The Life of a YouTuber

Anxiety Part 2

Matt Sturniolo POV

In... out... In... out... I tried to remember that little mantra Chris had used the first time I'd had a really bad panic attack. My anxiety is over the roof, and I honestly don't know what to do about it. The local CVS is apparently closed due to the fact that it was contaminated with bugs or some crap like that. Which means that I can't get my usual prescription for my anxiety. And of course no one's home with me. Dad's at work, and Mom went grocery shopping. Nick and Chris are out playing putt-putt I'm pretty sure. But I didn't want to go since I'd been feeling off lately. It feels like this crushing weight is sitting on my chest, and as I try to breathe it gets harder and harder. With trembling fingers, I phoned the first contact that showed up on my phone. I shook my hands out while pacing nervously. My breathing is already haywire as it is, so if he doesn't answer it'll probably only get worse.

"Hello?" Chris's voice sounded from the other end of the phone.

I sighed with relief, but I can hardly get any words out.

"Matt, are you okay?" his voice is now leaking with concern.

Still. I couldn't answer. Instead, I just stood there like an idiot and listened to his voice for some sort of comfort.

"Listen to me," Chris said. "Just breathe. In... and out... In... and out... Just like we practiced, remember?"

I took a few shaky breaths in sync with him, although he probably can't hear me doing so.

"Nick and I will be home soon," he promised me. "Just hold on for ten minutes, okay?"

And with that, he hung up. I inhaled slowly and exhaled in the same amount of time. I kept on doing that until the front door opened and Nick and Chris came rushing in. They only had to take a single glance at the look on my face to know that I'm not okay. The two hurried towards me and wrapped me into a tight hug which I melted into. The comfort of my family is all I need to get my mind off of this stupid panic attack :)