How to ignore a dragon

Exiting the Speech lab, I breathe in the relief of not encountering Liam throughout the day, although a slight concern for his absence lingers in the back of my mind. Still, I’m grateful to escape his constant skepticism about my experiences.

“Liv! Wait!” Anya hollers from the hallway, catching her breath as she approaches. “Hey… got time to catch up?”

“Um… actually, I have an appointment with Dr. Mead in less than an hour…”

“On a Monday afternoon?”

“Last week’s session was postponed. I’ll see you at the dorm later, okay?” I turn to be on my way, but Anya blocks my path.

“Wait— wait… what’s up with you and Liam? I saw him this morning… and he kinda avoided me. No smile in his cute lips, either. Care to tell me why?”

I shrug, keeping my shield up. “No idea. I haven’t seen him all day, either. Perhaps he switched classes again…”

“Hmm… I smell something fishy there…” Anya’s teasing tone belies the glint of worry in her eyes. “Alright… be on your way… I’ll see you later.”

I jerk my chin up. “Later.”

Arriving at my locker, I mechanically slide a weighty textbook inside, but my fingers brush against something unexpected. It’s a paper plane wedged between the vents. Unfolding it, the message from Liam confronts me: “I just realized we can’t be research partners anymore. It’s for your own good. Forget the dragon. Liam.”

Anger wells up as I crumple the note in my hand. I slam the locker door shut with a resounding thud. “Good riddance,” I mutter under my breath. Glancing at my phone, I realize I have half an hour to get to Dr. Mead’s clinic, just enough time for a contemplative walk.

My backpack slung over my shoulder, I make my way out of the campus toward Amsterdam Avenue. Dr. Mead’s clinic, a quiet building nestled between 109th Street and Amsterdam, awaits me. The walk should help me clear my mind.

Yet Liam’s note haunts me, its enigmatic words probing me to decipher their meaning. What did he suddenly realize? Why can’t we be research partners anymore? And “forget the dragon”? Seriously? The questions whirl in my thoughts, demanding answers.

Stepping into Dr. Mead’s clinic, I note the eerily empty waiting room, devoid of any other patients or a receptionist. It’s a minor peculiarity I’ve grown accustomed to. A soft knock on the door adorned with a stainless steel plate etched with Dr. Mead’s name prompts a familiar voice from within.

“Come in, Liv,” Dr. Mead’s voice chirps, her preternatural ability to anticipate my arrival never failing to amuse me.

With a nod of gratitude, I enter her cozy office. Dr. Mead offers a warm smile, her eyes radiating empathy. I settle into the plush couch, the therapist’s tranquil demeanor inviting me to open up.

As the conversation unfolds, I contemplate confiding in Dr. Mead about my tumultuous state, excluding Liam’s secret, which doesn’t belong to me to reveal. I observe her appearance, her infectious smile and stylishly tousled curls, feeling a sense of ease in her presence.

“Dr. Mead... just the other day, I told you I was happy... well, I guess that’s over now.”

Her eyebrows raise with interest. “What do you mean? What made you happy when you said you were?”

Liam’s face flickers across my mind. “A friend... I’d just met him, and I thought— well— I thought I’d made a good connection, but I was wrong.” My unease mounts, and I shift in my seat. “He’s not my friend anymore... but that’s not important—”

Dr. Mead gently probes, “Why wouldn’t it be important? If he made you happy, even for just a moment, that’s a pretty good clue to solving your problem of unhappiness.”

“Maybe I was wrong. Maybe I just thought I was happy. But I guess he’s just a distraction.”

“Was there some kind of attraction beyond friendship?” Her voice conveys a genuine curiosity.

I bite my lip, hesitant. “Kinda...”

Dr. Mead encourages me to share more. “And why do you think it was wrong?”

“I— I didn’t think it was wrong to like him... but he’s decided we cannot go on being friends anymore. He wants me to forget him. Just like that.”

“Oh... he broke up with you?”

“No— he’s not my boyfriend. There was nothing to break, actually... but it all ended before it even began.”

Her gentle reassurance is comforting. “It’s only natural to feel unhappy about it, Liv... everyone goes through something like this, at least once in their lifetime. And it’s okay to grieve for something or someone you’ve lost, whether it’s someone you love going away, or a friendship gone wrong... you can cry for a while, then move on. There’s someone out there who’s perfect for you.”

I chuckle. “I know. Perhaps my soulmate isn’t born yet. And honestly, I’m fine with that. I’m moving on. But there’s something else that’s really bothering me, Dr. Mead... do you believe in ghosts?”

