The room was silent as Tyler walked in. A circle had been set out in the middle of the room. Not a big circle, unsurprisingly. He was well and truly pissed that he had been forced into coming to this damn thing. The chalk board had in big white letters 'Troubled Teens Group Counselling Day 1'. Tyler sighed taking his seat, ignoring that everyone was looking at him. The counsellor smiled kindly at him shifting slightly in her seat with her clip board in her lap. "Better late than never I suppose. I'm Kim. Do you have your slip with you?" Tyler nodded trying to smile at her as he passed over the small piece of paper. She looked it over once before folding it and placing it underneath her chair. "Okay. Now that everyone is here why don't we start by introducing ourselves and giving a brief sentence about why we're here?" She smiled. Tyler rolled his eyes slumping down in his chair. Who was she to tell him to bare all in front of these strangers? This was bullshit, he continued to think. Until of course the first person stood up.
"Hi, everyone. My name is Charlotte and the reason I'm here is because my mom walked out on me when I was a kid and I never really got over it. I need help with dealing with it" The look on the girls face as she spoke. Tyler didn't know what to make of it. That's when he realised…he didn't have a choice. He had to try this. He didn't want help. In fact, he was so certain that he didn't need help. But when he thought about it, when he really thought about it he knew that he couldn't carry on the way he has been over the past couple of years. His case wasn't exactly private. People in school knew he had problems, they just didn't understand the depths of them. He didn't even understand the depths of them. Maybe being here could help him. He gulped. Yes. He was going to try. By God he was going to try. The rest of the circle continued to individually introduce themselves, explaining why they were here. After Charlotte was Jason, a huge guy who was struggling with his sexuality. After him was a small petite brunette called Kayla whose parents had recently died. After her was another girl called Rachel who had suffered from an abusive relationship with her ex boyfriend. After Rachel a guy with blond hair stood and introduced himself as Daniel, another huge dude. He was dealing with extreme anger issues, similarly to Tyler. Tyler felt sorry for them of course, however nothing more. They were strangers with problems just like he was to them. But when his eyes landed on the girl sitting next to Daniel, and him he seemed confused.
She was gorgeous with glossing blonde curls and perfect blue eyes to match. What on earth could a pretty little thing like this be doing in something like this? The girl smiled warmly as she stood up.
"I'm Caroline. I guess I'm here because I'm a troubled teen?" A laugh escaped the small group including Tyler at the hint of sarcasm in her voice. Caroline looked over at Kim who was clearly not amused by her humour. She simply gestured for Caroline to sit down before sighing in frustration and mumbling under her breath 'there's always one'. Caroline cleared her voice looking deep into her hands. That's when Tyler noticed the fresh white material wrapped around her wrist. At first he thought it was a harmless wristband or whatever…now he realised…it was a bandage. It was new too, Tyler could tell by how clean it looked. His mouth dropped open a little. Without any time to properly react his name was being called. It was his turn already. Tyler stood from his seat shoving his hands into his pockets.
"Um, hey, my name is Tyler and I am here because…" He looked around at everyone starring at him. Come on Ty, if they can confess all in front of you surely you can do the same. And he thought he could. But he choked. He felt heat rush through his cheeks as he tried to get the words out. His vision began to blur a little. He gulped hard, his throat feeling very dry. He could hear his heartbeat throb through his ears, pounding. Bum bum, bum bum, bum bum… A series of memories presented themselves behind Tyler's eyelids everything he's been hiding…he couldn't just let it all out as if it was nothing. He couldn't. All the pain, the hitting, the alcohol being his only companion throughout all of this-
"Tyler?" Kim said her tone coated in worry. And just like that, he was brought back to reality. His eyes shot open. Everyone's expressions were mirroring the counsellors. Concerned brows and all. Tyler simply shook his head.
"I'm sorry…I have to leave, now" Was all he said before lifting himself from his chair not caring that it made the worst screeching noise in the world. He had to get out of this room before he suffocated. He tried to catch his breath as soon as he was out of the room and wondering through the school halls. His mind was a mess. He was foolish to think he could ever think that changing was an option, when he couldn't even admit that he needed to change in the first place to an actual person. He laughed humourlessly into the silence of the hall. Pathetic wasn't the word for him right now. He was much worse. He always has been much worse, just like his father used to always remind him. He groaned, freezing suddenly as he let his emotions get the best of him. The pain began to fizz around his lung and heart, smothering his insides. It hurt. God it hurt so badly. Why did he have to come? It had only made him feel even more helpless than he did before if that were even possible. Tyler sighed, bringing his hands to cover his face as he composed himself. He would just go home and explain to his mother that no one showed up and forget about this entire thing, and then, he would begin on his father's alcohol cabinet just like he always did when he was presented with such hurt. Tyler heard distant footsteps creeping nearer too him and began walking again. He didn't want the lecture. He wanted to be left alone.
