"I'll see you next time, Bri," I quietly smiled, seeing the fourteen year old, smiling girl wave at me.

The clock has just struck 12 AM, meaning my shift was finally over. I've been going on nonstop, listing notes for each patient, and hearing them let out their tragic stories, with fear and a slight bit of hope.

Psychology was definitely my type of path, for I was once a lost little soul, trying to find a way to be appreciated by people around me, and now that I'm a very successful psychiatrist, with tens of patients visiting everyday, I knew the loneliness was worth it...

It's sad to say that all I think about is my profession. I live in a decent apartment that looks about too big and expensive to be accommodated by a single individual.

I've taken likings from many women, but being always occupied by my job wouldn't be fair for a relationship.

The only women I talk to, about things that don't involve therapy is Michelle, my secretary.

"Are they all over?"

"Uhm yes, although I need to ask," she slightly paused before opening a patient's file. Lia's name came in view and I furrowed my eyebrows, not getting her exact point. "Lia. She's on 'Friday' list."

"So...?"

"So, she's on your only off day. Ross, there's no such thing as Friday list," she chuckled lightly before I started taking my tux jacket off.

"Doesn't matter, she's one of my most important patients. A single patient wouldn't bother if I love my job."

"That's not what I'm talking about," she brought her short, black curly hair aside before sliding a wooden chair to sit by the table. "You don't seem too eased around her."

"What are you trying to say?" I scoffed, slightly taken back by her alternative words. What does that even mean?

"I understand that you never find enough time to enjoy your life-"

"I'm 26, Michelle. I'm not a teenager-"

"So you can't have feeling for one," she started clearing the words and what she meant dug inside me like a deep knife. "Why don't you go out there and see other people? Any woman would love to have you."

"I don't have feelings for Lia, Michelle! I'm just being nice and offering a free day for the young, poor girl! And even if I were attracted to her, it wouldn't have caused damage to anybody... and no, I can't go out there and see other women, everyone in this town knows that I'm a therapist, and normal people don't keen on dating a man like me."

"It's just that-"

"I know; that you have a perfect relationship with your husband while I'm a single, 26 year old, blonde doof, whom you thought is a freaking creep for liking one of his patients. Is that it?" My voice was by every second getting more strict, as I loosened the tie around my neck in frustration.

"You know I would never mean that," she slowly stated, a look of sympathy drawn on her as my nerves calmed. "I'm just stating that you can't take a liking to your patient."

"And I won't," I rolled my eyes before a lump formed on my throat.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Shor," she sighed, before stepping closer to adjust my collar, giving a light pat before walking off.

"Don't be late," I called out, taking the beer glass bottle before going back into my office, my mind wandering off.

I fucking lied.

💖💖