Therapy

"Here's the bill." Layla appeared with a small wooden clipboard that has a paper attached to it. In the paper is written the entire price of the meal.

"Thank you," Carlotta said, taking the bill from Layla and leafing through the prices to make sure it is correct.

She has always had the habit of doing that, even when they were just out for ice creams. She was cheated out of her money once and has been extra careful from then on.

Kaia couldn't help but smile when she sees her like this. The past couple of days, she has been a little uptight. Just a little bit. She seems so much like the Caitlyn she knows seeing her like that.

That could be what her friends thought when they met her again after her 'reincarnation', or is it better to call it time travel.

"We left the conversation halfway. Please give me some plan of action." Shia said, looking at everyone with a pleading look.

"What are you talking about?" Max asked, leaning back. "I ate too much. I may not be able to eat more tonight."

"Don't say that. Our head chef will get mad if you aren't able to eat what he makes for you." Dor said, lightly hitting Max on his shoulders.

"But I ate too much." He whined. "Don't you feel like you are about to burst, Dorran?"

"Just walk it out." He said, putting on his jacket, "How much, Cati?"

"I'm still calculating. Give me a couple of minutes." She said, not looking up from the table.

"Guys!" Shia raised her voice, glaring at everyone with her arms crossed.

"What?" Max asked again, every movement was difficult for him but he pulled it off anyway.

"My previous question."

"Ah, about Kaia. Or is it about Caitlyn?"

"Carlotta." Ran hissed. "Stop making that mistake."

"But you still call her Cati." Max pointed out.

"I got her permission." He said, "Right, Cati?"

"Huh? Yeah." She said, still not looking up as she continued with her math calculation.

"See?" He said proudly while the other two looked at him blankly. "Anyway. What were we talking about?"

"Kaia or Carlotta?" Max asked, looking at Shia.

"Both." She answered, "I am also concerned with the rest of us. With everything that happened, we shouldn't be as calm as we are now."

"You are also added into the mix." Ran said, leaning forward and pointing to Shia. "Besides Cati, you were the closest to die."

"Well, unlike everyone else, I am getting therapy," Shia said with a bit of triumph in her voice.

"From who?" Max asked, "And since when?"

"I will be starting." She corrected herself. "Maybe tomorrow? Or the day after. There is this brilliant therapist on the other side of town that my parents are recommending."

"I am glad that you are going to a therapist. Really." Max started, his expression was anything but glad.

"But?" She asked.

"Did you get this therapist checked?" He asked, almost reluctant to speak out the words.

"I did, actually," Shia answered, playing with the flower in the vase. "I will not be entrusting my mental health to someone I know nothing of."

Kaia looked at her with concern mounting on her face.

"Don't give me that look, Kaia." She said making eye contact with the girl, "You need to learn to trust others."

"I trust you guys." She answered without hesitation.

"Of course you do and that is very good." Carlotta said, pulling Kaia into her embrace, then turning to look at Shia with wide eyes, "Right?"

"Yes. It is good that she trusts us," Shia began, "bu-"

"Isn't that enough then?" She asked again, interrupting her as she continued to hold Kaia awkwardly.

Shia sighed, rubbing her forehead, "You're being complacent right now, Cara. It's not good."

"Complacent? How exactly am I being 'complacent?'" Carlotta asked, leaning forward on the table to Shia.

"You know exactly what I mean, you are not a child anymore."

"I never said I was."

"Ok!" Dor quickly stood up and took the bill from Carlotta's hand, "I will go pay for this now."

"Ah, wait, I have to give my share." Max quickly said, standing up.

"No need." Dor said, walking away, "This is on me. I will just leech off you all some other time."

"Ok," Max answered, sitting back down.

Shia and Carlotta are still staring at each other, unwilling to budge.

Kaia nudged Max. "What?"

"Do something."

"What can I do?" He asked, taking out a packet of cigarettes from his pocket. "It's also not that often when you get to see Caitlyn this bugged. She always had a smile on her face, no matter what anyone said. I mean, she is still having a smile on her face but you can tell she is mad. Don't you think it's a little refreshing?"

"No." She shook her head then took the packet from him, "Do something."

"Ok. Ok." He said raising his hands in surrender. He then turned to the girls and said, I have an idea for whatever it is we are discussing about."

"Tell me," Shia said as the two turned to face him at the same time.

"You both are frightening sometimes." He remarked, clearing his throat as he spoke again, "Why don't we do this? Shia is going to a therapist soon, right? If she is good, she will tell us. If not, we can look for a better one."

"Ok." Shia agreed. "I will observe her properly."

"Remember to bring a stun gun or pepper spray." Kaia quickly piped in, still concerned over her safety. "Just in case."

"I will. Don't worry, Kaia." Shia said, a small smile appearing on her face.

"As for Carl and the rest of us, we could see the same therapist as Shia, if she is good." Max continued, "Kaia can be postponed a little longer. Until she has gotten used to people being around her. Then we can think of what to do then. Is that ok, Caitlyn?"

"Fine." She said, looking to Kaia. "Is that ok with you, Kaia?"

"Sure." She signed. "As long as everyone is fine with it."

"As expected." A full smile came on Shia's face as she looked at Kaia.

"Of course," Carlotta said, mirroring the same smile.

"Well, it's Kaia so what did you expect," Max said taking the packet of cigarettes from her hand.

"What are you all talking about?" She asked, not understanding what is exactly is going on.

"Nothing." They said in unison but the smile never left their faces.

Kaia still has no idea of what is happening but she just let it be. Carlotta and Shia do not seem to be fighting anymore and even Max looks happy so it doesn't matter.

As long as everyone is happy. It's good enough for me.

________________

"I'm here to pay for the meal," Dor said as he walked to the counter.

"Oh, will you be paying with cash or card?" The woman asked, smiling at him.

"Card please." He answered back, unintentionally copying her smile like he would every time he had to go for a meeting with his father.

"You could have called me there." She said, taking out the card machine and giving it to him.

"I just wanted to pay here without the knowledge of the others." He lied. He just wanted to escape that tense air with his emotions and, maybe, body intact.

"Oh~," She said as he swiped his card and gave his fingerprint for confirmation. "Do I know you from somewhere? You look a little familiar."

"If you know the Hershton family then you will know me." He answered, giving her the most charming smile he could give.

"Hershton?" She thought for a second. "Wait, are you the son of Robert Hershton?"

"Yes." He said, giving the machine back to her as she punched in the numbers.

"No wonder you looked familiar." She said. Dorran observed that she is the friendly type with no ill intentions underneath but that friendliness can be taken advantage of if she isn't careful.

Well, that isn't my problem.

"You watch the news?" He asked as she tore the receipt from the machine.

"Yes, my husband and I watch it every night before we go to bed." She said, handing the receipt for him to sign, "Your father is an amazing person. You must be very proud."

"I am." He answered. "But he isn't in the office these days."

"Right, I heard he is out for a honeymoon." She said, hesitating for a while as she decided whether she should speak or not.

"You look like you wish to say something." He said, not looking up from signing the two receipts.

"Are you ok?" She asked taking one of the receipts while he pocketed the other.

"My father always marries and remarries." He said with a smile. "Don't worry. They are never bad women."

"I apologise if I stepped out of line."

"No, you are concerned about me." He said turning and walking away, "I don't mind it."