"Can I pick you up from school tomorrow?"

"Sure," she sat up straight from the lounge chair, smiling softly as I gave her the signed medical paper.

"You need to put in mind what we've talked about today, Lia."

"Yeah, yeah," she rolled her eyes, standing up to pick her backpack to head to the door. "He ain't a monster unless I say so."

My heart grew rage at her actions combined with her words making me forcefully grip her arms, to pull her towards me.

"Lia," I looked at her sternly making her bite the inside of her cheek as it reddened. "He still has his boundaries."

"Don't worry about me," she softened, smiling lightly as I loosened my grip on her, "I'll give him what he deserves without crossing any boundaries. Starting today."

"Good girl," I mumbled, completely letting go of her, my heart breaking as she spoke.

What a devil that she is...dragging me into her love life while I'm left in hopes of filling it myself. They're all dreams and hopes after all.

She turned to face me properly, pouting, probably having her mind hold her back from what she wants to do. Her arms suddenly wrapped around my neck, engulfing me in a tight hug which brought shock in me.

I felt her pull away, making me temp to face her to suddenly feel the sensation of her lips on the corner of mine.

I gasped. And honestly, it was effortless. My body took itself over, my heart went wild where I felt its pulse in my cheeks and forehead.

I was practically shocked, almost as if having electricity run through my nerves.

"I'm so sorry! I meant- jeeeeez... I was going for your cheek, oh my," she started rambling as my vocals froze a little more, my arms unable to even flinch.

She was about to slide the door when I finally found the nerves to pull her back, grabbing her face, softly placing a kiss on her cheek. "There, you have your kiss."

I tried my best to speak, ending up with a monotone sentence which probably got things even more awkward.

"I'm sorry-"

"It's okay, Lia," I managed to let out a chuckle, trying to break the dry ice between us when she's practically pinned to the door with only a few millimeters between us.

"Alright," she giggled, side hugging me one last time before sliding the door making me take a hint of her sweet, slightly faint perfume. "I'll see you tomorrow. "

"Bye, bye," I mumbled, frozen on my tracks, hearing the door slide close.

Damn.

"Sweet baby karma."

"Doctor Ly- oh..Uhm," the door opened again after a knock revealing Michelle, who decided to do nothing but stare at my amazed state, "you alright?"

"No."

"Oh. Well, you have one last patient who is only asking for a check-up.

"Sure."

To say she was looking at me weird would be an understatement.

I'd look at myself weird at such situations.

She opened the door a little wider for me, to have my mouth do the same too.

"Rydel! Hello...h-hi. W-what are you- what're you doing? Here?"

Today isn't going to be an ordinary day.

"Hey, Dr. Lynch," she shyly shook my hands making me get red in a matter of seconds. "I was here to pick Lia up, but I, uhm, needed to ask about the session system here and if I could possibly sign up..?" She chuckled shyly which had my body cringe in fear.

I know I shouldn't be feeling that way...but two on one? I can't possibly take any of this...

Cutting off a habit? A habit of being generous? Gentle? Respectful?

Sure. I can do that.

I can function my mind properly and have it order my tongue to speak out the syllables of 'No'.

"Uhm, yeah sure! We're up every day except Friday. Tuesday list Is not as full as the others so how about I sign you up for tomorrow?"

I don't blame Michelle for diagnosing ms for having bipolarity.

"Okay. Thank you so much, I really appreciate your help. I was pretty nervous," she grinned a little making me smile, almost begging my insides for a revival.

"It's no problem, really. It's what I do best."

"Also, can neither Lia nor Theo know about this?"

I've never had a straightforward patient....I've never had a direct, completely honest patient.

"Are you sure about this? Even Theo?"

"Yes," she adjusted the sunglasses on her hair as Michelle handed me the list for the signature. "Could you? Keep it away from both? I know you're close to Lia but it ju-"

"You don't have anything to worry about. I'm here to help," I could see the hesitation crystal clear in her eyes as she glanced at the patients' list, which drove me to reassure her.

I think I needed reassurance more than she ever did.

Her hands worked swiftly, sliding on the paper as she signed on the three left spots.

Have I ever been so sure of something?

Probably not.

I never thought a handwriting could take me back a couple of decades, and yet it did.

Rydel.

A reason I never believed in coincidences.

"Where's Rydel?"

"She had to stop and chat with Ro- Dr. Lynch, she'll be here anytime soon."

God bless Ross.

I can sense his hesitation and nervousness a couple hundred feet away.

My throat was dry, afraid she gets to have him spill a few things about me.

"How did today's session go?"

I glanced at my father in the mirror, making me sit up on the back seat, "pretty good. He's tracking my anxiety and the progress is amazing. I get to have three pills per week instead of seven."

"So that means fewer nightmares, right?" He grinned, making me smile, nodding quickly.

"It does."

"I'm so proud of you, baby," he turned to face me, the looks in his eyes confirming every syllable he spoke to me which indeed, did make feel proud.

"Thank you, Dad," I couldn't hold back the blush forming on my cheeks which was thankfully saved once Rydel entered beside him.

"Sorry I took long, I got lost in the building."

