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13 » determined

... { " I was determined to figure Wyatt out, " }

"Ivory, please, take a seat." Mr. Lucas said with a cheery smile, the corners of his aged eyes crinkling with delight.

This was the first session I've had with him since meeting Wyatt for the first time, and frankly I was nervous. I still didn't forgive Mr. Lucas for betraying my trust in him, but I guess it was time to let it go.

It's been a few days since Wyatt and I searched for my brother. I have been avoiding Wyatt during those uneventful hours. I didn't want to face him, especially after what he said.

"I can't answer that."

I shook my head of his husky voice and focused on the counsellor, who was sitting in his chair gathering up his notes. "It's been a while, hasn't it?" Mr. Lucas asked.

I nodded and sucked in a sharp breath to calm the nerves. "I-It has." Despite my stuttering, I felt slightly confident, even more so than I was a few weeks ago.

Mr. Lucas seemed pleased to hear my voice and began scribbling away. "How have you been?"

"Good." I answered quietly, keeping my damp hands tightly clasped together in my lap.

He wrote some more, looking up at me every now and then, before he placed his pen down on the clipboard. "I believe you're making a very good improvement, Ivory. Your mother will be ecstatic with the results."

I felt my chest tighten at the mentioning of my mum. It was saddening to watch her leave early hours in the morning for work and not return until late at night. I hated seeing the exhaustion on her face every time she walked through the front door. I feel like I'm just another burden to her when I ask about her day, and I feel even worse when Tommy annoys her with silly requests.

I still couldn't believe how easily Tommy had befriended Wyatt. The way they played together...it was like they had known each other for years. And that somehow made me wonder why Wyatt needed counselling.

"U-um, mister Lucas?" I called out quietly, my voice sounding like a gentle breeze.

Mr. Lucas lifted his head in surprise but gave me a comforting smile. "Yes Ivory?"

I fiddled with my fingers for a little while, trying to figure out what to say. I came up with several different sentence structures in my head on how to ask such a personal question. Then, after settling on one, I asked. "Why are you counselling Wyatt?"

Mr. Lucas looked taken aback at my question. "Ivory, I'm not supposed to give out personal information on my clients."

Another question crossed my mind. "Then why did you tell Wyatt about me?"

"I don't understand what you're-"

"T-the deal..." I trailer off, unable to speak anymore as my throat constricted.

I didn't realise how much I was talking until my mind processed the scene all over again. I actually produced sentences without panicking or stammering.

I guess that really is an improvement.

Mr. Lucas sighed and shook his head as he gazed at me. "You overheard us?"

I gave him a stiff nod before he began to click his pen continuously. "I guess that makes sense, seeing as you had to leave so suddenly. You wanted to know why, right?" After a short silence he continued. "Look, I don't think it's my place to tell you about Wyatt. But I will tell you that he has no intention of winning the deal. I know he wants to erase everything, but he is holding back."

He sighs and leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I believe he wants to forget the past, but he cannot do that until he confronts it."

Curiosity burned in my chest. What happened in Wyatt's past that made him want to forget it? I will admit that my past was not something I wanted to remember. All those sleepless nights had caused me great grief and despair that I almost wished it never occurred.

But forgetting my past would mean not meeting Wyatt.

There was something inside of me that fluttered when I thought of that. It felt strange but oddly pleasant. Wyatt wasn't a bad guy, I could see that after what happened with Tommy. I knew that he was hiding behind a hard shell, afraid to break down his walls, so he turns cold towards others.

I was determined to figure Wyatt out, just as he was going to figure me out.