Back to the Hellhole

I woke up to my phone's incessant ringing. "Hello?"

"Zee, you have plans tonight?" Mia's voice exuded excitement that made me groan with anxiousness. Joshua kept me up all night with all the last minute preparations for the play next week and having Mia call me at... 6AM in the morning, asking about my plans for the weekend, was definitely no good news.

"I do." I lied.

"Of course, you don't." She giggled. "I'm throwing a party and invited everyone in class. Just to wind up and relax before the play."

'Party?!'

Alarm went ringing in my head that made me sit up in attention, fully awake.

"I have an appointment later with my doctor so I'm flying out today. I'm sorry." I hastily spewed my excuse without thought then gritted my teeth when I realized too late that it was a wrong move.

"Really? Why? Is everything okay? Daddy never mentioned anything." Her voice was now laced with worry.

"Of course he won't. That would be violating the rules you know. But I'm fine. Don't worry. It's just that I've been skipping my regular check up too much that I definitely can't miss this one." I sighed loudly then added. "You guys have fun without me. Let's just hang out some other time. My treat."

"I can ask Dad to move the appointment if it's not that urgent--"

"NO!" I sprang up from my bed.

'Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!'

I took a deep breath to calm myself down. "It's okay. Uncle is very busy as it is. Let's not bother him... hm? I swear I'll make it up to you next time."

There was a long silence that I could almost hear my heart beating. Then, "You always say that. But I'll let you off the hook if you promise that ice cream will be on you. Okay?"

My cheeks lifted high in relief and I did my best to prevent my voice from revealing the smile that was on my face. "Cross my heart. Double it up."

"Double it is!" She chirpily replied.

As soon as the call ended, I slumped back to my bed with a splitting headache. Then I searched for Doctor Reynaldi's clinic number to make that darn appointment.

To my surprise, instead of Nurse Lidette, Dr. Reynaldi was the one who picked up my call.

"How are you my dear? Is everything okay?" Dr. Reynaldi's voice sounded as warm as ever.

"I'm fine, Uncle. It's just that..." I hesitated which earned a hearty chuckle from him.

"My daughter's throwing a party again, isn't she? And you made me your excuse this time too?"

I sighed. "I'm sorry."

"Instead of feeling sorry, why don't you just swing by my clinic and I'll help you ease your guilt by turning that lie to the truth?" He skillfully suggested which was something that I definitely expected since I stupidly blurted out to Mia about seeing my doctor.

"I'm really fine, Uncle. I just-"

"If you're still avoiding the chance to socialize like a plague then you can trust me when I say that you're still far from fine, my dear. I heard from Kimmy that you've been skipping a lot of your sessions lately. You're not planning on letting go of your dream completely, are you?" His doctor tone has been switched on. "As your doctor, I'm giving you two options. Either you go to that party and prove to me that you can now mingle like a normal girl... Or you meet up with Kimmy and let her do her work."

'Enemies... Enemies everywhere.'

"... I'll meet Teacher Kimmy. So please-"

"I'll tell Mia that you'll be flying here to meet me. You have my word."

The call ended and I found myself staring at my starry ceiling for a long time.

"It'll be fine. It'll be fine."

That's what I told myself over and over while booking my ticket to the capital. I was feeling really anxious the entire time until my plane landed in Cape Hallows.

"This is what you get for thoughtlessly lying to your Doctor's daughter, Zeanne Haile."

Exactly 4 hours since having that phone call with Mia, I found myself looking up at a very familiar building. I was starting to question myself again if I made the right call by choosing this option over that party when I received a message from my mom.

[Mom: You'll be okay.]

I smiled and felt a strange sense of security. I guess this is the power exclusive to mothers. They just know when you need them and they know exactly what to do or say to make you feel better.

So I braced myself and entered the building with a lighter heart.

As expected, Dr. Reynaldi probably gave Teacher Kimmy a heads-up that I was coming because she looked so delighted to see me and didn't waste a single minute to start my therapy. We completed the session after three hours that completely drained my energy.

She patted my back. "I guess skipping those sessions didn't do as much damage as I thought. But you have to know that I went easy with you today because Nurse Dylan is currently off-duty and I don't have anyone to assist me in case you have an episode."

I cursed inwardly and wiped the tears from my face. 'If this is her going easy on me, then attending that darn party would definitely be a lot safer than coming back here.'

"Zee, I know that I scared the hell out of you during our last session but you have to understand that that was a necessary step that we had to take to make you better. So stop avoiding me, okay?"

I took a large gulp of air and stood up straight. "Yes, ma'am."

Survival 101: When in the hands of the enemy... NEVER SAY NO.

Especially if it's an enemy that never makes empty threats.

She smiled at me wrapped me in a hug. "God, how I missed you."

"For sure, HE misses you too." I squeezed back.

She slightly hit my temple. "I'm talking about you, silly."

"Not my head, silly." I hit her back then hugged her again. "Thanks for not killing me today."

***