Never Gonna Be Alone

Chapter 23--- What's Going On?

When Laten came in the house, he saw his father inside. “Hey, Dad.”

Chuck smiled. “Hey, Laten. What’s up?”

“Nothing much. I have a lot of catching up to do. I’ll see ya.” Laten was about to go to his room, when Chuck called out to him. “Anderson is waiting for you. He’s in your room.” 

Laten rolled his eyes. Great. As if one was not enough. Laten walked into his room, shutting the door. “What’d you want?”

Anderson chuckled. “For you to trust me. That’s a start.”

Laten turned, and he saw him on his bed. “Get the hell off of my bed, now!”

Anderson chuckled again. “There’s room for the two of us…just talking.”

Laten narrowed his eyes at that. ‘That’s a really weird response.’ “Ha ha, I don’t think so. I’m just gonna stand right here.”

Anderson shrugged. “Okay. It’s up to you.” Anderson took off his jacket, and laid it on the bed. “So, tell me why you cut.”

Laten laughed. “You really think I’m gonna come out to you? Just like that?” Then Laten had an idea. What if he got rid of both his therapists? He could tell Anderson that he’s getting help, and he could tell Amanda that he’s getting help. That way, both of them could leave him alone. Laten still had this creepy feeling that he should stay away. This guy’s responses were just adding to that, and not in a good way. “Because I’m already getting help.”

Anderson rose an eyebrow at that. “Your father never mentioned that.”

Laten kept his cool. “That’s weird because a school therapist is helping me. Her name’s Dr. Amanda Line.”

Anderson smirked. He got up and went to Laten until he cornered him. “Or is this just a silly little scheme that you made up to get rid of me? Because guess what? I’m not going anywhere.”

Laten started getting really uncomfortable. “C-can you just like--back up? Okay?”

Andersons’ smirk deepened. “Just reminding you.” Then he went back to the bed. “I talked to your father and he’s really hurt by the fact that you cut yourself.”

“I realize that. I am trying to stop.”

Anderson hummed. “And what is the reason for you trying to stop?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?”

Anderson went behind him and came up real close. “I would love to know. That’s the reason why we’re here. For you to talk to me, and for me to try and help you.”

Laten moved away from him. “Well, I’m already getting help, so your job here is done.”

“I’d think about that if I were you. Your father is still in charge here.” Anderson sat down. “So, if you don’t want to talk about your self-harming, what do you want to talk about?”

Laten scoffed. “Let’s talk about how you’re always so close to me even when I moved away from you.”

Anderson laughed. “Oh that! It’s a method. It’s to help kids get more comfortable about being so close to another person without all the hate. It helps them to know there’s a friend there they can lean on. Like an older brother. It helps to build them trust.”

“So, you…cornering me in the door, was to try and gain my trust?” Laten doubted that.

Anderson sighed. “Your right. It’s stupid. I apologize. Your not like most kids. I gotta keep reminding myself of that. I’m really sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable.”