Conflicted

'I said how is your new school treating you?' Doctor Jacob asked him. He pushed his spectacles further up the bridge of his nose.

Sineas was certain he had seen that move done in a movie. He shrugged. 'Not bad, not bad,' he answered the question.

'And…define "not bad".'

'Not bad means not bad, Jacob,' he replied in a harsh tone.

Doctor Jacob made a deep sigh as he placed his notebook aside. He placed his hands at the edge of the desk. He said, 'Sineas. We've been meeting in this same room for eleven years and yet you still don't trust me with how you feel.' There was a certain faintness in his voice.

He crossed his arms quickly. 'Should I start at the very beginning, Jacob? Because I think you and I both know you're fully responsible for my mother spending an entire decade at Breechwood Asylum.'

'Sineas, my boy…'

'I think "Sineas" is just fine, thank you,' he said glaring at him.

'Okay…Sineas. The only reason your mother is still in that place is because she still exhibits a violent temper. Now, Judge Henrick was very clear about her release terms. She can only leave Breechwood Asylum when she gets her temper under control and we're completely sure that she's cured. If she does get better, Sineas, I promise we won't keep her in there any day longer.'

Sineas' face formed a perfect frown. 'How much is my aunt paying you? twenty…fifty an hour?'

'Sineas, you're not helping. I'm trying very hard to get you the help you need. No one is more in danger than one who thinks he is safe.'

He laughed boisterously, 'Did you get that from a bumper sticker?'

'Fine.' Doctor Jacob picked up his notebook. 'I'll just tell your aunt that you refuse to get the help I am offering you. Imagine how she would feel, Sineas. All that money she poured into this program, for your sake. For your recovery.' He walked to the door and held it open for him. 'Have a good day, Sineas.'

Sineas rubbed his face. 'Wait, wait, wait.' He breathed a very long and deep sigh. 'I'll do this thing.'

'Excuse me?'

'I said I'll cooperate, Jacob!' he hissed at him from his seat.

Doctor Jacob made a smile of satisfaction as he closed the door. He walked back to the table. He sat on the edge and opened his notebook again. 'Now, this new school of yours…uh…Malrich High School?'

He nodded, his face hard as a rock.

'You're participating in some of the extra-curricular activities there, right?'

Sineas snarled. 'Listen, Doc; I didn't sign up for any of that. I'm just going there to get my high school diploma and head to college; my next and final stage of hell.'

'Sineas, through sports you can see others in a whole new light. Not only can you find what you're good at, but you could even see the good in other people. Any weaknesses you have in academics you can make up with your talent on the field, or court. And I'm sure you know that humans are social creatures, right?'

His snarl became nastier. 'It's funny my aunt actually said the same thing,' he muttered.

'You have made friends, right, Sineas?'

'Everyone in that school is an idiot. If it's not bothering other people, the only thing on their minds is parading their foolishness. But…' he stopped.

Doctor Jacob leaned in. 'But..?'

He laughed, momentarily. 'There's this girl.'

'What's her name?'

'Clarissa.'

'What about her?'

He shrugged. 'She seems to be the only student there who may or might not be boring.'

'You like her?' Doctor Jacob asked. He had been scribbling Sineas' responses into his notebook.

'Don't push it, Jacob,' Sineas snapped.

He raised his hand in apology. 'What I meant Sineas is; do you get along with her?'

'Yeah…kind-a. But she's probably wearing a mask. I'm sure she's just as boring as everyone else. I think I should avoid her,' he concluded looking at Doctor Jacob with the corner of his eye.

Doctor Jacob noticed he was seeking a second opinion. 'Do you want to hear what I think?' he asked him.

'Even if I say no you're going to tell me anyway, right?'

'I think you should continue trying to or getting along with Clarissa. Making one friend wouldn't hurt.'

He leaned back in his chair and turned his face to the ceiling. 'I think our time is up, Jacob.'

When Sineas left Doctor Jacob's office, he boarded a taxicab and headed straight for school. Here he was, walking in the hallway on his way to class. The entire hallway was empty except for one or two junior students making their way to the toilets. Sineas slowed down. According to his phone, the time was 12:50 P.M. Ten minutes to lunch. What was the point of heading to class for only ten minutes? Miss Bale, the Biology teacher would understand. All he needed to do was make his way to the end of the hallway. The last door to the left was the Boys' toilet. Ten minutes in a toilet wouldn't hurt, he thought as he bypassed his classroom door. A few steps later the door opened behind him. His heart stood still but he continued walking. There was a creaking and the door shut.

'Sineas?'