Sunnyvale H.S

3

-

Grace sat at the waiting reception in Sunnyvale. There was a new girl working at the main desk, who looked completely different to the usual girl who used to work there. She had long brown hair slicked back into a ponytail. Abigail used to be Grace's friend at the center. She worked at the front desk and always smiled at her, making her feel more welcome when her mother forced her to go there.

This new girl was younger than Abigail. She looked like she was in her early 20's, yet Abby was almost 30. Grace didn't like the fact it had all changed at Sunnyvale. It had remained the same since she started going and Dr Kelson took her under his wing. She used to enjoy coming and speaking to him each week. She stopped going a few months ago because her grandma got ill. It distracted her from going and she had another reason to leave the house. But the changes to the place was so evident, even within the atmosphere.

She had been waiting for 5 minutes, and she already wanted to leave. The usual teal coloured walls that she recognized were now a bright yellow, making it feel like sunshine and happiness was right in your face every step you took. Grace could only wish for that. The floor tiles were once black and white squares and were now replaced with a blue flooring, making it feel like a hospital. 

"Mrs Lancaster, the doctor will see you now," smiled the woman at reception.

Grace stood up and made her way towards the double doors at the start of the corridor. These halls were the exact same. Pictures still hung up on the walls, and certificates were hung on the walls beside them. She smiled softly to herself. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she did miss this place. She had missed the dull hallways and the familiar faces and most importantly doctor kelson's room, which always smelled like lavender.

"Grace?" a voice called out her name and she looked up to meet who was speaking.

She was met by a unfamiliar face. 

"Come right in." 

-

This wasn't right. Dr Kelson should be the one she spoke to. Grace had never seen the man in front of her in her life.

"Where's Kelson?" she asked, a stern expression across her face.

"Doctor Kelson is leaving in May. I'm taking over from him." 

"What?  Like for good?"

He sat for a moment before speaking. 

"Yes. He's going for good. But I promise you I will try my best to sort this out for you and I will make you feel welcome and I'll help you through anything you're feeling." 

"I don't want somebody new. I want Dr Kelson. He's been with me for almost 10 years."

"I understand it will be hard to overco-"

"No. You don't understand shit. That man knows every single detail in my life and I'm not prepared to share that with somebody new. It isn't that easy." 

Grace folded her arms across her chest and sat on the couch opposite him. She didn't like this one bit. He was a tall man, with a pair of thick black rimmed glasses. He had a clean shaven face an slicked back hair. His hair was auburn, with streaks of blonde, which complimented his light blue eyes. 

He seemed genuine about his promises and for a minute, Grace actually felt guilty. But she knew that it wouldn't be easy to open up.

"Look. You seem lovely and like your'e a genuine guy, but I don't think this is going to work out."

He sat still watching her rant to him about how she felt towards him, and how she didn't mean to come across as rude or stubborn. He listened carefully to each word that she said, and tried to make a judgement on her personality. 

But somehow she was impossible to read.

-

Outside the window of Kelson's office, a tall cherry blossom tree stood glaring at her. It's branches were almost bare due to the time of year, and the cherry blossoms lay in a heap on the floor beneath the tree. 

"Grace, this isn't going to work if you don't talk to me. I respect the fact that it's  going to be hard to get used to this. But I'll try my hardest and I know I'm not going to be an equal to Kelson but I can put my whole self in helping you out."

He smiled at Grace and she nodded slowly before speaking

"Dr Hiddleston, you seem genuine and I truly believe you will try to help me but I need to go. I need time to process the way things are going to go. I just don't know what else to do with myself." 

"Have you always had Kelson?" 

"Since I first came to this place. He took me in and he always provided me with a safety net. I wish I would have stayed." 

"We learn and grow from our experiences with other people. If we didn't do this you would never get around. Kelson is a good man, but I can honestly tell you I will support you and you can have faith in me." 

"My dad used to say that."

I looked to the ground, a sense of sadness filling inside of me. I missed him so much. Maybe now if he was still here he would want her or wish he had cared more. Maybe he would feel guilty for the drinking, the abuse, the nights of being alone and getting up for school alone. Or maybe he still wouldn't care. And fate would be the same. I always find myself feeling guilty because of it and I never know what to do with myself. The guilt consumes me.

"Your dad used to say what?"

"Have faith in me, he used to sing it to me before bed when I was 5."

"And did you have hope and faith in him?"

"I never lost hope" I muttered.

This was wrong to me. Already a part of me was slowly being broken down- a part of me that I  would rather keep to myself and keep private. I didn't want those walls I spent so long on building to come crashing down around me. I believed I was safe in her own mind and I didn't need to speak to anybody about it. I just preferred it that way.

Rising to my feet, I walked to the door.

"Grace, it's going to work out. Please just give it a try. Be open minded."

"I know."

 Continuing to dodge his statements and promises, I turned the door handle.

"Where are you going?" he asked, waiting for her response.

I span back around to face him.

"There's somebody I need to see, thank you for your time doctor," I muttered, before I locked the door behind me.