Gabriella stood in the door way of the large room looking inside. There was a large circle of chairs set up and a table with beverages and snack off to the left. Looking back at her watch she bit her lip as she turned away again. Her hair was pulled back into a sloppy ponytail. She was wearing a pair of jeans and University t-shirt. She could almost feel an anxiety making it's way up her throat. She felt sick and dizzy at the same time, almost like at any moment she was going to faint. Crossing her arms she looked down the hallway once more.
A girl came from down the hall slowly walking towards her. "Hey," the girl said as she came to a stop in the doorway as well. She was wearing sweat pants and a sweater. "Are you here for group?" she said fidgeting a little as she pulled her sleeves down over her palms. She looked frail, 16 or 15 at least. Gabriella suddenly felt sick to her stomach as more people began to filter in. "My name is Nina,"
"Gabriella," she said taking looking at the girls hands. Her fingernails were gnawed down to the a mere stub. Gabriella recognize the hesitant distance and mistrust. Gabriella tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she looked back down than hall then at the girl. "I'm just waiting on a friend." She said uncrossing her arms and shoving her hands in her pockets.
"Oh," the young girl said as she looked back into the room. "I guess I'll see you inside." Without another word she walked in leaving Gabriella alone again in the hall. Another glance at a clock hanging over the trophy case in the hall and she felt a heighten sense of fear kick in. Turning around she intended to make a mad dash back to the bus stop outside. However she stepped into the chest of someone solid.
"It's okay." Troy said placing both hands on her shoulders.
"You're late." Gabriella said as she looked up at him with a small frown.
"And you were what, thirty minutes early?" Troy said with a soft smile. "It's alright they haven't even started yet."
Gabriella bit her lip as she looked up at Troy with worry. "We could go for pizza?"
Troy let out a sigh as he rubbed his hands up and down her arms. "We're going to do this, Remember we're in this together." Troy hands dropped to his side and he gave her his best smile as he reached out his hand. "You can squeeze my hand the whole time."
"Why are we doing this again?" Gabriella said taking a deep breath.
"Because your doctor thinks a group session would be good for you." Troy said in a soft voice. "Because we agreed to go together so you wouldn't be alone in there."
"Right," Gabriella closed her eyes as she took a deep breath.
"Because I love you, and I know you can do this." Troy added as he placed a soft kiss on her temple.
Gabriella let out another sigh as she turned back to look into the room. Another person walk passed them inside.
"We better go in and get a seat." Troy said with a gentle nudge.
"Alright," Gabriella said with a small nod. After a moment's hesitation she stepped inside griping onto Troy's hand as he followed.
Finding a seat they sat beside each other still joined at the hands as Gabriella nervously shook her leg as the circle became more crowded.
"Hello everyone," A man in a jean jacket and came into the room, he removed his shoulder bag and placed it off to the side, a task that Gabriella watched intently. "I see some new faces." He said looking around the room. "Always a good thing!" he added excitedly.
There was a pause as he walked toward the table and poured himself a drink. Gabriella looked around the room at all the faces stopping to rest on Troy's who was watching her with concern.
"It's okay," he said in a low voice giving her hand a little squeeze.
"This circle is an open circle, a place where we can talk freely about the things we thing about." The man said as he walked towards the circle. "The only mandatory participation is that you introduce yourself. Other than that we provide a place of love and safety for all. My name is Jackson Park and I will be hosting the circle." He said letting his eyes fall on Gabriella. "I promise not to bore you." He said lifting his cup to his lips. "At least not too much." He added receiving a chuckle from some.
"I'll go first." The girl from the hall said standing up.
"Wonderful, shall we begin," The man said with a smile as he took his seat.
"My name is Nina, and I'm 17 years old." She said looking around at everyone. "I've been coming to group for year now."
"Wonderful," Jackson nodded in approval. "Next," he said looking at Troy.
Troy nodded and stood his hand still holding onto Gabriella's. "My name is Troy. I am 23 years old, this is my first time coming to group and I am here to support my girlfriend." He said motioning to Gabriella.
Slowly he sat down and Gabriella slowly stood up. "Hi," she said looking around at everyone faces. "My name is Gabriella, I am just recently turned 21." She said with a smile as she looked around the room. "The last time I went to group it didn't really go well for me. I'm hoping this time it will be different."
"We are all here for you Gabriella," Jackson said with a smile as he nodded.
Gabriella sat down and felt the biggest sigh of relief rush through her as she looked over at Troy and saw him looking back at her with pride and excitement. Gabriella felt her nerves settle as she now leaned back and began to listen to the others as they introduced themselves.