She Will Always Hate Me

v: not even an inkling of a spiral

This chapter is edited.
WARNING:
This story deals with some heavy topics i.e. mental health, depression, mentions of suicide, physical abuse, as well as eating disorders. Please read at your own risk.

After how the last session had gone, Preston Southeast wasn't super keen on seeing the Biggest Challenge that day. He had gotten a break from him for awhile, a nice healthy three days away from him, had helped Preston clear his head.

Granted, he still saw the boy the Monday before, yet they had been in an awkward stalemate; with Dipper not speaking, and Preston trying desperately to coax a single answer out of the boy.

Preston wasn't planning on taking silence as an answer that morning.

"So, Dipper," he began, using the name the boy preferred unless he wanted a repeat of their most disastrous session thus far. "We are going to be discussing your family today, unless there is something more pressing you'd like to discuss?"

The boy sat up straight on the chair across from Preston, a perfect image of deception. "Oh yes, let's talk about my family, shall we? How about we pick up where we left off? With my sister, was it?"

Preston wasn't expecting the swift change in attitude, especially since the boy seemed to want to comply. He doubted it was actually genuine, but there was no harm in trying to get him to talk. Preston would just have to keep his guard up.

"I'll start, I broke into the mayor's house, snuck into his secret lair, dug through piles upon piles of files until I found the one regarding my sister." Dipper brushed his nails off, as if they were dirty.

Preston couldn't help but frown at the boy's very obvious lie, but perhaps there were more truths to his statements than he led you to believe? It was a long shot, but if Preston complied, it might throw the boy off his guard.

Clearing his throat, Preston leaned forward just enough to appear interested. "And are you happy with the results you've found?"

Dipper chuckled darkly, which was alarming in its own way. "Happy? Now what would make you assume that I am happy with said results? Happy is an emotion I'm afraid I don't have the luxury for."

Preston nodded and made a mental note to write that down later. He'd grown accustomed to writing his thoughts and notes down after Dipper had left, as to not draw attention to himself. He learned after their first meeting that the boy would jump on anything to keep the session away from himself. "Well, if you were not happy, then what?"

The boy slunk back down in his chair, his eyes downcast. "I'm not quite sure."

Preston was about to launch into a discussion on that particular topic when Dipper suddenly jolted back up.

"Not that it's my job to tell you how I'm feeling. I thought that would be up your alley." Dipper continued acting aloof. Was it even an act? Preston truly couldn't tell.

"That's not how this works, Dipper." Preston continued, trying to figure out what the boy was saying. Although he'd only had the equivalent of one productive session with him, Preston realized that there were hidden meanings in the boy's words. His particular way of phrasing his sentences was proof enough.

"Oh? You don't think I know how this works?" Dipper leaned forward slightly, blue eyes glittering with mischief and malice. "Well, you'd be correct!"

Preston chose to ignore the obvious attempt at provocation and tried to move on from there. "You have to talk so I can help."

Dipper pretended to think about it, judging by the look on his face, he wasn't taking anything that Preston was saying seriously. "Well, what would you like to hear? Hm, let's see. . .how about we start with my slow descent into madness?"