Just This Once

(TRES)

"You look a little more relaxed today. What's changed?"

I glance up at Dr. Shelly Newel -her pen readying to write down on her clipboard of my response.

"Last week was the first day at my new school." I answer.

"How did you like it?"

I hold back about mentioning the fight that Chandler and I had witnessed moments after we had pulled into the school's parking lot. "I think I like it a lot. Something about seeing new faces is incredibly refreshing."

"Like starting over?"

"Exactly!" I answer leaning back in my chair. "It's nice to be somewhere where no one knows me. It's nice to walk down the halls without people staring at me like I could break at any minute."

"I love that they have no idea what I've been through. It makes me feel like I can actually be myself and not have to worry about the name calling and the 'you wanted it and you know it' bullshit." I find myself standing now.

She nods at my words in wonder. She then leans forward in her chair and says. "It's nice to see you feel empowered by something."

"Empowered!" I say as if it's the perfect word to describe how I feel -which I suppose it kind of is. "I feel empowered by the clueless minds of those who see me as the new girl."

After my session with Dr. Newell, I meet my mother who sits out in the car, awaiting my arrival. As soon as she sees me I can tell she knows something's up.

It's not everyday I come out of that godforsaken building with a smile on my face.

I slide into the passenger's seat as she starts the car up;a side glance thrown with confusion.

"What's got you all giddy, especially at this time of hour? You're only like this when you're relaxing in front of the tv for a marathon of Grey's Anatomy."

This is true.

But I don't voice that thought and instead I throw my arms around her and smile. "Thanks for always being there for me, mom."

I hear her laugh as she hugs me back tightly, not seeming to care why I'm so happy, just content that I am.

____________________________________________________________________

"You need to make friends with Camila." I say to Chandler as I set my tray down in front of his. "You know, before she begins to think you're a creep for staring at her."

Chandler snaps his attention to me with an aggravated look. "Shut up."

I take a bite of my apple and shrug. "It's what she's thinking, buppy. I can promise you that."

"What the hell do I say to a girl like that?" He asks as his eyes lower to the table.

"Here's a shot in the dark, but perhaps hello."

I watch as his eyes suddenly widen like he just discovered all the answers to every problem on our math homework. "That's perfect!" He nearly shouts. He's suddenly out of his seat and hastily heading towards Camila's table.

I watch as he introduces himself and the big smile that crosses Camila's face as he sits down in front of her.

I turn away to give them a little privacy and focus my attention on the kale chips in front of me. Just as I go to grab one, a large body replaces where my brother sat just moments ago. I look up to meet Benjamin Kinsley who flashes a bright smile at me. "Hey, Danielle."

Just say hi.

"Hi."

Good, job.