Note: I cahnged the rating to T because of the chapter 3. It ended up being a good bit darker than I had previously thought.
"I got through it. I quit taking the medication. I realized that anything that would 'fix' my brain would also ruin it. ADD is my greatest weakness, but it also is my greatest strength. It is part of what makes me smart. I think so quickly that I can get a lot more done, I can analyze really fast. I have a really good participatory memory too; I can't remember dry facts to save my life, because of the working memory deficits that come with ADD, but I can remember anything I'm involved in like I was there. Conversations and stuff. I remember everything. What people said, tone of voice, where they occurred, how people were standing…"
"Wow. You would make a good field agent."
"I guess, but I'm really better at analyzing. As long as I don't over-analyze."
"Can I ask a question?"
Nell nodded slowly.
"What are…what is…how does it affect you, like, negatively?"
"Well, I notice everything. I hear everything, I see everything, it's really distracting. I think in a curve, not a line. Though that does make me a pretty good analyst, because I never think inside the box. I'll also have, I guess, arguments with myself. Sometimes they're more like fights with myself. I get frustrated really easily…with other people and with myself, especially. Sometimes it's like I can't even think because all I can think about is how mad and frustrated I am. It just makes me want to scream…or swear…or clobber someone if they're what's frustrating me. But the worst is when I get frustrated with…myself. That's what happened this morning."
Eric looked contemplative. "Is it like this all the time?"
"Some days are better than others. Sometimes I barely notice it. Some days I fight it constantly. Days like today…are rare, thankfully. Stress tends to make it worse, and lack of sleep."
Eric grinned wryly. "Had plenty of both of those around here lately. Is that what…caused it?"
"Sorta." Nell studied her sandals. "It's also…you know, hormonal." Nell's cheeks felt warm.
"You're cute when you blush."
Someone outside the door snickered. Eric glanced at his monitor. "G.!" he yelled. "Get your sorry butt in here right now!" Eric unlocked the door and pulled Callen in by the sleeve. "How much did you hear?"
"Nell's something is hormonal and you think she's cute when she blushes."
Nell felt like her face was on fire. "Now you match your hair," Callen stated.
Eric was not amused. "You'd better not be lying, G.."
Callen looked Eric straight in the eye. "I'm not lying."
"Oh, and Hetty needs you to pull something up for her in here."
"Go get Nell a drink of water to redeem yourself, Callen. And if you tell anyone, I mean ANYONE, that we were up here alone with the doors locked, I will personally-"
"I got it, Eric. And you might want to get rid of those." Callen gestured toward the security camera feeds.
"Scat." Eric sat down in his chair just as Nell finished a text and hit send. She wasn't fast enough that he didn't get a glimpse, though. The message was "Can U talk 2nite?" Even more shocking, the recipient was 'Nate G.'