Chapter 8: Diagnosis

Dad and I sat patiently in the waiting room. Dad was reading all sorts of news articles on his phone from the internet. I on the other hand was reading a magazine.

I slowly scanned each page reading about each topic. I mainly paid attention to the pictures instead of reading what they actually were about. "Is Aaron Daniels here?"

I stopped reading to see it was the same therapist from last time. If I remember correctly her name was Dr. Amelia. I got up from my seat along with Dad and we followed her into the same room we went in the first time we came here.

"I want to apologize for my behavior last time we came here.", I said sincerely while seating myself next to dad. "I just wasn't really prepared for the questions and I was very stressed out that day."

Dr. Amelia chuckled, "No worries Aaron it happens, but we can't always let our emotions control our actions."

I nodded acknowledging the advice she was giving me. She was a therapist after all who was I to say she was wrong. "We can start where we left of. Is that ok with you Aaron?", She asked.

"Yeah that's ok with me.", I answered.

She took out a pen and clipboard and wrote something down. "Now you mentioned nightmares in your last visit. Do you care to talk about what they're about?", She questioned.

"Alright then, here we go Aaron make sure you're honest about everything.", I mentally told myself.

"Well the thing I've noticed lately with each dream I get they seem more like flashbacks of past events I've been through than actual nightmares fabricated by my own mind.", I explained as she wrote down what I said.

"Interesting. Did you ever have any good memories back home?"

"Well the only good memories I ever had was being on my own. Reading books and taking naps were the only moments of peace I ever had. It would help me forget everything until the next time I was needed by my mom."

I always tried to muster up courage to sneak out and leave, but I was just too afraid to do so. Being as young and timid as I was my mind was always telling what could possible happen if I were to run away.

"Did you have any friends?", She asked.

"None to speak of. I was never allowed to leave the house and socialize with others. Heck, I wasn't even able to go to school. I taught myself basic stuff since nobody else would.", I told her.

"What triggers you to lash out on others?", Dr. Amelia asked after she finished taking notes.

"Well if I'm being pressured to talk about past events it infuriates me. I try to avoid answering questions like that. They bring up bad memories.", I brought up. "Like when we first came here.", Dad added.

Dr. Amelia observed the clipboard before setting it down. "So with the information I've gathered from you both it seems you show common symptoms of someone with PTSD.", She informed us.

"What's PTSD?", I asked puzzled.

"Post Tramatic Stress Disorder. It's a mental disorder that people can gain from tramatic experiences from their past. It's a mental illness mainly common among veterans.", She said. "Now there is some good news for you. You don't seem to have a severe level of PTSD."

"Is there any possible cure?", I asked.

"You can't cure it.", Dad told me.

"We'll just have to help you gain life skills to help you deal with your trauma.", Dr. Amelia added. She gave me and Dad papers which explained many coping strategies I can use. "I can set up another appointment in another month or so. Just so we can stay updated on your condition."

I agreed with the terms along with Dad. Dr. Amelia led us back into the waiting room. "Thank you Dr. Amelia. It was nice meeting you.", I smiled.

"It was nice meeting you Aaron.", She smiled back. I actually started feeling good. Like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I guess dad was right about not holding in everything. "See you next time.", She waved as we left the building.

I left school with Dolly at my side. Thankfully for us Da Vinci's work was enough to get us an A. She did tell us to not let anybody know she's the one that did it. She likes to stay anonymous about her artwork which is understandable.

"You've been a lot more upbeat lately.", Dolly brought up.

"Well...this is the new me, I'm ready for anything now. Today has just been an awesome day for me.", I said in a happy tone. "Plus we got an A on our project."

"Yeah true."

"Say you wanna go prank Clarissa?", I asked smirking.

"You know me so well.", Dolly squeed getting onto her skateboard. She gestured me to hop on with her. I got onto the back wrapping my arms around Dolly's waist to keep balance trying to hide my blushing.

It looks like everything is beginning to look up for me now. We both rode off into the distance giving each other creative ideas on how to prank the snooty corgi.