Psycho Social

Chapter 19: Diagnosis

Nathaniel sat in the waiting room of the neurologist's office, running his fingers through his longer blue hair. Over the past few months his hair had grown out quite a lot. He didn't know if he was letting it get long because he liked how it looked, or because it offered a little more protection in his mind. He twirled it between his fingers, and sighed. 

His father had thought it would be a good idea to get Nathaniel checked out by a professional. Schizophrenia had run in his family for as long as he could remember, but his dad was still hoping that it was something else. He didn't want his only son to have to experience the pain and confusion of it. 

Hunter sat next to Nathaniel, quietly sneaking small glances over at him, trying to read the thoughts in his mind. Nathaniel had of course noticed his persistence, but preferred to not address it.

Nate had called his mom that morning, and planned out a time and place to meet her. Not only was he excited about seeing his mother after so many years, but he was also excited to see his little sister. He hadn't seen her since she was ten. She chose to live with his mother when their parents got divorced, which kind of just ended up separating them, emotionally.

Nathaniel was snapped out of his thoughts as a nurse came out from the back, with a large envelope in her hands. 

"Well. I have good news and I have bad news."

Nathaniel sighed. "What's the bad news?"

"Schizophrenia."

His dad's face fell. 

"And the good news?"

"We can cure it."

Nathaniel glanced up at her in disbelief. "What do you mean you can cure it?" He raised an eyebrow. "Schizophrenia doesn't have a cure."

The corners of her lips turned up. "Well, that's partially true." Her smile reached her eyes gently. "We may not be able to get rid of it entirely, but because you're in such an early stage, we could essentially erase the symptoms you suffer from. It might not entirely cure the disease, but you won't have the symptoms anymore. The schizophrenia is causing you to see your alters in person." 

Nathaniel and his dad made eye contact, hesitantly. "It's your call kiddo. Whatever you want to do." 

Nathaniel put his head in his hands. "Can I have a minute please?"

"Take all the time you need. I'll leave this here." The nurse sat the envelope down onto the table and she made her way back through the double doors, and disappeared around the corner. 

Nathaniel stood and trudged to the bathroom, feeling like time had stopped around him. He closed and locked the door behind him, sliding down the wall and sitting on the floor at the bottom. 

There was a light knock on the bathroom door.

"Nate. Let me in."

Hunter's voice floated through the locked door next to Nate, and he reached over to turn the handle. Hunter walked in and sat down next to him. "Are you alright?" 

Nathaniel wiped the tears away that had already started forming in his eyes, and covered them with his hair. 

"I'm fine."

Hunter sighed and pushed Nate's hair out of his eyes. "I know that's a lie." He grabbed his chin and angled it towards him. "Listen to me. You're strong. And whatever happens, you can get through this alright? I promise. I'll be here for you, Skyler and Evan will be here, Apollyn, Sam, Randall, Valery, Aura, Ollie, all of us. We will all be here for you." 

Nathaniel let the tears fall as he wrapped his arms around Hunter's neck, crying into his shoulder. "I don't deserve you." 

"What? Why would you say that?" Hunter frowned. "Of course you do. You're my best friend Nathaniel."

Nathaniel kept his head on Hunter's shoulder. He felt safe for the first time in a long time. Hunter always made him feel this way, and he could never really understand why. The feeling of Hunter's hands rubbing his back gently, the warmth that was always radiating off of him. It was so comforting. And Nathaniel didn't really ever want to let go.

"I can't even imagine how hard this must be for you."

Hunter's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Nathaniel pulled away sheepishly and bit his lip. 

"We better get back out to the lobby."

Nathaniel's face felt like it was on fire. All the blood in his body was pooling in his cheeks. He had no idea what was going on, but he had to get out of that bathroom. Hunter eyes were too piercing, his smile was too bright, and the fluorescent lights were giving him a headache. 

Hunter raised an eyebrow at him, as he grabbed the smaller boys hand and helped him up off the floor. Nathaniel's skin lit up with the warmth of one thousand fires, where he and Hunter were touching. 

Hunter gently opened the door for him, and the two of them slowly made their way back to the lobby. 

His father sat up as the two made their way back over to the seats. "Any idea?"

Nathaniel still couldn't think straight. His thoughts were just swarming with images of Hunter from the past twelve months. Geez. He had only known Hunter for a year. It felt like forever.

"Nate?" 

He realized that both Hunter and his father were staring at him expectantly. 

"Do I have to decide today?" He asked, fidgeting with his hands. 

"No. You have a few weeks."

"Alright."

The three of them walked outside. 

"Well I guess this is where we part." Hunter said as he smiled at the shorter boy.

 "Unless.. you want to stay the night?"

Hunter looked surprised at first, because he had never stayed the night at Nathaniel's, of vice versa. "Yeah. I'd love to. That sounds great." 

He walked to Nathaniel's dad's car with them, and they sped off into the evening. 

A/N 

I've decided to just continue on in this book, instead of starting a second one. :) Hopefully you guys are as excited as I am, for what is soon about to come.

-Jordan.