Therapy was growing on me.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGiBYY0okI
As much as I hated to admit it, it was enjoyable and a great outlet for me. I genuinely looked forward to going and sometimes wished the sessions were longer than an hour and fifteen minutes. They passed so fast once we started talking and I felt a little bummed after every session knowing I'd have to wait till the next.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlXjkwz54i
Summer made it bearable. She didn't pressure me to talk about anything or make me feel dumb for feeling anxious. I know that was her job but a part of me hoped outside of work she actually cared.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfOa3hfWTG
That was the scary part.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzbcwTuqKP
I didn't know if everything she did and said to me was because it was rehearsed or she felt obligated to say things because of her job. Since, that day I found her crying in her car I was unable to escape thoughts of her or stop caring about her. In every place I find myself, everything became a metaphor. Even the simplest things carried a subtle connection to her.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv22u1trwD
I can't escape it. It's an inexplicable feeling.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLV54C5VJ7
Every other thought I had was of her. Her laugh, her voice, her smile. Even that ugly pink mug she drank from every session or her thick rimmed glasses that always slid down her nose. I needed to constantly remind myself I was her client and to keep a level of professionalism for her sake but I couldn't help myself from wanting to be her friend so I could understand her more. She was a mystery to me even with the little things she did tell me, they left me more curious than before.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH00kt8SdzU
It's been about a month and the weather's been more unpleasant than usual with temperatures dropping to 50's. I know it was only November but I had a feeling we'd be seeing snow soon. Frankie and I have a weird relationship. She doesn't know I know she's with West so when we all hang out it gets awkward and she freezes up. I've learned to accept them together and try to avoid them as much as possible so they won't think I'm trying to sabotage anything with my self loathing or depressive comments about my mom.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFI40FY67z
Today Frankie and I agreed on meeting at the library to study for our midterms. I found it easier to be around her when she was away from West so I told her I'd come if he wasn't there.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpx5ECmO0cW
"I can't believe you didn't go to any halloween parties." She opened her book and searched for the chapter we were on.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvhgpCRhff
"I don't know, partying isn't my thing anymore I guess." I shrugged flipping through pages.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ6TVODWfT
"Thats so shocking, you used to never miss a college party even the lame ones." She laughed and I joined in.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlOw1auxyI
"I guess I've changed."
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu70x2Te9Li
We studied for a couple hours before it started getting dark.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Bhoib2VaE
"Do you want to get something to eat?" She asked me after we both packed up.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVftm10QYLD
"Sure, did you have a place in mind?"
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmesWlrWjiN
"What about that burger joint you always used to take me? Is it still open?"
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpRz9cCxEw
"Of course, they're open 24/7."
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnAmKZqY8K
I grab my key and drove us to the restaurant. Their drive through was always broken so we had to go inside and order. The place was packed today and the line reached the back of the store.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkKb7fyR4w
"Maybe we should've called it in." I chuckled looking at the ridiculously long line. I was ready to leave and head to another local restaurant when I spotted a familiar face sitting in a booth alone. Summer was drinking a soda from one of their foam cups holding her receipt up.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqNCXMU7rv
"Let's just go to McDonald's, it'll be faster." Frankie turned towards the exit but I grabbed her arm before she could touch the door.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7vG78pRUb
"No it's okay let's wait." I said, trying to keep my eyes on Summer in case she decides to get up.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CMDbnfKVh
"The burgers aren't even that good I wonder why everyone's here tonight." She sighed.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVkvxM7AfM
"What do you want? I'll go order for us."
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoz4eeN7Z8q
"A number 4 no onions no mustard." She chimed. Still the same as I remembered. We both hate onions so we had the same order.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCsW9AwQcc
I walk over to the line waiting patiently for it to move and feel a tap on my shoulder.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQj74OT54SE
"Hi Thomas. I didn't expect to see you here." She flashed a friendly smile at me. She had a tank top and sweatpants on with a thin grey jacket and sneakers. It looked like she just got out of bed but she somehow still looked perfect even with her hair a mess and mismatched clothing. "Hi Miss Summer, I didn't expect to see you here either. You must've really enjoyed the burger from last time to come again."
