Therapy [boyxboy]

One

Graduating high school. Permanent summer vacation. Right? I planned on spending my time laying in bed and wasting my youth away. I mean come on, I spent 13 years of my young life going to school everyday. It was time for some freedom. Except of course that just wasn't the case for me.

I was laying in my bed contemplating the thought of skipping my first group therapy session. It wasn't my idea and if I didn't love my mother so much I wouldn't have agreed to this.

"Steven, you have to go." My mother reminded me.

You see, I have a little something called depression. Sometimes I get in these moods, these really bad moods, where I just become consumed with self hatred and don't want to live. Its rare that I have these 'episodes' but when I do they get pretty bad. They usually end with me in a ball on the floor feeling drained and covered in my own tears.

The truth is, I don't think I need counseling. I think this was more for my mom than it was for me. "Mom, I really really don't think I need counciling." I pleaded. My last ditch effort.

"Oh, you're so strong." She said, tearing up. She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and sniffled loudly.

"Mom, I'd really much rather stay home and relax." I sighed. To be honest I'd much rather stay home and work on my poetry or finish the book I started a week ago.

"Please go, for me?" She pleaded, and she knew this would get me.

" I just want to make sure you're okay. I care about you." She said softly and latched onto the sleeve of my shirt.

I looked down at where her delicate fingers were gripping at my sleeve. And I knew I would cave. My mom was so fragile right now, and I had to do this for her. No matter how much I know I'm going to hate it. "Fine."

•••

The first thing I noticed when I walked into the room where I had group therapy was how many people were actually here.

"Hello, welcome!" The first thing I was greeted by was a man with a smile that was way too bright. Especially for someone who is constantly surrounded by all of the sadness these people radiate.

I gave him a small smile and took a seat. The chairs were all next to each other in a circle. And I wanted to scream, because this was just like all of the cliche movies. And don't get me wrong, I love cliche things. But this - this was just too much.

I looked around the room and mentally took note of the different people in the room. I liked people watching, it was fascinating seeing people when they don't know you're watching.

The talking around the room slowly dispersed and the man with the bright smile took lead of the group. He started with his introduction. It was mostly just about how the layout of this meeting works.

He was cut off by the loud sound of the door slamming shut. I turned towards the commotion to see a man walking towards the group. He walked in confidently, making me roll my eyes. Who is this douche? He seemed to not have a care in the world. His head was held high with a smirk on his face, and I wondered why he was here.

"Nice of you to join us, Gatz."

"Yeah." Was all he, Gatz, said.

He took a seat and the meeting went back to where it left off. I learned the directors name was actually Sam. He had us all go around and introduce ourselves and say why we were there. I guess this was to show we weren't alone with our problems.

It eventually got around to me, "Hi, I'm Steven Jay. And I am here because I get sad sometimes." I said lamely. "But I mean who doesn't?"

"Thank you for sharing."

He didn't question me any further and looked towards Gatz. I perked up in my seat. This Gats guy intrigued me. Not only was he very attractive but he seemed mysterious as well. He didn't seem like someone who was sad or depressed. His blond hair was combed back neatly and he seemed to dress to impress.

"Gatz Henderson." He said boredly. "And I'm here because my dad is an asshole."

I assumed he meant his dad hit him but as he continued I realized that wasn't it.

"He thinks since he has loads of money that he can just send me wherever." He continues with the same bored tone, but now he stared at his nails with that same bored expression. "This was his cruel joke of the week."

Sam simply stared at Gatz before moving on to the next person. And it went on until everyone gave their own version of an introduction. But still none were quite as strange as Gatz'. I was intrigued.

The session drilled on boringly and I vowed I wouldn't be attending another one of these. I let out a breath when Sam announced it was over. I jumped up and was the first one out the door. I let out a sigh when the cold air hit me. It was suffocating in that room. I felt so out of place.

The wind roared and startled me. I grabbed my arms and tried to create some heat by rubbing my hands up and down them. I could see my breath, and it was the middle of September. I didn't prefer the cold.

"Do you have somewhere you need to be?" A voice said from right behind me.

I jumped and turned around to see Gatz standing there. "What?" I asked dumbly.

"You were the first one out. You were nearly running." He said and shoved his hands into his jacket pockets.

"Oh." I said lamely. "Yeah."

I didn't know what about him made me so nervous. He just did. He's attractive and he radiates money. I didn't see it before, but now I definitely do.

"So, you're sad?"

His question startled me, I took a second to reply. "Who isn't?"

He nodded. "So what're you waiting for." He finally asked and I could see him slightly shiver.

"Uh," I stumbled and looked around. "My mom. She's suppose to be picking me up."

Gatz looked astounded. "You don't drive? How old are you?"

I looked down at my shoes. "I'm 18. I can't afford a car." I said and felt more embarrassed than I should. I was never really bothered about not having tons of money. But Gatz made me feel insecure.

"Oh." He said. he still looked surprised. And why wouldn't he be, he was probably spoiled. That annoyed me for some reason.

"Yeah." I nodded, and saw my mom pulling up. "Well that's me. Nice to meet you Gatz."

"Pleasure to meet you too, Steven." He said softly and gave me a polite nod.

I gave him one last glance before climbing into the car. What a weird guy.

"Who was that?" My Mom asked as we pulled away.

"It was nobody." I said. Not planning on ever seeing him again.

*
Heyo!! Short first chapter, bc it's just an introduction of characters and everything !

Hope you enjoy x

-sky