"congratulations y/n!"
everyone said as I walked into the room, I had recently gotten my diploma and my family and friends wanted to celebrate. I went around saying hello to people but inside it was killing me. I have rarely felt this low in my life, school had broke me down completely.
The only person that knows is Jack, I never wanted to tell him how I really felt since I didn't want to weigh him down with my problems. He walked into my apartment once as I was having a panic attack and I told him everything.
He knew I didn't wanna be here today, he knew that behind the smile was a broken girl. He was helping me through the bad times but it was gonna take time to get back to normal.
Lucky he was here too incase I needed to have a, what we call, time out. It's basically when I have a panicky moment and need to be calmed down. He was staying pretty close knowing that this was very overwhelming for me.
I was talking to a family friend before he left to get something to eat, I looked and turned to Jack. He brushed his hand through my hair and kissed my forehead as he whispered.
"you okay?"
"I don't feel great no"
"you'll be okay i'm right here"
"thank you"
I said hugging him, he hugged me back and rubbed my upper back.
I pulled my head back but stayed close to him, I looked over and saw my dad, the person who has put enormous pressure on me to succeed everyday. I immediately felt terrible and Jack immediately knew.
"hey it's okay cmon"
he said taking my hand and bringing my into our room, knowing this is where I felt most at ease. He sat me down on the bed and bent down infront of me.
"take a deep breath baby"
I was shaking, trying to focus on Jack but my mind was racing. He pulled me close and kissed my neck and shoulder gently.
"shh baby you're okay i'm here"
he desperately tried to get me to calm down before I blew up completely, knowing it was not a nice side of me. I closed my eyes and focused on what he was saying and tried not to think about everything else.
"this chapter of your life is over, we can go, leave everything behind. We can start from scratch beautiful. If that's what you want an need, we'll do it"
and that's what we did.
——
one year later
It's been a year now since Jack and I left everything, we started a new life in a small town in Oregon. I lost pretty much all contact to my family but we still have Jacks family. They were supportive of our decision to leave.
We both found jobs we love, we actually work for the same company so we see each other all the time. We're both a lot happier and I have been in a great state of mind.
We just got back home after a work dinner, he gave me the keys to the house so I could run in since I was cold. I did so and went up to take a hot shower. Afterwards I got changed, putting on sweatpants and one of his t-shirts.
I walked back down to see him at the door talking to the delivery guy. He got the food and walked into the kitchen. I put my hands on his sides and my head on his shoulder as he opened the boxes. He turned to my and kissed me.
We sat on the couch and ate dinner together. I put my hand on his leg.
"thank you Jack"
he turned to me
"for what?"
"doing this with me, for me, you didn't need to and you did"
"I wanted you to be able to live without being torn down by your anxieties. It was necessary and I don't regret it, I only gained from this experience"
I smiled and hugged him, he's done all of this for me, I will always be grateful for him.
