Sweetheart

42

"Have you ever been to therapy, Natsu?"

"No."

"What are you hoping to get out of therapy?"

"So the courts will get off my back. Listen, Miss...uh..."

"You can call me Melanie."

"Well Melanie, I don't really think I'm gonna get anything productive out of this. Therapy just doesn't seem like my sort of thing."

"That's a valid thought. Therapy isn't for everyone, but I want you to at least try before you make that decision. Many people come into therapy thinking that it won't help, but some of them actually enjoy it after the first couple times."

Natsu stayed silent and started looking around.

"It's really colorful in here," he suddenly stated.

Melanie smiled and said that she wanted it to feel welcoming. Natsu kept looking off to look at all the different posters and lettering. His eyes wandered over to the large (and very full) bookcase in the corner. He paled.

"I'm not making you read all of them, Natsu," Melanie assured when she saw his panicked expression. "You'll probably only end up reading a couple pages if you even have to read them at all."

She studied him and saw that he was looking at the clock.

"Natsu, are you nervous?"

"Wha--uh..."

"This is a place where you can talk about anything. Anything you say here stays in this room."

"You're gonna go back to Miss Labelle about it."

"Actually, I'm not legally allowed to tell anyone anything. The only time I am is when I feel that you are a threat to either yourself or others."

"Like what?"

"Well a therapist usually reports something like suicidal or homicidal behavior or ideation. I'm a mandated reporter, so I have to tell someone about that or if I suspect abuse or neglect. But since you're emancipated you don't have to worry about that part. Which means you can open up about things here, Natsu."

He started tapping his fingers on the arm of the chair he was sitting in.

"Why don't we try an introductory exercise? I'll ask you some questions and you can answer them if you feel comfortable. Just stay silent if you want me to move onto the next question, okay?"

Natsu gave a small nod and looked at her, quickly making eye contact before his eyes darted to the colorful painting on the far wall.

"What's your full name?"

"Natsu Dragneel."

"And how old are you?"

"I'm turning eighteen."

"Do you have a job?"

"I, uh, work at a fish market."

"Do you work there often?"

"Do you have to report illegal things?"

"Is it harmful?"

"The job just isn't legal."

"Fish market? That's not a coverup, is it?"

Natsu laughed and shook his head before admitting, "It's just that I work under the table and I haven't been following labor laws for years."

"Well that's not something I need to report," she said as she returned her laughter. "Do you often feel tired?"

"Well yeah, but I work the night shift and then have to go to school right after."