The Top Delinquent Chapter 23: Panic – Not At The Disco

Later that afternoon, Iida was madly preparing for the court hearing and had called his family lawyer for the fiftieth time that week.

“Leave it with me, Iida.” The lawyer said from the other end of the phone, “I’ll do my best to settle this out of court with maximum compensation for your friend. If they refuse, I can push for more due money to trauma induction.”

“Yes, sir.” Iida said with purpose, straightening in his chair as he spoke with the family attorney.

“I wouldn’t want any more undue stress to your friend, she has been through enough so if we can avoid her having to face her offender again then that is the most ideal option.” The legal practitioner continued. “I will talk to the accused’s lawyer and come to an agreement.”

“Very much appreciated, sir, I am most grateful for your expertise.” Iida said as he pushed his chair back and bowed in his seat, still holding the phone to his ear.

“You are welcome, Iida, your family have a wonderful reputation and it is a very honorable trait, your wanting to protect people from the injustices of the world.” The lawyer confirmed.

“I regret to inform, sir, that I have fallen, romantically, for the victim of this case. And thus it appears that I have an ulterior motive, spurred by affection for her.” Iida admitted bashfully, a pink blush dusting his cheeks as he straightened and adjusted his glasses while clearing his throat gently.

“That does not matter to me.” The lawyer said with a soft chuckle, “however, I do have an unrelated question, but do you plan on revealing your affections for her?”

“Yes, sir, I would be a coward not to.” Iida replied, “I plan on writing her a letter of confession at the conclusion of this court case.”

“Very good, young Iida, I will make sure that the outcome of the case is favourable so that she is more likely to accept your confession and return your feelings.”

“Were that the case, I would be indebted to you, sir.” Iida said as he swiftly bowed in his seat again.

“All the best.” The lawyer said with gentleness in his voice, “I’m sure your earnestness will be felt.”

“Much appreciated. Thank you for your encouragement.” Iida replied as he then said a short farewell and hung up the phone. “Now,” he thought to himself, “time to write this confession letter.”

He slid his chair forward to his desk and reached out, taking his favourite pen from the pen jar and a pristine white piece of paper. Then held the pen over the paper, his mind instantly going blank as he tried to think of the best way to start the note.

“Dearest Y/N L/N.” He wrote. “I am very good with words… until it comes to you…”

……………………………….

You lay on your bed, taking deep breaths to try and calm yourself but the more you told yourself not to panic the more your chest tightened and you began to panic.

“It’s ok, it’s ok, it’s ok, don’t stress, don’t stress, don’t stress, it’s ok, I’m ok, it’s ok, it’s NOT ok, I’m not ok, I don’t want to do this, I don’t want to face him I can’t see him again, no, please, don’t. I don’t want to do this, I don’t want to go to court…”

Your mind rambled and babbled, sharp explosive breaths rattling in your chest as you hyperventilated, stressing about having to appear in court on the weekend.

“I don’t ever want to see him again, I don’t want to remember, I don’t want to be asked questions. How do I make this go away? I need help, please, don’t make me do this?”

Hot tears streamed down your face as you gripped your hands into the bedsheets, sobbing uncontrollably as terror seized you to the core and you lost yourself to the panic attack.

Suddenly your phone rang beside you and you grabbed it, pressing it to your ear as you rolled onto your stomach and cried into the receiver.

“Help me, I don’t feel good, help me, please help me.” You wailed into the phone.

“Y/N!” Iida’s authoritative voice called from the other end. “Where are you?”

“Home.” You gasped, still hyperventilating.

“I’m coming.” He said quickly, “stay on the line.”

You heard doors slamming and running footsteps from his end of the phone, his breathing starting to become heavier as he bolted down the street in the direction of your house.

“Iida.” You sobbed, “Iida, please.”

“I’m coming, I’m coming, it’s ok, I’m on my way.” He panted, still running full tilt down the street.

“Please come.”

“I’m coming.”

“Help me.”

“Hold on for me, Y/N, don’t hang up, stay where you are, I’m on my way.”

“Please.”

“I’m right here, I’m not leaving.”

And the conversation continued in short bursts until he rounded the corner to your house.

“I’m going to hang up, but I am at your house, I’ll be up soon.” Iida rasped as he took the phone form his ear and knocked loudly on your front door.

Your mum was the first to get to the door and she opened it.

“Who are y—,”

“Begging your pardon, ma’am, but your daughter, Y/N, needs me, my sincerest apologise for my intrusion but I MUST get to her.” He said, before slipping past her and running up the stairs.

“Who the fuck do you think you are?!” Your dad hollered drunkenly from the lounge when he saw Iida run up the stairs. “Get the fuck out of my house!”

But Iida was on a mission.

You heard the commotion outside your door and sat up, a new wave of panic washing over you as you heard footsteps approaching.

“Shit, shit, shit.” You screamed internally, body shaking uncontrollably with the petrified adrenaline that was now coursing through it.

Iida knocked briefly on your door before opening it and the minute you saw him you stumbled off the bed and threw your arms around him and he, you; holding your quivering form against his.

“I’m here.” He said soothingly, his firm, strong arms around you making you feel like you were wrapped in the world’s best security blanket.

“I told you to get the fuck out!” Your dad bellowed as he stumbled up the stairs, laboured breathing making him sound that much more terrifying.

You caught sight of him as he made his way towards your room and your face paled when you saw he had a half empty beer bottle in his hand and was swinging it with purpose: you had seen him do this many a time before using it as a weapon and you let out a scream as he approached your room.

“Iida, look out!” You hollered at the top of your lungs.

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