The Boy Next Door

Chapter 1

Present

I wrap my arms around myself for comfort, my eyes bouncing between the white walls of the hallway and the silver door handle on the door. My first appointment; I haven't even started my session yet and I already want to leave.

Chewing on my bottom lip, I take in a deep breath while knocking softly on the door. My brown eyes meet the green ones of my therapist, the deep emerald color causing my breath to hitch some. Her smile is warm, though, as she welcomes me into her office.

"Hi, you must be Cameron. I'm so glad you could make it. I'm Dr. Sanchez, but please feel free to call me Maria. How are you?"

"Hi," I say softly, my voice cracking slightly. The office looks cozy enough—large floor to ceiling windows, sleek black desk, cushioned light gray chairs and couch. I shake her hand before taking a seat on the couch. "Um. . . I'm okay, just nervous I guess."

"Completely understandable," she replies while taking a seat opposite of me in the chair, crossing her legs at the ankles. "We'll take things as slow or as fast as you would like. Okay?"

I nod, my eyes not meeting hers as I glance at the throw pillows littering the couch. I grab the yellow pillow, holding it close to my chest as she opens her notepad and such. I stare at the recorder on the coffee table in between us, knowing everything I say will live forever on audio.

Maria sighs gently, my gaze lifting to see her clasp her hands over her knees. "Okay, sweetie. Why don't you start at the beginning for me. Whenever you're ready."

I gulp and breath in heavily, my nerves starting to get the best of me.

I can do this. It's for my own good.

I send an uneasy smile her way, nodding my head as I straighten up on the couch, my lips parting as I begin to retell my story.

~~~~~~~
(Past)

"You do realize I leave in like. . . two hours?" My brother said, his voice interrupting the silence of my room.

I roll my eyes while burrowing myself under the sheets. "And you do realize I'm trying to sleep, right?"

"Clearly not if you're talking to me." He said, plopping down on top of me.

"D-Derek get o-off." I groaned. I felt myself begin to crumble under his weight, my struggling groans over shadowed by his deep chuckles.

He rolled off and walked somewhere around my room, allowing me to suck in the much needed air. I pulled the covers down to glare at him, before I placed the pillow over my face, trying to drown out his obnoxiously loud stepping.

"Could you leave?" I mumbled out against the pillow.

"Yeah yeah, whatever." He murmured, no doubt all in his phone. "Get up, though."

At the sound of my door closing shut, I pulled the pillow off my face. With tired eyes, I glanced over at the clock, the time reading seven-thirty. I groaned, running a hand down my face and over my eyes, as I dragged myself out of bed and towards my closet to find something to wear.

I pulled out a baby blue halter top and white shorts. I was headed towards the bathroom, when my phone started to ring, making me walk over to my night stand.

"Hello?" I answered groggily.

"Hey! You need to come over today." My best friend, Kristen, stated. Knowing I'd be on the phone for a minute, I walk over to my bay window and take a seat.