CHAPTER 11

It's been over ten minutes since Alice left the TV room so that Riley and I can begin our session but neither Riley nor I have exchanged any words other than pleasantries of course.

I'm quiet because I'm trying to figure out a way to get out of the penthouse and I suspect Riley is quiet because it's been quite a while since she had a session with me.

"Would you rather we go to your room?" She breaks the silence.

Her question is reasonable because we usually talk in my room for reasons I suspect are all calculated on her part.

"No." I answer quickly, the last place I want to be is my room right now.

"Ok." Like always my therapist doesn't argue. "How have you been?" She asks as she links her fingers together.

"Alright I guess." I reply a bit distracted by her appearance. She looks the same if you don't count the new man haircut she's spotting and the scarlet red nail polish on her nails. I don't remember her being this glamourous but then again back then I never paid attention to her appearance because most times I would be violently trying to get out of a straight jacket.

"I was pleasantly surprised when your father told me you wanted to see me." One would think it's a social visit because of the way she's acting and it makes me wonder if all therapists are this optimistic or if it's just Miss Riley Stevens.

I start playing with my fingers, a nervous habit that doesn't go unnoticed by my doctor. "I just needed to see you. I started school this week, it's ok I guess."

"Hmmmm." She starts to write in her notebook, I guess that's her nervous habit. "Tell me more about school."

I start to go on and on about school, about the party and how I had alcohol for the first time. I tell her about how I made friends with Ella and Kevin and I also gush about Sky and how I love him already. This gets Riley's full attention because as soon as the words are out of my mouth she stops writing a bit then resumes after a few seconds of getting over her shock. I tell her about the Rosemont sisters and how uncomfortable they make me feel but I don't go into much detail because I have already told her enough for one session.

"Let's talk about your friend Sky."

"He's not my friend, he's my boyfriend." I correct her firmly. I know she did it on purpose to see how I would react but I won't call her out on it because she will probably give me a smart answer since getting in my head is like a piece of cake for her.

"Of course, now tell me about him."

"He's my partner in chemistry. He has a twin sister who happens to be my friend by the way. He's also handsome and intelligent and funny and grumpy but he's also cute. Oh and he's a good kisser as well." I add before covering my face with my hands.

"And you have decided you love him?" She asks and I uncover my face.

"No, I love him." I tell her.

"Love is a strong word...."

"And what I feel for Sky is even stronger." I interrupt get, trying my best not to snap at her or shout at him.

"I don't doubt that your feelings for him are real. You might even love him, remember I don't know everything I'm just here to help you anyway I can." Her words are a little comforting. "Just take it easy. There's no need to rush or force yourself into anything. I don't want you obsessing over it."

"I got it." There's really no need to remind me of my unusual tendencies, I have the marks on my body for that.

Riley begins to pack her stuff, a sigh that she's now going. "You are leaving?" I ask because I need the confirmation.

"Yes. This wasn't an official session, I came because I'm particularly fond of you and I wanted to see how you were doing." She gives me a warn smile and I find myself wishing she could stay longer. "If you want us to resume our sessions have your dad talk to me."

I nod and walk her to the elevator. As she wakes for it she places her hand on my shoulder and says, "If you need anything I'm here."

Again I just nod. As I watch her in the elevator I realize that I'm also find of her. She's one of the few people who truly understand me and still manage to like me. I really appreciate her presents in my life.

After Riley's departure I dwell on what she said and remember that I left James in my room!

I run up to my room in haste. I don't see him anywhere in my room so I check my balcony and I can't say I'm that shocked by the fact that he's not there either.

Maybe he managed to get past Alice. I'm just relieved he left. I don't need any complications in my life and he's definitely a complication.

Riley's words are stuck in my head now more than ever. I don't doubt my feelings for Sky but when you throw James in the equation I can't see clearly. I don't feel anything for James remotely close to what I feel for Sky but I'm not indifferent to him. There's just something there, I can feel it. I feel like there's a connection but I just can't make out what it means or if it's real.

