All It Takes

Chapter Two

Tyler
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Slamming my hand onto the alarm clock, snoozing it for probably the fifth time this morning, I grumbled to myself as I stretched and sat up. I hated it, but I had to get up so I could make it on time today. She told me if I kept coming in late, she wouldn't talk to me anymore. I couldn't have that happening, she was my last hope for help. She was my last resort, no one else has been able to help me until I met her. She changed everything. I could finally sleep most of the night, only waking up every now and then as compared to a few years ago when I would pass out from lack of sleep.
The way I talk about her, most think I'm in love with her, but that's not what it is. I honestly just owe her my life for helping me to be somewhat normal when I'm anything but. Running a hand through my hair, I sigh and decide to get a quick shower to help me wake up and seem presentable for society. The hot water is relaxing, but only works to make me feel more tired. Instead, I decide to turn the handle a complete 180 and shiver at the freezing cold water. Finally after torturing myself long enough, I finished my shower, dried off and threw on whatever clothes I had decided to lay out the night before. Grabbing my favorite jacket, I ran out the door and down to the train station, hoping I wouldn't miss the blue line into the city.
After what seemed like an eternity of being suffocated by the overcrowded train, it finally arrived at my stop and I trudged through sea of people to make it out the doors. Taking a deep breath, I hiked up the escalator, earning a few glares from those I bumped into. Well, they could deal with it. I couldn't be late today.
I stopped at the front door and paused for a moment to allow myself to catch my breath. I mean who wouldn't be out of breath after running that many blocks, especially this early in the morning? Well, no better time than the present. I walked up the small set of stairs and entered the building. Walking through a small hallway, littered with doors, I made my way to the last door. Opening it, I walked into the lobby and passed by the only other person in the room. She looked no older than 20, her brown hair pulled away from her face in a hastily made bun that caused small wisps of hair to fall onto her face which she had to continuously push back. Her nose was shoved into a rather large book and she occasionally switched which leg was crossed over the other as she waited for her appointment. I usually see her every time I have an appointment, but for the life of me, I can't remember her name. Kennedy, maybe?

She glanced up for a split second and returned my smile as I passed before returning to whatever she was focused on. Her dark eyes glowed a soft copper from the fluorescent lights as she shifted her glasses slightly even though they weren't askew whatsoever. Shrugging to myself, I walked up to the receptionist, checked in and found that I was a few minutes early so I decided to sit in the waiting room for a bit. Curious as to what she was reading, I leaned over casting my friendliest smile to get the girl's attention. She glanced over, raising her eyebrow at me inquisitively.
"May I help you?"
"Just wondering what your book is about?" I answered, truthfully.
"Nothing exciting to be honest, just studying for a midterm coming up at the end of the month," she sighed.
"Oh, well I'll leave you to it," I smiled, "I'm Tyler by the way." She took my hand in hers and returned the smile.
"I'm Cassidy." Cassidy! That was her name, well at least Kennedy is somewhat close, right?
"Nice to meet you Cassidy," I said, turning back and sitting comfortably for a few moments before my appointment.
"Nice to meet you too," she said before turning back to her book. I smiled to myself and busied myself by scrolling through my phone, though there wasn't anything new besides friends and friends of friends announcing engagements, weddings, and babies. Rolling my eyes, I couldn't believe I was at that age where everyone I knew was either married, getting married, or having children already. Here I was at yet another appointment and just trying to make ends meet. I doubt that sort of thing would ever happen to me. I was too focused on my classes, surprisingly, and besides that I was too kept up in my job, making sure I could get groceries, pay rent, tuition, and still have enough for these appointments. Even then my friends still continue to pester me about finding someone and "settling down". They all tell me about how happy they are in a relationship or married or having a child on the way. While, in all honesty, it does sound incredibly appealing to have someone by my side, a ring on my finger, and a child sleeping in my arms, it's not what I need right now. However, no one seems to quite understand that.
"Tyler?" The assistant announces, interrupting my thoughts. I stand up and walk over to the door and with a nod from her, I walk inside.
The office still has that assaulting stench of vanilla, as if cookies were baking in the same room. Bookshelves covered every single wall and seemed to constantly be adding more and more to it's collection. Sunlight was desperately trying to break through the closed curtains and illuminate the comfortable atmosphere. Smiling to myself, I was happy that she remembered I liked the curtains to be closed during my sessions. I could never focus with the sunlight glaring right into my eyes.
"I'll be right with you Tyler!" Doctor Mallory said, her calming voice erupting from inside the closet I hadn't noticed was open.
"Take your time Doc, you don't have to rush," I smiled, taking my usual seat and consumed by the couch and pillows that decorated it. After a few minutes she finally emerged, carrying a stack of folders and smoothing her frizzy hair down with her free hand. She gave me a warm smile and shoved the folders into a new filing cabinet beside her desk.
"Spring cleaning," she explained, shutting the cabinet door and turning to face me.
"Seems to be going well." The room was definitely cleaner than usual and I could only assume she was trying to reorganize her patients files. With the papers sticking out of the cabinet, however, it didn't seem like she was doing that good of a job.
"It is, thank you. So Tyler, anything new you want to discuss?" She asked, bringing out her notebook and pen.
"There is one thing," I stated, thinking back to a few days ago. I heard her click her pen and she nodded at me to continue. "The nightmares..." My voice wavered and I mentally berated myself for sounding so weak.
"What about the nightmares, Tyler?"
"They're back..."