chaotic perfection

Chapter eight

  It's the next day and I'm ready for my class. Sitting in the front row I have my hair in a messy bun, my standard hoodie, leggings and boots combo and I'm attentively writing notes as the professor talks about how the brain reacts to certain situations and due to certain mental illnesses how that effects their reactions. I snap up at the mention of stalkers.
  "Some people have it in their head that someone is theirs and only theirs. Like property. They become obsessive, they watch them sleep, watch who they hang out with, know their schedules. The brain is a very very finicky thing and not all is black and white. There's triggers for these people. You never really know unless you know what what will cause them, if they become at all, violent. Some stalkers aren't violent they just want to admire. They see themselves as your friend and believe to be apart of your life because they know what you're up to all the time. They feel involved. Others will become violent and it's important to know how to properly deal with these things when you become involved in ones life. You will encounter them as a therapist, as a person on the streets, as a mother, a father, anything. They're very few and far between but you have to know the proper actions necessary should you become their therapist. They are indeed under patient doctor confidentiality. The only way to break that is if they admit to a crime, admit they want to hurt themselves or others. You will have to file a report and an investigation will be held if necessary but those files will be saved for future use should anything happen later. Some are master manipulators. They will try and make it seem as if they are in no way obsessed merely friends with them and know them. It's easy to spot if you know where to look. Your assignment today is to look into certain things you think could cause these issues mentally, write a theory on said mental illness and bring it back next class. Class is dismissed."
  Gathering my notes I leave class with all the thoughts swarming my head of Heath and how he showed signs of all of that. I knew stalkers were a thing but he hadn't been stalking he was just some asshole who had become enraged that I left him. I force the thoughts away. Looking up I see a familiar tall man with those damn eyes. He's leaning against my car.
   "Stark what are you doing here?" I say in a surprise. How did I never notice how pretty he is. He has a lean build not too muscly. He has pale skin which contrasts his dark hair. He must have noticed my lingering stare.
  "Rox will ya quit eyeing me like that I'm a man not a piece of meat" His half smile and dimple appears. "I'm here to take you to our old spot and catch up. I have a lot to make up for so here's the first act." He nervously pulls his hand out from behind him and it has a bouquet of sunflowers. They've always been my favourite flower.
  "You're such a mushy dork! Thank you" I smile as I grab the flowers. He puts his hands deep in his pocket again before we walk to his car.
  "I've got a vase and some water in the car too so don't worry." He seems more nervous than normal but I'm guessing that's due to not seeing me for so long. Even though I haven't seen him in so many years it still feels like when we were teenagers.
   "You know I never went back to the beach after that night." I say quietly picking at my fingers once more. "Just never felt the same without you there. And when Stacy and George broke up we stopped hanging out. I think they stopped liking me anyways when I kind of.. fell of the deep end too. Just in my own way ya know?"
   "Yeah.. I went back once when I visited a couple summers ago. But you're right it wasn't the same. It felt empty even with all those people." He says with sadness creeping into his eyes.
   "How is your dad and Amelia?" I ask trying to change the subject.
   "They're fine. Dads kind of seeing someone but it never lasts anymore. He's tried a few times but his hearts never in it. Amelia is still with Max they're living together in New York where she's designing clothes." He smiles fondly thinking about her success.
  "That's amazing! I saw her in a couple magazines but wow, New York. I've never been, I bet it's beautiful." Just then I see a flash of someone I think I know on the sidewalk standing, staring into the car. I tense up but quickly fidget with my hair. It can't be, there's no way.
   "Rox what's wrong?" He asks
    "Oh nothing I'm just seeing things it's no biggie. So any girlfriend back home? Is Stark finally off the market?" I give a light laugh. Stark never dated in school. It was kind of weird but I respected it.
  "No, I don't have anyone there." He says curtly looking at me before returning to the road.
   "That's their loss then. You've always been a catch. I told you that all the time" I say matter of factly and find that we're pulling into a parking space.
We both sigh as we take in the beach. Just as it looked so many years ago. There's an empty fire pit which we quickly claim.
  "So you're almost graduated. A year left isn't it?" He smiles at me.
  "Yeah one long ass year. This has been such a tedious journey but I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm really enjoying learning about it all and can't wait to help someone one day. Truly help them." I look down and smile at my feet.
  "You've come a long way you know. You used to say fuck every two words. That wouldn't have gone over well with your patients." He gives a laugh and I join in.
  "Yeah yeah Yeah, ok smart ass." I laugh some more.
"What about you how's college for you? You've finally decided on English major and you graduate your next quarter don't you?" It woulda been this one but he skipped it.
  "Yeah I decided to take this quarter off. Of course it wasn't in my best interest but I really needed to just get away. See my mum, see home, see you." His haze pierces me.
  "What made you think I'd finally talk to you this time?" I ask.
  "Well I didn't really give you much choice I went to you instead of expecting to run into you. And you finally listened to me instead of deleting my texts and emails." He says with bitterness. "Mostly I thought you'd had enough time of being away from me. You know we're meant to be in each other's lives." He coos.
  I feel a slight pink come to my cheeks.
  "Ohh, I've finally gotten the mighty Rox to blush" he says gently pushing his shoulder into mine. "Never thought I'd see the day where I, Stark, would make you blush." He teases with a small laugh at the end.
   I playfully smack his arm. "oh lay off the teasing, ya shit." I laugh. It's been a long time since words have had any form of effect but if anyone has a way with words, it's Stark.