Healing Sophie (18+) - RH//DDLG

53 - Stage Fright & Opening Night

Sophie paced in front of the campus mental health clinic for what felt like the twentieth time and huffed in frustration. She should just go home. She was fine. She didn't need help, she just wanted to sleep.

As she turned to walk away, she heard the door creak open behind her. "Miss Hart?"

Sophie tensed and turned around to face a young woman with beautiful curly dark brown hair and stunning golden skin. "Y-Yes?"

The lady smiled and opened the door. "I'm Dr. Presley, but you can just call me Laura. I'd really love just a moment of your time, why don't we go chat over some hot cocoa? How does that sound?"

Sophie frowned and studied the building for quick exits. She could get to her car quickly if she ran. She sighed. She needed to do this. It was uncomfortable, but necessary. Plus, she really loved cocoa. "Okay..."

She followed Laura into the small building and looked around. It was quite cozy, with stuffed animals and coloring books scattered about. The room smelled like French vanilla, calming Sophie's heightened nerves. "Please, sit," Laura offered.

Sophie sat on the soft, green couch and looked around at all the inspirational posters as Laura made two cups of hot cocoa. "I... I don't really know what to talk about."

Laura placed a blue butterfly mug in front of Sophie and sat in the arm chair across from her. "You can talk about whatever is on your mind. You can say as little or as much as you want. There's really no wrong way to do therapy."

Sophie fidgeted with a chip in her mug and thought to herself. She didn't feel like talking all that much. She just felt drained. "I'm sorry."

"Hey, you're okay. Let's try something a little different, yeah?" Sophie nodded hesitantly. "Why don't you tell me what classes you're in at the moment?"

Sophie felt her body relax at the easy question. "Um, I'm in Calculus I, Ancient History, music appreciation, and theatre."

Laura smiled. "Wow, that's quite the workload! You must be in the play coming up then, right?"

Sophie nodded. "I got the lead part, actually."

"Oh my goodness, that's amazing! Do you enjoy theatre?"

Sophie smiled. "I love it, I have a few friends there and..." She paused, her mind going to Marcus. "I-it's good."

Laura gave Sophie her undivided attention, similar to how Chase always did. "Any trouble with your classes, Sophie?"

"Just busy. I've been having a little trouble balancing everything lately."

"Do you find yourself getting tired easily?"

"I'm always tired," she muttered, her body nearly groaning in agreement.

"Do you ever find yourself getting irritated or shutting down?"

Sophie frowned. "Sometimes, yeah. I just have a lot on my mind."

"Is there anything in particular on your mind?"

Sophie really didn't want to talk about what happened with Marcus. Not yet, at least. It was still too fresh. "My dad. He did something awful and has been trying to make up for it, but I don't know if I'm ready to move forward with him or if I even want a relationship with him."

Laura nodded and wrote in her notepad. "I see, can you tell me a little more about your relationship with your dad?"

Sophie let out a humorless laugh. "You probably wouldn't believe it all, but yeah."