Gracies POV (13 Years Old)
I can't handle it anymore. That was all that was going through my head as I sat in the doctors lounge waiting for Will to finish his shift. School was becoming unbearable and my anxiety was at an all time high. I feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders.
"Ok Gracie, ready to go?" Will asked as he walked in and over to his locker to retrieve his things. That was all it took. The sight of my eldest brother looking me in the eyes. I broke. An almighty sob racked through my body and a frown instantly found its way on to Wills face as he rushed to my side and pulled me in to his chest. He didn't say a word as my tears soaked through his shirt; my sobs eventually dying down, "better?" Will asked gently as he continued to rub soothing circles on my back,
"Can we just go home?" I asked sadly "I know we where meant to go to the movies but I just don't think I can" I admitted and he nodded "I'm sorry" I apologised,
"Hey, you don't need to apologise" he assured "let me just call Jay and tell him the change of plan and he'll meet us at home instead" he said and I nodded appreciatively. I knew that he would tell Jay about my breakdown, undoubtedly leading to some form of questioning once we got home. "Jay's gonna go straight home instead" Will informed as he walked back in to the room "ready to go?" He asked with an encouraging smile. I nodded silently and grabbed my backpack. Will put his arm around my shoulder and I leaned in to his side, grateful for the small show of affection.
The drive back was short and uneventful filled with a comfortable silence. We walked up to our apartment and inside we found Jay who had arrived home not much before us,
"Hey" he greeted casually, but I could tell that he had spotted my red and puffy eyes "I picked up some pizzas" he said gesturing to the boxes on the counter "figured you'd both be hungry" he added and we both smiled gratefully,
"You figured right" Will confirmed and I walked over to Jay and wrapped my arms around him in search of some comfort. He silently did the same and held me close to him,
"C'mon, let's go have some food and we can talk about whatever's going on" he encouraged before kissing the top of my head,
"Ok" I agreed and walked over to the table and grabbed a piece of pizza from the box,
"Talk to us Gracie" Will urged before taking a bite from his own pizza and I shrugged,
"Everything's just too much" I confessed,
"Ok...in what way?" Will pushed,
"School mostly" I sighed "I don't know what's the matter with me" I confessed "I used to be fine going to school but now everything about it is making me...I don't even know what to call it" I sighed defeated,
"Is someone bothering you?" Jay asked protectively "because if that's what it is then w-" I cut him off,
"It's nothing like that" I assured "it's the work, and the deadlines, and the amount of people and the teachers and...just everything about it" I said tearfully "I don't wanna go there anymore" I admitted as I put my barley touched slice of pizza down on my plate, long since residing myself to the fact that I wasn't gonna touch it right now.
"Ah, sweetheart" Jay sighed with a frown,
"How long has this been going on?" Will asked gently, the pizza now long since forgotten.
"I don't know" I thought "a few months maybe" I shrugged,
"You should've told us sooner, we could've helped you" Will added,
"I thought it would just stop" I admitted "but It didn't, it just got worse" I said with a choked sob "can't I just be homeschooled or something?" I asked hopefully,
"Let's not jump to that just yet" Jay replied carefully,
"I think you should talk to someone about this Gracie" Will spoke and Jay nodded in agreement,
"I knew you'd think I was mad" I accused tearfully,
"Nobody thinks that Gracie" Jay assured,
"You know you can talk to me or Jay whenever about anything and as much as you want" he reminded "but there's only so much stuff we know, and I think It would be better if you spoke to someone who can help you figure this out" Will explained,
"You mean like Dr Charles?" I asked and he nodded,
"If you would be more comfortable speaking to Doctor Charles then I'm sure he'd be more than happy to help" he replied,
"What if that doesn't work?" I asked fearfully "I can't keep living the rest of my life little this" I exclaimed and Jay was quick to come to my side and give me a side hug in reassurance,
"You won't" he said "we're gonna figure this out Gracie, we promise" he assured,
"Can you guys stay with me whilst I talk to him?" I ask nervously,
"If you want us to be" Will nodded and I felt a wave of relief wash over me "now, I'm gonna speak to Dr Charles tomorrow but right now it's Friday night and you don't have to worry about school for the next three days" he reminded me of the teacher training day,
"That's right, so we're gonna eat all this pizza then we're gonna have a movie night on the sofa" Jay declared making me smile "sound good?" He asked and I nodded,
"Sounds good" I confirmed and he kissed my head before sitting down to eat his food.