled her wet jacket closer around herself. She was shaking, terrified, and embarrassed because of how upset the driver had been at them.

When Johnny climbed in beside her, he started the car and got onto the road. "You okay?" he asked, noticing her silence.

She nodded. "Y-Yeah, just cold." Johnny turned up the heat and set up directions to In-n-Out, where they were supposed to meet Annie and Hayden.

Kenzie couldn't stop shaking and her heart wouldn't calm down. Her mind, although badly in need of rest, seemed to repeat the words the driver had shouted at them endlessly, and her mind kept replaying the almost-hit. The anxiety was beginning to settle in.

Deep breaths, she told herself, and tried to slow her breathing. Johnny has turned on the music, and was humming along silently, but her mind was beginning to spin. When they arrived at the restaurant, she mechanically got out and followed Johnny inside. Even the rain didn't seem to pull her out from the hole she was falling into...and she was falling fast.

"We got here safely," Annie greeted them as they got inside safely. She breathed deeply, hugging Kenzie and laughing. "Need to go to the bathroom and dry off a little?"

Kenzie shook her head, no. There was loud chatter inside the restaurant, and it wasn't helping the stress her brain was under. Everything seemed to move by in a horrible blur, and at this point, she didn't even care about eating anymore.

It's okay, I can handle this. Stepping outside will make them concerned, and I'm fine, she repeated to herself.

While Annie headed off to the bathroom, Hayden found them a table, and Johnny got in line to place their orders.

Seared at the table, Kenzie's knee bounced up and down nervously, and her hands wouldn't stop shaking, clapsed in her lap. She was beginning to have difficulty breathing and her heart felt like it was beating out of her chest.

As Annie came back to the table, she handed Kenzie some napkins. "Here, try to dry off your arms and neck, you'll feel less cold." She began trying to pat the rain off of her arms.

Every nerve on Kenzie's body was on end. It was like her whole body was overloaded with energy, and she was about to explode from it. She jerked her hand, slapping away Annie's arm with more force than she'd intended. "Don't touch me," she choked, running a shaking hand down the thigh of her jeans.

Annie blanched, realizing what was going on. She exchanged a frightened look with Hayden. At that moment, Johnny came back to the table, and immediately realized what was going on.

He felt awful. He should have seen her panic attack coming a mile away, but he hadn't been paying attention. All her ticks were like flashing red lights, and he hadn't noticed.

"Hey, we're just gonna step outside for a second, okay?" Johnny handed Hayden the receipt with their number on it so he could get their order. He put a comforting hand in Kenzie's, making sure she was okay with his touch, and then helped her out of the booth.

Kenzie's chest felt so tight, it was difficult to breathe. She held on to Johnny's hand for dear life, letting him maneuver their way out of the restaurant.

"Hey, talk to me. What's going on?" He asked, squeezing her hand gently. She shook her head, unable to speak. "We're gonna go outside in the rain, okay?" Johnny opened the door and they stepped out into the rain.

"Kenzie, look at me," he said firmly, but softly.

She struggled to take a breath, but did her best to lift her eyes to meet his. His eyes held hers, and she let out a choked sob as the world kept spinning around her.

"Hey...hey," Johnny lifted her chin. "Feel the rain?" Kenzie nodded.

"Good," he smiled a little. "This is what it feels like to be alive."

Closing her eyes, she could feel every droplet of rain hitting her face and soaking through her clothes.

"You feel like you're gonna die, I know." he went on. "But you're alive. Feel it. Breathe it in."

Kenzie nodded again, drawing a shaky breath, letting the rain run down her body. She could feel Johnny's hands in hers...her feet standing on the sidewalk...and the rain in her hair. A light wind swept a chill through her. Gradually, the whirling seemed to slow down around her. You're alive, she repeated to herself.

"Feels good, doesn't it?"

She opened her eyes slowly, and Johnny wiped the rain away from her face "Better?"

"Better," she whispered, taking another long breath.

He pulled her into a hug, cautiously, to make sure she was comfortable with that. She let him, burying her face into his chest. "That's what I like to hear."

They stood there for a little while, and Johnny could feel Kenzie's heartbeat slowing back to normal.

"Everyone probably thinks we're weirdos, just standing out in the rain," she whispered into his chest.

"I'm cool with that." He laughed lightly.

Kenzie stepped back, slight tears forming in her eyes. "Thanks for taking me outside."

"Tell me next time," Johnny said, earnestly. "Tell me you're too tired or stressed and you just need to get home. I, and I know Annie and Hayden would too, would rather you be okay."

She nodded. "Okay. I'll try."

"Good," Johnny squeezed her hand, smiling. "Well, now that we're both thoroughly soaked, want to go eat something?"

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heyy a couple things:)

i really really hope you liked this chapter. it was a little different/interesting...i really wanted to write a scene about how johnny would deal with a panic attack, and i hope i did the situation justice lol

alsoo, i have barely been able to find ANY time to write and it's weird, but even though school is a lot, i'm not dying ahaha

please give me ideas for other bonus chapters if you'd like to see any more!

love you all <3