"Where were my manners-"

"It's okay, cutie-pie, your father needed to check up on you as soon as you were done," she cut me off as dad drove away towards our house.

"I still feel bad," I muttered, having her turn to smile at me for reassurance.

As much as I did, I couldn't stay with them any longer. It'd be freezing cold with the ice between us.

"Do you wanna go out with us? We're heading to Starbucks."

"No, thanks! Don't feel like third wheeling today!" I chuckled, making Dad glare at me jokingly along with Rydel, "I'm only kidding. I'd love to, but Andrea and Ted are coming over in a few minutes. Jackson is, too."

"You and Jackson alone in a house? No sweetie-."

"Theo, a good girl knows her boundaries," she cut my father's pre-tantrum off, making me bite my lip softly, "and Lia knows when she has to show a red light. Right, Lia?"

"Yeah," I quietly replied, seeing her reflection in the car's front mirror. "Andrea and Ted are going to be with us."

He parked the car making me look through the window at the house, finding both Andrea and Ted already sat on my doorstep, "see? They're already here."

"Alright," he sighed, running a hand through his hair, "take care, lovely."

"You too, guys. Have fun."

I hope they do have fun.

But I hope I have fun, too.

"Hey guys," I hugged both of them, hearing the car leave, "waited long?"

"Nah.." Ted's hair was gone in a lot of directions, and not from stress.

Because he's happy.

Ted is happy.

"Lia, there's something you need to know," Andrea woke me from my trance, making me watch her eyes glistening.

But this time, I didn't look away....because Ross told me not to.

I need to be brave, even if it required peeling a cloth off people's secrets.

"Okay, well...let's head inside," I smile lightly, grabbing the keys under the mat, unlocking it open.

Whatever it is that they have to tell me, must be pretty exciting.

"What's up?" I opened the fridge, grabbing a few drinks to slide them towards them on the counter.

They both glanced at each other before Ted smiled lightly, biting his lip. "Andrea and I are dating."

"And I was planning on playing Cupid's match," I gasped, jumping lightly, making them chuckle.

I remember telling Ted he'll find his perfect match..someone who'd be willing to bring out the good in him, boy, did any of us know it'd be Andrea!

"So, you're not mad or something?" She bit her lip nervously, making my heart flutter.

"Lia," Ted sighed lightly, intertwining his hand with hers, "I know Andrea is your friend and all...someone you finally figured out you'd be comfortable with, and that I'm your, uhm-."

"Ted, you're not my bully," I cut him off, shaking my head lightly. "Tanya put that idea in your head. She's the reason behind our bad relationship."

"Please don't mention her, she's a rough past."

"Exactly! And so were we. Andrea is for you, and I'm more than happy to see both of you so happy," I rested on the stool, the smile never leaving my face. "Sounds like some romantic show...the school jock and the school nerd...find love and have cute kids."

"Whoa there."

"I'm going to be the first to hold the babies!" I raised my hand feeling some of the drink spill on my hands when I whipped my head to the sound of our doorknob twisting.

Jackson came into view, running to me until his body was almost sprawled on top of mine, grabbing my face lightly.

I never even got to see his face when he started kissing me like we've been separated for a decade.

But I felt loved...so I kissed him back all the passion I've got, feeling him smile against my lips.

"Hey Li- woahh," and yet again another individual joined us, and so I had to pull away... out of respect, at least.

I giggled completely red and embarrassed, watching Ross' face redden too and Andrea's eyes being covered by Ted's hands.

I don't think it'd ever get more awkward.

"I'm sorry. I just miss her too much!" Jackson chuckled, giving me another peck before I sat up straight.

"I saw you this morning!"

"Lia? A minute, please?" Ross once again coughed making me sit up to walk towards him, leaving them behind.

He took me to the porch outside, making me notice the sweat beads on his forehead.

"You alright?" I frowned, grabbing a tissue from my pocket to lightly wipe off the dripping sweat.

"No," he bit his lip, slightly bouncing as his foot tapped. "Rydel...she's going to take sessions with me."

"What?!"

"And you can't tell a soul, Lia," he stepped closer, making me glance at his heaving chest.

I didn't know what to say.... all I knew was that he is very frustrated and tired. I could sense the sadness in his eyes... I could sense heartbreak and I wished I could fix it the way he attempted to mold mine.

I stepped even closer to him, watching his eyes widen and his breath hatch. Despite his actions, I knew he needed a hug; so I brought his body close enough, feeling his arms wrap around my waist as I wrapped mine wound his neck.

His head rested on my shoulder, making me run my hand through his blonde locks after taking off his beanie, sad that he had to wear it along with the glasses to come see me.

"I can't take it anymore, Lia... I can't cope with this."

"Don't let a dear ask for an ounce of warmth from your heated heart just to calm the ice-cold soul inside it," I whispered, feeling his shivering body calm down before he looked up to stare into my sorrowful eyes.

"I just need you to stick with me through this."

"I will be a pain in your ass," I tried to cheer him up, watching him giggle softly.

That giggle alone took my heart away...and the recent kiss lost its traces on my lips.

For, now, I think my heart found the right place to rest; and I don't know if I should feel happy or scared. I just know that it will be safe.

🍬🌸✨💖🍭