Yours, truly

Chapter 1.

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Luke

"Next, we are going to be talking about outlets" Alan explained to the group.

A familiar hand burst up into the air as the girl next to me squirmed in her seat to be answered. Her feet tapped against the floor and a proud smile was spread across her face.

"Yes, Sally?" Oh for god's sake.

Group therapy was the worst hour of my week.

"An outlet is the expression of one's feelings, ideas or emotions from a hobby, past-time or something they enjoy doing. Outlets can be good for stress, unsureness and mental health" she answered immediately then her huge smile returned on her face as she peered at the rest of the room.

Alan chuckled in his chair and nodded. "Yes, Sally is right. Outlets can be good for everyone and like she said, our mental health. Would anyone like to share any of their outlets?"

I was surprised when saint-like Sally didn't burst out with an answer like finger-painting or some shit. She sat there like the rest of us waiting for someone in the circle to answer.

Alan laughed again, irritatingly and spoke. "Okay, I'll go first. My outlet would be reading. I love to read and I have countless books at home. I like reading because books take me to a different world and I can get away from things sometimes"

My mind wandered and I couldn't help but wonder what sort of things Alan had to get away from.

The room fell silent again and I coughed awkwardly glancing at the clock on the wall for the eleventh time. Just a few more minutes.

Please kill me.

"My outlet would be..." Jane, a girl who's been coming for a few weeks mumbled "....running. I love to run but my disorder kind of prevents me from doing it and now I can't anymore" Alan nodded encouraging her to keep going.

"Whenever I do it I just think of how far I can go and how many calories I'm burning" she added as she looked down avoiding everyone's stares.

"Not being able to express our emotions can be hard, especially if you love what you do. But sometimes in special circumstances, it's for the greater good" Alan explained to her and she nodded.

"And people can have multiple outlets, let's not forget! Hugo, what about you?" Alan gestured to the guy sitting two seats away from me. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, knowing I would earn a disapproving look if I did.

The first thing that caught my eye when I looked over was Hugo's platinum-bleached blonde box-dye hair. The second was the Harry Potter shirt and then his sleeve of tattoos. I grimaced at the poorly drawn lion spitting fire that wrapped across his upper arm.
Hugo joined two months ago but I've never really spoken to him.

The only person I could stand in group therapy was my good friend Zack, and he wasn't here this week.

"My outlet would be wrestling. Ever since I was a kid I loved it and it helps me with my anger" he explained.
His voice was rough, and deep and sounded ten years older than he was. I noticed the cigarette stains on his fingertips.

"That's a good one. That's similar to you Luke isn't it?" Alan asked.

My eyes averted from Hugo as I heard my name and I looked at Counsellor Alan.

"Sorry?" I asked cluelessly. I loathed any participation in any of our sessions but Alan was determined.

"Well, sports are a good way to let out our emotions. They can also keep us healthy. Your investment in soccer is the same way Hugo is with his sport" he explained.