Taking Control of Panic

Chapter 2

I woke up to the smell of eggs, pancakes, and movement downstairs. I didn't know if I should go down there or stay up, but my thoughts were interrupted by my stomach growling. 'Welp, there's my answer' I thought and stood up. I saw Phil and Techno making breakfast while Tommy and Wilbur are on the couch playing some sort of game and yelling at each other. I was intrigued, but didn't want to interrupt.

"Hey, Ranboo!" Tommy said and I walked over to him. "Want to play Mario Kart with us?"

"I've never played before, but sure." I said, trying to get involved.

"Here!" he said, handing me a remote as I sat down next to him. I like this family. They seem welcoming and kind. But there is always that thought in the back of my head that says, 'don't get attached. They'll leave you just like everyone else does'.

"You're the bottom left screen." Wilbur explained "The '2' button is to go forward and '1' is to go back. You steer by moving the controller and the button on the back opens mystery boxes. Pick which character you want. I'm always Yoshi and Tommy is always Toad, but other than that, any one is yours."

I clicked on the one that said 'King Boo' and the race started on a colorful map with lots of trees and colorful leaves. I ended up doing terrible and getting 9th, but it was still fun. Wilbur and Tommy's bickering made me laugh a lot.

"Kids, breakfast is done!" Phil yelled from the kitchen.

"Dad, I'm not a kid. I'm a big man and you shall refer to me as such." Tommy said as we walked to the kitchen and Phil laughed.

"You are just an attention seeking gremlin child. Not a 'big man'." Techno said which made everyone, including myself laugh. His voice caught me off guard with how deep it was. Everyone grabbed some food, so I took two pancakes, trying to take as little as possible and not get yelled at.

"What's the plan for today?" Wilbur asked.

"I think we'll go shopping and paint today. I'm guessing Tubbo will be coming over today, so maybe he can help paint." Phil said.

"Is it okay if Technoblade and I sit this one out? We had plans with Niki and Fundy." Wilbur asked.

"Of course. Are you going to be sleeping over?"

"I think so."

"Okay. Make sure to bring your phones." Phil said, "As for you, Ranboo. We have a phone waiting at the store for you. I'll give you all of our numbers later."

"Wait? Are you serious?" I've never had a phone before.

"Yeah, of course." He replied.

"That- That's really not needed. I don't want you to waste your money on me. Are you sure?"

"Yeah! Plus, we need a way to keep in contact somehow. I promise you, it's nothing. Really."

"Thank you so much!" I said with excitement. We finished up eating and Phil, Tommy, and I dropped Wilbur and Technoblade off and then went shopping. It went by pretty fast. I got a lot of clothes and books. I also got a big bean bag(like Tommy and Wilbur), paint, a phone, bedding, notebooks, and pencils. By the time we got home, Phil got a call that he was needed at work, so it was just Tommy and I.

"So, Ranboo. Would you like to paint? Tubbo is coming over, so he can help."

"Uh, sure. Who is Tubbo?"

"Oh! Tubbo is my best friend. He stays here at least four to five times a week, so he's basically family. Warning you, he's very clingy, empathetic, and likes physical touch, so don't get spooked if he hugs you or anything. He lives about 20 minutes away, but we a made a secret shortcut through the woods, so it only takes him like 10 minutes to walk. He should be here any second." Right after he said that, I heard the door open. "Speak of the devil."

"What's up Tommy! I feel like I haven't seen you in ages!" The boy said. He was really short and had fluffy brown hair.

"It's literally been three days."

"But it feels like foreverrr~. Oh! You must be Ranboo! I'm Tubbo!" He said with a peppy tone which made me feel comfortable. "You are very tall." He said which made me laugh.

"Yeah, at least it'll be good for painting."

"Oh that's right! We are supposed to paint! Let's go!" Tommy said and ran up the stairs. "I'll bring my record player in for music. Give me a second." He ran out of the room and quickly came back in and turned on 80's music. We started painting as Tommy and Tubbo sang and danced to the music. Don't get me wrong, it was terrible singing and dancing, but that made me laugh. It's only been two days, but I feel like I've known them forever. Eventually, we finished, but the paint was still wet and furniture was moved, so Tommy took us to his room.

"Have you ever played Minecraft?" Tubbo asked as he sat on Tommy's bed and patted a spot next to him for me to sit. Tommy sat down at the PC in his room.

"No..." I said and Tubbo pulled a shocked face.

"We are definitely teaching you how to! Download it on your phone. I have to play on my phone because someone hogs the computer."

"You dickhead! It's literally my computer." Tommy responded which made the both of us laugh. We played for a couple of hours. It was really fun! They added me to a server with his other friends, but no one was online. Phil came back, made dinner, and called for us to come down.

Phil and Tommy sat in the same seats, by each other, as this morning and I sat next to Tubbo. We ate and they told funny stories which made us all laugh, but we were interrupted by a loud crash which made me jump.

"Oh! It looks like a storm is rolling in!" Phil said which made me scared. Another big flash and crash came by as Phil and Tommy gathered around the window. My breathing pace picked up and I started shaking. I tried my best to hide it, but I quickly got up and ran to my room. As soon as I got in, I curled up into a ball on my bed, and heard the door open with Tubbo walking in.

"Hey, Ranboo. Are you okay?" he asked, sensing my panic and sat down next to me. I stayed quiet and tried to calm down my breathing as I curled my legs to my chest and held my head down low. "Okay, Ranboo. I need you to breathe." he said and put a comforting arm around me, "Lay your head on my chest and follow my breathing." I did what he said and focused on how his chest moved up and down. Eventually, my breathing calmed, but I was still crying and my heart was racing because of the loud thunder and bright lightning.

"Okay, good job. Ranboo, I need you to tell me what caused your panic. It's important to know so you can improve."

"Storms." Is all I could get out as I curled into his side as he rubbed patterns on my back.

"Oh, ok. Is it the thunder or lightning that scares you. Make sure to continue following my breathing."

"Both." I said softly and continued to cry into his shoulder. I watched as he got up and shut my window and blinds, so we sat in darkness except for the flashes of lightning. Every time a flash of lightning or thunder came, I curled into him more as he whispered that everything would be okay. I was about to drift asleep when I heard a knock at my door. I wanted to sit up so they wouldn't see me crying with Tubbo, but I didn't have much energy and was tired.

"Come in." I said with a soft voice and watched as both Phil and Tommy came in, looking shocked and concerned.

"Hey, are you okay?" Phil asked and sat on the end of my bed. I tried to speak, but nothing came out, so I looked at Tubbo for help.

"He had a panic attack, but is feeling a little bit better now." Tommy and Phil looked really worried and confused.

"What caused it?" Tommy asked. I looked up at Tubbo, still huddled close together, and nodded for him to tell them.

"He doesn't like storms. The lightning and thunder scared him. I think he's feeling a bit better, but it seems like he doesn't want a lot of people here. I think I'll stay with him for the night if that's okay." Tubbo said and the other two nodded and left.

"I'm tired." I said.

"Me too, let's try to sleep. I won't let anything hurt you." He said and we fell asleep quickly. I felt the feeling of safety and comfort, which I've never experienced before and smiled.