Chapter 22
“How was your week?” Dr. Shaw asked once I sat down in her office on the usual couch that I claimed as my spot.
A white board and dry erase marker were already next to me, as though she knew my routine better than I did.
Same as always,I wrote down, my handwriting neat. That was the only thing that was perfect about me somehow. Everything else was a messed-up mix.
“Surely there was something that happened that was different than all the other days.” Dr. Shaw tilted her head, waiting for me out. She was always calm and patient, never pushing me to rush. We always went at my speed, which I guess was nice. Some days, I just wanted to get the session done and over with, adding very little to the conversation. Other times, I’d add in struggles for the week.“Just one thing?”
Neighbors’ kids are there cleaning her house
“Have you talked to them? In your way of talking?”
I nodded, then shrugged.Kinda. They seem nice, I guess. 2 boys.
“That’s great, Koda. I think that’s possibly the first time you’ve interacted withsomeone other than Dawn or me since I’ve known you.”
I went shopping and out to a coffee shop.
“Yes, but did you really interact with someone? Not just stand there and blink, and expect them to ring up your groceries?”
I huffed a breath through my nose.
Made them ice lemonade. 1 mowed the yard.
“That was nice of you. Was Dawn home?”
I shook my head.
“You’ve come a long way from that frightened boy, you know. A year ago, you wouldn’t have even been outside while another person was nearby like that. I’m assuming Dawn knows you did that.”
I nodded once. Dawn had been proud of me for doing something out of my comfort zone, too.
“And how did it turn out? Did anyone hurt you?”
I shook my head.Jasper seems nice. He kept his distance. He’s…maybe like you? See me when I try to hide.
Dr. Shaw smiled softly after reading my words. “He sounds like he could be a good friend, if you tried.”
I crinkled my nose at that thought. I didn’t need a friend. Plus, that would just complicate things even more.
Sure, Dr. Shaw knew most of my thoughts that went through my head, but there was no way I was going to be able to explain how one single person, a male at that, affected me so much. And it wasn’t the first time.
Keeping him of all people at a distance was exactly what I needed to do. If anyone knew how my body reacted to him, they’d surely think I was crazy. Especially after being hurt in so many ways for so long.
“It’d do you good to have a friend.” Thankfully, she moved on to a different subject, but it wasn’t any better. “I think we should work on getting you into a group setting. Be around others your age. There’s plenty of smaller get-togethers that happen almost every day of the week. Try something small at least twice, then you can tell me if you don’t want to go again.”
My shoulders dropped.
Don’t wanna
I’d rather come here twice a week over that idea.I was perfectly fine with doing what I was currently doing. Forcing myself into being around more people sounded like a second hell.
“Why not?”
Don’t like people
It was as simple as that. I didn’t trust anyone, either. Dawn and Dr. Shaw were the only two people I trusted enough to share anything with. Or be in the same area alone. Neither of them had ever hurt me.
