For little Aubs and Lauren! 

Finnegan the fish wiggled out of his seaweed bed, but his tummy felt twisty- it was the first day of school.

Mom swam in. "Time to get up, sweetie!"

Dad swam in. "Sea-snail pancakes are waiting!"

Finnegan frowned. 

"What if I get lost in school?"

Mom hugged him. "It's okay to be nervous."

Dad smiled. "You're braver than you think."

Mom added, "And your teacher will help you if you need anything."

Finnegan took a deep breath. His fins still trembled- but a little less.

Finnegan ate his sea-snail pancakes with his older brother. 

They were warm and buttery and made his tummy so happy. 

Mom packed his shell-pack.

Dad kissed him. "You've got this!"

At the reef gate, Finnegan stopped. 

"Will you be here after school?"

Mom smiled. "Always."

Finnegan took a deep breath....

and swam toward the school. 

His teacher smiled. "Welcome, everyone! 

Let's go around and say our names."

Finnegan's heart thumped. 

His turn was getting closer. 

 A pufferfish, a green fish, another clownfish...

Then it was Finnegan's turn. 

He froze. 

His chest felt tight.

His fins curled up and felt sweaty.

His heart raced. 

His thoughts swirled.

What if I say it wrong? What if they laugh?

He couldn't speak.  

He couldn't move. 

He felt like he was going to throw up his sea-snail pancakes.

Tears bubbled in his eyes and streamed down his face. 

The teacher came close. 

"It's okay," He said. 

"Let's go take a break."

The teacher swam with him to the office.

A jellyfish from the office called Finnegan's mom. 

Finnegan said, "I want to go home."

"We're coming," she said. 

He waited on a stool.

His fins shook.

He breathed... slow and small. 

Mom swam in. 

Finnegan rushed into her fins. 

"You're okay," she whispered.

The jellyfish said,

"This might be panic... a panic disorder."

Mom nodded.

"We'll figure it out."

Finnegan still shook-- 

but felt safe. 

Mom took Finnegan home.

She made his favorite snack-

sea-cracker sandwiches.

He curled up in front of the shell TV.

The soft glow helped him breathe.

Mom swam into the other room. 

She picked up the shell phone. 

The shell phone clicked. 

"Coral Reef Counseling," said a calm voice. 

"My son had a panic attack," Mom said. 

"He's scared a lot."
"You did the right thing," said the voice.

"We can help."

"He's a sweet fish," Mom said. 

"He just gets overwhelmed."

"We'll go slow," the voice replied.

"He won't be alone."