I go downstairs because I fear I might be having an anxiety attack. Unfortunately because of my mental disorders, my father makes Alice keep my medication because he fears I might try something, right, like I would ever kill myself.

My stepmom is concentrating on her mobile phone when I approach her. She immediately looks up from her phone and gives me her full attention.

"Hey sweetie." She says like the sweet mother she is.

"Hi, umm can you give me something? I'm not feeling well."

She moves closer to me and examines me by pressing her hand on my forehead. "Oh, is it serious?" She looks really worried.

"No no." I assure her. "I'm just a bit overwhelmed and I need something to help me sleep."

Alice goes to her bedroom for a few seconds then returns with my meds. I take two then return the rest to her.

"I'm going to my room." I tell her.

"Ok." I'm about to leave but she stops me.

"Your father and I are going out tonight and Ronnie said she's studying so she might be a bit late. Are you sure you will be ok on your own?"

I give her a tight smile. "Yes don't worry, I will be fine."

My meds work in getting me to sleep but it only lasts for a few hours. I wake up tired and realize it's not even that late, Ronnie is still out and so are our parents.

Taking advantage of the fact that I don't have to explain my actions, I decide to go for a walk. If I stay inside by myself any longer I will lose my mind, well what's left of it.

I put on Sky's sweatshirt and head outside. It's not even cold but I just feel the need to wear it. He would kill me if he saw me wearing it considering I stole it from him but I don't care because it's mine now, just like him.

It's getting darker and darker but people are still walking by in the streets. I'm feeling a little funny no doubt as a result of my medication, this is why I hate taking it, it makes me weirder than usual.

I decide to walk in a less busier street because I don't want to attract any attention even though there aren't that many people.

I'm walking in an unfamiliar street and I can't help but remember that fateful night when I met James. Someone was chasing me and I fell in an attempt to run. I guess I never learn because here I am, wandering around in a deserted road.

It already feels like deja vu because I can feel someone watching me but as usual I don't see anything when I turn around. Maybe my pills are working a little too much this time.

But I know that anxiety pills can't conjure up loud breathing sounds or strange movements I keep hearing.

Before I think better of it I start running and I have no idea what or who I'm running from. I didn't look back like last time but that still doesn't prevent me from bumbing into someone and falling on the ground.

I hit my head pretty bad but thankfully I'm still conscious. My head is spinning in pain. My eyes close and open repeatedly and that's when I see her.

My vision is a little blurry, no doubt because of the fall but I can see her. Her eyes are big and brown and I momentarily think of the Rosemont girls just by looking at them. Her hair is just as brown but it's very shiny. Although it's completely dark and I'm fighting a concussion, I can tell she's very beautiful.

"Are you alright?" She asks with an accent I can't make out.

I wince again. "Yes, I think so."

The girl helps me up, she's a little taller than me which makes it easier to hold on to her. "You were running." It's not a question but I feel I have to explain myself.

"Yes someone was chasing me." My head is still throbbing but I'm grateful I ran into someone as friendly as her.

"Oh." Is all she says. Then I watch as the color of her eyes change from warm brown to dark and intense. "Your head is bleeding." She says it so quietly that I think she may be telling herself rather than myself.

"Oh, is it?" I didn't feel it before but when I place my hand at the back of my head and through my hair, I feel a small spot of my hair wet which only proves that the girl is right but how did she know?

I look at my fingers which are now covered in blood and I quickly wipe the blood on my hoodie. "I guess it's from the fall." I say and laugh a little even though it still hurts and I also want to lighten up the mood but I'm the only one laughing. In fact the girl's mood has changed completely, her grip on my hand has tightened, I had held on to her earlier so I could balance myself but now it seems like she has no intention of letting me go.

"Let go of me." I say as I try to free my hand from her grasp. Her demeanor has changed entirely, from sweet good samaritan to cold predator.

The smile she gives me chills me to the bone. "As you wish."

Without much effort she tosses me into a nearby wall. How she manages to push me that far away and with so much force is beyond me considering she's almost the same size as me.

I'm sure my head is bleeding now but I have no time to examine it because my aggressor is already stalking me like a lion watching it's prey.