"Alright, everyone. Please go around the room and say your first name. For example, I am Eleanor Rigby, yes my parents did name me after a song, and I am your group leader." A young adult red-head introduced herself to a circle of pre-teen girls.
"Quinn Fabray." Quinn spoke softly, starting the circle around. Other names were murmured, ending with…
"Santana Lopez." A dark haired girl said, catching Quinn's eye.
"Great! Welcome to our 8 week anxiety and depression group. All of you have been selected to join this group by your own individual therapists. So, most of you know about confidentiality. However, with a group, remember to not talk about any other group member's information outside this room."
Santana sighed. Why oh why did Sylvia, her therapist think this was going to be a good idea? She hated people, especially whiny girls. Wasn't this just going to be a big gripe session?
"Now I want to say this is a safe place to talk, but I hope we cannot let it become a place to gripe only. I want us to be productive." Eleanor said and Santana nodded in surprised agreement.
"Sylvia, I have a question," Quinn said. When Sylvia nodded, she hesitated and then said, "Do we have to talk if we don't want to?"
"No, I am not going to force anyone to talk. I encourage everyone to listen, and even if you don't feel comfortable talking, I hope you can learn from other's stories, and learn that you are not alone in your struggles."
Quinn smiled, relieved. She was not exactly the most out-going person and didn't like being forced to talk, especially around a room full of strangers.
"Alright, so today, I want to go around the room. We are going to play a little game, called 2 Truths and 1 Lie. When it is your turn, say 2 things that are true about you and 1 that is not. We as the group have to decide which the lie is." Eleanor instructed. "Since we started the other way for names, how about you go first Santana? I'll give you a minute to think."
Santana thought and after a moment rattled off her list. "I've been to Mexico, I've lived in the same house all my life, and I have had sex." The last one made everyone in the room giggle, but Eleanor who rolled her eyes.
"The last one!" Several of the girls said giggling.
"Mexico," said Quinn softly, catching Santana's eye, who rewarded her with a small smile.
"Quinn's right. I have never been to Mexico." Santana admitted. Several of the girl's eyes widened, realizing that it meant Santana had indeed had sex.
"Moving on!" Eleanor said quickly. The game continued around the circle until it made its way back to Quinn.
"I love to dance, Quinn is not my real name and I have 1 sister." Quinn said.
The group murmured, with several saying that she had more than one sibling.
"Your name." Santana said, her voice stopping the rest of the conversation.
"That's right. But I'm not telling you what it is." Quinn said.
"That's ok, I like a little mystery," Santana said with such a beautiful smile that Quinn thought her heart was going to explode. Maybe this group wasn't going to be so bad after all. Little did she know, Santana was thinking the exact same thing.