"I fucked up," Phoenix said, as he sat down.
"What do you mean, Mr. Nicks?" Dr. Rodriguez asked.
"So the new girl, the one I was talking about earlier..."
"Yes?"
"We became friends, we hung out after school, we have a lot in common. But the last time I saw her, I was having one of those really dark days that I have some times, and I think that I scared her off," Phoenix said, dropping his head in his hands. "She was the only person here who I didn't have to pay to talk to me-no offense doc."
"Can you elaborate on 'dark days,' Mr. Nicks?" Dr. Rodriguez asked.
"It's like I'm trapped inside of myself, like I'm drowning," Phoenix paused, and shoved a hand through his hair. "I can't quite put it into words."
"How long do these episodes typically last?" Dr. Rodriguez asked, jotting down notes on his clipboard.
"The longest one was around a week long, but usually, they last a day at the longest," Phoenix said, spinning the globe on Dr. Rodriguez's desk around repeatedly on its display.
Dr. Rodriguez regarded him with blank eyes. "How do you feel right now, Phoenix?"
Phoenix blinked at the use of his first name, and pressed the palm of his hand softly against the globe, bringing it to a subtle stop. "I feel...normal."
"Normal? Explain," Dr. Rodriguez said, jotting down another note.
"This is how I imagine normal people feel all the time."
"Do you consider yourself abnormal, Mr. Nicks?"
"Yes, I do." Dr. Rodriguez looked up.
"Why is that?"
"I can't even smoke pot and have a good time, doc. Everytime I make a friend, I push them away...I enjoy getting into fights. Sometimes, I feel like I'm not even in my body at all. How the hell would I ever be considered normal?" Dr. Rodriguez took a few more notes. "I'm a damned car accident."
"Our session is over," Dr. Rodriguez said, and Phoenix stood. "I say this so that you will know that I am telling you this, not for your money, but because I think you're a good kid, Phoenix...Max won't stay mad at you," Dr. Rodriguez smiled, softly. "Just talk to her. You'll never be friends with her if you don't try."
"Th-thank you," Phoenix said, eyes wide.
"Have a nice day," he said.
"Yeah, yeah. You too."
YOU ARE READING
Malefica
Teen Fiction"Can't you see...it's this town...there's something wrong with it. It's like a poison, and once it gets inside of you...you're gone...it takes all of the good, and twists and twists until there's nothing left. It's this town." Malefica, to...
