“Yeah, well. You know how it goes.” Okay, that didn’t answer shit. But I really didn’t feel like getting into the touchy feely saga with Daniel Lowe. That would go over like a lead balloon.
Daniel leaned against the doorframe and cocked an eyebrow. “Yeah, actually I do know how it goes.” Surprisingly we had a moment of understanding flicker between us and for the first time ever, I felt like Daniel and I got each other on some level. Maybe being with Rachel had mellowed him out more than I thought.
Daniel pushed himself off the wall. “Guess I’ll be seeing you around then,” was all he said before joining Maggie and the rest of the students in their English class.
Huh. That was the most normal conversation I’ve ever had with the guy.
The rest of the day passed without issue or drama. Which was an amazing feet in high school. My meeting with the guidance counselor at lunch time proved to be a bit more anxiety inducing. I was happy to learn I wasn’t as behind in school as I originally thought. Thanks mostly to the hefty amount of work I completed while at the Grayson Center.
The problem began when Mr. Hunt started to ask what my plans were for after graduation. I had sat there, my mouth hanging open, with no way of answering him. Because I wasn’t in the habit of thinking much beyond tomorrow, let alone putting on paper what I wanted out of my life.
For the longest time all I cared about was getting through the day. When your every breath was an effort, that quickly became the extent of your expectations. But now, with the end of my high school career looming in front of me like a giant neon sign, I realized I had never taken the time to develop…well…actual goals.
I did decently in school, when I was paying attention and focused. My GPA wasn’t anything fantastic, but it didn’t suck either. So when Mr. Hunt started to throw out words like community college and university, I felt blindsided.
For a guy with no thoughts for the future, it was expected that it was time I started figuring some shit out.
I left the guidance department with my bag stuffed full of brochures. Crap. College. Then I realized I didn’t know what Maggie’s plans were for after we graduated. Of course she would be going away somewhere but we hadn’t discussed it.
And there was the panic again. It overtook me so quickly I barely had time to register the full blown attack that swept through my body. I pushed my way into the bathroom at the end of the corridor. It was thankfully empty.
The one time I might consider taking one of the anxiety pills Dr. Todd had prescribed and I had left the damn things at home.
I braced myself on the edge of the sink and tried to get my breathing under control. I looked up at my reflection and winced at the white pallor of my skin. I turned the tap on and splashed my face with ice cold water. My heart slammed with force inside my chest and my throat constricted painfully.
Reframe, focus, go to my calm place. God damn it! Don’t do this! Not here!
“Fuck, man, are you okay?” I had the shittiest luck on the planet.
Daniel stood just inside the door to the guys’ bathroom and I knew he was staring at me. I clenched my eyes shut and willed him away. Maybe if I ignore him, he’ll take the hint. Or maybe I should just advertise my fresh round of crazy with Maggie’s best friend and get it over with.
I felt lightheaded and even though I tried like hell to calm myself down, having Daniel in here with me at such a vulnerable moment, made it one hundred times worse. “Just get out.” My words came out of my mouth in a distorted hush.
“Like hell. You look like you’re going to keel over and I don’t need that on my conscience.” I heard Daniel move across the bathroom and he was suddenly beside me. Just freaking great, he was going to play hero to the nut job. Not what I needed right now.
“I’m fine. Just leave,” I growled.
I heard Daniel turn on the water followed by a cold, wet paper towel thrust into my hand. “Just put it on your face. It might help.” I was sweating like a pig and shaking like I was having a seizure. But I took his advice and pressed the cloth to my face.
“You just need to breathe. One at a time.” Daniel’s voice became calm and direct and I found myself responding to it.
It could have been ten minutes or an hour later, but I finally felt my heart slow down and my head clear. When I opened my eyes, Daniel was still standing there. And I didn’t see any judgment on his face. This was not the Daniel Lowe I was used to dealing with.
“You cool?” he asked, taking the paper towel from my hand and tossing it in the trash.
“Yeah, I’m cool,” I replied. Good ol’ shame and embarrassment were quickly making an appearance. Of all people to see me at my worst, it had to be Daniel Fucking Lowe.
“I used to get those. Panic attacks, I mean. After my parents split up and my mom moved me in with her and her f**k-wad of a boyfriend. They can be pretty intense.” I shot Daniel a look from the corner of my eye. Was he being for real right now? Sharing personal stories and all that kumbaya crap?
“Yeah, they can be,” I admitted, still reluctant to share anything with the guy who had never bothered to hide the fact that he didn’t trust me or even particularly like me. Daniel reached down and picked up the bag that I had thrown on the floor.
He handed it to me and I took it, slinging it over my shoulder. I jammed my hands into my pockets and met Daniel’s stare head on. No sense in being a pu**y about it.
“Thanks,” I said begrudgingly. Maybe I shouldn’t be such a dick to the guy who had just helped me out. But the last thing I wanted was to acknowledge what had happened to Maggie’s best friend and the leader of the anti-Clay club. Because I know if there was one, this dude would be the president.
Daniel ran his hand over his head and darted his eyes around the restroom. “Look, man. I know I haven’t been the most…uh…supportive of you and Maggie. And I’m still not sure how I feel seeing the two of you all up in each other’s asses again. But, I know you’re a decent guy. So for now, I’m reserving judgment.”
I snorted. “Wow, that’s really big of you,” I said sarcastically. Daniel smiled sheepishly.
“Okay, so that sounded way assier than I meant it to. What I’m trying to say, is I know you’re dealing with shit. A lot of shit by the looks of it. And for Maggie’s sake…well…and yours too, I won’t be the speed bump on your road to the candy castle or whatever.”
His metaphors were confusing the hell out of me but I guess I got what he was trying to say. “I don’t know about any candy castle. Whatever the hell that’s supposed to mean. But I appreciate where you’re trying to go with that.” My lips quirked in a grin and Daniel took my cue and laughed. The tension that had been building popped like a bubble.