A Lesson In Crime

Month One

Objective 1:

Healthy hobbies and coping mechanisms.

It was about week three of counseling Jack, and Alex had learned a few things.

• Jack was incredible at math and as soon as Alex's college calculus course started, he knew exactly who to go to.

• He loved the idea of learning guitar. He had a little issue with his motor skills sometimes, though. He thought this meant he couldn't do it, Alex was positive that he could.

• If Jack was hallucinating, he wouldn't tell Alex. Nor would he tell him about any flashbacks, delusions and anxieties he was having that day. Alex had begun picking up on his mannerisms, so he knew when something was bothering Jack; even if he wasn't sure of exactly what.

The student was still shy around him, but not even close to what it was before. Especially not after the first few minutes of private lessons. Unfortunately, whenever anyone else was around - he completely reverted back to how he was on the first day. Wouldn't look at him, rarely answered his messages.

They'd have to work on that someday, but not today.

"So, Jack." Alex started. "Do you want me to tell you some of the goals we're
shooting for this school year? Stuff I've thought up that we can work on. Feel free to add and take away some of the minor ones, okay?"

Not really, Alex. Jack typed, leaning back in his chair. The two instant messaging back and forth.

That was another thing, Jack was pretty blunt when comfortable. Alex had grown to really like that about his new friend, as he considered him.

"Jack" Alex whined out loud, before typing vigorously back to him.

Alex: If you let us get done with this standard stuff, or, "degrading common core bullshit" as you like to refer to it, (not saying I disagree!) The sooner we can do like...actual fun stuff.

J.B: fun stuff?

Alex: I can teach you guitar. Actually, if we get though these objectives for the entire year; I will buy you one.

Alex could see Jack's eyes light up at the messages as he straightened up in his seat. He looked up at Alex in confirmation, as if the Alex over text might not be the same one as the one sitting across from him right now.

He pulled a slip of paper out of his pocket, writing something on it and sliding it across the table.

You mean it?

Alex smiled down at the paper and then up at Jack.

"Any guitar you want, Barakat" he confirmed. Hoping it wasn't going to be a mortgage level priced guitar Alex would absolutely buy for Jack if it kept him smiling like this.

J.B: Show me the list?

Alex: I don't have the whole thing yet but I can show you this months. This is the third of March, right?

Alex: There's no set amount of objectives or time to complete them, I basically just make them up as I go so yeah for the minor ones if you're really against it we don't have to. I figured at least one major one and two little ones every month.

Alex: I have exactly that right now so here they are;

Primary - Begin developing healthy and productive hobbies and coping mechanisms.

Secondary - 1. Go on an outing. 2. Speak once...?

Jack looked at the list briefly, frowning slightly not in sadness but in thought.

"Y-yes" Jack said plainly, clearly in response to secondary objective #2.

Alex, in shock, watched as Jack casually responded.

J.B: Can the healthy coping mechanism be guitar? You can teach me at your house and that's the outing?

Alex: But then you'll have completed the entire months agenda and it's not even the middle of the month!

J.B: Exactly

Alex looked up at Jack in disbelief.

Alex: You're way too smart for your own good. Can we at least think up one more?

Jack shook his head 'no' slowly, holding up three fingers.