The Emo School (A Fanfic)

Chapter 41

Ferrah

Right. Mikey was gonna come in and have a talk with me. 

"So, Ferrah, I was told you participated in gym class yesterday." he says.

My face goes red, ashamed. I nod.

"Hey, I'm not mad at you, Ferrah. I totally understand. You love gym class and you want to participate just like everybody else, don't you?" he says softly, lifting my chin with his index finger. 

I nod again. 

"I know it's really hard, but you've gotta understand, with your condition-"

"I know, you don't wanna be held responsible for anything." I mutter. 

"Hey, no, that's not it at all, Ferrah. We just don't want to take any risks that could put your life in danger. Listen, we're trying to find a way around it, we really are. Josh feels really bad that you have to sit out all the time. And this incident has drawn to our attention that we need to put this higher on our priority list. Patrick's going to do some research on what he can do medically to help get you back in the game. Josh's looking for ways you can participate without putting you at risk so that you don't have to sit out the whole time. We're trying to come up with a plan, we really are. Just promise me that until we come up with a plan, you won't do anything too crazy so you don't land yourself back here, okay?"

I nod. He's not mad at all. Surprisingly. And thankfully. I've heard Mikey doesn't get mad often (he's a counselor. It's his job not to get mad.), but when he does, he's really scary. 

"You okay? I know this is really hard for you." Mikey says. 

I nod. 

"I'll be fine." I reply quietly. 

"You sure?" Mikey asks, as if he doesn't believe me.

"I said I'll be fine!" I snap. 

Oh, shit. Now he's probably really suspicious. 

"Okay, if there's one thing I've learned from my years of helping people deal with their feelings, it's that 'I'm fine' and 'nothing' really mean 'I'm not okay' and 'something's wrong.' So why don't you just let it all out and get it off your chest? I'm not gonna take any of it personally." he says softly. 

He's getting on my nerves now. 

"No." I say firmly. 

"Come on, Ferrah. You'll feel so much better." 

What is he trying to get me to do, try drugs?

"No! No way!" I half-yell. 

"Alright, then what can I do for you?" he asks in a steady, calm voice. 

"You can go away, that's what you can do."

"I actually can't do that, I'm sorry. Is there something else I can do, anything I can get you to help you calm down?"

"No."

"Then the best thing for you to do is probably just vent. Take a few deep breaths, and by all means, take your time. I'll stay here until you're done, and I'll listen to every word." 

This man just doesn't give up, does he?

I don't wanna get myself kicked out of here or anything, so I'm forced to surrender, taking deep breaths and calming down, and then telling him the whole story from the very beginning. The entire time, he listens empathetically, looking into my eyes and nodding, understanding. At times, he'd throw in comments like, "I'm sorry you had to go through that, Ferrah." or "That sounds terrible, Ferrah, I'm so sorry." He's trying to me sympathetic and I realize he really does care. 

After quite some time of this, Mikey gives me a hug. 

"I promise you, we will fix this. Hang in there. Now, I have to talk to Brendon about the mental breakdown he had over you yesterday, but would you like me to send in Cassie? I know the two of you will be great friends." 

"Sure. Thanks, Mikey, you're the greatest. Besides Brendon, I mean." I reply. 

"No problem. It's my job, and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world." he says, getting up and leaving, and a girl with dark hair comes in and sits down. 

We talk, and she meets Andy and Max. 

But she cuts her hand on the nightstand. They really need to sand the corners down. It's a deep cut. And that's where I mildly panic. Until Patrick comes, that is. Which is when I take a sigh of relief. Before I know it, he takes her off to get stitches in her hand. Poor thing. She's probably going to be awake for that and have to see it. 

Gee, I hope Mikey's done talking to Brendon, because Mikey'd better be there for Cassie. Or I will beat that man, I don't care if he's a teacher. I would beat a teacher for my friend. Even if I just met her.