It was the way he chewed on his nails until his fingers were raw. 

the way he trembled and studdered and looked around 

like he was watching out for something. 

Fidgeting and stumbling on his words hesitating and shaking as he spoke 

I could see the anxiety in his eyes as he answered the question 

“are you almost finished with your work?” 

yes, I am almost finished no, I do not want any help I can’t breathe please, 

don’t ask me any more questions. 

shaken to the core I could see it in his face, the young boy sitting in that desk 

struggling to keep his pencil from tap-tap-tapping on his books,

his fingernails, red and raw and soon to be nonexistent

his eyes- panic.