Life of a christian

The cafeteria was buzzing with energy. Riley followed Ethan to a table, his anxiety growing with each step. As soon as he sat down, the questions started.

At first, Riley tried to answer, but the flood of questions quickly became overwhelming. His breath quickened, his chest tightening. His hands trembled slightly as the cafeteria noises blurred into an indistinct hum. He couldn't breathe properly, panic taking hold.

It reminded him of a moment from his childhood—when a group of people bombarded him with so many questions that he felt trapped, his mind spinning as he struggled to keep up. The overwhelming pressure had left him frozen, unable to respond, his heart pounding as the voices around him blurred into an indistinct noise.

Sensing his distress, Ethan quickly stepped in. "Alright, guys, let's slow down a bit."

Riley closed his eyes, trying to steady his breathing. The overwhelming fear of being the center of attention brought back memories of his past struggles. His mind flashed to a time when he had been forced into social situations he wasn't ready for, the pressure crushing him.

"Take your time," Ethan said softly. "No rush."

One of the other students, Mia, placed a water bottle in front of him. "Here, drink some."

Riley hesitated but took small sips, the cool water helping him regain control. He glanced around the table. They weren't laughing at him. They weren't angry. They were just... patient.

A shaky breath escaped him. "Sorry…" he mumbled.

Ethan gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "Nothing to be sorry about, man."

Mia smiled. "We're just happy you're here."

Hearing those words, Riley felt an unfamiliar warmth spread through his chest. He had always assumed people would be annoyed by his struggles, but these classmates—no, these friends—were different.

For the first time, he felt like he belonged.

After lunch, Riley and his new friends headed to their next class—music. Would this class be another challenge, or would he find something new to enjoy?