Broken Walls

C. 5

I knocked lightly on the door, hoping Mr. Jameson wouldn't hear it but before I could say I tried and walk away, the school therapist appeared and welcomed me inside.

He smiled and gestured to a small fold out chair in front of his desk while walking to the mini fridge in the corner.

"Coke or water?"

"Water please."

He should see me and know I don't need any more carbs.

"Alright, catch. Jamie right?

"T-thank you. Um- y-yes sir."

"Call me Richard. So," Mr. Jameson sat in his chair leaning back and popping open his own drink. "Do you know why your here? You know why Ms. Whitman sent you?"

"I-I know why.."

"Your teacher has told me you wrote a rather disturbing story today. She says that you told her it was about a song that you didn't quite understand?"

I didn't like how he was so casual, like he didn't really care, whilst I sat there shifting and awkwardly taking small sips of my water. It was kind of like when you meet someone new and you don't quite want them to give you their full attention yet that's all they're doing.

Mr. Jameson leaned forward in his chair, folding his arms and giving me a challenging stare.

"But I don't think that's the case."

I shifted away, trying to pry his burning gaze away from me.

"So, what was the song was called." He asked me, the cocky smile never leaving his face.

Richard spoke like he didn't care but the way he was staring at me, told me he generally wanted to know.

"I don't remember."

The lie came out quickly and Mr. Jameson seemed to believe it.

"Well. Jamie. I have news for you." I looked at him expectantly. "Yes?" I made eye contact for a few seconds before staring at the wall behind him again.

"The news is that your a terrible liar, and you need to work on that-" I went to interrupt him but Robert beat me to it, "-And I am also going to call your parents about this behavior."

With this, tears welled up in my eyes, I'm already a disappointment, mom and dad don't need a reminder of just how often I can let them down.

"N-no, please don't- please don't call them." I croaked out.

"Woah, woah, woah, Jamie, calm down ok? If you tell me what's going on, we can talk it out. We can get this sorted and who knows, maybe your parents won't need to be told, yeah?" By now he had dropped the annoyingly cocky attitude and replaced it with a reassuring smile.

A sympathetic one.

I hated it.

"Um.. ok? Just- just as long as you don't tell them.... I can't continue to be a let down..." Mumbling the last part, I wiped my eyes, horrified that I had allowed the tears to form in front of a stranger.

"Tell me why you just got so upset."

I didn't answer.

"Jamie, the deal was you talk and I keep my mouth shut. If you don't keep up your end, then I tell your parents."

After staring out a window a little longer, I decided to be halfway decent and answer the question.

"I don't want my parent to know that I'm not happy."

"So your sad then?"

"I don't know."

"Jami-"