The heat of New York City's summer felt like a crushing weight on her chest. Jessica Ruiz clenched and unclenched her hands as she focused on not suffocating. Hector was away, as were her parents and since she'd dropped her phone in a smoothie the day before, she felt woefully cut off from the rest of the world.

But know the walls felt like they were closing in and the air had been sucked from the room and she couldn't think, she couldn't breathe, she couldn't breathe-

Tap tap tap

Jessica jumped at sound, turning to see Keith on the fire escape. Pushing the window open, be tried to climb in, spilling onto the floor in a heap.

"Hey!" he greeted her from his spot on the floor.

"I can't do it!" Jessica cried.

Keith looked at her, "Hey, what are you talking about?"

"I have a mountain of homework, no phone, no escape, and no college will have me and I'll never get out of here!" she yelled.

"Hey, hey, hey," Keith scrambled up, and helped her sit down on the couch.

"Look at me Jess," he said, taking her hands in his, "Deep breath, take a deep breath."

Jessica took a shaky breath.

"It's going to be okay, Jess, we'll get through this. I'm here and we'll figure out your homework first, then we'll tackle your college applications. You're smarter then you think, and any college out there would be happy to have you!"

Jessica wiped her eyes, "Thank you Keith."

He smiled, and hugged her, "Never forget, you are loved."