Rayne

She was sitting down, with her legs crossed, on the therapist chair, enjoying an everything-bagel with herbs and garlic cream cheese.

“So, do you want to tell me about your family?” Doctor Skylar looked at her from above their glasses.

The girl sipped a cup of black coffee in silence.

“You voluntarily signed up for these sessions. You might as well make use of them.” Longer sentences brought out the doctor’s Scottish accent.

“I want to. But it is odd and difficult.” She looked at the floor, frowning.

“Where did you grow up?”

“…Kyoto. I have previously told you.”

“I know. I’m just trying to build it up, ease you in… Again”

Rayne bit the rim of the cup and stayed quiet.

“Why did you move to the US?”

“Why did you?"

Dr. Skylar raised an eyebrow. She wanted to challenge them but they clearly weren't intimidated.

"...To be myself more freely.” Rayne quickly answered and looked away.

The doctor sat up straighter against the chair and leaned forward, resting an elbow on the table between them. Rayne avoided their gaze and looked around the room. She’d been in that place three times and her eyes always wandered to the dark red stain on the wall to her right and the numerous books on the shelf behind the doctor.

What happened that caused that stain? She wondered. It is far too high up for someone to accidentally spill a drink there.

There were many books, from The Art Of Counseling to The Girl On The Train. She thought no way had Skylar read them all.

“Did you read The Picture of Dorian Gray?” She asked, spotting said book on the shelf.

“Yes. Did you?”

“I did. Although I will never understand what makes a book a ‘classic’. I hate those long paragraphs full of nothing.” She rolled her eyes.

The doctor smiled.

“Did you used to read in order to avoid… Your family, perhaps?”

Rayne narrowed her eyes but raised her head:

“Indeed.”

“Tell me about Kyoto.”

Rayne furrowed her brow, wondering why the Doctor didn’t ask about her family after she caved in.

“Kyoto is an excellent city. It is clean and modern, has great food, a lot of shopping spots…”

As she spoke, she stroked the scar on her pale white hand. Observing her own body part, as if it weren’t hers.

“How was your childhood?” Dr. Skylar inquired.

She shrugged:

“Normal… My brother and I were adopted by an English couple who are living in Kyoto”

“Interesting.”

“Why?”

“You have a Japanese accent, not English. So I'm guessing they didn’t interact much with you.” Dr. Skylar’s voice was raspy and emotionless.

She couldn’t help but let out a chuckle:

“I suppose that is a natural proof of their neglect. Thanks, doc.” Her smile soon faded, and she shook her head. “We never had a proper relationship. They own a furniture company, have a lot of money and little time to spend with my brother and me. I still do not get why they adopted us.”