Anxiety sneaks up on me

One minute I'm laughing, often faking it

Or sometimes just doing homework

And it's worse when it's loud

Or crowded, or if he's around

But suddenly I can't breathe.

Suddenly I'm trapped

The walls, ceiling, and floor are closing in

I feel a familiar rush of panic radiating

It's in my toes, and my racing heart

My head pounds, and all I can think is

"Are they staring? Do I look crazy?"

But that's for only a second

Then it's all black.

I can't breathe. I gasp for air

I reach out, feeling for the world around me

All there is around me is

Darkness.

Loneliness.

Panic.

It's snuck up on me again,

My anxiety has perpretrated a sneak attack

And I wasn't ready.