They say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. What happens when life gives you an organ-stealing cult, a horror game come to life, and drug-dealing drama all while you're trying to have a normal junior year of high school? Savanna Marrows is...
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The blood pressure cuff continued to tighten around my arm as I flipped the page of the book in my lap. Betty had stopped by yesterday to drop off a few books for my entertainment and I was extremely grateful. There's only so many times I can attempt a Candy Crush level before I want to chuck my phone out the window.
"Looks good," Riele clapped her hands as she wrote down the numbers before pulling the fabric off my arm. "You're getting there."
"At the slowest pace possible," I groaned as I shoved my bookmark in and looked up at her. "What's outside like?"
Riele rolled her eyes at my dramatic attitude. "You, my dear, are something special."
"Do you need to..." I trailed off as I pointed towards the door, knowing she would probably have to leave to attend to another patient here soon. She never stayed as long as I wanted her to.
She shook her head softly and to my surprise, sat down in the chair next to my bed. "Not yet. Dr. Ross asked me to do another evaluation before we decide about therapy for you. I know you said it hadn't worked in the past, but are there any other ways you'd prefer treatment after all this?"
"Honestly," I shrugged my shoulders. "I think it's just a matter of getting used to being treated normally. Like being around my friends and going to school is going to get my progress going faster than anything else."
Riele tapped her pen on her clipboard as she hummed, "I know that's what you want, but I'm worried without someone there to monitor your progress, you might backtrack. I can't sign you up with a peer support group because there's nobody who's been through anything close to what you have."
I sighed and looked away from her. It wasn't that I didn't want to get help. I did. I wanted to be happy again, but I was terrified. When I went through therapy after escaping my dad, my anxiety attacks were happening almost everyday due to reliving the nightmares. It was Mom who finally called them to a stop, saying that we were going to take this day by day instead. Not to mention, The Sisters of Quiet Mercy claimed their "talks" were "therapeutic".
"We can try it," I agreed despite the tension building in my chest. "I can't promise it's going to work but I'm willing to take it slowly."
Riele took a deep breath and nodded. "Savanna, I know what you've gone through is heartbreaking, but I promise you will be happy again."
With teary eyes, I nodded and looked down.
The sound of her pen clicking filled the room as she continued, "You're almost completely off the high dosage antidepressants. We'll keep the anxiety meds going for the beginning of your sessions just to keep your attacks minimal. We're going to keep working on your appetite as well. I promise it'll slowly come back as long as you keep doing your best," She took a breath, "Jughead, Betty."
My head whipped up at their names to see the duo standing in the doorway, solemn looks on their faces. I sucked in a breath. That click wasn't Riele's pen, but instead the door opening meaning they just heard everything she said. I already had Veronica breathing down my throat to get better and now, it was only going to get worse.
