Océane's Eyes

•IV•

I'm always eager for classes to end but not as eager as today. I wonder what Eden wore today.

Mum picks me up and we drive to the familiar building. I walk up to the office on my own and knock on the door.

Almost immediately the door opens revealing Eden's manly figure, he holds on to the door handle and has his other hand on his hip. He has a deep green fitted v neck sweater over a white collared shirt and fitted black pants.

I can bet his best color is green.

"Océane, come in"

"You can call me ocean if it's too much to pronounce, I'm used to being called ocean anyways."

He pronounces my name just right but I can tell he finds it hard.

"No, I'm good. I've been working on my french" he says and chuckles

"Oh really. My mum would be a great teacher. But don't ask her though, she'll find it offensive"

It didn't end well for the first person that asked.  I take a seat and I feel more at ease than the day before.

"Uhmm, sir-"

"Eden" he corrects me

"Eden, can I skip Saturday, I want to go out with a friend"

"Does your mum know about this" he asks and takes a sip out of a glass of water.

Lucky glass

"She'll know, eventually"

"Okay, once she approves then sure"

"Thanks"

" So, anything you want to tell me?"

"Uhhh yeah. I don't like hugs"

"Really?, bummer. I'm a huge hugger" he says and laughs

I'd love to hug you

"Ever since the incident I've felt akward and irritated when it comes to physical touch, from my parents and my friends"
"It feel suffocating even if it isn't?"

"Yes" like he read my mind

"It won't last long, trust me. You're still in self defense mode, you don't see the people that care from you as any different from the people that hurt you.
He gets up and stretches his arms apart. "Hug me"

"W..what?!" I feel my heart skip a beat,  already heart?! Your so freaking weak.

"Come on, get up and hug me. I won't bite"

I get up and walk over to his tall figure. I wrap my arms around his torso and place my head on his chest. Oh my... This feels amazing. I take in his scent, strong and manly but yet welcoming. He has his arms wrapped around me, I feel so safe.

"See, I'm not going to hurt you, just want to show you that I care"

"Mmmm hmmm." I smile and close my eyes, nudging my head closer to his chest.

"Okay.. " he says and taps my shoulder lightly, why?!!!!!!

I let go of him and we walk back to our seats. "Just allow yourself feel, got it?"
I'll just picture anyone I'm hugging as Eden, it's a win win.

"Question" I state, raising up my index finger like I'm in class.

"Sure"

"Are you single?"

He looks at me and laughs, "Océane we've talked about this, it's your session not mine. But since your really curious I can tell, I'll allow you one question every therapy session okay?"
I enthusiastically nod my head and smile.

"Why that question though" he asks still staring at me. Unlike me, Eden is not afraid of eye contact, I think he enjoys it.

"Just curious" I couldn't come up with anything better.

"Well, since I owe you an answer. Yeah, I am single. Just got out of a relationship I wasn't that happy in so yeah, I'm on my own. You have anyone?"

Why's he asking

Cause he's a nice guy that reciprocates questions, duhh.

"Uhmm. No, but my crush since 5th grade asked me on a date today, that's why I asked for Saturday"

"That's really nice. Having a partner can make healing a lot easier, so I wish you good luck"

"Thanks"

The sessions are meant to be for an hour but they feel like five minutes, mum is already here to pick me up and I say a sad  good bye to Eden. I replay the hug in my head and smile. "Sorry I came late honey, I got called back to work" mum says.

"That was late? Felt like you came too early"

"Sounds like someone is not finding therapy so bad, oui?"

"Oui" I smile

We get back home, I change from the uncomfortable turtle neck to something more free. The classic tanktop and shorts combo. I try to catch up on school work, all the assignments and the notes. Saturday feels so close I can taste it, I wonder where we'll be going, what if it's a grave yard?

Don't be stereotypical, Océane.

Then I here a light knock on my bedroom door. "Come in"

"Mum, I'm studying."

"I know, but your friend, the short one. She's here"

"Drea?! Why?"

"I don't know"

I also don't know why we are both whispering.

"Tell her I went for a medical or something"

"It's 6 pm Océane"

Shit, I'm not ready for her to see me like this and if I get fully dressed that will look a bit sus won't it? I'm just not ready
"I think we should just let her in" mum says

"No, please mum"

"Fine, I know what to do" she closes my door and I hear her walk downstairs, I can't hear what she's saying but after a while I hear the front door close and foot steps climbing up the staircase, I'm relieved when it's my mum that enters my room. "All done"

"What did you do, hope you didn't make her hate me"

"No, she's probably just wondering why I'm so strict all of a sudden, so give her a good reason tomorrow when you go to school."

"Sure. Thanks mum"

I'm sure the being grounded incident would cover up that mess.

"Also, dinner is ready"

Finally, I'm starving. I've slowly started getting my appetite back, lucky for mum. I get downstairs and join my parents for dinner.

"Mum, can I not go for therapy on Saturday"

"mais pourquoi? I thought you said you liked it?"

"Yeah, but I also like hanging out with my friends"

I don't want to let her know it's a date, don't know if she will be cool with it but better safe than sorry.

"Okay then, the short friend would want to make up for today so okay, I'll allow it. But I'll have to tell doctor Eden"

"Don't worry, I've told him"

She looks at me quite shocked, but impressed shocked.