A Paper Cut Is The Least Of My Worries

APCLW - Chp 18

Vincent’s POV

                Immediately after I stepped into the psychologist’s office, I noticed the colors on the wall were dull and unexciting.  It wasn’t unexciting in a dreary way, but the colors just weren’t exciting.  Navy blue coated the walls that enclosed us in a room, and a dark purple strip followed along the wall. The carpet was a navy blue as well. A bay window leaked light into the room making it somewhat brighter. I saw Dr. Sloan who to my surprise was a female, sitting behind a desk, clicking away on her computer. I had been expecting a male psychologist because that’s what my mom had told me.  But then again should I really be surprised that Dr. Sloan was a woman? Knowing my parents, they probably wouldn’t want me talking to a male psychologist; they probably thought I’d jump his bones or something. I wonder why my mom told me that Dr. Sloan was a male then? It really didn’t matter, I was resentful either way.

“Hello Vincent, please come and have a seat. Make yourself at home.” she stopped clicking on her mouse and turned to me, looking down at a binder that was open in front of her. Her voice was smooth, calm, and most of all, irritating. I could already tell that I was going to be annoyed throughout this entire thing. I hoped for my sake and hers that she’d speak with more emotion and less emptiness before I really got irritated.

                I didn’t say anything though; I just sat down in the chair she gestured for me to sit in. she even had that psychologist look to her. She had dark wire-rimmed glasses that were thin around her face. Her dark brown hair was thrown into a bun with a few strands escaping it on the left side of her face. She had dark brown eyes that went perfectly with her chestnut skin, and they seemed friendly and trustworthy. “How are you today?”

“Fine.” I said sharply.

“How was school?”

“Fine.” I repeated.

“Are you feeling nervous?”

“No.”

“How or what are you feeling?”

“I feel annoyed and angry.” I said honestly. Hey, I was supposed to tell the truth, wasn’t I? She didn’t even blink an eye at my answer though. She wasn’t surprised at all.

“Tell me Vincent, why are you here?”

“My parents think I need counseling because I told them I was bisexual.”                           

“Are you comfortable with that?”

“Only around certain people.” I replied.               She hummed something and typed wrote something down on a piece of paper in front of her.                    

“Tell me about that Vincent, about your bisexuality.” I thought about it, but what was there really to say? Everyone knew what bisexual meant, so how was I supposed to explain it further? “I want you to think of me not as a psychologist, but as your friend. It’ll be easier if you do that. I know it may be hard, but I’m trying to help you.” I relaxed as she said those words. She was right; she was only trying to help. “My patients are more than just patients Vincent; I like to get to know them. They tell me a little about them, I tell them a little about me, do you see how this works?”           I nodded. “Good. Now, tell me about yourself.”

“I’m a senior in high school; I’ve lived in California all my life. When I graduate I’d love to study criminology, like the FBI stuff you see on TV. I don’t think my parents want that for me though. I think they would rather me be a doctor or a lawyer. They just want me to have the best.” I paused as she stared at me, obviously waiting for more. What else could I tell her? “I think I’ve always known that I wasn’t straight. It just hasn’t really become a huge issue until this year. I couldn’t keep it in any longer. I just felt like I was going to pop.”