Greetings from Hope Mental Hospital

2

I think it's about time for an update. I've been told a lot of really encouraging things about my first chapter and I feel awful that I haven't updated in over a year. Trust me, I know how aggravating it is. It's taken me a lot to sit down and just write. I started my second semester of senior year yesterday and i'm in way over my head. I'm trying to take my mind off of things. Happy reading!

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I've started seeing a psychiatrist. I've been here two months and that's the best they can think of. I personally think the sessions are dumb. All he ever wants to take about is my past. I guess that's because not much has happened to me lately. I just don't understand how my past could get me closer to being out of here.

"Have you been taking your medication?" My psychiatrist Dr. beard asks me for the third time of me not answering him. His real name is Dr. Daniels but all I can focus on is his wizard beard. He can't be a day over 29 and he already looks like dumbledore. Minus the gray hair.

"Emery are you going to answer my question or are we going to play the hard way today?"

Silence.

"Well ok then. What's the dosage they're giving you of Norpramin? Or how about Desyrel? Is it too much for you to handle?"

"Why are you asking me how much they're giving me. You're the one who signed off on the sheet. And no it's not to much for me to handle and yes i'm taking my medication. The faster it works, the faster I get out of this shithole."

"I sure don't think this place is a shithole. It's ranked the second best mental health center in the U.S."

"Well, second is always the first to lose." All I can do is sit there and smirk. My charm doesn't quite work on him because he keeps talk talk talking.

"Have you had your period recently Emery?"

"Why are you asking me a question like that? That's personal." Creep.

"Well, because when stress levels rise, or body fat lowers, it can postpone a girls period. It's all about your health Emery."

"Since you so kindly explained, the answer is no. I haven't had my period since before I was brought here. Happy?"

"Very."

Most of our appointments go a little like this. Just with different topics. I sit crisscross applesauce in the big purple chair, he holds his clipboard on his lap with his legs crossed while sitting on the couch and I give him short, snide remarks. He's a very calm person. I give him props for being able to stand me and my attitude. He knows I don't want to be there but he also knows I don't hate him. I think I like him the most out of everyone in this goddamned building.

In our common room we have a huge walls filled with shelves and shelves of books. We've got one small tv in the corner of the room with couches and lounge chairs sitting around it but I never watch it. I've never been a fan of tv. We aren't allowed to take the books out of the common room but I do anyway. The nurse that sits in there knows I do and understands that I don't want to be around the others. She gets me.

I don't think I could tell you the names of anyone that stays here except for August Lynn. We're here for almost the same reasons. Mostly suicide. She got here about a week after I did and for some reason we gravitated together like we were supposed to become friends. We don't talk everyday or read books together like you read about how other people interact but that doesn't we don't sit together at meals in the dining hall and pick through our food.

August is anorexic. We don't talk about it and she's never mentioned it but I know. The way someone eats during a meal and the way the smallest clothes you can get hang on their body says a lot. I'm pretty sure she's skinnier than I am. I urge her to eat sometimes. It's not my job to, but what are friends for. She has to get out of here.