"I know. And we've only been together a few months." Thinking about it, how it all came into play, I start to get angry. "Do you know he didn't even tell me he wasn't going to be around? He promised phone calls and texts. Those don't happen much at all now. He just kinda faded away."
"You did mention that."
"I only see him Friday and Saturday night—if I'm lucky. And if I'mreallylucky, he's not drinking and he'll want to spend time with me. Too bad I have shit luck, huh, doc?" I question, the defeat weighing on me heavily.
"Have you discussed any of this with Cam?"
"I tried."
"What happened?"
"The same thing that happened when I tried to tell him about psycho Alison and her bullying—nothing. He blew it off—he blewmeoff. He told me it wouldn't be so bad and that it was just for a little while… but I'm not sure I believe him anymore," I confess.
"It seems you have a decision to make. I can see the unhappiness growing each time you come see me, but this week it's been so pronounced it's worrisome. You can't continue to live in limbo."
"I know. I just… what really pisses me off, doc, is that he doesn't take the bullying Alison has been doing seriously. It's like I'm inconveniencing him when I talk to him about anything other than football." I gasp and put my hand to my mouth, my eyes wide as I realize what I've just said.
"It helps to talk it out, Olivia. You discover things you didn't know were bothering you. This bullying isn't something that sits well with me. Something needs to be done to stop it," Dr. Wheeler tells me.
"There's not much Icando about her. She told everyone she goes to school here but that's a total lie. She's just here because of her cousin, Brittany—another of my bullies—well, that and the fact she doesn't want to go home and face her father."
"Why's that?"
"I guess she got kicked out of Boston because she took her bullying a little too far one night at her sorority. One of the girls was forced to drink too much and ended up having to have her stomach pumped. Another girl got hurt. She said Alison pushed her down the stairs but no one saw it so it was Alison's word against a freshman pledge," I inform him.
"What injuries did she sustain?" he asks, his brow furrowed with concern.
"Broken arm and some major bruises from what I've heard. This is all second-hand information so it could be a bunch of BS. All I know is she iseverywhere. It's creepy and I don't even have my boyfriend to talk to about it. He could talk to her, ask her to back off—not that it would do any good, but he could try.Buthe's not here," I bite out.
"Have you discussed this with your friends? Alexa? Sebastian?"
I nod. "I have. They know what's going on—well, Sebastian does now. He found out last night."
"What did he say about it?"
"Let's just say he wasn't too happy he didn't know it was still going on." I shift on the couch, then get up and start pacing. "I just didn't want to bother him, you know? He's my friend, yes, but I've laid so much at his feet since we've met—it's just not fair. This friendship seems one-sided and I don't like it," I tell him.
"Doesn't he lean on you, as friends do? About classes or his family?"
"Well, yeah, but I dumped the accident on him right after we met. He's helped me cope with the loss of my friends and face the fact they're not coming back. Then factor in Cam and Alison," I sigh. "I admit, he makes it easier for me. The thing is, his problems are nowhere near as heavy as mine. Mine are like lead while his are like feathers."
"It may not feel like that to him. What you feel are feathers might feel like lead to him," he informs me.
"I guess," I agree, sitting back on the couch.
"If it's that concerning to you, discuss it with him, and with Alexa. Communication is the key to every relationship."
I nod. "It's just not easy sometimes, that level of communication."
"No, it's not. It puts you in a vulnerable place and no one enjoys that, but if they are truly your friends, they won't take advantage of that. Instead, they'll ease those insecurities and help you if they are able. You know all of this, Olivia. Is there something more going on?" he asks, seeing more than I want him to.
"No. I just don't want to be anyone's burden."
"Do you trust your friends?" he asks.
"Of course."
"Then why are you hesitating?"
