Looking For Now↣l.h

10. Visitor

"Hey Ashton," I greet him as I sit down. We are alone at our table today, but that's okay with me. I don't know how ready I am to talk to Luke since the so-called funeral yesterday. I still don't know who the new counselor is, since that doesn't happen until after lunch. I guess the fun will just have to wait an hour or two.

"Hey! How was your night?" He shoots me his signature dimpled smile that causes a smile to spread over my own face as well.

"It was good," I lie. Really it was awful I hardly slept.

"Yeah. That's good to hear."

"Where are Calum and Michael?" I ask specifically avoiding asking about Luke.

"They had something to do in their wing this afternoon. Maybe they'll be here for dinner."

"Oh okay," I mutter and go about eating my crappy chicken in silence. It's not uncomfortable really. I think we both know we won't have something to talk about every second of every day I'm stuck in this place.

"Hey Cora, can I ask you something?" I turn to face very solemn hazel eyes and my palms begin to sweat.

"Yeah, sure."

"Um, nevermind. I have to go check on one of the patients," his eyes flutter away breaking contact with mine, before he gathers his phone and scurries away from the table.

That was really weird. I know Ashton may not be the most normal person in the world, but even for him that was extremely out of character. I'm determined to get more information out of him later, but for now I'm okay with sitting and eating. This week has felt like a life time, and it's kind of nice to be alone at the table right now.

***

"Fuck you." I growl as soon as my new counselor walks in the room. Of course it's him. I knew he would ask, but part of me really wished he wouldn't because I'm scared of what I might actually tell him about my past. He seems to have a way of getting to me where I actually show emotions; I hate it. Leigh Anne was okay because I had no problem lying to her, but him... I don't know what I will and won't say.

"Well good afternoon to you too. Why are you so upset anyways?" He questions sitting in Leigh Anne's old chair with a clipboard. It's weird to see him like this. He looks almost professional if it weren't for his messy blonde hair, lip ring, nirvana t-shirt and ripped black skinny jeans. It's mostly just the clipboard that makes him look like he could possibly work here.

"How dare you request I change counselors," I spit throwing my feet over the edge of the bed.

"Oh, but it wasn't even my idea. You can thank Ashton for that," Luke holds up his hands in defense while I process this news. Luke wasn't in the cafeteria for breakfast or lunch, so it was just me and Ashton and not once did he mention it.

"Then how come you're my counselor and not him?" I challenge crossing my arms over my chest.

"I volunteered for it before he did," he shrugs his shoulders like it's no big deal.

"Are you even qualified for this type of shit?"

"Yes. I thought I already told you. I was the younger girl's counselor. I haven't mentored since, so I'm a bit rusty, but we'll figure things out," he says crossing his legs and balancing the clipboard on them.

"Just because I switched doctors, does not mean I'm going to tell you anything. Just ask Leigh Anne how far we got," I smirk knowing I have a good point.

"Don't you get it, Cora? That's why they picked a new counselor, since you weren't getting anywhere. We will just keep trying counselors until you talk, so you might as well say something while you're stuck with me."