Welcome To The Club [12]

TRIGGER WARNING: panic attack.

Chris

When Sara gave us our drinks, I gave her a smile, which she didn't return. I know she was mad about yesterday, but I just couldn't control myself at that moment.

"Guys, when I saw her, I remembered yesterday I saw a bruise on Sara's hand it looked like a handprint. When I asked how she got it, she lied, saying she fell. But I told her I wasn't stupid. I want to know who did it so I can thank him personally and be his friend. She said I already am his friend, who did it, " Asher asked, laughing.

I didn't know I held her that tightly that it bruised. What had gotten into me, I don't hurt people, especially girls. If she sees me now, she will be so disappointed.

It's just that I was so sad and mad about the news I had got, and I took it all at her. I know it was so selfish of me.

"Was it bad?" I asked Asher. " Well, it looked purple and green but nothing serious. I hope I was there. I wonder what she did to get that. Probably because of her running mouth, she doesn't know when to shut up, " he said.

I was so mad at myself. I excused myself to go to the bathroom. I was standing looking at myself in the bathroom mirror. I washed my face, trying to calm my nerves down.

When I got back I saw Sara standing at our table. And when I get closer, I can hear Asher talking. "So how much tip do you want, Sara, maybe 10%," Asher asked, chuckling. "I don't want your money, Asher. Pay your bill and go please," she said. "Oh no, Sara, I insist. How about 20%," he said.

She just rolled her eyes at him. Which seemed to anger Asher because his facial expressions changed from amused to angry. He grabbed Sara's wrists painfully. She hissed but didn't say a thing.

"Don't roll your eyes at me, Sara!"Asher spitted, increasing the pressure on her hand. She didn't reply. She just gave him a blank look while trying to free herself from his grip. "Do you understand?" He asked with a smile, digging his nails into her wrist. Blood started dripping down from her hand, but her blank look didn't change.

"Asher, stop it, man," I said, trying to calm down the situation a bit.

"Why it is not like you didn't do it yesterday. What happens if he does it, too?" she spitted, glaring at me. The moment she said that Asher let go of her and looked at me amused alongside Alex.

"I said I was sorry," I said to her. "Well, unfortunately, sorry doesn't make bruises fade," she said, showing me her wrist.

I gasped, looking at it. There was a huge bruise in the shape of a hand. It was ugly. It was a mixture of blue, green, and purple shades. It looked so much worse than Asher described it. "Oh my god, Sara, did you put something on that?" I said, trying to reach her hand. Buy she jerked away from me like my hand was fire.

"Don't you dare touch me again Chris, this is not school, so I'm not worried about getting suspended. I will punch you straight to the face, " she said, trying to act confident, but her eyes gave it all away. She was beyond scared. I backed away. And with that, she left.

"Oh my god, man, welcome to the club of 'We Hate Sara'. What did she do to make you lose your temper." Alex said, patting my back. I yanked his hand away. And left.

I don't know for how long I have been walking, but I was now sitting on a bench in a random park. I was so deep in my thoughts that I didn't notice my phone ringing. I picked it up, and I heard my mum's panicked voice.

"Chris, what happened? Are you okay? I've been calling for the past hour, but you aren't responding." She panicked

"I'm perfectly fine, mom. I was just working out and lost track of time. Did something happen?" I questioned, I was worried.

"Your dad's tests came back. The disease isn't spreading, but if they don't remove the cancerous tumour, he will not make it, " she said, her voice cracking at the end.

I felt like someone had stabbed me in my chest. My phone fell from my hand, and my breathing rate increased. I felt like there was no air reaching my lungs. I tried to regulate my breathing, but I couldn't.

I could feel a numb sensation that quickly spread across my skin like fire. I started gasping for air, and I felt my lungs threatening to collapse at any minute.

I felt someone approach me they were speaking, but I couldn't make out what they were saying. It's like my mind blocked out the outside world.

Sara

I was so mad that I decided it was best if I didn't go home at that moment. When I'm angry, my mouth gets out of control, and we don't want that to happen in front of Dad, do we?

I went to my signature running away spot, the park. My mum used to bring me here a lot when I was a kid.

I was just pacing around when I saw someone on the benches. Great, just great! But as I focused a bit, I could see the figure of a boy, and he was shaking uncontrollably and crying. I quickly ran to him.

When I got to him, he looked like a mess. He was about my age. He looked like he was having a panic attack.

I hesitantly put my hand on his shoulder, and he flinched away. "Okay okay breathe breathe" I said. I took hold of his hand and tried calming him down.

"Try copying me, okay?" I asked while slowly breathing in and out. He was trying to copy me. "Again," I said. Taking a deep breath in and realising it.

After a couple of minutes, his breathing finally regulated. But he was still shaking. I looked at his hand and found it curled up in tight fists, and his nails were digging into his palms.

I slowly and carefully unclenched his fists before reaching for my bag to get the first aid kit.

I took some rubbing alcohol and cleaned the cuts in his hands. He hissed in pain but said nothing. "I'm sorry, but if I don't, it will get infected." I apologised.

Not for once did he make eye contact.

After cleaning his cuts, I applied some petroleum jelly, which helps keep the wound moist for better and faster healing.

Then, I wrapped his hand with a sterile bandage to prevent the cut from reopening.

I know I sound like a doctor, but hey, I kind of do this at least three times a week, so I'm kind of an expert.

Suddenly, I remembered that when I have panic attacks, I get very thirsty. So I took a bottle of water from my back and handed it to the guy.

He lifted his eyes from the ground, extended his arm, and grabbed the water.

He glanced at me for a second. The moment our eyes locked, I knew exactly who it was, and he looked as surprised as me.

"Sara!" He said, his voice barely above a whisper. His voice was raspy from his earlier panic attack.

"Chris!" I said.

Oh no.

This can't be good!

I quickly stood up to leave when he grabbed my hand.

Author's note

Hello, guys I'm finally back I had writer's block but I'm back.

I'm no doctor so any information here is from Google 😭. DON'T COME TO ME FOR IT.

So, what do you guys think about this book so far?

Don't forget to vote and like 🎀🫣.