Another Day, Another Door

Chapter 1

Patrick drummed his fingers on his leg as he sat in the waiting room of his father's clinic. It was strangely busy today. He looked over at the clock on his wall. His dad should be getting off anytime now. Patrick was glad his high school was walking distance from here. Everyday after school he'd make the walk over here to carpool with his dad.

He looked around the room at all of the people. They didn't seem depressed. But then again how could he know, his dad was the expert. After all it was he who opened the Chicago Clinic for Depression.

Patrick noticed a teen about his age walking down the main hall back to the waiting room. He was tall - a giant compared to Patrick. But there was something different about him. He was the one person here who actually looked like he belonged here. He wore a sad look on his face and his head was stooped a little. He sat down one chair to the right of Patrick, looking bored. Actually, a little embarrassed. He avoided eye contact with nearly everyone there.

There was a person at the front desk, no doubt his mother, that was scheduling another appointment. "Last name?" the secretary asked. "Reynolds," the woman answered. Patrick tried not to eavesdrop but they were talking so damn loud.

After the woman set the appointment she beckoned for her son to leave with her. "I'll see you tomorrow, Daniel!" a familiar voice called from the hall. The tall boy gave a weak wave goodbye then walked out of the building.

"Ready to go Patrick?" his father asked him. Patrick nodded, slung his backpack over his shoulder and followed his father out of the door.

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Patrick finally opened his locker after three tries and started putting books in his backpack. The hall was noisy as ever as students slowly walked to their next classes. These lockers were so close together, it was hard for people to squeeze in to get their stuff. Patrick was glad the locker next to him was empty. So it surprised him when someone walked up to it.

Patrick looked over and noticed it was the same kid he saw yesterday in his dad's clinic. Something Reynolds, wasn't it? He certainly looked better today. Not sad at least but a little frustrated. He kept turning the lock on his locker but his combination wasn't working. "Come on," he muttered to himself. Patrick cleared his throat, "You've got to turn it all the way around the first time, back the second number then all the way around again."

"Oh. Thanks," the tall guy said. He gave a small sigh of relief as the lock clicked open. "It's my first day if you haven't noticed," he laughed. Patrick smiled and stuck out his hand, "I'm Patrick."

"Dan Reynolds," the tall guy shook his hand.