Player 3?

Chapter 4 : Anxious

Chapter 4

Kaye POV

When we got home, Michael's mom was in the kitchen, working on cooking something.

"How was school?" His mom asked.

Michael walked past her, going upstairs.

"He had a rough day," I said, taking my backpack off.

"How was your first day?" She asked.

"It was pretty good. I met Michael's friend Jeremy and we have every class together, so he showed me around all day," I said.

"That's good. Michael didn't have a good day?"

"No."

I walked upstairs and put my backpack on my bed. And then I went to Michael's room. He was sitting on his bed, looking at his homework.

"I know you had a bad day. But is there anything I can do to help?" I asked, sitting down on the opposite side of his bed.

"I usually do my homework with Jeremy because I need help, but since I'm grounded, he can't come over and I can't text him either."

"I could try helping you. You know, you could tell your mom what happened today and maybe she'd give you your phone back in case you get stuck in a locker again."

"No. I'm not telling her, and you can't either, ok? Promise me you won't."

"Ok. But why not?"

"Because then she'll go to the school and complain and then I'll just get bullied even worse."

"Ok. So what homework do you need help with?"

"Math. I'm always lost in math."

"Ok. I'll help you."

"Why do you even care? You thought Jeremy and I were troublemakers."

"Jeremy and I talked earlier. He sort of told me about how you're anxious and get bullied and stuff. And that you're not a troublemaker."

"You're lucky. You have every class with him. I wish I had that."

"I didn't know you were so... anxious."

"Well I am," he said, wiping his eyes.

I pushed his math stuff to the side and slid closer to him.

"It'll be ok," I said, putting my arm around him.

"You don't know that! Jeremy is always telling me that, and it never is! Things keep happening! I'm becoming more and more anxious and keep having more panic attacks! It's not ok!" He said, crying harder.

I pulled him into a hug. He clung onto me tightly. His whole body was shaking and he felt so tense, it actually scared me a little.

"We'll figure something out, ok? What does Jeremy do when you're anxious? Oh wait! You call him, right?"

I broke apart from Michael and handed him my phone.

"Thanks."

He took my phone and locked himself in the bathroom. I went back to my room, sat down on my bed, and sighed. Now I'm just worried about Michael. I don't know how to help.

A few minutes later, Michael walked in and handed my phone back. His eyes were red from crying. He sat down on my bed next to me, which made me surprised. He didn't say anything. He just sat there.

"So... Are you ok?" I asked, softly.

"I don't know. I'm still really freaked out," he whispered.

"You'll be ok. Just tell me what you need. Let's start with your math homework, ok?"