This chapter contains explicit imagery on a panic attack. Reader discretion is advised.
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Ethan's POV
"And now, I'll be giving out the papers according to the rows you were seated in for the paper," Ms Jaslyn announced. "Ethan, I expected more from you. Chloe, you're getting better."
I didn't improve, I didn't drop. It was enough to leave me numb, but kept a straight face. Chloe on the other hand, was thanking me for all the time I sacrificed to help her attain a distinction. Of course, I was happy for her, but I was hoping for an A too.
Keqing's POV
"OMG!" I screamed. "Chloe did better than Ethan for once?! Did she cheat on the exams or something? Because we all know her sister is damn busy with musical and girl guide stuff."
"Because if she cheated then she wouldn't have done this well."
"Hey, at least Crystal did well for everything even without cheating! That's not fair!"
Chloe's POV
What are they even talking about? I actually studied for all my exams this time. I didn't reread the textbook, I followed Daphne's study channel and used techniques like flash cards and Feynman technique to remember my content.
My chest tightened as I heard the class go over a strong debate about my honesty during the test. Each comparison was an insult to my chest, and hurt a lot more than all the rows of leaders walking down the red carpet during the Student Leaders' Investiture. With every comparisons, I felt one string lodge up my throat, and soon, a whole lot of strings were lodged in my throat. I wanted to scream for help and get out of here, but I was pinned down to my seat. My heart was basically harassing me by punching me non stop. To retaliate, my hand started trembling like there was no tomorrow, and gripping them on my skirt didn't do anything to help. I was gasping for air, muted by the strings in my throat. My face was burning, I was a sweating mess, and I could feel water run down my face. And then, one touch of the shoulder made everything reverse on itself.
"Are you ok?" Ethan asked me out of concern.
"What happened?" I replied in denial. One moment I was gasping for my life, and the next I felt perfectly alright.
"The class was comparing you and accusing you of cheating during the WA. I clarified it wasn't that, but it definitely drove you into a panic attack."
"Driven?"
"Yes. These comparisons are really getting out of hand. Hopefully we can end them soon."
YOU ARE READING
Find your faith
Teen Fiction⚠️Tw: €@+|ng d|$0rd€r$, $€|f-h@rm, @++€mp+€d su|c|de, b|00d, p@n|£ @++@£k, h@r@$$m€n+⚠️ A "Chronicles of Peace" AU where Crystal does much better in her academics, she accepts the offer to take 8 subjects hoping she'll have more options if she can't...
