Intrigued by his response, I leaned in slightly, encouraging him with a nod to continue. He seemed to gather some courage, taking a deep breath before he spoke again.

“I… I just can’t sit still for too long. It feels like… ants crawling under my skin,” he confessed, his voice trembling with a mix of frustration and relief at finally sharing his burden. “I try to focus, but my body just won’t let me. It’s like I’m trapped in a restless loop.”

His confession struck me. This wasn’t just a case of a boy seeking attention; there was a deeper struggle at play. I realized my previous judgments had been superficial, based on assumptions rather than understanding. His eyes, which I had misinterpreted as mischievous, were instead filled with a silent plea for help.

“Daniel,” I said softly, trying to convey understanding and support, “thank you for telling me this. It must be really difficult for you.”

He nodded, a small sigh escaping his lips, as if a weight had been slightly lifted. “I