Eternal

PSYCHOlogist

Chapter 5: PSYCHOlogist

“Lisbeth, if you would go with Dr Barring please dear. Don’t worry you’ll be excused from your next class.” Ms Ellis chirped, plastering on a big encouraging smile. 

Dr Barring didn’t look like anything out of the ordinary. He was dressed in an ill-fitting pinstriped suit with a slightly rumpled starched white shirt beneath and worn out black loafers. His dead straight mousy brown hair had receded several inches leaving behind a very prominent and shiny forehead, grooves carved between thick brown eyebrows and surrounding his taught mouth suggested he was a very serious man with beady eyes and a well-kept goatee. It wasn’t his appearance, I knew that instantly, but something told me it was not a good idea to go anywhere with this man. 

Leery of the sudden warning bells blaring in my head I hesitantly glanced at the people around me. There was Ryan sitting in front of me, he didn’t look the least bit interested in Dr Barring and was still doodling away on his paper. Cassandra was bopping her head to music and probably hadn’t even realised someone had entered. Devon was curiously watching what was going on but there was nothing to suggest that he was the least bit putt-off by him. 

When I still didn’t say a word or get up to comply I felt Lucy jab me in the ribs and lean her frizzy blonde head closer, “It’s just the grief counsellor, Liz. We all have to do it. I’ve gone already and he’s not that bad, you just sit there and he asks you like two questions then lets you go.”

Not at all soothed by this I grudgingly nodded and stood, aware that despite Ms Ellis’ obvious compassion towards my situation she was getting annoyed. My stomach roiled as I followed Dr Barring from the safety of the history class, our footsteps the only sound as we weaved through the halls. 

He came to a stop at a small room near the back of the school, no used classrooms on this corridor. Don’t be stupid, Lisbeth! He’s just a damn counsellor. Nothing you weren’t expecting. Get your ass in there and get it over with so you can leave. I chided myself, taking a deep breath at the door before stepping into the claustrophobic space and shut the only exit. 

Always listen you’re your instincts, Bunny, never everignore them. I almost whirled around and ran from the room as Keegan’s words drifted through my thoughts. That’s what he’d told me over and over again since we were little.  I warred with myself over it for a moment, shifting from foot to foot with my back pressed to the door as Dr Barring settled into a ratty old slipper chair that was pushed up against the far wall under the only small window. 

He eyed me with malice clear in his gaze though he tried to cover it with friendliness.  Well, there’s my answer. Out we go. My fingers curled around the bronze doorknob, intent on bolting the second I’d opened the door only to have the good Doc snarl at me. Snarl, like an actual animal. I froze at the sound, my eyes widening to the size of dinner plates. (Password: Chubbybunny)

“Now now, Ms Marshal, you can’t be leaving already.” He wheedled, narrowing his dark brown eyes at me accusingly, like I held the key to life itself. “Why don’t you have a seat and we can start?” the hissed command didn’t really give me much of a choice so I carefully sidled up to the only other chair and sat down across from him, my heart thumping so hard I’m surprised he couldn’t hear it. 

A malicious smile slowly spread across his face as he leaned forward to rest his elbows on his thighs, his hands clasped together. “I have been told that you and Mr Masters were very close, Ms Marshal. In fact, the best of friends. Is that correct?” By the spark that flared in his eyes he already knew the answer. 

Oh so he wanted to intimidate me, huh? Buster you have no idea who you’re messing with. Tears sprung to my eyes readily and my bottom lip trembled as I gave a jerky nod. i neededtogetthe advantage, playing along was the safest bet for now.