The Physics of Falling: Study Buddies #1

"Sidney, talk to me. What's happening?"

"Can't breathe." Sidney gasped.

"Is it asthma? Do you have asthma?" His eyes were wide with worry, and his gaze darted about the room, looking for something. "Do you have an inhaler? Are you having an allergic reaction? What is it?" He pulled out his phone, likely to call an ambulance.

"No. No." It was all she could say. Words were difficult to form, and air was too precious to waste. She wanted to cry, but she took another breath and choked out an answer, "anxiety."

Connor knelt directly in front of her and was quiet for a moment. Sidney knew he was watching her, but she kept her gaze fixed on her knees, avoiding his eyes. Sidney wished she hadn't said that, but she knew the alternative was much worse. She would rather tell Connor than have to tell both Connor and the paramedics.

"You're having an anxiety attack?" His voice was gentle and soft.
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Sidney Moreau just went from foster care to dorm life in an instant. After years of keeping everyone at arms length, will she be able to navigate new friendships, a tough course load, quirky professors, and the lab partner from hell?

Okay, the lab partner isn't so bad. Actually, he's kind of cute.

But Sidney is terrified of moving forward and opening up to her new friends and her crush -- almost as terrified as she is of her past and the nightmares that plague her every night.

The nightmares wouldn't be so bad if they only happened while she slept, but now Sidney keeps catching glimpses of someone from her past - someone who makes her blood run cold. And Sidney can't imagine what he could want from her. He already destroyed her once. What more can he take?

PG-13, with trigger warning: occasional flashbacks and descriptions of the aftereffects of trauma and abuse.