Another Reason To Live (Watty Awards 2014)

Chapter 11

Chapter 11:

I waved goodbye to Gerard and Mikey as they drove away from my house after dropping me off. After their car disappeared, I entered my house and was greeted by my father.

"Hey Scarlette," he greeted.

I shut the door behind me and rested against it. "Hey, Dad."

"How was volunteering?" he asked, scanning me, probably making sure that it looked like I had actually done work.

I shrugged. "It was fine. Interesting, too. There's a lot of unique people there."

He nodded and smoothed his hair with his right hand and glanced around the room.

"Listen," he sighed, "your mom wanted me to remind you of our little deal."

My eyebrows furrowed and I felt a puzzled expression appear on my face. "What deal?"

He briefly met eye contact with me before leaning his frame against the window.

"The one where we all agreed that if you weren't better by the end of spring break, that we would take you to see a therapist," he explained. He seemed hesitant to remind me about it, which made me wonder if he was worried about what my reaction would be.

I felt my stomach sink a bit as our conversation from earlier in the break came back into my head. I had indeed agreed that if Gerard hasn't helped me by the time shook started, that I would go seek help from a professional.

"But Dad, I'm fine-"

"That's what you used to tell us all of the time. Before...that night," he interrupted quietly.

I sighed. "I know, but really, Gerard has helped me so much. Honestly."

He shrugged and looked out the window and watched as a van drove by. "That's up for your mother and I to decide. I'm not saying it'll be today, since we still have the weekend left before school."

I pressed my lips together, regretting agreeing to their demands. I should've known that they would do this - let me think that I wouldn't have to go to therapy. They probably planned on sending me anyways and this way would make it seem like I agreed to go as well.

"Fine," I muttered before leaving the room and heading towards the stairs.

"Scarlette, don't you want something to eat? Aren't you hungry?" he called after me as I moved quickly up the steps.

"Not anymore," I mumbled as I went into my room and shut the door.

Sighing, I went over to my bed and sat down on the edge. I had completely forgotten about our deal and it made me sick to my stomach to think about going to therapy. Gerard was helping me immensely - more than any therapist could. Gerard actually listened to my problems and helped me. A therapist would nod and ask me, "And how does that make you feel?"

Well, doc, standing on that roof made me feel just peachy.

I shook my head and decided that it would be good to distract myself before I got myself too anxious. Since my dad's CDs were in the basement again, I walked over to my guitar and carefully picked it up, as if I were picking up a newborn baby.

Placing the strap behind my neck, I took my pick and strummed to make sure that it didn't need tuning. I closed my eyes and felt the strings with my fingers. I imagined that I was at the playground with Gerard and he wanted to hear me play my guitar.

I began to play the opening chords of Wake Me Up When September Ends successfully and played through the entire song, making few mistakes. I couldn't help but smile to myself; the song was practically complete.