[A/N: Quite a long and heavy chapter ahead. Another unsolicited recommendation is Unarmed by Mariah McManus. Enjoy!]
Nick couldn’t breathe. It was as if not enough oxygen was being taken in by his lungs, no matter how much air he inhaled. As soon as the conversation ended, he found himself hurrying out the door and leaning onto the wall to catch his breath.
He loosened the topmost button of his shirt and squeezed his eyes shut, trying to calm himself down. The atmosphere inside was enough to suffocate him. The weight of what just happened seemed to be heavier than he could carry. The mere act of agreeing with his parents wasn’t as simple as it seemed. It also meant that he would be under their thumbs once again, after he had tried for so long to be his own person.
Nick pulled at his ha
