DISTRACTION | Spencer Reid Fanfic

7

Maybe Y/n was right. I should give NA another chance. At the very least it would make my therapist happy.

My steps slowed as I entered the large, echoey room. People were already trapsing around the room forming small huddles. The chairs were lined up in rows, from the front of the room to the back in a way that no one would have to sit in the vicinity of anyone else if they didn't want to. The theatre was interesting place. The ceiling where high, the intricate panelling that bolstered the columns were mesmerising. It was a wonder that anyone would be able to focus on the sinister reason they were here. Then it struck me. A sick feeling developed in my stomach. I couldn't do this today. My feet fell backwards, sneaking away from the meeting.

I was so concerned that nobody inside the room would see my cowardly decision that I hadn't realised I was walking straight into someone.

"Sorry," I mumbled, ducking my head down to escape.

"Dr Reid?" Had someone really recognised me. Why would have to make an excuse that I was here for a case.

I turned slowly, but the face wasn't one that I recognised. "Yes? Sorry. Have we met before?"

"No," the man laughed. He held out his hand. "I'm Marc. I run this group." He noticed that I hadn't extend me hand to his. Marc closed his hand. "Y/n told me that you might pop by." He stepped past me and into the auditorium. "We really hope you stay." He glanced around the room at the turn out. "But no pressure. It's better to do this in your own time."

"Y/n told you about me?" Was I on her mind like she was on mine?

"Just that you might come and visit us." He left me at the door and began to greet people that had already chosen their seats.

My feet pulled me into the room and to a seat at the back. I ended up staying all the way through to the end. But I couldn't help but wander. What was Y/n's story? Her ability to identify the signs and all the knowledge she had worried me. She was maybe 22-23 years old, but she was wise beyond her years. Behind her cheerful, bubby personality was something buried. Something she didn't want to relive. How could something as destructive as this touch her?

The mystery was endearing. I wanted to be near her. Know her. Talk to her. But I hadn't used my common sense and got her number. I would have to wait until I ran into her again.

Luckily for me, as fate would have it, if you believe in that kind of thing. There she was sitting at a table near the window of the restaurant that JJ had chosen for her birthday. The host led me towards the table that the team was already occupying before I could go over to her. Coincidently, the only open chair, had Y/n's table right in view. She had her fork in one hand and a pen in the other. She would take a bite with one hand and scribble annotations down with the other. I noticed that the other two females on her table were in similar positions. Eating and studying? It made me smile. That is exactly what I would do when I was in college. In my opinion, it's efficient. In fact, I still do that now. If I didn't know for sure that Derek would slap the book out of my hadn and replace it with a drink. I would be doing that now.

The waiter came to the table to take our order. While my attention was trained on the waiter and regurgitating everyone's order, my view of Y/n was blocked once her left, I saw the table she was missing from the table. I had missed my opportunity. She must have left. After a quick glance around the restaurant, I turned my attention back to the conversation that Gideon had started. I felt Derek's eyes on me.

"What?"

"Did you see that table by the window?" Derek took a swig of his drink.

"What table?"