Seventeen (Zach Dempsey/ Montgomery De La Cruz

Chapter 2

I sat across from Mr. Porter in silence, I didn't want to be here because I didn't want to talk about my panic attacks

"How long have you been having panic attacks?" He asked

"This was my first one in awhile. Look Mr.Porter I'm fine and I don't want to talk about this."

"Ok then let's talk about your upcoming track season." He said making me roll my eyes, I only joined the team because my dad made me

"What about it?"

"Do you like your team?"

" I just run my 100 and keep to myself. Team sports are not really my thing anymore."

"Being apart of a team is apart of the fun."

"I only joined because my dad made me." I said simply

"Ok. Do you have any idea what set you off today?"

"No." I said firmly

"Hiding this won't make it go away."

"So what? I tell you and you suspend them for 3 days. Unless it's a jock then what? Detention?  Come on we both know discipline around here is a joke."

'Things are changing around here, I'm doing my best to be the driving force behind it. I'm here for you and I'm listening."

"I don't know who did it. It could've been a number of people. Like you just said you're here and you're listening so you know what they have been saying about me."

"I do but I know you Perri."

"No you don't know the first thing about me. Since you've been here, we've had like what? Two meetings."

"I know you're an athlete, you're very smart. Mrs. Bradley  says you're a joy to have in her class but she said as of late you have been quiet, late, not turning in work."

"So what?"

"To me those are signs of depression."

"Look I already have a therapist I don't need another one.

"I'm glad to hear that but panic attacks are not to be taken lightly." He said as the bell rang

"Can I go?"I asked and he nodded, I walked out into the hall. By this time the staring got worse I walked into the bathroom.

"Perri?" I turned to see Sheri walking into the bathroom.

"Hey."

"Zach texted me, are you ok?"

"Same bullshit different day, welcome back to Liberty." I said Sheri got out of Juvie last week and came back here surprisingly but I was glad she did. She was probably the only person I could actually call a friend these days. Kat and I stopped talking a few months ago because I wouldn't tell her who raped me.

"I know, who ever it was is just fucking with you because your testifying today."

"Yeah your right. It's jut one of the pictures is from that night."

"Shit who do you think did it?"

"I don't know of course Bryce is always my first thought but there's only one person I know who goes around taking pictures all day."

"Tyler wouldn't do that to you."

"I know! At least I think so."

"Are you scared about today?"

"No I'm just going to speak my truth." I said then I felt my anxiety building

"I need to pee." I said

"I'll hold your bag."

"No I got it." I said then rushed into the stall. I went in my bag and pulled out the pills I looked around the stall the writing of course was back same old shit:

' Bolan Sucks'

"Scott is hot'

'Perri Down is a slut'

That one stung I opened the pill bottle and dumped two in my hand.

I stared at them fighting to take them, I knew once I took them this pain would go away, the bell ringing made me jump

"P were going to be late."

"I'm coming." I said dumping the pills back into the bottle.