Sand Timer- Part 2 (Zoe)

"-and we will always be here for you if you ever need someone to talk to or fall back on," Perry went on.
I yawned, bored with longing for this session to end. Checking my watch again, I saw that we only had about five minutes left- thank god. It was the last session of my terminal, ordered by the court following my hospitalization after overdosing on heroine. I shivered slightly, to remember that night was not something I planned on doing.
"Now I would like to congratulate you all in turn," Perry smiled, oblivious to my glowering stare at this comment. No way was I going to go up there in front of all these people. It was like some graduation day for primary school kids and some of my 'fellow classmates' were really putting on the dumb, excited kid act.
"Natasha Foster," Perry called, clapping and smiling as Tasha walked up to the small stage. Tasha was almost 20 and had chin length gingery blonde hair which I was supposed to call strawberry blonde.
As the rest of them went up to accept a certificate, a chocolate bar and a handshake, I checked my phone for messages- two from Greg, probably asking if I'd read the latest Heat or documenting how his date night with his partner Terry had gone.
"Zoe Nickson," I was drawn back to the scene of pretend excitement around me, as Perry called my name.
I scowled at him from my seat at the back of the room, my legs bent up on the chair with my head rested on my knees and my back hunched, I was pretty sure the overall position made me look like a preying vulture.
"Zoe Nickson," he called again, slightly louder, his expression slightly less friendly.
I sighed, exasperated as he glared at me pointedly, and stood. Everybody began clapping again and soon the room had erupted with cheering and clapping. It swelled over me, grabbing at my limbs, making me sweat with anxiety. I began to panic, I couldn't breath as I walked slowly toward the stage. Suddenly I was trapped within claustrophobia itself. My muscles froze, my heart raced, blood pounded in my ears. Too many people, too much noise, too many eyes watching. Watching me, everybody watching me. Panic flooded throughout my body, nausea burned my stomach and my throat. I ran, towards the side door leading out to the staff car park. Flinging the door open I ran outside and collapsed against the wall, breathing in the fresh air and rejoicing in the absence of people.