Scott's Perspective-

"Okay Scott. Your first session of therapy is today." Scott's mother told him on Tuesday.

Scott started coughing as he tried not to spit out his water.

"What?!"

"Yep! I'll pick you up from school early. What do you have 5th period?"

"Er- science."

"Okay. Well, tell your teacher you'll be missing that class and if there is any make-up work you could do."

Scott nodded, "Er- who am I seeing?"

"Stephan. He's nice." (Any of you read Close Enough? Same guy who helped Bdubs)

Scott nodded again, "Okay."

"Now finish up, we need to go soon."

His mother walked into another room and Scott finished up his cereal.

-

"Hey Scott!" Katherine ran up to Scott as he walked into class, "Did you ask your mom for a different therapist?"

"First session's today."

"Great!" Katherine smiled, "Er- are you feeling better?"

Scott shrugged, "I've been worse."

Katherine lowered her voice, "Can I see your wrists?"

"I'm fine, Katherine." Scott shoved his friend away.

"Then let me see- "

"Hey Ethan!" Scott said to a guy in his classroom, and he walked up to him.

"Er- hey Scott. Did you have a good Halloween?" Ethan asked.

Scott shrugged, "It could've been better."

Scott was fully aware of Katherine staring at him as he got into a conversation with Ethan.

5th Period-

"Er- hey Ms. Polly, I'm gonna be missing your class since I'm leaving early. Is there anything that I should do for homework?"

"We're just reviewing the parts of the cell for the quiz on Friday." Ms. Polly said, "Why are you leaving early?"

"Er- doctor's appointment."

"Okay!" Ms. Polly smiled, and Scott sat down to his seat in the second row.

Not five minutes into the class, Scott got called down for early dismissal.

Scott picked up his stuff and walked down to the front office.

"Hey Scott!" His mother greeted him as they walked to her car, "Have a good day at school?"

"Sure." Scott shrugged and his mother laughed.

"Have any homework?"

"Just some math and I have to study for a quiz on Friday."

"What's in on?"

"Parts of the cell. Should be easy."

His mother nodded and she turned on the radio.

Scott looked out the window as a cringy love song came on and his mother sang along.

-

Scott sat down in the waiting room as his mother talked to the lady at a desk.

"Okay Scott, follow me." She said.

Scott got up and followed his mother.

They walked into a room full of two couches, colorful knick-knacks on bookshelves along with posters on the walls, and a table that had puzzles and books on it.

A man who looked to be in his mid-30's sat at one of the couches.

"Hello Luna. How are you?" He asked, getting up to shake Scott's mother's hand.

"Good, good."

"And...Scott, correct?"

Scott nodded.

"Well, I'm happy to see you." Stephan smiled at Scott and Scott nervously smiled back.

He motioned to one of the couches and Scott sat down.

"I'm gonna be out in the waiting room." Scott's mother said.

"Yes, I'll walk out with Scott when we're done."

Scott's mother nodded and closed the door behind her.

Scott nervously tapped his hands on his knees as he looked around.

He looked everywhere but at Stephan, who had grabbed a clipboard and a pen.

"So Scott, would you like to start by telling me a bit about yourself?" Stephan smiled.

"Er- okay." Scott cleared his throat as it felt very dry, "Well, I'm in 7th grade...er- I have a good amount of friends..."

"What are their names?"

"Er- Katherine, Jimmy... I mean, I think me, and Jimmy are still friends..." Scott mumbled.

"What was that?"

"I just- I don't know...something has just been...he's been acting weird."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean..." Scott hands tightened on his knees as he desperately tried to stay calm.

"Here." Stephan handed Scott a fidget toy.

"Thanks." Scott said, fidgeting with the toy, "I mean, I'm not really sure what's up with Jim. He's not talking to me. I mean, he is but like, he's acting weird."

"How?"

"Well..." Scott took a deep breath and decided to start from the beginning.

-

"-and yeah. I kinda had a panic attack at the end of the party."

"What kind of panic attack?" Stephan asked, scribbling down quick notes.

"Well...my dad's voice started ringing in my head about being gay and how I looked like a boy-girl since I was wearing a dress."

"Did he say these things to you?"

"No. His voice just took over and I..." Scott looked down at his wrists, "I wanted to end it there."

Stephan nodded and scribbled some notes down before clicking his pen.

"Well Scott." He smiled, looking at Scott, "I think we made good progress. At least with getting to know each other. Now, will you step out and ask your mom to come in here? I want to speak to her for a minute."

Scott nodded and got up.

"Is it done?" His mother asked.

Scott shook his head, "He wants to talk to you."

She nodded and walked into his room.

Scott sat down at one of the seats in the waiting room.

He nervously shook back and forth, now realizing that Stephan was probably telling his mom all about his self-harming past.

Oh shit, oh fuck, why did I mention the cutting thing?!

Scott groaned into his hands, causing some people to look at him.

Eventually, his mother walked out.

"Alright, let's go home." She smiled.

Scott looked horrified.

"What? Is everything okay?"

Scott blinked and quickly fixed his face, "Nope."

"Bye! Have a good day!" The woman at the front desk said to Scott and his mom.

"Thank you! You too!" Scott's mother called as they left.

"Well Scott. You're going to have therapy after school now on Tuesdays after school."

"Every week?"

"Stephan thinks it would be best if it was every week. Why? Is that a problem?"

"No." Scott said, feeling relieved that Stephan didn't mention anything about his past habits to his mother.

"Good. I do think he'll help you out."

Scott's mother kissed her son's forehead and they got into her car.

Scott sighed as he looked out the window, hoping that things would get better.