October Jones

Chapter 2- The Therapy Session

As I walked into the reception of the therapist's office I was wide eye. Immediately I was able to see that it was expensive. Modern furnishings covered the room and there was even a large fish tank in the middle of the room which reached from floor to ceiling, varieties of tropical fish swimming casually around the tank in and out between bright arrays of coral.

I signed in at the desk and sat down on one of the plush chairs next to my nana. She reclined with ease reading a magazine, while I sat bolt upright twiddling my fingers nervously. I chewed my lip to the extent that the taste of copper was seeping onto my tongue. I was so nervous, blood was pounding in my ears and I could feel myself beginning to hyperventilate. Before I could begin to panic myself too much I was distracted by someone calling my name.

"Miss Jones the doctor will see you now, just follow me" the tall, slim receptionist spoke.

I glanced nervously at my nana; however she returned it with a look that urged me to go. I rose hesitantly and took quick, small steps following the receptionist. We walked down a long corridor, doors lining the walls, various name tags placed on the solid wood. We stopped at one of the doors and the receptionist gave a slight knock.

"Come in" a friendly voice called out, slightly muffled by the thick door.

The receptionist opened the door. "Hello sir, your 10 o'clock is here"

"Thank you Natalie, send her in" I could hear the friendly voice now much clearer. It was hard to imagine the face that would match the voice.

Natalie moved from the door way giving me a smile as she passed and sashayed down the hallway. As I opened the door wider I could hear the slight scratch of pen on paper. The office was just as modern and expensive looking as the reception. Bookshelves filled the room and what was left of wall space was filled with certificates, pictures and thank you letters. A comfy looking couch set and coffee table were situated in the centre of the room and facing this area there was a large desk covered in paperwork and stationary with an expensive looking computer situated in on the left side of the desk. Sat behind the desk was not what I expected. He was a young man, probably between the age of 29 or 32, dressed in a smart suit. He wore large rimmed glasses and when he glanced at me he gave me a large smile.

"Hello October, please take a seat" He motioned to one of the couches. I took a seat, my eyes still scanning the interesting walls. He continued scribbling down on an important looking document for a couple of minutes and then he rose taking the seat opposite me.

"Sorry about that October let me introduce myself, my name is Dr. Andrews, but you can call me Richard if it would make you more comfortable" He gave me a slight smile and continued on "now I've looked through your case file and found it very interesting, following reading it I knew immediately that I would be more than capable to offer you help. Believe it or not October, but your reaction to this horrific event is more than normal. In fact 3 out of every 4 teenagers in the same situation react the same way" He paused to give me a chance to absorb what he was saying "Now don't get me wrong, every individual is still unique, I just wanted to highlight the fact that you are not alone in this situation" While he was talking my thoughts had begun to drift away. No matter how nice this Dr. Andrews appeared to be, I was still under the opinion that I was fully capable of coping with the situation myself, I was content with how my life was at the moment. I was pulled of my day dreaming by chuckling. I looked up, only just becoming alert to the sudden change. Dr. Andrews tone was mocking when he said:

"Sorry, I seem to be boring you, I'm often told that I talk too much" His face was full of humour, however in his eyes I could slightly detect what I could only identify as annoyance. "I'll try and be quiet now, how about we finally talk about you? I think the only way we'll be completely successful here is if I know you well. Tell me about yourself; act like I do not know anything about you, like I am a complete stranger, which I guess I am" He smirked at his remark and then looked at me waiting.

I suddenly felt very on the spot, I gulped nervously. He only gave me a bigger smile, encouraging me to speak.

"Well ...my...my names October Jones" I stuttered out "I'm 17, soon to be 18 in 3 months" I spoke in a timid voice, still extremely nervous. "I'm here because my nana thinks that I'm not coping well after the death of my mum and dad"

"I'm guessing you disagree with her?" He intervened. My cheeks slowly flushed a deep red.

"I'm happy with the way my life is, of course I'm devastated about my parents...accident, but I'm tough, I can cope perfectly well by myself" I had a sudden stroke of stubbornness, defiance clear in my eyes. He looked at me, his blue eyes staring at me intensely.

"Tell me what your school life is like October" He looked at me an unknown look behind his eyes.

"What's there to say? I work hard like any other kid, I make sure not to get into trouble, I aim to do well" I said confused as to what he was specifically looking for.

"What about your friends?"

I fidgeted, uncomfortable with the turn the questions had taken.

"well, erm... schools hard wor.." He cut me off in the middle of my sentence.

"Do you have any friends October?" He asked me concern in his eyes. I could tell by his expression that he was already sure what the answer would be.

"Well, I used to have lots of friends, but they don't really understand me anymore" I decided to be honest. He looked confused with what I have just said. "I worked out that it was just easier to isolate myself, it was easier for everyone" I continued.

He gave me a look and discreetly wrote something down on his notepad. "You say it is easier for everyone, but when you think about it clearly October, is it really easier for everyone or easier for you?" I could tell that his question was rhetorical and although I tried not to let it get to me, it did. He looked quickly at his watch.

"Our half hour is up October, so I would like to set you a goal for next week, I would like for you to make at least one new friend and I expect you to be able to have something to report to me" He gave me a small smile and stood up, giving me no choice on whether or not I would accept this challenge. I rose and followed him as he led me to the door, he opened it slowly for me and we shared goodbyes. As I walked past him and down the hall I had the most uncomfortable feeling wash over me, like I could feel him watching me, however I was too scared to turn around and see if he was or not. There was deifinetly something different about this Dr. Andrews.