I Hear You: A Story About Overcoming Anxiety

Chapter One

   Fluttershy was no stranger to bad days. In fact, she couldn't remember the last time she had a good one. Constant feelings of nervousness and fear followed her like a looming cloud everywhere she went- especially around other people.

   Fluttershy despised crowds and preferred to be in quiet, calm environments. If there was an option for her to be by herself instead, she'd take it in a heartbeat. She didn't know what it was about people that made her feel anxious, but all she knew was that she preferred not to be around them.

   This didn't mean that Fluttershy didn't have friends. She actually had six wonderful friends, Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash. This was impressive for a girl who claimed to have general anxiety and social anxiety. She was close to all of them, but Rainbow Dash had always been special to her. This was because they had been friends since elementary school.

   However, despite this, it didn't change the fact that Fluttershy wasn't able to shake those fears. Her friends were used to her constant panic attacks and Fluttershy was relieved that they were extremely supportive.

   Now Fluttershy was locked in a bathroom stall, hugging her knees and trying to stop sobbing. Why am I like this?, Fluttershy thought. Everyone must think I'm so pathetic for running off and crying all the time.

   Fluttershy heard footsteps outside of the stall and saw six familiar pairs of shoes standing at the door of the stall.

   There was a gentle knock. Sunset Shimmer spoke to her, "Fluttershy, are you okay?"

   Fluttershy whimpered. "No. Just go back to class without me. I won't be out for awhile."

   "But sugarcube, we wouldn't wanna leave ya alone," Applejack protested. "We're just concerned, that's all."

   "I know you are and I appreciate that, but I want to be alone," Fluttershy told them. "I like the quiet. I like the calm. I like being alone where there's no people around."

   Sunset Shimmer sighed. "Alright, Fluttershy, but we'll be here whenever you need us."

   "Right," Pinkie Pie agreed. "If you need us, just give us a holler. Or... er... a whisper. Whatever feels right to you."

   She saw five pairs of shoes leave the room, but one pair that stayed at the door. Fluttershy sighed. She knew they belonged to Rainbow Dash. She watched as the set of blue tennis shoes with red laces paced the ground in front of her.

   Finally, Fluttershy knew that she needed to speak up. She sighed. "Rainbow Dash, could you please go now?"

   Rainbow Dash sighed and stopped pacing. "Sorry, Flutters. I just... want to understand. I don't know what makes you so scared all the time and... I'd just like to be able to know why you run off so much... if it's not too personal, I mean."

   Reluctantly, Fluttershy rose from the ground and made her way over to the stall door. She unlocked it and invited Rainbow Dash inside. Once Rainbow Dash came inside the stall, she locked it once more.

   As Fluttershy sat back down, Rainbow Dash took the spot beside her.

   "I mean, you didn't seem to be so frightened in elementary," Rainbow Dash said. "I mean... yeah, you were painfully shy, but not like... this."

   The two friends sat in silence for a moment. Fluttershy was grateful that Rainbow Dash was letting her take her time and not seeming to pry for answers. She found it slightly strange since she liked secrets and always tried to discover what they were, but it was different with Fluttershy.