A/N: Rae's backpack it above, blame Logan, he picked it out. 

TW: Panic Attack - I don't know what it's like to have a full blown panic attack, I've had them, they just weren't as bad as some people's. And when I have one, I have to force it away. That's the only Trigger Warning

Time went by and school was about to start. I was in 8th grade while Aricka was In her first year of high school. Today is the last day before school, and Roman, Logan, Patton, Thomas, and I are all getting ready for the first day. Logan sat near me with a clipboard naming off things as I placed them in my backpack. "Pencils?" He asked. "Check!" I answered, placing them in my bag. "Notebooks?" "1...2...3...4....check!" I said, counting out my notebooks. This went on for an hour straight, him naming things off, me counting or just saying "check". By the time we were done, I was sitting in Thomas' lap falling asleep.

"Dad, I'm hungry." I muttered, eyes closed. He ran a hand through my hair before answering. "How about pizza?" He asked. I sat up straight, staring at him. "Pepperoni? And Italian sausage?" I asked. Dad rolled his eyes playfully, but nodded, smiling at me. "Yay!! Also, can we invite Joan, Talyn, and Aricka over?" I asked, standing up so Thomas could get his phone. Once again, he nodded. Then without a thought I sprinted up to my room and grabbed my phone. I unlocked it and clicked on Aricka's contact.

Pizza at my house! One last hurrah before torture - I mean school?

Little bubbles popped up indicating that she was texting back. They disappeared for a second before popping up again.

In the car rn!

I burst out laughing, of course mention pizza to Aricka and I bet she dragged Joan and Talyn to the car. I can also bet you that she's wearing her All pizzas are beautiful shirt. I locked my phone again and ran back downstairs. "They're on their way!" I said. There was a chuckle from the kitchen. "Good thing I ordered two!" Dad called from the Kitchen. I laughed again and looked around the living room. My eyes landed on my backpack, and it hit me that I was going to a new school where I would know no one. My eyes landed on Virgil, and I smiled. "Virgil?" I asked. He groaned and looked up from his phone to look at me. "What?" He asked, a hard look in his eyes. I shrunk in on myself a little bit. "I'm nervous about school tomorrow, and I was wondering if you had any advice." I said in a small voice. He glared at me. "Not everything is going to be easy kid, get over it, and grow up." He snapped, going back to his phone. I stared at him, that was hypocritical coming from the literal body of anxiety, but there was nothing I could say to him. Sighing, I pulled out my earbuds and put them in the port on my phone. I went to YouTube and began playing Thomas' new song On the Borderline, I smiled as his voice filled my ears, I quickly put it on repeat, then laid down on the couch. I accidentally fell asleep to his voice, smiling happily.

((A/N: Aricka's shirt))

Not long after I fell asleep I woke up to the sound of voices. "Ah! Sleeping beauty is awake!" Aricka's voice said. I sat up, rubbing my eyes. Opening them I took in my surroundings. Thomas sat next to me on my left, Roman on my right. Joan and Talyn sat next to Thomas. Patton and Logan sat next to Roman. Aricka sat next to...Virgil? I frowned before smiling again. "Hey, Joan and Talyn! I missed you!" I said happily. They both waved at me the went back to their food. I stood up and walked over to Aricka. She didn't look up when I walked over. "Aricka?" I asked. She hummed, barely acknowledging me. I sighed again, reached down my hand, grabbed hers, squeezing it then walking away.

I walked into the kitchen where the pizza was. I grabbed a slice and placed it on a paper plate before heading back to the living room and sitting next to Thomas again. It was silent except for Steven Universe playing quietly in the background.

The quiet was suddenly broken by two different laughs, one loud and slightly high pitched, and the other low, and quiet. I looked over at Aricka and Virgil, my mouth dropping open as I watched Virgil laugh. My hands began to shake, so I quickly placed the plate on the coffee table. I leaned back, trying to keep my shaking under control. But Virgil laughed again, and I found it suddenly hard to breath. Both Aricka and Virgil laughed once more, and I bolted. I shot up out of my seat and sprinted upstairs. I tripped on the first few stairs, before managing to grab the handrail, and pull myself up and sprint up the stairs into my room. I slammed the door shut, and curled in a corner, tears streaming down my face, as I rocked back in forth.

I don't know how long I sat there, probably five minutes before I felt something being pushed into my arm I quickly held it to my chest, slowly calming down. Fifteen minutes later I wasn't rocking back and forth anymore, but tears still streamed down my face. I looked up at the person who sat in front of me. It was Aricka. "Rae, what's wrong?" She asked, holding my hand. I quickly pulled my hand away, and wiped my tears, smiling at her. "N-nothing." I said, cursing my stutter. She looked at me with disbelief. "You don't just get up, stumbling up the stairs missing them a few times, ignoring the sound of Thomas calling for you, and then slam your door for nothing. What happened?" She asked said. This time, I slouched, more tears began to flow. "It's V-Virgil. H-he h-hasn't a-acknowledged me s-since I-I showed u-up. I-I just w-want him t-to like m-me." I stopped for a second, regaining my composure and started again. "He's been hanging out with you since you showed up. I asked him for advice on starting school again, and he said "Not everything is going to be easy kid, get over it, and grow up." I thought that way hypocritical coming from the literal embodiment of Anxiety, but I couldn't say anything. Then you guys sitting there, laughing, something I can't get him to do sent me into a panic attack." I said, as tears began to stream down my face again. Aricka quickly pulled me into a hug, and she let me cry on her shoulder.

Another ten minutes and I finally stopped crying. "I'm sorry." I said, my voice rough from crying. "Hey, don't apologize, it's okay." She said. I smiled, and slowly stood. "I want Patton." I said, as I walked to my bed and placed Tundra my leopard on my bed. "Let's go to Patton then." She said, leading out of my room. As we got to the stairs, Aricka spoke again. "I like your room by the way." She said, causing me to laugh. "Thank you." I said. We skipped down the stairs, then when we got to the end of it, I jumped off the last step, then quickly walked over to Patton. He looked up at me, a sad look on his face as he took notice of my messed up look. He opened his arms and I walked into them, letting him pulled me onto his lap, I curled on to his lap, and laid my head on his shoulder, closing my eyes. I felt a tap on my shoulder so I opened my eyes. Aricka stood there with a glass of water. I took it and drank all of the water in the glass. She took it back and I closed my eyes again, and began to fall asleep. The last thing I heard was Joan asking, "Is she okay?" Then Aricka responding with, "Not right now, but she will be, over time."  

A/N: Next chapter is her first day of school! After that, there will be a small time skip, probably in the chapter. And also a small Trigger Warning! 

Take it easy guys, gals, and non-binary pals! Peace out!!