Game of Memories

Past

I nervously stepped into the room, my throat suddenly dry. This wasn't what I had expected at all. I thought a therapist's office would look like the ones in old movies—an old man behind a desk with a long couch for the patient. But this room felt warm and welcoming. A pile of toys in the corner made me think the therapist worked with kids. If children could do this, maybe I was overthinking. Maybe everything would be okay... I hoped.

A woman, probably in her late thirties, stood up with a kind smile. Her long blonde hair was over one shoulder, and her gentle eyes caught me off guard. "You must be Ashtine," she said, still smiling.

I cringed at the name. I had left that behind; it wasn't me anymore. "Uh..." My voice was shakier than I expected. "It's Ash."

The therapist's eyes widened slightly before she looked closely at my face. She glanced at the folder in her hand, then back at me. "I have your name down as Ashtine Fuentes."

A sharp pain hit my chest, but I forced myself to stay calm. How could a simple name hurt this much? "I, uh... I don't..." My thoughts were a mess, and my voice cracked. "Please," I whispered. "Call me Ash."

She nodded. "Ash. Please, have a seat, and we'll begin."

I sat in the chair closest to the door, needing an easy escape if things went wrong. My hands fidgeted in my lap, and I avoided looking at her. My discomfort was growing, and I wasn't sure I could make it through the session—or even the next few minutes.

"My name is Daisy," the therapist said, settling into her chair. "So, Ashti—" She quickly corrected herself. "Ash. Let's start with something simple. How old are you?"

My voice was quiet and shaky. "Twenty-one. I just turned twenty-one."

"And are you from New York?" She watched me closely, making me feel uneasy.

I didn't want to talk about my hometown, so I just shook my head.

"So you're new here?" Daisy asked. "How long have you been here?"

I let out a quiet breath, relieved at the change in topic. "Just a couple of days."

"Do you have family here? Where are you staying?" she asked. My heartbeat picked up, and I felt panic rising inside me.

"I... rented a beach house," I managed to say. I just wanted to answer quickly so this could be over.

"That sounds nice. At least you have a comfortable place," Daisy said with a small smile.

I shifted in my seat. "Yeah, um..." I hesitated, not sure if I wanted to share more. But I knew Nana would want me to try. This was my first step toward healing. I couldn't let her down.

When I finally looked at Daisy, I saw concern in her eyes. My stomach dropped. I didn't like that look—it felt like pity. If she kept looking at me like that, I wasn't sure I could tell her anything real.

The rest of the session was spent on small details about my life. It seemed like Daisy knew I wasn't ready to open up yet. She didn't push me to share too much, and that made me feel safe. By the end of the session, I felt more at ease with her. She wasn't as bad as I thought she'd be. In fact, I almost looked forward to coming back.

Just as I decide to go home, a loud voice rings out on the sidewalk, making my ears ring and my mouth shut at the sudden interruption. "Well, look who it is," the voice says, full of spite. My eyes are drawn to the familiar woman walking toward our table with confidence and arrogance, as if she thinks she's the best. Even though it's been five years since I last saw her, I recognize her instantly. As I look at her, I find it hard not to laugh; Cassy Herniates, once the most beautiful and popular girl in school, is now far from it.