Danny fell back against the lockers the clang if the metal ringing through the deserted halls of Casper high. Clutching at his chest he struggled to draw in a breath.
"Fenton!" A certain blond jock yells storming around the corner.
Danny for the time being doesn't even notice him. Far to preoccupied with his own current issues to care about what dash wanted now.
He knew he shouldn't have worn it today, but he just couldn't stand the idea of not wearing it to school. If that stupid ghost hadn't have kept him up all night he would have had time to take it off and rest for the night but no non stop attacks from the time he had left school to when his alarm had been thrown against a wall in frustration at the lack of sleep.
"I got an f in English, that's your fault fentino!" Dash snarls as he approaches. Still not paying him any heed Danny shrinks to the ground still struggling for a decent breath. Not that he actually needed to breath as much as a regular human with his half dead status, but the thought and feeling of not being able to catch his breath caused a panic in him. The heavy pressure on his chest constricting his lungs.
It left Danny Gasping for air as he akwardly tries to get back up while keeping one hand pressed to his chest the other stabilising him on the lockers.
"What the hell is wrong with you fenturd, finally showing how scared you are of my beatings, I'll have to make this a good one then!" Dash scoffs stepping towards the raven haired teen.
Tears building behind his blue eyes as the slight panic at lack of breth turns to a full blown panic attack. This in no way helped.
The mild hyperventilation and choking feeling from crying causing his lungs to burn in a heavy anxious pain.
"Hey? Are you... Ok?" Dash asks with seemingly genuine concern. Danny finally taking notice of him as he looks up to face him eye to tear filled eyes.
He furiously shakes his head, no. No he most definitely was not ok. This damn thing was pretty much suffocating him. And all because he was to insecure about being seen without it at school.
"Lock ...locker room," Danny chokes out.
"Huh?"
"I need... I... Fuck-" Danny breaths out still hyperventilating.
"You want me to help you to the locker room?" Dash asks getting a frantic nod in reply.
Quickly glancing around dash loops a hand around Danny helping him to the locker room. Once they make it in he helps Danny to the bench and then locks the door.
Danny immediately pulls his shirt off revealing the binder.
Dash's breath hitches in his throat as he quickly looks away.
Hearing Danny sigh in relief he chances a glance back. Danny had his shirt back on but the binder was tossed to the ground and he now curled up on the wooden bench eyes closed softly and lips parted as he drew in shaking deep breaths.
"Your transgender?" Dash queries
"Please don't tell anyone else, I know where not exactly on the best terms but... If you want to bully me for it that's ok, just don't do it Infront of the others, they don't need any more reasons to call me a freak I already know I am one," he murmurs
"Why the hell would I bully you for this, I know I'm a dick to you and shit but that's cus your weak and don't fight back, which I won't lie can get annoying, it means the teachers don't interfere," dash snaps at him. Saying it out loud caused his mouth to fall into a frown. 'god I'm a horrible person, is that really my reason, this kids been my punching bag since I can remember and I'm really going to stand here and say it's cus he's an easy target'
Danny scoffs slightly before rolling of the bench and slowly standing up stretching.
"I could fight back dash, I choose not to, I'm stronger than I look, it would probably suprise you how much so actually," Danny says bending down to pick up the binder and shove it deep into the bottom of his bag. Thankfully for Danny there wasn't actually all that much difference, he was already gifted with a naturally flat chest and the baggy shirt helped.
"So... Does that happen often? The breathing thing I mean?" Dash asks curiously.
"Not normally no, but I accidentally slept in it and it's really not good for my health to do that, not supposed to wear it for longer than eight hours a day," Danny sighs rubbing his chest to try massage the residual heaviness on it.
"So uh is that why you always wait till everyone else is changed before you get ready for gym and stuff?" Dash questions
"Yeah, I guess, and I enjoy the peace that comes with the silence," Danny shrugs.
"You mentioned I'd be surprised by how strong you are, how about next time I fight you, you fight back. If you can beat me, well I'll probably be the laughing stock for a while, would be fair payback for all the trouble I've caused you, if not we'll I guess you'll still be the weakling I've always know you as and I'll just come after you less. After all-" dash smirked"- it would be extremely suspicious if I just suddenly stopped bullying you, the other A-listers might start asking questions," dash offers.
"Oh it's on, but I want you to know now that you've said that I don't plan on going easy. Although it would also be odd if I suddenly start fighting back, if you go after someone else who is definitely helpless against you I would have no choice but to step in and be the hero, it's just who U am as a person," Danny chuckles hoping dash would assume it's a joke
"Yeah right, you a hero? You run and hide whenever there's a ghost attack, your probably the lamest wimp I know Fenton, and just cus I say I'll stop fighting Dosent mean we're friends either, I just won't punch you anymore got it," dash laughs.
Nodding in agreement Danny smiles a warm bright smile.
"Everyone deserves a second chance, I'll gladly take not being punched over being beaten to a pulp any day. Although I must admit it did help me master my first aid skills," Danny grinned.
"Thanks dash, I get a feeling had it been any one else they probably work have turned there nose up and left me by those lockers to panic. Now then, I'm going to go find Lancer and see if I can convince him to let me go home sick for the rest of the day," Danny says unlocking the door and leaving the locker room.