Losing my Mind

Chapter 30: He knew

Stiles walked into the school with Isaac, he could feel everyone's eyes on him as he walked and unconsciously pulled at the hem of his shirt as if ensuring it covered everything, almost as if trying to cover everything that happened to him, trying to make believe that it didn't happen, that none of it happened.

Isaac felt sorry for Stiles, he'd been through so much and still had to endure people staring at him as if he was some sort of heroic freak.

Stiles tried to ignore the stares but slowly started feeling extremely self conscious as fear and panic consumed his entire being, his legs quivered as his hands shook, his breathing became heavy and erratic as air almost refused to enter his lungs, his heartbeat quickened as the fear intensified and pain ripped through his body.

Isaac noticed the sudden change as he caught an intense scent of anxiety and fear, he also noticed Stiles' heartbeat speed up and noticed how pale he had suddenly became.

" Are you okay? " He asked hastily.

Stiles nodded, unable to talk in fear of sounding weak around his werewolf companion.

"Is this a panic attack?" Isaac asked as he led Stiles to the locker room.

Stiles forced a nod before he fell on the locker room floor.

" I'm gonna call Scott" Isaac said as he was about to get up but Stiles caught ahold of his wrist before he stood.

"P-please d-don't" Stiles stammered between breaths.

" Okay okay, what must I do?" Isaac asked hastily as he started to panic as well.

"... c..c-count.." Stiles said hoarsely as he couldn't breath.

" Okay..uh...one" Isaac said as he held up a finger just like Scott had done in the hospital.

" ..t-two" Stiles whimpered, trying to stay strong.

" Three..." Isaac waited a moment for Stiles to reply, before carrying on, "Four... c'mon Stiles..."

Stiles shook his head while averting his gaze to the floor, he was in so much pain, he tried desperately not to cry, not to show his weekness yet his body betrayed him as his tears broke through the shields he couldn't hold up.

" Five.... Stiles, you can do it" Isaac encouraged in a rather desperate way.

" Six....s-seven..." Stiles choked out.

" Eight... nearly there, Stiles" Isaac pushed.

" N-nine...." Stiles gasped through laboured breaths, more tears rolled down his cheeks as he started shaking his head.

"C'mon Stiles, last one" Isaac pushed again as he held his hands closer.

" I-I'm s-scared..." Stiles whispered as he continued trying to breathe, he couldn't do it, he was too weak, too pathetic.

" Stiles, it's the last one, I promise you" Isaac smiled sadly.

" T-" Stiles took a breath and closed his eyes, "Ten..."

He opened his eyes and examined Isaac's hands before smiling weakly and resting the back of his head against the wall.

Isaac patted Stiles' shoulder and sat next to him also resting his head against the wall.

Once Stiles' breathing returned to normal he rested a hand on the injury on his side.

" Thanks Isaac" Stiles whispered as he closed his eyes.

" No problem" Isaac said softly as he looked at Stiles, "I'll always be there for you when you need me"

Stiles looked at him before taking him into a big bro type hug, tears now lazily flowing from his eyes and resting on Isaac's shoulder sleeve.