Therapy (Jalex)

Session 16

Patient: Alexander William Gaskarth

Notes: anxious

-Dr. Bassam Barakat

-

"Alex, you look worried," Mom said as she walked past me in the living room. I was curled up on the sofa, blankly staring at my text messages. "What's wrong?"

"I haven't heard from Jack all day," I said, my brow furrowing. "He always texts me after school, but it's been two hours since his school ended. Plus, he said yesterday that he had something planned for us today."

"Really?" My mom glanced at the clock. "Yes, that's strange. Have you contacted him today?"

"Yeah," I replied, becoming more and more worried. "I've sent him seven messages in the past hour. Is that too much?"

"Well, maybe you should ask Dr. Barakat," Mom suggested. "He should know where his son is."

"...You're right. I will." Why didn't I think of that? That was so painfully obvious. I popped up from the couch and gave my mom a hug. "Thanks."

"No worries, love," she said, smiling. "Just be safe."

"I will." I headed out the door and lightly jogged to Dr. Barakat's office. When I reached his building, I pushed open the door. Hilary, as usual, was sitting at her desk.

"Alex?" she asked, raising a well-maintained eyebrow as I came in. "You don't have an appointment today."

"I know. I'm just looking for Dr. Barakat."

"Okay, well, you can go on in, I guess," she said, shrugging. "He's not busy at the moment."

I pushed open the door and continued down the corridor before turning into Dr. Barakat's office. Dr. Barakat was slumped over at his desk, and in his hand was his cell phone, as if he were expecting a call. I cleared my throat awkwardly, and his head shot up.

"Alex..." he said. "Why are you here?"

"Have you heard from Jack?" I asked, wringing my hands nervously, trying not to sound like an overly-attached boyfriend. "He hasn't been returning my texts or calls."

Dr. Barakat's face dropped. "Oh, you haven't heard...?"

"Heard what?" My blood ran cold, freezing in my veins. "What happened to Jack?"

"He... was beaten up at school, and now he's in the hospital. I haven't been able to leave work, so I haven't seen him yet." Dr. Barakat's voice cracked, and he looked up sadly into my eyes with his, the ones that were exactly like Jack's.

"Oh my God..." I ran out of his office and called my mom, tears already forming in my eyes and anxiety bubbling in my stomach. Three rings and then the call went through.

"Mom, can you take me to the hospital? Please? It's Jack..."