Kenny chuckled softly, shaking his head as he massaged her arm. "A clutcher, Dee Dee. Someone who gets so nervous they tighten up their muscles, like when you ball your fists or dig your nails into my arm."

Dawn blinked, realization dawning on her. "Oh... Is that bad?"

"It’s not bad," Kenny reassured her. "But it does make things like this more uncomfortable than they need to be. Your muscles are tense, and that makes the needle hurt more. Relaxing is the key."

Dawn gave a weak nod, her grip on his arm loosening ever so slightly. "Relaxing... right."

Kenny offered her an encouraging smile. "And that’s why I’m here. We’ll take it one step at a time. You trust me, don’t you?"

Dawn hesitated but eventually nodded again. "I do."

"Good girl," Kenny said, patting her hand gently before hopping off the table to prepare. He moved efficiently, grabbing the syringe and checking the vial, but he never stopped glancing back at Dawn to make sure she was okay.

Meanwhile, Dawn was spiraling. She watched the syringe glint under the fluorescent lights, and her heart thudded so hard it felt like it might break free from her chest.

What if it really hurts? What if I scream? What if something goes wrong?

"Dawn," Kenny’s voice cut through her thoughts, grounding her. He had turned back to her, syringe now loaded and ready. "Still with me?"

She nodded shakily, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress again.

Kenny stepped closer, his tone soft. "Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to clean your arm first, and then you’ll feel a tiny pinch. That’s it. It’ll be over before you know it."

Dawn gulped but nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Okay..."

He gently took her arm, his touch firm yet soothing as he swabbed the area with alcohol. "You’re doing great so far, Dee Dee. Just keep breathing, alright? In... and out."

Dawn tried to focus on his voice, on the rhythmic sound of his breathing. But the second she saw him reach for the syringe, all logic fled her mind.

"No!" she blurted out, yanking her arm back.

Kenny froze, concern flashing across his face. "Hey, hey, it’s okay. What’s wrong?"

"I can’t do it, Kenny," Dawn said, tears welling up in her eyes. "I can’t... I’m too scared."

Kenny set the syringe down and crouched in front of her so they were eye-level. "Dawn, listen to me. It’s okay to be scared. But I promise you, I would never hurt you. This is just a quick poke, and it’ll help keep you healthy. You’re stronger than you think, Dee Dee."

She shook her head, trembling. "No, I’m not... I can’t... I..."

Before she could finish, tears spilled down her cheeks, and she reached out, grabbing Kenny’s arm like a lifeline.

Kenny’s heart broke at the sight of her sobbing. He placed his other hand over hers, giving it a comforting squeeze. "Dawn, look at me."

She hesitated before lifting her teary eyes to meet his.

"You’re not alone," Kenny said softly. "I’m right here, and I’m going to stay right here the whole time. If it gets too much, just hold on to me. Deal?"

Sniffling, Dawn nodded, her grip on his arm tightening.

"Good," Kenny said, his tone warm and steady. He stood, picking the syringe back up. "Alright, Dee Dee, here we go. Deep breath in..."

Dawn clenched her eyes shut, burying her face in Kenny’s sleeve as he gently guided her arm back into position.

"And out," he murmured as he smoothly slid the needle in.

Dawn felt the tiniest pinch, but her fear had amplified it into a mountain of dread. She sobbed harder, clutching onto Kenny’s arm as though her life depended on it.

"It’s okay, it’s okay," Kenny whispered soothingly, finishing quickly and pressing a cotton ball to her arm. "It’s done, Dawn. You did it."

She peeked out from his sleeve, sniffling. "It’s... it’s over?"

"Yup," Kenny said with a proud smile as he secured the blue bandaid on her arm. "And you were so brave."

Dawn let out a shaky laugh, wiping her tears with her free hand. "I wasn’t brave... I cried the whole time."

Kenny chuckled, sitting beside her on the table. "Crying doesn’t mean you’re not brave, Dee Dee. You faced your fear, and that takes real courage."

She managed a small smile, leaning against him. "Thanks, Kenny. For everything."

"Always," he said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Now, how about we get you some ice cream? I think you’ve earned it."

Dawn giggled through her remaining sniffles. "Ice cream sounds perfect."

And with Kenny by her side, the world didn’t seem so scary anymore.