Dr. Mead maintains a neutral expression. “Doesn’t matter what I believe, Liv... do you... believe in... ghosts?”

My voice trembles with uncertainty. “I’m not sure... I don’t even know what I actually believe in, but... I think I’m being haunted by a vengeful spirit—”

I pause, half-expecting her to dismiss my words with a laugh. However, Dr. Mead’s empathetic gaze remains unwavering, urging me to continue.

“Go on... how is this spirit haunting you? Is it someone you know? Is it your mom, your sister?”

“When my mom and sister died, I’d wished they’d haunt me. I wanted to see them even when they’ve become disembodied spirits. At least I’d know they’re somewhere out there, and not totally gone. But no, it’s not them— it’s someone else I’m not related to or had met before in my life... but I’m working on research about her… and when I came to her house, that’s where it started...”

I recount the eerie sequence of events at Aleksander’s house, from the unsettling déjà vu to the shocking pendant and the enigmatic apparition in the mirror. My rambling suspicions regarding the haunting’s impact on Liam’s decision to distance himself from me flow out of me like an unbroken river of words.

Dr. Mead sits in her comfortable armchair, her dark eyes fixed on me as I continue to pour out my anxieties and confusions, baring my soul about the haunting experiences that have plagued me. The soft hum of her gentle encouragement stokes the fire of my revelations. Each word uttered another step toward unburdening my troubled mind.

As the tale unfolds, the knots of tension that have gripped me begin to loosen, allowing the pent-up emotions to escape. The room remains a sanctuary of empathy, the faint scent of soothing incense wafting through the air, lulling my racing heart.

“Perhaps Liam was right… I became too obsessed with my research. And now he thinks I’m going crazy, that’s why he decided to distance himself— am I going crazy, Dr. Mead?” I whisper, my voice trembling, and I wipe away the tears that flow freely, unaware of the glistening trails they leave on my cheeks.

Dr. Mead maintains her unwavering gaze and offers a comforting reassurance. “Liv, you’re not going crazy. It’s perfectly normal to be deeply invested in your research, especially when it’s something as intriguing as what you’ve described. Your reactions are a response to the stress and anxiety you’re experiencing. Sometimes, our minds play tricks on us, especially when we’re passionate about a subject. But that doesn’t mean you’re losing your sanity. What’s important is that you recognize these feelings and seek help when you need it.”

Her words wrap around me like a warm, comforting blanket, offering solace and validation in a world that had recently felt unsettling and strange. The relief of sharing my fears and insecurities with a professional who genuinely cares washes over me, and I feel a glimmer of hope that I can navigate the challenges ahead.

Dr. Mead’s words linger in my mind as I exit her clinic, reminding me of my next appointment and the importance of open communication. The crisp air outside is a stark contrast to the emotional warmth I felt inside her office. I offer a grateful nod before stepping out, the weight on my shoulders noticeably lighter.

As I wait for the traffic lights to change at the bustling crosswalk, the memory of Liam, in his extraordinary dragon form, flashes through my thoughts. How could I forget such a remarkable yet unsettling experience? Liam’s absence, whether intentional or otherwise, has left a void in my life, and the sudden realization of his absence gnaws at my heart.

Just then, an unexpected presence beside me startles me from my reverie. It’s Nikko. My immediate response is to distance myself, still wary from our previous encounter.

“Hey, Liv...” Nikko begins, his tone earnest and contrite. He meets my gaze with sincerity in his eyes. “Liv, I just want to apologize for my behavior the other night. I didn’t mean to hurt you in any way. That was rather insensitive of me— I’m really, really sorry.”

I take a deep breath, the tension in my shoulders relaxing. “Sure... apology accepted,” I reply. The signal changes to green, and I start walking, but Nikko keeps pace with me.

“I’ll walk with you...” he offers, a hopeful expression on his face.

I give a subtle nod. “Alright...”

His offer to share a meal or coffee takes me by surprise, and for a moment, I ponder his presence as a breather from the chaos of my thoughts. “Um... would you like to grab something to eat, or coffee, perhaps?” Nikko suggests, his nose wrinkling in a hopeful smile. “A peace offering... I hope you’d accept... please?”

Slowing my steps, I exhale sharply. I gaze at him and cock my head. Nikko might just be the distraction I need. “Okay... there’s a coffee shop across from my dorm. We can hang out there for a bit. I’ll have a cup of latte and a slice of apple pie. Your treat.”