The American Elite (COTE X OC)

Those Boys From Hell

JACK POV:

I opened my eyes slowly and groggily and sat up in confusion.

Jack: What the hell...? Shouldn't I be...

I widened my eyes as everything hit me like a truck, my panic attack, cutting myself with a stick... Failing my classmates...

I began to hyperventilate before someone handed me a glass of water.

"Hey you're alright now, just drink this and breathe."

I didn't acknowledge the person and just drank the water. After I finished it, I took a deep breath while closing my eyes before turning to see who was in here with me, and I saw my homeroom teacher.

Jack: Huh...? Why are you here?

She took the glass and set it on the nightstand before she sighed and rubbed her temple as she leaned back in her chair.

Chabashira: You gave us teachers quite the scare.

I looked down.

Jack: Sorry about that...

She put a hand on my shoulder.

Chabashira: Hey it's alright. I'm just glad you're okay.

I wasn't used to the feeling of being cared for so I didn't really know what to do or say.

Jack: U-uh... Thanks?

She looked at me seriously.

Chabashira: Can you tell me what happened?

I began to recall the events of the previous day and night.

Jack: Well... I was looking forward to finally being able to relax, but it turned out it was a special exam, not a vacation, but I wasn't too fussed about that. It was all the sudden stress and immense amount of weight that was placed on my shoulders so suddenly. I mapped out the whole island, including the inner workings and distances. After that, a girl from Class C came to our camp and she's clearly a spy, I was upset about how Hirata was letting her stay and not even considering she has ulterior motives. From there...

Wait... My annoyance with the situation with Ibuki only turned to panic when... Ayanokoji talked to me... He was the one who told me to stay up and watch the camp too...

Chabashira narrowed her eyes.

Chabashira: From there... What?

I snapped out of it and responded to her.

Jack: I just began to panic. I decided to stay up and watch the camp to make sure the girl from Class C didn't try anything. But I guess the exhaustion made my panic worse... And I just spiraled. This happens to me sometimes, but it's never been this bad.

I looked at my left arm which was bandaged and covered in cuts underneath it.

Chabashira looked like she wanted to comfort me but didn't know what to say.

Chabashira: I... I'm really sorry that happened...
But I'm glad you're okay now.

I stared back down at my bandaged left arm.

Jack: Yeah... I should be alright now.

I then looked back up at Chabashira.

Jack: Any chance I can re-join the test?

She responded sternly.

Chabashira: Absolutely not. I'm not risking letting another episode happen. Who knows if you'll go further? You were already retired anyway.