Battle Scars [BxB]

S I X T E E N

I was glancing between the photos hung above the desk as my legs swung beneath me like a child. The swivel chair was too tall for me, so I swung and twisted on it absentmindedly like a little kid playing at their parents' desk.

The photos were off Dr Cavan's family. She had two little toddlers from different fathers by the looks of it. One was fair skinned, the other dark. I smiled at their smiling faces peering at me from over her desk, proudly showing off their deep dimples and missing teeth.

"Sorry for the wait, Teddy." She came striding in, looking incredibly flustered as she felt around for a pen. "How're you today?" She asked absentmindedly, sifting through her files to find my name.

"G-Good, thank you. How are you?"

She finally settled into her seat and shot me a genuine smile, "I'm very well, thanks." Dr Cavan told me casually.

She was young, no older than early thirties, if that. Her long silky black hair was tied into a messy bun, her umber eyes watching me warmly. I'd always thought she was pretty enough to be a model. But she was here instead, helping people like me.

"Everything going well? Your meds working out?"

"Yes." I grinned proudly, "Everything's perfect." And it was. At least that's what it felt like. For once, my medication was actually helping me, not just sending me into a numbing drug induced haze of fulfilment.

"I'm glad to hear that. You're not stressing out about school yet?"

"N-No." I shook my head. "I-I still want to do well in my exams but I've changed my mind a-about what I want to do in the future."

She cocked an eyebrow quizzically. "Really? I thought you had your mind set on university?"

"I-I did, but I don't think I really knew what I wanted. I'm going to take a year off instead. Maybe go travelling. Th-Then I'll reevaluate my options."

She looked pleased with my response as she quickly jotted something down on her clipboard, "Where would you like to go?"

"Maybe Asia. I-I haven't really decided yet." I told her honestly.

She nodded, "I think that'll be a really rewarding experience for you, Teddy. And what about summer? Have you got anything nice planned?"

I shook my head, "Not yet, but I think I might go away with my boyfriend." I said lightly. "W-We were talking about Berlin or Paris for a few days." I informed her. "What about you? What're your summer plans?"

"I'm taking my little girls to Center Parcs, so it won't be very exciting for me." She laughed softly. "Are you looking forward to getting out? Your release date's in a week, isn't it?"

I nodded excitedly, "My boyfriend's coming home for Christmas soon." I said, my knee bobbing up and down energetically. "A-And I get to meet my friend's boyfriend-I mean girlfriend. I-I mean...w-what to do you call it if they don't have a gender?"

"Partner?" She suggested.

I shook my head in distaste, "N-No, that sounds too old. Like they've been together for thirty years and share a pension."

She chuckled under her breath, "You've made excellent progress in here, Teddy." She continued. "After you're released, you're expected to continue seeing Dr Moon at least twice a week."