"Hey" The voice behind him called. Tyler stopped in his tracks. The voice, the footsteps didn't belong to the too kind counsellor. It was the voice of the little blonde girl that had puzzled Tyler. The girl who was the only one in that damn room that could even have possibly felt something near to what he had felt. Or so he imagined. One doesn't self harm for nothing, right? He considered carrying on…but curiosity got the best of him. He hesitantly looked over his shoulder before slowly spinning on his heels. There Caroline stood fluttering her lashes. Tyler waited. She looked panicky now…Tyler guessed she didn't know what she was doing anymore than he did. Finally she began to move a little closer towards him. "Uh, I just want to say you were brave for even showing up today. I know it's difficult but you know once you've opened up-"
"Right, because you're such an expert on opening up?" It was impulsive and petty but he couldn't help it. Caroline had a real cheek coming to him about opening up when she couldn't even take it seriously, especially with her problem. He thought to himself recalling the way she joked about being a troubled teen back in the room. She simply laughed in reply to Tyler's snipe.
"I've been going to these things for over a year now Tyler. I guess you could say I'm tired of opening up" Her voice was so honest, so full of…sincerity as she rolled her eyes. That's when Tyler thought about how serious this girl's case actually was. He shook his head, trying to form a reply in his brain. He could go two ways about it. He could be sympathetic or he could be a jerk. He went with the easiest out of the two.
"Well, whatever. I guess some of us just aren't that lucky" He let out in a rush stuttering slightly on the first couple of words before turning his back on the blonde. Tyler headed for the door, ignoring the pang of guilt in the pit of his stomach. He thought he had made it, he thought he could finally get away. Only Caroline's voice echoed down the hall, her words forcing him to a stop.
"You want me to open up? You think that will magically make you feel better about your own life? Fine," She started. Tyler had to turn around. He wasn't prepared for the heart wrenching expression on Caroline's face. Her eyebrows were raised, sadness filled her eyes. "Over a year ago I was diagnosed with depression. Ever since I've been in constant battle with my demons. Each morning I look in the mirror and I can't help but think of what a waste I am to the world. I'm not pretty, not even close. I'm an internal wreck and there's nothing I or any stupid ass counsellor can do about it. They keep telling me it's a phase but they don't know that for sure…" Her eyes had softened, tears beginning to fill the blue irises. "When it comes to self esteem I'm pretty much at rock bottom, and the only way I can deal with that is by…is by…" She couldn't finish her sentence and honestly, Tyler didn't want her to. Tyler's lips parted. The guilt was burning a big fat hole in his stomach now. Caroline wiped away a stray tear falling from her left eye. A silence hung heavily in the space between them. Tyler sighed.
"I'm sorry" He said dismally not knowing what else to say. Caroline smiled appreciatively as she shrugged looking down at the floor. There was a long pause before Caroline spoke again.
"So I've burdened you with my shitty life. Now it's your turn…" She spoke cautiously. Tyler gulped. Caroline's eyes flickered to his face in order to read his expression. She could tell it was hard for him…it was hard for her too. She just let it all out because she was impulsive, as was Tyler. Tyler shut his eyes, drawing in as much oxygen as he could. All of a sudden he felt…okay with talking about it. Not like he had in the classroom. Confused he reopened his eyes to see that Caroline had moved a little closer to him. He smiled.
"We really don't have enough time for that," Tyler started. "But tomorrow night, at the Grill. Maybe we'd have enough time then?" Caroline lifted her face completely, the surprise clear. She smiled widely. Surely this wasn't something new to her? Surely she gets asked out on a regular if not daily basis.
"How about right now?" Caroline asked with a small smile and curious eyes. Tyler laughed. She was testing him. To see if he was serious. Tyler didn't reply, instead he held out his hand raising his eyebrows invitingly. His aim was to lighten up the conversation, which he had succeeded in. A laugh fell from Caroline's lips as she took Tyler hand, entwining her fingers with his. He liked her smile just as much as he liked the sudden rush of electricity he felt through his body at her touch. Tyler's stomach fluttered. Maybe they could help each other. Maybe they could learn to get over everything together. When he looked over at Caroline he smiled genuinely for the first time in months. He decided he would make it his task from now on to keep that smile on her face. It would be a challenge, but a challenge he accepted eagerly.
So, I took more of a friendship approach with this :) hope ya'll liked it! Review please. Ps, I know it's been ages but I'm getting over my writers block so expect more from me, like a follow up to You Found Me and Romeo & Juliet! x