When group therapy met again, Max sat next to Riley.
"Your secret is safe with me, until you're forced to share, of course."
"Thanks, Maxwell."
"Please, call me Max, Maxwell is my father, and my grandfather and great grandfather."
Riley laughed "So are you some sort of regal prince or something, you have to be with a name like that."
"No mam, just a normal Manhattan kid with pretentious parents who gave him the contemptible name Maxwell Henry Sinclair IV" Max smiled.
"Well, Max, will you be sharing today or do I have to wait to find out why you're here?"
"Why would I reveal the mystery so early, Miss…?"
"Matthews, Riley Matthews. That's it."
"Now that's a real human name."
Neither of them shared that session and after they had assigned alone time. Riley went to her room, it was only her first day and she was bored out of her mind. They gave them notebooks to journal their feelings, draw or whatever.
She wrote what they wanted to hear, about how she wanted to get better, and how she didn't know why she felt this way, at least the last part was true.
While she was writing, a male nurse came in to tell her it was her time for individual therapy. She feels so drained but she will try and put on her best face for Dr. Gallagher.
When Riley walked back to her room because she had some more free time, Max was laying down in her bed, reading her journal. Riley was too tired to fight, especially with whatever drug cocktail they gave her this morning.
"You look defeated Ms. Matthews."
"I am, just get out of my bed because I need to sleep."
Max gets up and signals for her to lie where he was. He hops up to sit on top of her desk, "Did you even ask what concoction they gave you?"
"Nope, didn't care really." Riley crashed onto her bed.
"Riley, I have it from your obviously bullshitted journal passage that you plan on working the system. I think you need my help." Max smirked.
Riley rolled her eyes "In exchange for what, King Maxwell?"
That made him laugh, she smiled back because she couldn't help it. His smile made her heart beat faster.
"I guess I shall explain myself, my parents thought that I had some deeper problem because of the choices I was making. A little drinking here and there and a few drugs now and then, I think they're being overdramatic. But time off from my stupid private high school is a good enough reason for me to come here. I'm taking my time with my 'treatment' so I've been here a little while. I can give you my expertise on how to navigate your way around here, get out as fast as possible, in exchange for whatever pills they make you take."
Riley was seriously considering it; she hated it here and wanted out. The pills she took today alone made her feel lifeless.
"And how would I get you these pills, they make you take any medication in front of them?"
"Slip them underneath your tongue, this place isn't as tough as their reviews online."
"How can I trust your expertise?"
"So many questions, Riley Matthews. I guess you'll have to take that chance, what do you possibly have to lose? Worst comes to worst, you get a new noble friend out of it all."
"Alright, Max. We've got a deal now let me take a nap before dinner."
"First lesson, naps are a no go. But since you're on medication and it's your first day I'll let it slide."
Max left her room with a small bow; he was a twisted little gentleman. Except he wasn't small at all, he was much taller than Riley.
Riley showed up late to dinner because she overslept. They gave her medication with her food, she had kept it underneath her tongue like Max had instructed and she sat next to him. She waited until no one was looking, and gave Max the three different pills they had given her.
He popped them into his mouth swiftly before anyone could notice.
"I believe this equates to three lessons, Riley Matthews. I do love that name, simple, sophisticated. It fits you." He smiled. She smiled. "First and foremost, your journal, they can seize those at any time and they will."
"So is there anything specific I should write or should I not write at all?"
"What you have written in there now, it's transparent. They have seen it before; they'll see it again. Write about how you're looking for direction and that you think you need help. You shouldn't come into a psych ward knowing what to do, it's unheard of unless you've been in one before…?"
Riley rolled her eyes at him "No, first and hopefully last visit. Let's get to your next piece of advice."
"There is a privilege system, when you are good, they reward you. When you are bad, they take away your privileges. For example, you can go to the gardens or have more time in the common rooms, field trips, being able to see your family, granted that's something you want. The doctors like to see you make strides with your family, a good old crying session, work on what you'll say now. You can also get dessert, it's not good, no rush to get that."
"What privileges do you have?"
"I've had all those, I've lost most. I can go to the gardens still and I have my own clothes now, that'll be your first privilege. Granted you don't beat someone in group therapy tomorrow, you should get the clothes your parents brought for you."
"Good to know, thank you Max." Riley shot the first smile this time.
"Don't forget your third lesson, take a bullshit therapy class. Art therapy, music therapy, animal therapy, family therapy, it shows you're taking some initiative. Choose one, maybe two of them and you should be alright. If you wanted to spend some more time with yours truly, I'd suggest music therapy." Max smirked and elbowed her playfully.
"Maybe you'll see me there, maybe not."
Riley thought about Max before bed that night, piecing together what she knew about him. He was obviously rich because of the private school, he couldn't be older than 18, she'd guess 16 or 17. He was educated, smart but he probably had some mental disorder he wasn't fully convinced of. His parents are alive but it doesn't seem like they have a great relationship. He had a problem with drinking and drugs, but how far did it go? The thought of him doing drugs turned her on.
She thought about his smirk, the way it made her feel weak. Those eyes made her lose her train of thought. She thought about his thin but muscular body and how much taller he was than her.
She wanted him. Not in the way she wanted Lucas. This was purely sexual, intense, desire. She wanted to cuddle and go on dates with Lucas. She wanted to fuck Max until her dainty bed broke.
Riley had never had sex, she kissed Lucas once and made out with Charlie a few times, he felt up her boobs. That was the extent of Riley's sex life but something about Max just drove her crazy. She would never let him know that. She isn't the same giddy nervous girl she was, she can keep her composure now but she needed him, and fast.
Hey guys, hope you like it, let me know what you think. I decided to not make it super depressing the whole time but I have more in mind if people actually wanted to read it. Also thinking about writing a session with her group or individual therapy, guess we'll see. Sorry if these chapters are short, I get distracted if they get long.
Disclaimer: I don't own girl meets world