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It had been a week since Lovette arrived in Massachusetts, and during that time, she and Chris had been in constant communication. Lovette had initially worried that their frequent messaging would lead to a lull in their conversations. However, to her delight, the opposite had happened.
As Lovette sat at the table, her phone buzzed, indicating an incoming FaceTime call. She picked it up and saw Chris's name on the screen, instantly bringing a smile to her face. With a swipe, she answered the call.
"Hey, Chris!" Lovette greeted, her voice brimming with warmth and excitement.
"Hey, Lovie," Chris replied playfully, his voice laced with affection.
"Lovie?" Lovette chuckled, her curiosity piqued. "Where did that come from?"
Chris laughed on the other end, his amusement evident. "I don't know, it just slipped out. But I kind of like it. It suits you."
Lovette felt herself flush at the unexpected endearment, feeling a rush of happiness. "Well, I don't mind it. It's cute."
"Good," Chris said, his voice filled with satisfaction. "From now on, you're Lovie to me."
Throughout their conversation, Chris would occasionally slip in the nickname "Lovie," and Lovette couldn't help but feel a flutter of warmth every time she heard it. It felt personal and special, like a secret between the two of them. As Lovette's eyes drifted to the time, she realized that she needed to leave for her therapy session sooner rather than later.
"Sorry, Chris, but I actually have to go," she said apologetically, reluctantly preparing to end the call.
"Bye, Lovie," Chris said playfully before they bid farewell and the call ended.
As Lovette opened the door, her older sister, Maeve, stood before her. There was an eager gleam in Maeve's eyes, hinting at something important she wanted to share.
"I've been meaning to show you something," Maeve said, guiding Lovette toward one of the rooms in the basement.
Lovette's confusion lingered until Maeve swung the door open, revealing a sight that instantly sparked recognition. The younger girl's eyes fell upon the familiar white surface—Polyglide. Memories flooded her mind, starting with the joy of skating, but quickly morphing into a vivid and painful recollection. The image blurred, and Lovette's mind was consumed by the haunting memories of discovering her father's lifeless body and desperately trying to resuscitate her mother, their last moments forever etched in her heart.
Overwhelmed, Lovette swiftly backed away from the doorway, her heart pounding in her chest as her breaths grew shallow and rapid. Tears welled in her eyes, and the world seemed to spin out of control. She could sense her sister's presence, a grounding touch on her shoulder, attempting to anchor her in the present.
"Love?" Maeve called out, her voice filled with concern. "Can you hear me?"
Lovette's eyes widened, her movements erratic, as if trapped in the grip of her own turbulent emotions. She recoiled from her sister's touch, her body trembling.
"Love, it's me," Maeve stated firmly, gently caressing Lovette's hair. "Lovette, you need to breathe."
Struggling to regain control, Lovette's chest felt heavy, suffocating. Yet, as she clung to her sister's arms, seeking solace and stability, her breathing began to steady. Her heart rate gradually slowed, finding harmony once more.
Maeve remained silent for a few moments, her touch a soothing balm on Lovette's troubled soul. "Just breathe," she whispered softly, a mantra of comfort and reassurance.
*ੈ✩‧₊˚
"You had a panic attack, Lovette," Dr. Florence explained gently, her hands resting calmly in her lap as she listened to Lovette's recollection of the distressing afternoon.
"I know," Lovette responded quietly, her gaze appearing distant, lost in the depths of her own thoughts. "I'm just not ready to skate again."
Dr. Florence nodded, her expression understanding, and encouraged Lovette to delve deeper. "Why do you feel you're not ready?"
Lovette shrugged, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "It's the memories, I guess. I love figure skating, but there's this part of me that feels guilty for enjoying it, knowing that what happened with my parents was caused by them picking me up from practice."
Dr. Florence leaned forward, her empathetic eyes fixed on Lovette's face. "Lovette, it's important to recognize that the accident was not your fault. You were just pursuing something you love, and the circumstances that unfolded were beyond your control. Blaming yourself will only hinder your healing process."
Lovette sighed, her gaze meeting Dr. Florence's. "I know deep down it wasn't my fault, but it's hard to shake off that feeling. Every time I think about stepping on the ice again, the memories flood back, and I can't help but associate skating with the accident."
Dr. Florence offered a gentle smile, radiating warmth and compassion. "It's completely natural to have such emotions, Lovette. Healing takes time, and it's okay to take things at your own pace. Your love for figure skating is a beautiful part of who you are, and it shouldn't be overshadowed by guilt and pain. We can work through this together."
Lovette nodded, her expression full of vulnerability. "I'd like that."
Dr. Florence's reassuring voice enveloped the room. "That's a courageous step, Lovette. We'll navigate this journey together, exploring strategies to gradually rebuild your relationship with figure skating. We'll create a safe space for you to confront your fears and reframe your perspective, allowing you to find joy in skating again."
Lovette's eyes sparkled with a glimmer of hope, a small but significant shift in her mindset. "So, how would it work?"
Dr. Florence leaned forward, her eyes shining with encouragement. "I'll introduce strategies to help you pursue skating again at a pace that feels comfortable for you. We'll start by gradually exposing you to the skating environment, creating a sense of safety and familiarity."
Lovette nodded, her apprehension slowly transforming into curiosity. "How can we do that?"
Dr. Florence outlined the initial steps of their plan. "First, we'll visit the ice rink together, not with the intention of skating immediately, but to observe from a distance. We'll take our time, allowing you to acclimate to the sights, sounds, and atmosphere. This way, we can begin to desensitize your mind to the triggers associated with the traumatic memories."
Lovette pondered the idea, finding a glimmer of hope in the carefully crafted plan. "That sounds doable."
Dr. Florence smiled, acknowledging Lovette's resilience. "We'll also incorporate relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises and grounding exercises, to help you cope with any anxiety or emotional distress that may arise during the process. These techniques will empower you to navigate the emotions and stay connected with the present moment."
Lovette hoped that Dr. Florence's plan was the beginning of a transformative journey, one that would gradually lead her back to the ice, reclaiming her love for figure skating and, in the process, discovering her own strength and resilience.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: waayy shorter chapter than usual (its only like 1.2k words), cause its a filler but I'm hoping you guys like it
i really enjoy writing therapy scenes b/c i want to be a psychiatrist one day so the research is always really interesting to see
I'm hoping you guys are liking lovette as a character as much as i do! but dw chris is in the next chapter (it tends to alternate if you catch the pattern)
