𝐇𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐁.

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈 :: 𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑏𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠

Davina sighed, stretching her short limbs out across her bed, a small yawn escaping her mouth as she squeezed her eyes shut tightly.

Today was the day. A new beginning.

Davina had some idea of how things would go, given that this was her third time seeing a doctor for her episodes. She figured this would be like any of those other times, but her father had reassured her over dinner last night–their usual, chinese takeout night–that this time would go different. He was absolutely sure of it.

She wasn't entirely convinced, she knew how these things usually went. It wouldn't be much of a surprise if the doctor she was seeing today walked out in the first twenty minutes of their session. Yes, she timed them. What do you expect? She was used to this, it was practically routine by now.

With a exhausted sigh, Davina lifted herself out of bed to prepare herself for the day. Nothing too fancy of course, she dressed in grey sweatpants and a oversized black sweatshirt. She didn't bother with makeup, she never really got into the whole 'caking your face like a pro' thing, nor did she bother herself with a bunch of jewelry.

The one thing she did happen to wear was a golden ring with the initial 'M' on it for her mother, who had died giving birth to her. She had never taken it off, wanting to always be close with her mother.

It was just Davina and her dad, and sometimes her aunt Lynne who always stopped over on the weekends to have a family dinner. Davina enjoyed those, she practically welcomed them since it was the only time she felt normal. Davina's aunt Lynne is her mother's older sister, only by two years though.

As Davina continued getting ready for the day, she thought about the psychiatrist that she was supposed to be seeing today. All she knew was that he was a man and that his name was Doctor Langdon and not much else, except the fact that her father had talked nonstop about the man being a 'miracle worker sent from heaven'.

Davina's father knocked on the bathroom door, seeing that his daughter was currently putting away her toothbrush, getting ready to work her hair into some attempt of decency. She looked up, her tired eyes meeting her fathers in the bathroom mirror.

"Hey dad," Davina mumbled, tying her hair up into a loose ponytail, her baby hairs framing her face in a delicate way. Her father smiled, leaning his weight against the door. "You ready, kiddo?"

Davina only nodded, turning to walk past her father and down the stairs, not bothering to take her cellphone since it was considered a distraction. Davina walked outside, the sun shining down heavily on Davina's skin, giving her a earthly glow. Davina immediately squinted her eyes, waiting for her dad to come outside to start the car.

"So, are you ready?" Davina's father–his name is Ted–asked, a bright smile on his face. Davina shrugged, "I guess so.." she trailed off, playing with the hem of her sweatshirt.

"Are you sure you want to wear that sweatshirt? It's really hot outside Davina, I don't want you to feel ill later on."

"I'm sure dad," she spoke flatly.

Ted only nodded, walking over to unlock the car so both him and Davina could hop in.

"Are you nervous?" Ted asked, starting the car and pulling out of the parkway. Davina snorted, "No. Should I be?"

Ted shrugged, "Well, no. I'm just curious as to whether or not you had any questions about Doctor Langdon. From what I heard he is the best there is and when I talked to him on the phone, he sounded very confident that he would be able to help you overcome..." Ted winced, not being able to continue speaking.

Davina looked out the window, watching different houses go by as she listened to her father speak, wondering about her new psychiatrist, though not speaking her own thoughts aloud. "I have no questions dad..." Davina spoke softly, leaning her head back and closing her eyes. She was so, so tired. Hopefully this new doctor could give her something to help her sleep without any nightmares for once.

✧ ✧ ✧

Davina and her father Ted stepped into Doctor Langdon's office, the room smelling like vanilla and something else indescribable. It smelt sweet. Welcoming, almost.

The office had hard-wooden floors, and grey painted walls with leather black furniture. The reception lady was plump, red lipstick coated her lips and her hair was tied back in a tight bun.

As Davina and her father walked up to her, she smiled instantly, white teeth sparkling. "Hello there, how may I help you today?"

Davina's father smiled back sheepishly, "Hello ma'am, I'm here for my daughter Davina, she has a nine o'clock appointment with Doctor Langdon."

The reception lady continued smiling, nodding. "Of course, of course! Let me just check her in and she'll be all set. Just so you're aware, your insurance completely covers her sessions with Doctor Langdon, as well as any other treatments he feels that is necessary for her. For example, if he wants to put her on any type of medication, it'll be covered."

Ted nodded, "Oh, thank you. This is her first session here, so by any chance do you know how long the first session usually is?"

Davina stood behind her father, looking across the room to the empty waiting room. She breathed out slowly, walking over to one of the chairs and sitting down, tapping her foot along to the classical music that was softly coming from the speaker in the ceiling.

She watched her dad and the reception lady continue to talk and heard her dad ask a million more questions. Davina rolled her eyes, leaning her head back and closing her eyes, crossing her arms and waited for Doctor Langdon to come and get her.

✧ ✧ ✧

"Ms. Lockhart?"

Davina's eyes snapped open, immediately looking over to her right to where a tall, strawberry-blond man stood. Davina felt her heart to race, standing to her feet nervously, her dad turned to look over at both his daughter and the doctor.

"You'll be fine, Davina," Ted encouraged.

Davina nodded at her father, looking up through her eyelashes at who seemed to be her new psychiatrist. He smiled gently, "Right this way, Ms. Lockhart."

Davina swallowed, making her way into Doctor Langdon's personal office as he held the door open for her, then he followed right behind his new client, shutting the door with a soft 'click'.

Now, things were about to get interesting.