HATE MEETS LOVE

A GOOD NEWS

“I hate myself already.” The girl said to Dr. Thomas.

Dr. Thomas was the town's best doctor, a well-respected therapist who had changed so many lives with his words and sessions.

It was said that having a session with Dr. Thomas is like talking to yourself and making peace with your inner demons. All these seem to be useless as Dr. Thomas is frustrated to death by his most difficult challenge in the form of an 18-year-old named Riel Simon.

He looked at the young girl, who seemed lifeless on the couch she was lying on.

“Riel, try again,” he said, taking deep breaths to calm his nerves.

Never in his life had he ever lost his cool in front of patients, but this creature in front of him was trying to ruin that.

Riel opened her eyes as she looked at the chubby, middle-aged man. She had to give it to him. He was more persistent than other therapists she had visited. He had lasted more than 30 minutes without screaming or kicking her out of his office. That was impressive.

“Fatty, I've told you, I really do not like myself,” Riel said to Thomas.

“If you did hate yourself, you would have killed yourself by now,” Thomas said, trying to stir Riel's emotions.

Riel stared right back at him, void of any emotions.
“Have you ever hated your existence? Questioned why you are alive and repulsed by your very own reflection?”

“Just what in the world are you going through, dear Riel?” Dr. Thomas asked, trying to understand how a person could hate themselves this much.

“I would have answered you if we had time.” Riel said as she pointed at the huge wall clock on the other side of the wall. Thomas could not believe that he had been played.

She had laid down throughout the session and just ended it with a grand speech that lasted about a minute. Rubbing his eyes, he looked at her tiredly.

“Just don't hate yourself too much. That's not the right thing to do.”

“My mom died right in front of me, and I couldn't do anything to help her but scream.” She answered.

Before Thomas could say anything else, she was out of the office.

Riel was walking down the road, looking at the streets. A lot had changed. She had changed.

She remembered what it felt like to be happy. Not only that, but she wanted to feel it too, but she was too dead inside to even entertain the thoughts of happiness.

“We killed mum. Let's try to live our life in regret and not get distracted, okay?” She said out loud to herself.

“For the 1000th time, Riel Alohi
Simon, you did not kill your mother.”

A voice spoke sternly to her. A voice she knew all too well.

Looking at her stepfather, a man who had married her mother because he had lost his wife after childbirth. He never treated her badly and had always tried his best to protect her, and for that, she truly appreciated him. He's the reason she didn't choose suicide.

She had to live for him. And her step twin brothers as well.
“How did you know I was the one, father?” She asked.

“You are too unique. You stand out from afar, no literally you do.” He said.

“How was today's session?”

“Same old, same old.” Riel said.

Mr. Robinson reached out for her hand and intertwined his hand with hers.
Warmth shot through Riel's body as she stared at their hands that were locked.

“Let's have this rare father and daughter moment, shall we?”

“You really don't give me options, do you?” Riel said as she accepted her fate. She knew he was never going to let her go until they got home.

“I think I have news you would like.” Robin said, trying to have a conversation with her.

“The only thing I would like is if you tell me mum woke up.” Riel said.

Flicking Riel's head lightly, he said,
“She's not awake. Let her rest in the Lord's embrace. Like I said, I have good news, and I think you would like it, my ice princess.” Robin ended.

Riel could tell he was excited, and she really wanted to know the reason because his eyes were glittering like he had seen his favorite food.

“You were accepted to Regal High” Robin said happily.

“Of course I was accepted. I am a genius, after all,” Riel said, clearly impressed at that.

“You are indeed my daughter. So proud of you.” He said as he gave her a side hug.

“Dad, I really don't see any reason why I have to change schools,” Riel said.

“Don't say that. Regal comes with many opportunities, you could go to Regal University and get a job at the Diamond Enterprise, and we'll get to live in the city, not this washed up town,” Robin ended with a deep breath.

“Well, if you really want me to switch schools, I would, sir, anything to make you happy.”

“Are you happy?” He asked curiously.
“Your happiness is mine, don't worry about it.” Riel said, trying to ease his mind.

“Okay, you know the session has already begun. Would you be able to cope?” Robin asks.

“I'll be just fine, Father.”Riel answered.

“You leave on Sunday though, I tried shopping for new clothes for you, apparently it was not needed as there is a mall in the school that grants students free access.”

Robinson chuckled.
“You really had everything planned out.”
Riel said, as she saw the people in her neighborhood gathered in front of her house with gifts.

“I swear I just told Mrs. Shaul, and I guess Mrs. Shaul told the others,” Robinson said sheepishly.

“Thank you all for coming. Let's get this over with,” Riel ended as everyone cheered happily.

Robinson looked at his intelligent stepdaughter, who made him swell with pride.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he cleaned them quickly. He would rather not ruin the occasion.

Unknowingly for him, Riel had been observing him the whole time. If there was one thing she was grateful for, it's him. Her one true father.

(First chapter done, stay for a chap 2, please, it gets better.)

- ELLA💜