The crisp morning air was filled with the hum of bustling students as Connor pulled up to the entrance of Wren’s school. He gave her a warm smile and a gentle squeeze on the shoulder. “Have a good day. I’ll see you later after work.”

Wren nodded, her nerves evident despite her attempt to appear composed. “Okay. See you later.”

“Bye,” Connor replied, his eyes lingering on Wren as she stepped out of the car.

As Wren walked toward the school, she saw Stormi and Riley waiting for her by the entrance. Stormi immediately rushed over and wrapped her in a comforting hug. Riley followed suit, his arms open in a welcoming gesture. However, as Riley moved in for his hug, Wren instinctively tensed and stepped back, her eyes wide with unease.

Riley looked at her with concern. “Hey, are you okay?”

Wren felt a pang of guilt for her reaction. She had always valued her friends' support, but the aftermath of Trevor’s actions had left her feeling fragile and wary. “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice trembling.

Riley’s anger toward Trevor flared. The thought of what his friend had endured made his blood boil. “What’s wrong?” he asked, his tone softening.

Wren took a deep breath. “Since Trevor… I don’t like to be touched by men.”

Riley’s eyes darkened with fury, but he forced himself to calm. “It’s okay. I understand.”

Stormi stepped forward, her voice gentle but firm. “We won’t ever hurt you. Please remember that.”

Riley nodded in agreement. “Yeah, we love you.”

Wren’s eyes filled with gratitude and regret. “I know and I’m sorry again.”

Stormi shook her head, her expression reassuring. “Quit saying sorry.”

Wren shook her head, her voice almost a whisper. “I feel like I need to.”

Riley placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “We’re all good. We are still your friends no matter what.”

“Thanks, guys,” Wren replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Stormi glanced at her watch. “Well, I’m off to class. I’ll catch you two later at lunch.”

“Okay,” Riley said, nodding.

“Okay, bye,” Wren said, her tone reflecting her mixed emotions.

As Stormi walked away, Riley turned to Wren. “Come on. We better get to class.”

They hurried through the crowded hallways, finally reaching their classroom. As they settled into their seats, Wren couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. Two girls across the room kept glancing over at her, their whispers barely audible but unmistakable. Wren’s heart raced as she pulled the hood of her hoodie up, trying to shield herself from their stares.

Riley noticed her discomfort and leaned in, whispering, “What’s wrong?”

Wren’s eyes darted nervously toward the girls. “Those girls keep staring at me and talking.”

Riley’s gaze hardened as he glanced in their direction, giving them a disapproving look. “Just ignore them.”

Wren’s stomach churned with anxiety. The whispers and stares felt like an invasion, a reminder of the events she was trying so hard to move past. “Do you think they somehow know what happened? Is that why they’re staring and talking?”

“There’s no way they could know,” Riley’s expression softened with concern. “Hey, are you okay? You don’t look so good.”

Wren’s face grew pale, her breathing shallow. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

Riley’s eyes widened with alarm. “What do you want me to do?”

“Help me,” Wren said, her voice barely audible.

Wren sat at her desk, her face ashen and her breathing shallow. Beads of sweat glistened at her hairline, her eyes darting nervously around the classroom. The chatter of her classmates seemed to grow louder, more oppressive. Panic was tightening its grip on her.

“Get me out of here,” she whispered, barely audible over the din.

Riley, sitting next to her, barely caught the words. “What did you say?”

“Please, get me out of here,” Wren repeated, her voice trembling with urgency.

Without hesitation, Riley grabbed their bags and gently touched her arm to help her stand. He felt her flinch at the contact, but he guided her carefully out of the classroom.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.

Wren’s eyes were wide, her breath coming in short, uneven bursts. “I don’t kn—”

Before she could finish, her legs gave way. She slumped, and Riley caught her just in time, cradling her against him.

“Wren… Wren… answer me,” Riley pleaded, his heart pounding with fear. He scooped her up into his arms, his mind racing. Without a second thought, he sprinted down the corridor toward the campus infirmary.

As he burst through the infirmary doors, the school doctor looked up, her expression shifting from surprise to concern. “What happened?”

“She said she felt sick and then suddenly fainted,” Riley explained breathlessly.

“Lay her down on the bed and let me take a look,” the doctor instructed.

Riley carefully placed Wren on the bed, his hands trembling slightly. He stepped outside to make a call, dialing his brother’s number with urgency.

“Hello,” Connor answered.

“Connor… something happened to Wren,” Riley’s voice was tight with worry.

“What! Is she okay?” Connor’s tone was instantly alarmed.

“I don’t know. The doctor is checking her right now.”

“Tell me what happened,” Connor demanded, his concern palpable.

“We were in class, and two girls kept staring at her and whispering. Then she said she felt sick and asked me to get her out. She fainted right after we left.”

“Where are you now?” Connor asked, his voice filled with anxiety.

“The campus infirmary.”

“I’ll be there in 10 minutes,” Connor said firmly.

“Okay… please hurry,” Riley pleaded.

“Watch her until I get there. Bye.”

“Bye,” Riley replied, hanging up.

Stormi, who happened to be passing by, spotted Riley’s distressed face. “Hey, where is Wren?”

“She’s being checked by the doctor,” Riley said, his voice strained.

“What happened?” Stormi asked, her worry evident.

“She fainted,” Riley replied.

Stormi’s eyes widened with concern. “Are you serious?”

Riley nodded. “Yeah. I think she might have had a panic attack. She was really upset by those girls staring at her.”

Stormi’s face softened with empathy. “Maybe she thought they were talking about her.”

Riley’s shoulders sagged with frustration. “I’m so stupid. I should have thought of comforting her more.”

Just then, the doctor stepped out of the examination room. “Um… excuse me.”

Riley and Stormi turned to face her.

“Yes?” Riley asked, his voice tinged with anxiety.

“Yes?” Stormi echoed, her worry evident.

“The patient seems overly stressed. She had a panic attack, which caused her to faint,” the doctor explained.

Stormi’s eyes filled with concern. “Will she be okay?”

“She just needs some rest. I’ve prescribed some medication for her. Please make sure she takes it,” the doctor said, her tone reassuring.

“Thank you, doctor, for your help,” Riley said, relief mingling with his worry.

“That’s my job. Let her rest a bit more, and she should be waking up soon,” the doctor said with a reassuring nod.

Riley and Stormi exchanged worried glances, the weight of the situation settling heavily on their shoulders. They took seats in the waiting area, the minutes stretching interminably as they waited for Connor to arrive. The quiet hum of the infirmary seemed to echo their anxious thoughts, each tick of the clock a reminder of Wren’s struggle and the uncertainty of her recovery.