-3rd Person-
The classroom is bathed in the soft morning light that filters through the windows, casting long shadows across the floor. The chatter of excited students fills the room as they settle into their seats, preparing for another day at the Academy.
Yui, however, feels as if the weight of the day presses down on her the moment she steps inside. Her heart pounds erratically in her chest, and her hands feel cold and clammy. Despite Naruto's comforting presence beside her, the anxiety is relentless, gnawing at the edges of her mind.
The usual hum of conversation seems distant, muffled by the rush of worry that overtakes her senses. Yui's gaze flits around the room, unable to focus on anything specific. Her heart races with every new sound, every shifting chair, every whispering voice. Each one feels like a new threat in her spiraling thoughts. What will the day bring? Will she be able to handle it?
"Hey, Yui, are you okay?" Naruto's voice cuts through her haze of anxiety, a rare softness in his tone that he reserves for moments when he senses her unease. He leans in closer, his brow furrowed with concern as he catches her eye.
Yui glances at him, her expression tight and strained. She tries to muster a reassuring smile but it comes out as a shaky motion. Her anxiety is too overwhelming, and Naruto can see right through it. "I'm fine... I think," she whispers, her voice betraying her with a noticeable quiver.
Naruto's frown deepens, his concern growing. "You sure? You don't look so good," he says, his voice laced with worry. He places a comforting hand on her shoulder, hoping the gesture will offer some reassurance.
Before Yui can respond, the classroom door swings open, and Iruka strides in, his presence instantly commanding the attention of all the students. The room falls into a hush, and Iruka's usual warm smile greets them.
"Good morning, everyone. I hope you're all ready for today's lesson," he says cheerfully, his tone as upbeat as ever.
Yui tries to focus on Iruka's words, hoping they might distract her from her growing anxiety. But then, just as she starts to relax a fraction, Iruka continues, "Before we get started, I have a little surprise for you all—a pop quiz!"
The words hit Yui like a tidal wave crashing against a fragile shore. Her breath catches in her throat, and her eyes widen in horror. A pop quiz? Her mind reels, thoughts spiraling out of control as fear grips her tightly.
I'm not ready. I didn't study for a quiz. What if I fail? What if I don't know anything?
Naruto's reaction is more subdued but no less impactful. He deadpans, his expression going flat as he hears the announcement.
"Seriously? A pop quiz?" he mutters under his breath, more to himself than anyone else. He glances over at Yui, who looks like she's about to faint, and immediately leans closer.
"Hey, don't worry. It's just a quiz. You'll do fine," he says, trying to offer reassurance, but even his words seem weak against the storm brewing inside her.
Yui's breathing quickens, each breath coming in short, shallow gasps. She feels her chest tighten, her vision blurring slightly. The room seems to close in around her, the walls pressing in, the voices of the other students becoming distant echoes. Her grip on the edge of her desk tightens, her knuckles turning white as she tries to ground herself.
I can't do this. I can't...
Suddenly, she feels a gentle nudge on her arm. It's Shino, seated just behind her. His voice is calm and almost detached, but there's a subtle hint of concern in his tone.
"Yui, if you're worried, just remember—it's only a quiz. And if you don't know something, it's okay. No one knows everything."
His words cut through the fog of Yui's panic, reaching her even through her overwhelmed state. She turns slightly to look at him, her eyes wide and glassy.
"But... but what if I get everything wrong?" she whispers, her voice trembling as she clings to the edge of her desk.
Shino adjusts his glasses, his expression unreadable but his tone steady. "Then you'll learn from it. Quizzes are just a way to see what you know and what you need to work on. They're not the end of the world."
Naruto, sensing that Shino's words might be helping, chimes in with a grin. "Yeah! And besides, I'm pretty sure everyone's gonna mess up on something. We're just kids, right? No one expects us to be perfect." He winks at Yui, trying to inject some positivity into the situation.
Yui swallows hard, her pulse still racing, but the words of her friends begin to take root. There's a tiny bit of her panic that starts to subside, though it lingers at the edges of her consciousness. They're right, she tells herself, though doubt still gnaws at her.
It's just a quiz... but... I still don't know if I can do it.
Iruka begins handing out the quiz papers, moving methodically down the rows of desks. When he places the sheet in front of Yui, her hands tremble as she reaches for her pencil. Her fingers grip it tightly, her knuckles pale as she tries to steady her shaking hand. She stares at the questions, her mind momentarily blank as a flood of anxiety threatens to overwhelm her. But then she takes a deep breath, trying to steady herself. I have to try, she thinks, her grip tightening on the pencil.
Even if it's scary... I have to try.
Naruto gives her a thumbs-up from across the aisle, a silent gesture of support that feels like a lifeline in her storm of anxiety. Shino remains quietly focused on his own paper, but his presence beside her is a reassuring anchor, grounding her amidst the chaos of her thoughts.
Yui exhales slowly, her thoughts racing but now with a sliver of determination mixed in with the fear. She reads the first question, her mind struggling to make sense of the words and numbers. It's hard—every answer feels like an unbearable challenge—but with each small success, a tiny bit of her confidence returns. She tackles each question with a mixture of dread and hope, determined to do her best despite the anxiety that still clings to her.
As she works through the quiz, the classroom noise fades into the background, becoming a distant murmur. Her focus narrows to the paper in front of her, the questions and answers becoming her sole concern. The storm of fear inside her begins to calm, replaced by a steady, if tentative, resolve. I can do this, she tells herself again, this time with a bit more conviction.
I can try...
••••••••••••••••••
WOAH- DIDN'T WE RAN OUT OF SCHEDULED CHAPTERS 😭
How's the book so far guys?
Ive been suuuper inactive cuz I got so busy with work, but I'll schedule more chapters soon!
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!
SCHEDULE: EVERY SUNDAY & WEDNESDAY
Bye Potatoes!
Stay Fab!
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