Learning to Love [Niam]

Chapter 7

Liam walked into the class first with me right behind him. The teacher was glaring at us, but when he saw my face, his look quickly turned to shock. “You boys can just go have a seat.” He said. We started to walk towards our desk when the teacher started talking again. “And Niall, can you please see me after class?” The teacher asked me. I froze for a second and then nodded and quickly got into my seat. I propped my arms on my desk and I rested my head on them and then, suddenly, I was out.

I felt someone shaking my shoulder. I freaked out and started shaking. I quickly jumped out of my seat and yelled “Don’t touch me!” I looked up to see a shocked and scared looking Mr. Baker, the teacher, and a very concerned looking Liam. I started to stutter. “I-I’m s-sorry, M-Mr. Baker. I d-didn’t mean t-to yell.”

Mr. Baker quickly recovered from his shock look, “That’s quite alright.” He turned to Liam. “Liam, can you please leave the room for a few seconds, I need to talk to Niall?”

Liam nodded and was about to leave when I spoke up. “C-can he actually s-stay?” Both Liam and the teacher looked shocked. “I w-would just feel b-better if he’s in here.” I quickly explained. I saw Liam smile at this and blush a little at my statement. I refocused on the teacher.

“Niall, that’s fine. Whatever makes you comfortable.” I felt Liam come over and sit in the desk beside me. “Niall, I’m quite concern about you actually.” The teacher started. “You to walk in here ten minutes late, you have this huge bruise on your face, you fall asleep in my class, and then when I try to wake you, you start yelling not to touch you. What is going on son? Are you having problems at school? Home?” He asked.

I took a deep breath and I could feel myself shaking slightly again. I don’t know what to tell him. I can’t tell him the truth, but I have to tell him something. I felt Liam put his hand on my back and start rubbing my back. I tensed for a second, but I started to feel calm at the touch. I took another deep breath and did what I do best. Lie! “I’m not h-having problems at h-home or at school. My br-brother and I w-were messing around last n-night and one th-thing led to another and h-he exactly h-hit me in the f-face. It got to cr-crowded in the hallway and I-I’m claustrophobic and I-I was going through a p-panic attack and L-Liam saw this and t-took me to a restroom and s-stayed with me until I calmed d-down. I-I didn’t get much s-sleep last night and a-after I go t-through a panic a-attack, I get s-so exhausted and I-I just passed out i-in class. I’m s-sorry.” I stuttered out. There is one advantage to having a stutter, no can accuse me of not telling the truth because of it.

The teacher looked to be buying the lie. I think the claustrophobic thing is what is making him believe me. “I’m sorry to hear about you having a panic attack. Next time you go through one of those, please come to me or any other adult. Not that Liam wasn’t a good help, but I just want to make sure you are properly taken care for.”

“Understandable, sir.” Liam spoke up for the first time.

The teacher rose from his seat and we quickly followed. Liam’s hand remained on my shoulder and I wasn’t quite sure if he was trying to comfort me still or not, but I was definitely grateful. The teacher started talking again. “Alright boys, I will write you two a pass to your next class. I apologize for keeping you so long.”