Safe | zarry adoption

n i n e

My shift at Nancy's that night was one of the longest I'd had in awhile. I was working from 4 until midnight, and as much as I needed the money, it was far too long for me. I spent the two hours between my shift and school at the public library, stressing about homework and bills and my mother until the point of tears.

When I walked into my shift 15 minutes late and puffy eyes, my boss was not happy.

"I'm already doing too much for you, Kasey," he said in the back room when I came in. "I can't keep letting you show up late, especially looking like this." I looked down and tried not to cry any more. My chest was heavy with anxiety and I thought I would break down at any moment. "You have one more chance." He said before walking away.

I attempted to shove my anxiety aside when I walked out to the counter to serve the people waiting in line. I needed this job more than anything. Christian, my boss, let me work longer hours even though I was too young. It was the only way I could earn enough money to stay afloat.

After working for about an hour I excused myself to the bathroom, where I finally let myself break down. My breathing came out in short gasps and tears streamed down my face. I'd had panic attacks before — plenty of them, but this one was one of the worst.

It's never going to get better, my mind kept repeating. You're never going to get out of this. The worst part was, I knew I was right. I was never going to overcome any of this. I let out another silent sob before hastily wiping my face.

I had spent far too long in the bathroom and I needed to get back out to the counter before Christian found another reason to fire me.

"Hey, are you okay?" I looked up from the cash register to see the doctor who had come in a few times before.

"Yes," I answered quickly, maybe even too quickly. My voice was thick with tears.

"Just checking." He looked like he was going to say something else, but I cut him off.

"What can I get you?"

"Two small hot chocolates, please." I rang him up and took his credit card, going through the motions. The back of my throat burned, telling me that there were more tears to come, but I pushed it back.

"Here you go," I said, handed him the drinks.

"Thank you." He paused, making eye contact with me which I quickly broke. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm- I'm fine," I spoke. The lie couldn't have been any more obvious.

He leaned over slightly. "It's okay if you're not."

"I'm fine," I repeated, this time more firmly. I wanted him out before I broke down again.

"Okay," he resolved, finally leaving. "You know where to find me though." I assumed he was talking about the hospital, so I nodded, desperate for him to leave. "Good."

The bell rang as the doctor left and I was left alone once again.

yay! another! chapter! this one is super short butttt a rlly long one should be coming fairly soon so stay tuned!!! love u, stay safe babes <3 mwah

(btw i love all of your comments/votes 🥺 it rlly does mean the world to me)