Unique

A Little Bit of Help

I still had a bit of a spring in my step the next day when I went to see my therapist.

I had been seeing her since I moved here. My dad thought it would be best to see someone after what happened and I wasn't going to say no especially since my father did so much research to find the best of the best.

Plus, I could use a little bit of help anyways.

I was not too prideful to admit that. . . Well not anymore.

I approach the receptionist and give her a crooked smile, "I'm Makino's two o'clock."

The receptionist gives me a confirming nod, not looking up from her computer. She didn't seem to want to give the time of day to another kook like me that was messed up enough to have to see a therapist.

Okie dokie then, just how I wanted to feel.

I sit down in one of the navy lounge chairs and cross my legs, wiping my sweaty palms on my faded jean shorts.

I had been seeing Makino for three months and I still got nervous to talk to her. I felt like I was wasting her time and being a burden. She constantly reassured me it was her job to listen to people's problem.

I wish the assurance was enough to not make ever session a huge nerve racking experience.

She knew everything. The things I was still in denial about. The things I didn't want to tell anyone. Down to every last dirty detail.

"Rose. It is so nice to see you again. Come on back." Makino peeked out around the corner her forest green hair pulled back in its normal low ponytail.

I take a deep, grounding breath and follow her back to her quaint office, my canvas purse bumping on my hip. I sat down in the plush red couch that I always revealed my secrets in.

Her office was a soft blue with various nature pictures hanging on the walls. A Christmas cactus hung from the ceiling and a fern sat at the end of the couch. There were also neat black book shelves that held books, CDs, other therapy tools, and toys.

Normal therapist kind of set up.

Like normal, she sat across from me in a matching red armchair with her notepad and a kind close lipped smile, "How was your week? Anything interesting happen?"

"Uhhh. My phone died in the rain storm yesterday and I stumbled into the Grandline Ballroom Dance Studio." I start fiddling with the hem of my loose powder pink tank top mentally reminding myself that she considered my life interesting.

"Oh! My husband and I have attended a few events thrown by them. It is a gorgeous building. How did that go?" She remarks making sure to make eye contact with me with her chocolate brown eyes.

"Well I made a huge fool of myself stumbling up the stairs, half blind because of the rain but I did manage to ask a nice lady that works there to call me a taxi without feeling too dumb." I rub my thumb along the knuckles of my hand anxiously. I hated that things like this were the highlight of my days.

"Well that is good to hear. Working at the cafe and volunteering seems to be helping you get your people skills back even if it is still nerve racking." Makino bubbles appearing genuinely excited for me.

Then I told her everything about Sanji. How he taught me to dance. Our conversation. Him giving me his number.

"How did you react to that? Sounds like a lot going on at once." She frowns her slender brow.

"Honestly it was terrifying and I felt completely stupid. I made him uncomfortable when I asked him about his siblings, I jumped when he touched me because I was scared that he was going to try something, and I just sat there in silence when he gave me his number because I assumed he wanted something from me." Frustrated tears bite at my eyes. I never used to over think.