Only Saving Grace I Ever Had (Kellic)

Chapter Nine

*Flashback*
"Do you have any friends?" Jonny  asked, not trying to be mean, but making me feel bad.
Maybe he's noticed that I've always been alone, he's new to my sixth grade class and he's been here for about two weeks now.

I shrugged my shoulders, pretending to not care if I had friends or not.

"Well, would you want to go to my Birthday party?" He asked. The last time I was asked to a birthday party was Craig's party two years ago.

It feels like much much longer.

Wow. He asked me?

"It's not very big, but all of my friends so far are going" he seemed excited. I smiled at him.

"I would love to" I said lightly, he smiled really big.

"It's Saturday at 2:00, at Maple park" he said jotting it down and handing me the slip of paper.

Honestly, I'm confused as to why he would ask me to go.

It made my day.
*End Of Flashback*
(Kellins POV)

I don't know what's going on, but I do know that Vic's level of uncomfortably with Craig, is unsettling.

Would someone who wasn't a therapist catch on?
Could it be a case of domestic violence?

"Vic said that he doesn't feel well" I told Craig.
Vic nodded lightly and moved from where he was in the stall, I followed him closer to the door, putting myself between the two of them.

"Yeah, I think we should go, Vic. You should get some rest" Craig said, sounding sympathetic.

"Oh" I said suddenly, unsure of what I was even going to say. "Vic, you left your jacket in my office the other day" I made up.

Craig looked at me, he seemed almost angry, or uncomfortable.
What was he planning on doing?

I don't know how long I can keep Craig  away from him, but if  something is really going on, I want to keep Vic safe as long as possible.
If he tells me, I can get him out of this.

"Oh, yeah, we can just take my car and drop you back off here if you want" the fact that Vic played along so quickly, led me to believe that something bad was going on here.

I nodded and headed out the door, Vic following closely.

I can't get it out of my head the way he pushed me away.
Was it because he doesn't like me?
Part of me felt that maybe he was just afraid to get close to anyone.

I didn't mean to make him so uncomfortable, as a therapist that should be the last thing I do.

I saw our server on the way back to the table.
"Excuse me, could I get his meal to go, please?" I asked, politely.

"Of course" the waiter spoke enthusiastically "I'll send it up to the cash register"

I stopped at the table to tell my friends I would be back, they assured me it would be okay, I got Vic's food, paid for our meals, and left.

We stepped out of the restaurant, Vic was close to me, close enough to give me another hint that something was wrong.

"You okay?" I heard Craig ask Vic.

"Yes" he spoke in a small tone.

"I'll get you back to your apartment, and we can hang out for awhile before I go home, I want to make sure you're good" he said surely.

"No" Vic said almost too fast "I mean, I'm kinda tired, you know how I get" he said. I could tell Vic was upset, I could tell he didn't want to talk to me about what is going on.

What if I'm wrong?

Vic pulled keys out of his pocket, I slowed down so he could show me which car was his.

He had a Subaru, I could tell it was second hand but it was in really good shape.
Craig got in the drivers seat of Vic's car, and Vic put his hand on the handle of the back seat, before hesitantly switching to the passenger seat handle.

Was he about to sit in the backseat?

I took the backseat as Craig started the car.

I had to give Craig directions to the building, he's been kind of rude since he joined us in the bathroom.

"Here" I said as he came up to it.
He looked at me through the mirror and gave a smile that made me confused.

"I'll stay in the car so we don't get a ticket, just be fast" Craig said to Vic.

Vic nodded and took no time getting out of the car and walking to the door of the building.
When we got in, the silence was awkward.
Our feet echoed as they hit the steps.

I glanced over to him, but he didn't move his eyes from the ground

Should I say something to him?

I shouldn't be nervous, I talk to clients about hard subjects like this all the time.

What if it intimidates Vic?

When we got in my room, there was nothing but silence.
He didn't actually leave his jacket here, and we both know that.

"Vic, can you talk to me about what's going on?" I said finally, knowing that Craig would get suspicious if we took too long.

Vic didn't even look up to me, or hesitate before speaking.
"I don't think I want to do therapy anymore, I appreciate your concern though. Thank you" he said, trying to keep his voice from shaking.

No.
This isn't what I want.
I need him to stay.

"Vic, you don't have to talk about anything you're uncomfortable with, I'm sorry" now I was sounding desperate. I'm not supposed to act like this.

This is a mess, I wish I didn't say that.

"Without knowing what is going on, I can help you, there's no pressure at all to tell me something you're uncomfortable with" I assured, I could tell he looked a little bit better than he did a second ago.

"I'll think about it" he said gently.
"Craig's going to-" I already knew what he was going to say.

"Take my jacket, just bring it back when you come next time. Craig would be suspicious if you came back empty handed" I said, grabbing my jacket from my seat and handing it to him.

He gently took it, his finger brushing against the back of my hand.

"I'll assume you'll be at our next meeting, but if you change your mind, make sure to call" I said, he headed out the door.

I'm extremely embarrassed of how I acted, but I don't know if I'll ever stop wondering what is going on.