(I feel obliged to say that I don't know much about the process of getting help for mental health issues because my parents never got me help when I told them I thought I was depressed ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ If anything's inaccurate, point it out and I'll fix it!)

Time moved rather slowly until I had my appointment with the psychologist. I was sat in between my parents in a room that was so bright that it almost hurt my eyes. The woman in front of me had her legs crossed and a small notebook on her lap. She was smiling kindly and had way too much eye shadow around her small eyes. Her over-the-top make up matched the room that was excessively bright in terms of the colour scheme (as well as the actual lighting).

The chair I was sat on was bright blue, contrasting the yellow walls and the red chair that she was sitting on. I had been referred to CAMHS which, if you didn't know, stood for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. That explained the childish look of the room and the fact that there was a mat on the floor with some toy trains and a couple of dolls on. The first thing the overly kind woman asked was if I wanted my parents in the room.

I glanced at my mum and dad, knowing deep down what I wanted to answer with. They were looking at me and smiling, as if to say it truly was up to me and they didn't mind. I slowly shook my head and my mum and dad left, probably being taken to the waiting room outside where we had already spent twenty minutes before my appointment.

"Hello, Lance. My name is Mrs Monroe." I didn't respond verbally because she was staring at me with eyes full of pity. She seemed nice enough but pity was something I strongly detested. "Why are you here today?"

I already knew that she knew the answer to her own question because it was in my notes. "My teacher thinks that I might have ADHD and she recommended I see you."

"Okay, well this will all be relatively simple and it won't take too long. I'm just going to ask you some questions and I need to you answer honestly."

I nodded and then the session was in full-swing. It actually passed quickly as it was just me answering questions that were easy to answer. She asked me if I struggled with long projects and if I acted on impulse and other things like that.

When I left, she waved and told me to 'stay strong' in her high-pitched voice. I nodded to her and headed back to the waiting room where my parents were sitting with an ADHD leaflet in their hands. They were trying; I'd give them that.

-

Sharpshooter01: GUESS WHAT

RedLion2000: What

Sharpshooter01: I had a session with a psychologist today. It went really well! I have a follow up soon so we can talk treatments and shit

RedLion2000: Oooh

Sharpshooter01: And my parents are really trying to understand

Sharpshooter01: I caught them reading a leaflet about ADHD :")

RedLion2000: Aww

Sharpshooter01: So yeah

Sharpshooter01: That's a thing

Sharpshooter01: Ya boi's mentally inept

RedLion2000: That doesn't make you inept

Sharpshooter01: I can't concentrate for more than five minutes. I'd say that makes me mentally inept.

RedLion2000: Shut up

Sharpshooter01: K

RedLion2000: I'm sorry but I need to go

RedLion2000: Shiro needs wingman

Sharpshooter01: Haha good luck. Byeeeee

-

I was asked to stay back in my next Geography lesson. I had been expecting it because I hadn't talked to my teacher in a while and I was sure she was about to ask about my ADHD. She perched on the edge of her desk as I took a seat at a desk nearer the front. "So... how are things?" She asked with a small smile on her face.

I let out a small sigh and nodded, mumbling, "Things are good."

"What's the progress with your ADHD examination?"

"I went to see a psychologist not too long ago and they said that I showed some symptoms and they just needed me to do a physical examination to rule some other stuff out. I have a meeting with a psychiatrist next week."

"That's awesome! And how are you feeling in general? Are you happy?"

"Yeah, I- I guess I am."

"You don't sound so sure."

"No, no I'm fine. It's just... a lot, you know?" I glanced upwards and met her eyes. "But I've met somebody and yeah. He's making me feel better."

"Oh, yeah. Is this a friend?"

"Yeah... yeah he is."

"I'm glad you're doing good, Lance. If you ever need to talk, my door's always open."

"Thanks, Miss."

-

Sharpshooter01: Hey

RedLion2000: I'm kind of playing video games intensely so can't talk

Sharpshooter01: Call me then boi

RedLion2000: I don't have your number

RedLion2000: And you'll just hear me grunting and muttering swear words

Sharpshooter01: Sounds hot

RedLion2000: Shut up

RedLion2000: But I'll give you my number anyway

My stomach did a somersault as his number appeared on my screen. I took a long, deep breath and gave myself a quick mental pep talk before calling the number.

The entire time the phone spent ringing, I was nervous. I was tapping a beat onto my bed covers and, although no sound was being released, it still managed to calm me down slightly. I was humming to myself too, just so I didn't have to listen to the ringing. My heart was beating fast enough to substitute for a drum in my mini number of humming. "Hey," Keith eventually muttered but he sounded distant. I assumed he had me on loudspeaker and was too focused on whatever game he was playing. "You alright?"

"Yeah, I'm good. You?"

"I'm- uh- alright." Things went silent other than the sound of him pressing buttons so I closed my eyes to listen to his steady breathing. It was probably borderline creepy but his breathing and the almost rhythmic way he was pressing the buttons was actually kind of relaxing. Then Keith let out a harsh grunt. I chewed on my lip as I tempted my mind to go anyway but the gutter it was heading for. "Ah- fucking... yes!"

"Are you okay there?" I laughed but it was shaky. He went silent for a couple of seconds and I was slightly afraid he had noticed the quiver in my laugh.

"Yeah. I just killed someone I have been trying to kill for forever."

"Good to know, my friend is a crazy killing machine."

"But you love me."

"Of course I do," I thought I sounded a bit too gay so I added, "Dude." Hopefully Keith wouldn't get too suspicious about how dazed I sounded because I really didn't want to lose him. Not after everything we had gone through together.

Grunt. My cheeks were quickly heating up. "I love you too." Grunt.

The entire call was torture but it was totally worth it to hear his voice.

-

Sharpshooter01: Your grunts haha

RedLion2000: What about them??

Sharpshooter01: Cute

RedLion2000: ...thanks?

Sharpshooter01: No problem

RedLion2000: Sorry I couldn't talk properly

Sharpshooter01: Ha I think the grunting was better than talking

RedLion2000: 0_o

RedLion2000: Why do you like my grunting so much

I glanced at the message and gnawed on my bottom lip. With quivering fingers, I told him the truth, disguised with sarcasm.

Sharpshooter01: It totally turned me on

RedLion2000: Sharpshooter don't joke

Sharpshooter01: WhAt If I wAsN't JoKiNg

RedLion2000: LANCE

Sharpshooter01: That's my name

RedLion2000: Stop it

Sharpshooter01: I'm not joking

RedLion2000: You aren't even gay, right?

Sharpshooter01: Bro

Sharpshooter01: I'm bi

RedLion2000: Okay cool I'm gay

Sharpshooter01: ...yay

RedLion2000: Why yay

Sharpshooter01: I told you before

Sharpshooter01: You're cute

RedLion2000: As are you

Sharpshooter01: Random question

RedLion2000: Shoot

Sharpshooter01: Do you want to come over after school tomorrow?

RedLion2000: Uh... sure

Sharpshooter01: Actually I need to ask my parents first

RedLion2000: Go ask then

Sharpshooter01: K

-

Sharpshooter01: My mum said you could come over as long as we look after my siblings. I hope you don't mind that

RedLion2000: I don't mind

Sharpshooter01: Okay cool

Sharpshooter01: I should go. My little brother's calling me