The Lies We Told On Thursday Nights

16. Thursday Meeting 2: Smart and Dumb (Emery)

Hi you all! I am happy to report I am added to the People of Society reading lists, and I am almost at 1,000 views! This is amazing, and I really hope that you realize how deep the stigmas and stereotypes of mental illness is.

Also, after the "Hi" chapter is a playlist

AND HUGE NEWS:

I started an Instagram for my writing (nothing official or anything, just a place to discuss writing, fandoms, and get to know you all)

IG:  carpe.diem.write

(Also sorry for the super short chapter, Levi's will be longer)

Emery

Thursday- 7:26 pm

I tugged my fleece sweater anxiously, eyeing the door, the clock, and Cooper who was repeating the same routine. He kept glancing at his watch and the door, obvious awaiting a special guest.

It was cold tonight, and it wasn't just me, other people were wearing sweatshirts. They were all talking amongst each other, chattering about the politician who discussed mental health rights (A/N: One exists???)

I quietly sat there watching Mitch scramble around, trying to place chairs in a circle.

Mitch approached Cooper: "Is your friend coming?" he asked semi-interested.

Cooper shrugged, "I don't know."

I could have just stayed quiet and let them go on thinking he may show up. But I wanted them to know he is never coming again.

Something caught me off guard though, Levi knew Cooper from something mental health related....so was Levi lying?

I wasn't sure, but I knew now was my chance.

"He's not coming," I said indifferently. "I talked to him at school."

Cooper had a moment of realization, nodding in understanding. "You two go to school together?"

I nodded. "Yes. And, how do you two know each other?"

I tried to sound nonchalant, not let my eager curiosity ruin the seemingly honest question.

He opened his mouth to respond, but then closed thoughtfully. He was contemplating telling me the truth.

"I won't say anything," I promised, leaning forward. I tried to seem earnest and caring, and I wasn't planning on saying anything anyways. In fact, I didn't even know what to expect.

"Okay," he mumbled, furring his eyebrows. "We met at the hospital."

I pictured a typical hospital with IV and heart monitors, placing Levi in a hospital bed with a cast. It must have been a sports injury

"Hospital?" I asked to clarify.

"A psychiatric hospital," he responded.

I found myself holding my breath in shock, trying to picture Levi in such a situation. I couldn't imagine it.

"Well, he was in the hospital because he tried to kill himself,," Cooper said melancholy, folding his arms.

I coughed, choking on my own air. Killed himself? My heart began racing as panic seized my body. I was not expecting that. In fact, Levi being severely depressed seemed as unfathomable as me willingly gaining weight.

It was horrendous to think about. And nearly impossible to imagine.

I definitely looked absurdly shocked because Cooper wrinkled his forehead in confusion.

"Is there a problem?" he asked, sounding slightly judgemental.

He had a right to be judgmental, but he didn't know how unthinkable Levi being insecure is. He doesn't know the tough guy who beats people up and screws around girls.

"No," I stammered. "It's just; I didn't expect that."

He studied me, giving me a distant quizzical look.

"Smart people like you," he began teasingly. "Can be real dumb sometimes.

He chuckled slightly snarking at his own joke, but when I didn't return the laugh. He seldom out.

I wanted to respond hostile because people say I am not dumb. And dumb was the second worse insult on my character.

I mean, I definitely don't think I'm a brainiac or really that smart, but I'm not that dumb. Even though a majority of the time I don't think I deserve the grades or awards I get.

Nonetheless, kids hate me because they think I'm the best-a goody two shoes, know it all, overly polite.

But the only reason I act like I'm the best because I think I am the worst. (A/N anyone knows what song that line is from? GO TO MY IG FOR THE ANSWER/HINT)

So, I resumed my know it all demeanor.

"I can't be both smart and dumb. That's impossible" I tried to sound confident because honestly, I couldn't be both.

It's black and white. Just like safe foods and bad foods. Successful or failure.

That is why Levi can't be both suffering and a jerk.

He chuckled again, this time condescendingly.

"No. But you can be human."

I was astonished and caught off guard, even a bit angry to be showed off in front of everyone.

This feeling of nakedness.

"I-" I began...but found myself at a loss of words.

"Human," Cooper echoed, smirking. "Human...like him."

And then Mitch interrupted, and we began.