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV2ao1tSZD
"As much as I hate to admit it, it was probably one of the best burgers I've had." She held herself rubbing her arms with her hands and closed her jacket up further.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzx3T0gtqw5
"It doesn't look like you're dressed for the weather, you seem cold."
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64U0VXIzi0
"I didn't expect to get out of the car but the drive through is under construction ." She continued rubbing her arms. I took off my jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. She looked at me confused but accepted it.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzZMj6DZOP
"You can keep mine." I returned her friendly smile. She grabbed the grey jacket and put her arms through the sleeves. Something about her in my jacket made me feel jittery like a kid getting to eat his desert before his meal. "You look better in it than me." I said and she let a small laugh out.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzjC6Ly6Ng
"Thank you, Thomas. I will be sure to return this to you on Tuesday."
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqNxm9jNel
"You should keep it. I have an extra one at home."
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PxtcoirKB
"That's very sweet of you but I would rather not." She flipped back over to her professional voice and I took that as a sign I might be stepping over some boundaries. The cashier called out a number sequence and she scanned over her receipt before going up to grab a paper bag full of food. "What did you get?"
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7dvlfgzMj
"Number 7 extra onions extra pickles."
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3HmKQFuma
"Extra onions?" I scrunched my face up in fake disgust and she laughed at me. "Onions are the best part of a good burger." she spoke confidently.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OkC6xehYQ
"They taste horrible and ruin the flavor."
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pA6W5XMgL
"Sounds like something a child would say." She rolled her eyes playfully. She seemed to be in a good mood and even made a joke. A loud voice sounded in the restaurant indicating I was next in line to order.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2QUK49iTs
"I should get going it was nice seeing you."
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OCHGwzCQp
"It was nice seeing you too."
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAOAyttq6C
I wanted to walk her out but I remembered I came with Frankie so it wouldn't be the smartest idea. Once I placed our order we sat and waited together.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnFgOe5n1H
"Who was that?"
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA20FVdTLhY
"Miss Summer, my therapist from the other night."
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzGsIy1YuH
"Oh yeah, I vaguely remember her. You guys seem close."
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKY98nwx6H
"I guess." I shrug.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD1t0TYn19
"How is therapy going anyway?" She asked concerned.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wlC67NzRM
"It's going well actually. I'm learning how to handle my emotions a little better."
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhlAzLryJ2
"I've noticed you've put on some weight, you look a-lot healthier."
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcVnvlqsYN
"I started working out again."
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAEwLYTnDE
"Well you look great." She scratched her arm nervously as she spoke. Despite her compliment and the way her eyes scanned my body, I didn't feel flattered by her words like I used to. While I'd normally appreciate hearing that I look great, knowing I needed those words at my lowest, it didn't feel like a genuine compliment this time.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoEhbErEBQ
We finally received our food after a short wait and ate. When we finished we headed towards the car so I could drop her off at home. The crisp air hit my skin like knives and goosebumps rose from my skin. I only had a black T shirt on since I gave my jacket away. A hint of regret showered over me but quickly disappeared when I realized she probably needed it more than me.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHQhFrFPu4
"Tommy you're going to get sick where did you put your jacket?" Frankie linked her arm to mine on the walk to the car and she started rubbing me with her fleece coat. We got into the car after a minute before I could answer her.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43cv2B4BBp
"I gave it to Summer." I released a shaky breath, rubbing my hands together searching for warmth. I turned the heated seats of the car on and started driving.
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrz26Rq82L3
"You gave your coat to her?" She had showed her irritation in her voice. I didn't give her a verbal response, I nodded and turned my attention back on the road.
ns 15.158.61.12da2
