Chapter 3.

Class is interrupted by the loud ringing of a cellphone. Everyone stops what they are doing, looking for the owner of the phone. I feel a surge of embarrassment realizing that it's my phone ringing nonstop. I open my bag and check the caller ID. Mama? She won't call me if it's not urgent, she knows I'm in a class. I lift up my hand, trying to get the lecturers attention.

"Sir, may I be excused please?"

Mr Samuels gives me a sincere smile while nodding his head. I exhale, thanking God that he isn't angry for the disturbance.

I exit the lecture hall and answer the call.

"Mama? Is everything okay?"

There's a long pause before she speaks.

"Honey, it's your mother. She contacted me this morning. She wants to see you."

Any source of oxygen leaves my body and I feel my body start to shake. The last time I heard from my mom was 13 years ago, when she sent me a crappy birthday card and attached to the card was a letter asking me for money. I immediately threw it in the trash can. What could she possibly want now, more than a decade later. Is she okay? Why do I even care. She threw me away first chance she got. She didn't even fight to keep me with her, when my grandmother offered to take me in. She just packed my clothes and dropped me off without even saying goodbye. I heard she had 3 other kids, never met them before, but I am envious of them, because atleast she kept and took care of them. What was wrong with me? Why didn't she love me enough to keep me?

I take deep breaths, trying to get some air in my lungs, but nothing works. My body feels like someone just threw   a bucket of ice on me. My head starts to spin and I feel dizzy.

"Scarlett, are you there?"

"Scarlett!?" I hear my grandma's worried voice sound through the phone.

"Mama, I've got to go. I'll call you later." I squeak out, not recognizing my own voice.

I end the call and make my way out of the building. I need some air. I unknowingly end up on the football field. I take a seat on one of the benches and close my eyes, trying to calm myself down.

I'm exhausted. All the anxiety attacks I've been getting lately has really taken a toll on me. It's hard and there's no-on to talk to. I mean I do have Taylor, but she wouldn't understand. She also has enough to deal with, I can't bother her with my problems.

I realize I'm crying when I feel a tear slide down my cheek. I wipe it away, not wanting anyone to see, but the tears keep flowing. As much as I want to pull myself together and calm down, I just can't. The shaking becomes more extreme and I'm trying to control the sobs escaping my mouth.

I feel a presence next to me and am startled when I see Jake sitting next to me, looking extremely worried.

"Scarlett, what's going on?" The minute he asks the question I start balling my eyes out. My sobs become louder and I have lost all control of my body.

Jake grabs my hands in his. "Scarlett, look at me. Look at me."

I look into his eyes, but my vision is blurry because of all the unshed tears, piling up ready to fall any second.

"I need you to take a deap breath. Forget about everything, focus on my voice and take a deep breath in. Come on, Sweetheart. You can do it."

I do as he says. "That's a good girl. Now breathe out and then repeat. Clear your mind. It's just you and me. Focus on me and breathe."

I follow his instructions and focus on his voice, tuning everything else out. After a few minutes, I can finally breathe again. I wipe my tears and look up at him, he is still crouched down in front of me. He's staring at me and lifts his hand to move a stray piece of hair behind my ear. I physically relax, feeling his warm touch.

"Thank you, Jake." I say softly.

"There's no need to thank me, cutie." I smile at his nickname for me.

"What happened? You scared the shit out of me." he says. I look away, avoiding his gaze but he places his two fingers under my chin and moves my head in his direction so that I'm directly looking at him.

"It's nothing. Don't worry about it." I lie. I don't need to bother him with my issues. It would just scare him away. We don't even know each other.

"I'm not going to force you to tell me the truth, but I know that it wasn't nothing. You were having an anxiety attack. I have a friend who gets it all the time. And it's serious." He looks at me for a few seconds before pulling me up from the bench and he wraps his arms around my small frame. I immediately melt into his touch. I feel safe. I hug him back just as tightly and look up at him  thanking him once more, sniffling." So fucking cute." He mutters under his breath, kissing my forehead before letting go.

I awkwardly stare down at my feet, with my hands behind my back not knowing what to do after I just had a full blown anxiety attack in front of the hot boy.

Deciding to head back to class, I look up at him. He's staring right back at me. "I'm going to head back to class."

"I'll walk you." he says almost immediately.

I stop him with the palm of my hand. "There's no need to do that, Jake. You've helped me more than you know, and I would hate to bother you any further."

"It's not a bother, Scarlett. I want to do it. I also want to make sure you're okay." I nod and start walking. He quietly walks beside me, our arms occasionally touching because of our close proximity.

"Hey, would you mind giving me your number. I would love to check up on you later and make sure you're okay. I also want you to know that whenever you feel that way again I want you to call me. It doesn't matter when. We don't really know each other, but I really want to be there for you. Please let me. "

I am blown away by his words. No-one has ever shown this kind of kindness towards me. I am stunned. I smile and give him my phone so that he can enter his number. After saving his number, he sends a text to his phone so that he can have my number as well.

We arrive at my class, and I already know that class will be over soon. I find comfort in that, just wanting to go back to my apartment and sleep.

"Thank you so much, once again. I appreciate it so much." I say shyly.

He chuckles when he sees how red my cheeks are.

"Anytime, sweetheart." he kisses my cheek before walking away.

I touch the cheek he just kissed and can't help but feel giddy inside. This was a strange day. Who knew the badboy had a soft side. I smile one last time, before clearing my throat and entering the class.