Power

Part 17

TW: Panic attacks

It was now 8:10 and I was actually starting to run late. I hurried towards the bathroom and took a 5 minute shower. Now I had 25 minutes until I had to be at the bus station. I grabbed the nearest outfit that didn't need ironing and changed. It was a loose, over-sized, grey shirt and skinny jeans. I put my sneakers and hoodie on, brushed my teeth and tied my hair in a ponytail. I threw on some clear mascara and lip gloss, packed all of my textbooks for the day, threw my backpack on my shoulder and ran towards the elevator. It was at floor 92. I didn't have enough time to wait for it so I took the stairs. I mean, what's 20 floors, right?

Turns out, a lot. When I finally got downstairs, I was breathing heavily, my vision was blurred with spots and I felt so dizzy, I almost fainted. My legs were shivering, so I stopped for a moment and then ran in the living room.

Nat and Wanda were sitting on the couch, drinking coffee, Tony and a man with dark skin I didn't recognize were talking in the kitchen, Pietro was napping in a chair and a red person who looked like a robot was just floating around.

"...Morning!" I said, as I leaned on the door frame to catch my breath.

"Morning, Hannah!" replied the girls.

Pietro started snoring (a little too loud to be believable), while Wanda gave him a disapproving look.

"Morning, kid." said Tony. "Meet Rhodes- he said, pointing to the man next to him- and Vision". pointing to the robot.

I waved to them.

"I'm really late for school, but it's nice meeting you!"

I then ran to the bus stop, catching the bus just in time. 

I spotted Peter and collapsed in the seat next to him.

"Hi...I'm so freaking tired...I can't believe I've been running for the past...15 minutes" I gasped. 

He stood quiet.

"I could die, you know. At least pretend that you're sorry" I joked.

"Uh...Hannah?"

"Yeah, I know. I guess it's time to tell you everything."

So I did. I wasn't sobbing like last time, but my eyes did get a little wet as I touched my bandaged forehead.

"I...I'm so sorry. You should've told us, Han..."

"I know. But at least I'm living with the Avengers now, huh?" I smiled.

"Yeah...that part's great! I can't wait for us to fight the bad guys together!"

"Woah, slow down. I don't even know how to punch someone yet."

"What? It's easy. Watch" he said as he tried to punch the back of the seat in front of him, but accidentally got the window. Thankfully, it didn't break.

"Ow!" he exclaimed, while I tried to hide my laugh.

"Easy there, Spidey boy!" I said.

"Hey!"

We laughed.

                                                                                                  ****

I was sitting in the school's cafeteria with Ned, MJ and, of course, Peter and had just told the whole story again. Ned was in absolute shock, while MJ just raised an eyebrow.

"You didn't tell us back then and now you told Peter before us?"

"I'm sorry..."

"So you like...talked to Black Widow?" asked Ned, amazed.

"You mean Na-"

"That's an irrelevant question" said MJ. "Answer mine first".

"Look, I'm really sorry. I just didn't want anyone to know, I felt embarrassed, alright? So this is your chance to be supportive!" I felt like I was getting angry again, but I knew it wasn't fair to them.

"Please forgive me for not telling you".

"Yeah, alright. You should probably answer Ned's question now, his head looks like it's gonna explode".

I chuckled.

"I talked to a woman in a black spandex suit named Nat. I saw her before on the news, but never heard of "Black Widow" whatsoever. I assume she's the one you were talking about".

"Yeah! So, what's she like?" he insisted, curious.

"Oooh, I think someone's in love!" laughed Peter.

I laughed, too. "She's nice, I guess...she asked me if I like knives".

"Woah" said Ned. 

"Yeah, you're in love with a serial killer" added MJ, bored.

                                                                                     ****

After we finished eating the dry cafeteria sandwiches and fruit salad (because none of us could afford better food than this), we headed back to the 5th class of the day, math. The teacher said we should take our notebooks and go to the chemistry lab. He did that sometimes, just for fun.

He entered the classroom with the same dramatic effect that he always does.

"Heellooo, stuuudentss!" he said, gliding with talent on the glossy floor. He was dressed as always, in a fancy brown suit and tie, hair slicked back and a leather suitcase in his hand.

I loved him, he was funny and caring and the way he taught math was amazing. His eyes always sparkled with passion when he talked about his favorite subject. The only problem was, with everything that was happening lately, there was no way I could focus in class.

He had been teaching for about 20 minutes, and I was completely zoned out, not even writing the formulas from the board, just staring at a wall, feeling numb and not present. I think my leg was shaking, but I wasn't sure. I couldn't move my glare off the wall, so I just stood there, lost in my own mind, like slowly drowning into a lake without even knowing.

"Miss Williams" I hear the teacher's voice and snap out of it, startled.

"Are there any interesting formulas on the wall?" he said, pretending to be confused, putting his hands on his hips and looking in the same direction as me.

I felt the panic rising inside my chest and I didn't know why. I couldn't speak. I looked at the board filled with writing and then at my empty notebook, my leg started shaking and I started biting my nails.

"Uh...I'm sorry...I don't feel that well. Can I go outside for a moment, please?" I mumbled, subtly grabbing my chest, feeling it tighten by the second.

"Yeah, of course...you wanna go to the school nurse?" he asked, a little concerned.

"N-no, that's fine. Thank you, sir" I say as I hurry outside the classroom, my cheeks heating up as I feel my classmate's looks on my back, especially my friend's.

I run to the girl's bathroom and collapse on the cold floor. I start breathing slowly, resting my head on the wall. What the hell was wrong with me?

I got up to go back to class, but I felt like I couldn't face everyone right now. The knot in my throat tightened. I ran into one of the cubicles and bent forward, thinking I was gonna throw up, but nothing came out. My stomach hurt and I was shivering uncontrollably. I ran to my classroom, pulled out my phone and texted Tony.

Can you come pick me up? Please.

I told my teacher that my "uncle" was on his way and I would wait for him outside the school. He gave me a note so I could leave and didn't ask any other questions.