trauma bonding ~ dustbunny

two

It was as awful as I expected. Everyone took turns introducing themselves and explaining why they attended the session. I couldn't help but have been completely over it by the time they got to me.

"My name is Rumi, my girlfriend cheated on me, and convinced me to be okay with it for three months."

No one spoke for a while after that. They just stared. I didn't need to come to terms with anything, I know what went wrong in my relationship. I don't need a therapist to pinpoint that for me. No one talked to me aside from Fuyumi and that was fine. It's not like I was ever going to see any of them again. At least I thought that until Fuyumi pulled up to my apartment three days later. "Looks like you're being summoned," Keigo groans, half awake. "Damn it, I thought she'd drop it." I reluctantly tied my shoes and grabbed my wallet. "You knew better." He was right. I did. I can't even be upset due to how hard she's smiling when I get into her car.

"Do they look okay? It was around one in the morning by the time I finished so they might look a little sloppy." I stared down at the homemade macarons. I've never seen anything so perfect. The red pastries matched the natural highlights in her hair. "I hope no one notices," she mutters, nervously tapping the steering wheel. "They look delicious Yumi. I'm surprised you were able to stay up that long." Fuyumi had the sleep schedule of an old woman. Most nights, she was out by seven-thirty. That is unless she had papers she needed to grade. Even then she's most likely to wake up early rather than stay up late to finish her work. "I called my brother." I don't ask which one.

I offered to help her with the two large boxes of pastries but she denied me. We took the same route to the support room or whatever the hell once entering the building. "I'm gonna go to the bathroom real quick." She nods and I turn to the ladies' room. I stand against the sink for a while trying to convince myself this is worth it. Though I'm not sure it is. I take a few breaths before forcing myself to return to the hallway. As soon as I did I couldn't help but freeze. The creep from last time was standing in front of the door. He's scratching his neck, even harder than before. I watch him for a few seconds and he doesn't do anything. Then he reaches for the door handle. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" He yanks his hand away, turning to me. "Oh, I-"

"Could you be any more deplorable?" His eyes go wide as he takes a step back. It was so obvious he had never been told no before. "Seriously? You're so pathetic that you have to pick a fucking hospital to prey on the vulnerable? You are disgusting. This is a space for victims, not freaks like you." He stares at me silently for a second. I notice his eyes search my entire face like he's looking for something; then they water before he walks away without a word.

What a fucking crybaby.

I take a deep breath. I could feel the desk lady's eyes staring into me but I didn't care. Who needs a damn support group when you can just yell at freaks. I felt oddly calm. Maybe it was just what I wanted to say to-

"Hey, are you coming?" Fuyumi pops her head into the hallway. Before I can answer her face falls. "Weird...'Mura is here."