I Hear You: A Story About Overcoming Anxiety

Chapter Two

    Finally, school was over. For Fluttershy, the day had seemed to drag on for an eternity. She sighed. She wished she didn't have to live this way. The school had received a doctor's note from Fluttershy telling them that she might have to spend time alone during the school day, but it didn't make the teachers understand why she'd run out of the room during lessons. 

   Fluttershy was startled when she heard a voice speak from behind her. "Hey, Fluttershy!"

   Fluttershy whirled around to see who had spoken to her and felt relief when she realized it was merely Rainbow Dash. "Hi, Rainbow Dash. How are you?"

   "Awesome as usual," Rainbow Dash replied, a playful gleam in her eyes. "I was just wondering if you wanted to go with me to the new cafe that just opened."

   "That sounds wonderful," Fluttershy told her. "When?"

   "Right now!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. She took Fluttershy's hand. "Come on, we're all usually starving after school. Don't you want to grab a small bite to eat?"

   Fluttershy giggled. "I guess so. Let me just text my parents, so I can tell them where I'm going to be."

   After Fluttershy got a reply from her parents saying it was okay for her to go, she turned to Rainbow Dash with a smile. "Okay, I'm ready."

    "Awesome! Let's go!"

                                                                                               ***

    Later, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had arrived at the brand new cafe. Fluttershy loved the smell of wood and the homey feel the cafe gave off. Standing at the desk were two cashiers who wore green aprons. 

   "Come on," Rainbow Dash said. "Let's go decide what we want."

   Fluttershy followed Rainbow Dash up to the registers and looked through the windows at the food on display. There were foods of every kind such as breakfast paninis, quiche, oatmeal, parfait, soups, salads, sandwiches, English muffins, and Danish pastries. There were also many beverages which included coffee, orange juice, apple juice, chocolate milk, low-fat milk, lemonade, iced tea, and ice cold water bottles. 

    "Wow, look at that chocolate trifle," Rainbow Dash marveled. "That looks delicious."

   "It does," Fluttershy agreed. "Maybe we can share one? They look pretty big."

   "Yeah, we can split one of those and then we can each have our own beverage!" Rainbow Dash suggested. "Hmm... I could really go for a lemonade. It's getting hot outside now that it's spring."

   "I'll... just have a water," Fluttershy decided.

   "Alright, let's go order!" Rainbow Dash said, eagerly. "Come on!"  

   Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash went over to the cash register. 

   The cashier smiled at them. "Hello, what can I get for ya?"

   "We'll have a---" Fluttershy froze. She felt all of her anxieties begin to rush through her and felt her heart begin to pump faster. Her hands shook and she could feel sweat forming upon the back of her neck. Tears filled her eyes and threatened to spill. Her knees grew weak and a lump formed in her throat. 

    "Um... ma'am?" the cashier said with concern. "Are you okay?"

   Fluttershy let out no more than a small whimper. Rainbow Dash realized this and put a hand upon Fluttershy's back finishing the order for them. "We'll have a chocolate trifle, please."