14 Days

Chapter 14

Shawn's POV:

   Things are seeming to look-up. It's been a week since my grandma found out the abuse when she was gone, it was hard talking to her about it. Especially when she read the promise I made to myself, she's been afraid that I would end it all so she's been with me the whole time. What she doesn't know is that I don't plan on taking my life anymore. Things have changed greatly since I first wrote in my journal, it seems like yesterday that I gave myself 14 days. My mother has insisted I go to counseling for my depression and that's where I am right now. "I don't expect you to open up right away we can start by getting to know each other first okay?" I nod my head and I see a faint smile show up on my therapist, Sarah's, face. "Well I'm Sarah Donally but you can call me Sarah and I became a psychologist to help people with trauma that they have faced emotionally and physically."

  "I'm Shawn Mendes as you um know and I-uh I wish I wasn't here but am doing it for my family." Sarah nods in understanding and she goes on about her hopes for our sessions, she seems really happy and that's a change of scene for me. It's like a breath of fresh air. It seems like only a few minutes has gone by when Sarah stands up.

   "Well it seems our time is up now I know that you wrote down your feelings in a journal and we're going to go off that. You're going to keep a progress journal and write down anything you want and you don't have to show it but I want one entry per week about something that makes you happy." I take in her words and nod to myself. "And in case you want to talk to someone here is my office number and I'll answer anytime free of charge." I'm handed a piece of paper and make sure to put it in my pocket for safe keeping. "One more thing, just remember from here it can only get better though it may not seem like it." For once I actually believe an adult. I don't trust her but I do believe her. I walk out the white room and am faced with my mom in front of me. We moved in the new house yesterday, we as in my parents, sister, grandma and myself. We're supposed to be going to get things to decorate my room today but I really just wanted to go home and sleep.

   "How are you feeling sweetie?" Her face is pale and the bags under her eyes are noticeable, along with my grandma my mom blames herself and hasn't been getting enough sleep. Most nights she stays with me until I sleep, like she's shielding me from my unfortunate past.

   "I think I'm going to be okay here," her eyes brighten up slightly and I smile at her. "Can we go home though it's been a long day." I grab my phone and quickly send a text to Ariel telling her that I'll be home soon and that I was going to get some rest before she came over. The text soon turned into a call.

   "I'm glad you're getting rest so I'm just going to come over tomorrow okay?" My eyebrows furrow together but before I could respond she continues. "It's not because anything happened it's because you haven't slept well and I care about your health."

    "I understand, well we're home now so I'm going to go and get some sleep I love you."

"I love you too, bye," we hang and my mom looks at me. She kisses my forehead and gets out of the car, not saying a word. I follow her into the house and head to my room, the first room on the second floor of the house. When I walk in I notice a guitar on my bed.  "Surprise," I turn around and see Ariel standing in my doorway with a smile. "Do you like it?"

    "I love it thank you!" I run up to him and pick her up, twirling her around. "You're amazing." She giggles as I set her down and I flash a wide smile at her. "I'm so lucky to have you."

   "I'm the lucky one," I peck her lips and pull her in to another hug. "I just wanted to give you something that you deserve." Without thinking I grab a new journal and quickly jot some words down. I can feel Ariel's eyes on me staring at me with confusion. I hand her the journal and wait for her reaction. "You put me down for your happiest memory."