Second Ave Series: Ac-Counting on You (WLW)

The Push

!!!My novels are completely off-limits to any adaptations and if plagiarized, you will be reported!!!

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Gwen Murray brushed her hair around her face, hiding it from prying eyes as she stepped out of the second avenue office suites wherein she'd only just had her twice weekly therapist sessions. Her therapist, Doctor Kokkinos, was a precious commodity and brought relaxation into her life like no other had up until that point, which wasn't an easy feat. The only person who held that glorious title was her little brother who'd pushed her into visiting the psychologist in the first place. After finding her online and meeting her before telling Gwen about her presence so near her home, Tel brought the news to her with the adage that she would truly benefit from meeting with the woman.

He hadn't been wrong.

Fiona helped her more than she could express and she currently lived for their sessions. With that being said, their latest was a whirlwind and she was still reeling from the doctor's revelations. Fiona called her a friend. Friend... Gwen recalled as she made her way down the sidewalk leading toward the building of offices and spotted a group of four people carrying on a rather lively conversation. Each was smiling so widely that Gwen was surprised it didn't hurt their faces. Had she ever smiled so big?

Gwen couldn't recollect the last time she grinned so eagerly and she admired their joyous ambiance as they all made their way toward the offices. Moving past her, only one seemed to notice her presence and she felt her eyes bulge the moment they met gazes. The woman was the most lively out of the bunch and bore short spiked hair dyed the colors of the rainbow. She held piercings here and there and her smile never faltered as she looked right into Gwen's eyes. Out of pure instinct, she brushed her fingers through her hair once more and covered the large burn scar draped across her left temple that traipsed the length of the cheek beneath it.

She cast her eyes away, but her intrigue won out and she hazarded another glance toward the enigmatic woman only once she was past her. Peeking back over her shoulder, she found her gripping the arm of the singular man among their group and he followed her gaze toward Gwen. There it was. There was the look she always spotted across the face of all those who glanced her direction, though this particular expression somewhat surprised her as Doctor Kokkinos words resonated within her mind.

Not everyone is so judgmental, Gwen. Some people are kind and those are onto whom you are meant to cling. Gwen gulped as the words permeated her mind and her throat ran dry. This woman was smiling as was the man whose arm she held. He sent Gwen a wink, but before it could go any further as she noticed the woman slowing her trod and extending her hand, she spun around. Sure, not everyone was cruel and she knew that, but that didn't mean she was so quick to believe expressions which she was truly unable to read. With her lack of real interaction with others, which was something she enabled to the fullest extent as she enjoyed her solitude to a certain extent, she could never be sure what someone's features meant, nor what ill intent they may hold behind their seemingly docile expressions.

For all she knew, it could be like before in college. They could have a darker purpose than perceived. They could be made to lure her in again and commit those ludicrous acts yet again. She couldn't allow that. Not for a second.

Gwen hurriedly dodged the would-be interaction and hauled ass as quickly as her legs would carry her away despite the woman calling out to her, "Wait! I just wanted to say I really like your--"

She never finished her words as Gwen ran toward the sidewalk leading around the corner toward her home and ducked her head as she disappeared from sight. She may have been seeing her therapist to help her with being more open and willing to push past her comfort zone, yet she wanted it to be on her own terms. Not some random encounter that could lead to only more hurt. Gwen had dealt with that agony enough in her past and she wasn't willing to welcome the unpredictable just yet. Although, if she didn't, how could she ever have the things she truly desired.