therapeutic ; irwin

week three

third group therapy session

"I know you guys have all started to get to know each other, but I'd like you to actually get to know each other a lot better. I know this sounds like a stupid primary school activity, but I can assure you, this will seriously help you feel more comfortable around each other," Charlie starts the session off. "I want you to all partner up and tell them something quite personal. It doesn't have to be too personal, but something not too many people know."

Out of the very corner of my eye, I see a grinning Ashton staring at me from the seat on my right.

"What?" I say, turning to face Ashton. Today he looked really cute. He was wearing a red bandana and a Jimi Hendrix tank-top with his signature black skinny jeans. His arms were still covered in colourful wristbands, making me wonder why he always wore so many.

"Luna?" Ashton tapped my arm, causing me to snap out of whatever trance I was in.

"Hmm?" My eyes shot up at Ashton's face as his lips curled into a slight smirk.

"I asked if you wanted to be my partner, but you were obviously too busy staring at me to notice. You have a bit of a problem with staring, you know that?" He said quietly.

"Oh," I say, laughing nervously. I had no idea how to respond to Ashton's comment, so I just smiled and ran my hand through my long, dark hair. Ashton made me feel uneasy, but not in a bad way. Maybe it was because he had so much confidence compared to me. I've never been good with socializing and Ashton pretty much forced me to socialize with him, but I didn't mind. I guess it'd be good to get to know someone so I don't have to always keep to myself so much.

"You never answered my question, Luna. Are you going to be my partner or not?" He says, turning his chair around to face me completly. I had just noticed that everyone in the room had started moving away and talking to someone else, which pretty much meant that I was basically already partners with him, considering everyone else had a partner.

"Yeah, sure," I send Ashton a half-hearted smile and turn my chair like he had done just a moment ago.

"Oh, and by the way everyone, once you've both told each other your secret, your partner is going to share it with the group," Charlie explained.

"Shit," I muttered under my breath. I had no idea what to tell Ashton, but I knew it couldn't be too personal.

"I'm going to tell you mine first, because then it's all out of the way," Ashton stated, arching his back to rest his elbows on his knees and using his hands to prop his face up.

"Okay," I mumble.

"Uh, my parents split when I was quite young and my dad eventually left us and being the oldest male in the family, I sort of had to act as a father figure to my little brother and sister and it was the fucking hardest thing ever. After that, I eventually became really insecure and stressed from school and having to look after my family. I started to get really angry all the time and my friends started to hate me and soon enough, I felt completly alone. I guess I should just be angry at my dad for leaving us, but I don't know. I don't know, Luna," he buried his face with his big hands and took deep, long breaths.

"I'm sorry, Ashton," I whsiper, barely audible.

"Don't be. Don't be sorry for me. I'm okay. It's okay, Luna," he shook his head. I could tell he was close to tears. I felt terrible. Ashton didn't need to tell me all this and quite frankly, I'm not sure why he did. I was completly suprised he had just opened up to me so easily. I looked at Ashton and noticed a single tear roll down his cheek, but he was quick to wipe it away. When he noticed I was looking at him, he rubbed his eyes and gave me a half-hearted smile.