The cafeteria was buzzing with the usual lunchtime chatter, students scattered around the tables, laughing, talking, and passing trays of food. The smells of pizza and french fries mingled in the air. Emma sat down at his usual spot with his friends, trying to ignore the tightness creeping into his chest again.
Xavier was mid-sentence, telling some story about his little brother when he stopped, narrowing his eyes at Emma.
"You alright, man? You look kinda pale." Emma quickly forced a smile, stabbing at his lunch with his fork.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired, I guess." Elli, sitting across from him, wasn't buying it. Her eyes lingered on him, concern etched into her expression.
"Tired? Are you sure that's all?" A violent shock of pain radiates from Emma's heart as his heart monitor starts beeping faintly. His hand instinctively went to his chest, brushing against the fabric of his shirt, but he quickly moved it away, trying to play it cool.
"Y-Yeah… I'm sure" he said, though his voice betrayed his words.
"It's nothing." Xavier shot him a look, clearly not convinced.
"You sure? 'Cause last time you said that-" Emma snaps.
"I'm good, Xavier… Really," Emma's tone sharper than he intended. He didn't mean to snap, but the pressure in his chest was making it hard to think straight. He didn't want to make a big deal out of it. Not here. Not now.
Jacob, sitting next to him, nudged him with his elbow, trying to lighten the mood.
"Hey, if you're feeling off, we can cover for you… You don't have to be a superhero all the time, you know." Emma clenched his jaw, taking a slow breath as his heart monitor beeped softly under his shirt. He could feel the concern in their eyes, and it was making him feel worse. All he wanted was a normal lunch, just one day where his heart didn't have to be the center of attention.
"I'm fine," he repeated, this time quieter, more for himself than for them. Elli wasn't convinced.
"You don't have to pretend, Emma. We get it." He sighed, pushing his tray away, his appetite completely gone now.
"I just don't want to talk about it, okay? Can we have a conversation where my health isn't the center of attention!?" Elli is shocked, Xavier concerned.
"We're just-" Emma continues.
"Trying to help… I Know… But can there be a day where I'M NORMAL!??" Emma stood up from the table, taking his plate and leaving the cafeteria.
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The classroom was quiet, the hum of pencils scratching across paper filling the space as the teacher went over an assignment on the board. Emma sat at his desk, trying to focus on the worksheet in front of him, but the tightness in his chest had returned, more intense this time. His heart felt like it was being squeezed, every beat sending a jolt of pain through his body. He pressed a hand against his ribs, hoping it would pass but it didn't. His heart monitor beeped a silent irregular rhythm.
Emma tries to focus as his vision blurred slightly. Emma not realizing he's starting to take shallow breaths, his grip tightening around his pencil. He could feel sweat forming at his temples, his body instinctively leaning forward, as if curling up might ease the pain. The room seemed too bright, too loud, every little noise amplifying the discomfort in his chest.
"Just get through it… Just get through it" he told himself, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment. But when he opened them again, everything felt worse. His eyes were now near black and blurry. He was very nauseous. The pain was sharp now, shooting down his arm. He had to hold on to the edge of his desk to steady himself.
"Emma?"
The voice felt distant, but he recognized it—his teacher, Mrs. Carter. She had noticed him hunched over, barely keeping his head up. His classmates turned to look, a few whispers filling the room. His heart monitor beeped faintly under his shirt, barely audible over the rush of blood in his ears. He had hoped no one would hear, but now there was no hiding it.
"I—I need to go to the nurse," Emma forced out, his voice weak. He pushed his chair back, trying to stand, but the world tilted for a second, Everything becomes light and his legs felt shaky. Mrs. Carter quickly crossed the room, her face a mask of concern as she caught Emma and helped him back up.
"Emma, are you alright? Do you need help?" she asked, concern etche on her face.
"I'm fine. I just need… the nurse," he mumbled, though he knew he wasn't fine. This was worse than earlier, much worse. His heart ached in a constant wreck of pain.
"Alright, let's get you there… Andrew, keep an eye on the class while I help Emma to the nurses office" Mrs. Carter said softly. Andrew nods as Emma leaned on her more than he wanted to. They slowly made their way to the door, his steps slow, each one a struggle.