"Panic attack," they say.
Is this it?
I whisper, my voice shaking.

I know it’s just in my head,
Everything’s fine.
But then, my heart races—
A drum I can’t outrun.
I flee to the bathroom,
Lock myself in a stall,
Crumpled on the cold floor.

Tears spill,
Hands trembling,
Breath coming in gasps.
I count—
100,
Hoping it will stop my heart from pounding,
But it only quickens.

My head spins,
The world tilts,
I’m weightless,
Losing grip.
I hear footsteps—
Someone’s close.
“Are you okay?”

The moment pauses.
I wipe my face,
Force my feet to move.
I open the stall,
Mask a smile,
“Yeah, I’m fine,”
Hands trembling in my pockets,
No one the wiser.