The next morning—or afternoon, I was up and very productive on my laptop.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2qcSyAFCn
Online shopping of course.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtyoa0hIh1
It had just hit two in the afternoon and I had a shot of espresso Kai brought me.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUO1Nmn3zBN
I didn't necessarily need the extra energy since I got plenty of sleep last night.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmokycY4ws
After eating Jack in the Box with Kai yesterday, we binge-watched some shows and then she left to go back to her place.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFKfdChTER
Then I got ready for bed, falling asleep around ten and sleeping in until eleven.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSvYyKS4Xo
I doom-scrolled on social media for a couple of hours before Kai interrupted me with a few knocks on my door—holding an iced coffee in one hand and my espresso shot in the other.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiUGASd2re
Now we've settled on the couch, with her watching an old Bratz movie while I focused on shopping for classes that start next week.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7or0uFpT8N
"Okay, this is what I decided on" I said, flipping my Macbook around for Kai to see.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0hVlYagxt
I had spent an hour finalizing my different online shopping carts, ensuring everything looked good and the sizes were right.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNbYoSkK66
"I love these" Kai murmured, pointing at the faded cheetah denim jeans.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9PjBCsrRq
"They're fire right?" I said, smiling as I stared at them for a moment.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgE00s2VZc
I planned to wear a cute black bodysuit with it and a pair of black Golden Goose Hi-Star platform sneakers.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLxAuiZmYB
But only the Golden Goose's that look new—I can't stand the ones that look worn down on purpose.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW2f9Ddj3f
"I need a try-on haul when you get this" Kai determined as she looked through my other carts.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9XaVvUrbI
"Duh—I'll have complimentary champagne for you to drink during the try-on" I said, winking at her as she handed the laptop back to me.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgsz0nnyDM
"And mimosas if it's a morning try-on" Kai added with a smile, leaning her head against my shoulder as I began placing each order.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRBYblwD0p
"You know the drill" I murmured, still focused on finalizing everything, "I'm heading over to Zi's once I finish this if you want to come."
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0wGQOt8ed
Kai dramatically huffed, "Buzzkillington? No thank you" she mumbled, naturally earning a small chuckle trom me.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAij1sd8Y8r
Kai will not let go of the name she made for my more... level-headed best friend.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlaOu4QR1s
The moment Zion told us to slow down on shots one night, Kai deemed him a buzz kill and started calling him Buzzkillington.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2hXZZQGFA
"You can stay here if you want" I said, placing my last order with a brief tap on my mousepad.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqnJ5S5pjI
"It's fine, I have to clean my apartment anyway" Kai determined, standing up from the couch with a dramatic sigh.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfy2Yd1Oj2
"Need any help?" I instinctively asked her, closing my laptop to stand from the couch with her.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc19htPCXY
Kai stretched with a deep groan, shaking her head,
"No it's fine—you go chill with Buzzkillington and I'll see you later" she said as I adjusted the cropped black t-shirt I wore with matching leggings.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCsZar4Oj5
"Kay-kay," I singsonged, walking away from her to slip on a jacket and a pair of chunky New Balance's.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbi7AXHYs3u
I brushed my dark hair that was still in waves from yesterday's blowout, adding some hair oil before spraying some perfume.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzji9CmSqFk
Then I grabbed my keys and walked with Kai out of my apartment.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpQ9SbrAvS
***
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe8xWDOSuk
Zion's apartment was a short ten-minute drive, heading away from downtown to the University District neighborhood.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3bkpvY0DP
He liked being closer to school compared to the rest of us.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9vCE5ffd9
Then again, computer science is a hard fucking major—one that I'm also under.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCshoTQjbm
I just half-ass it enough to pass because all that matters is the degree, but Zion takes it a little more seriously.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnEGD3S328
Luckily, Sid tries to chill him out sort of.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0PY8L5Lf5
But she's also serious about school so it works for them.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMLhv2ZleE
I think that was clear after they met in a study group and hit it off ever since.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREHzvZTwht
Now they've been dating since freshman year and recently moved in together last year during our junior term.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7oBfR7gD4
"Miss me?" I said with a smile, walking into the apartment past Zion who had a face mask on.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40QtSvmFpP
"I think seeing you all over Twitter was enough for me" Zion sarcastically said as he closed the door.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3fDTecz5v
I rolled my eyes, "But I'm so much more entertaining in person" I pointed out, walking over to the kitchen island to sit down across from Sid who was preparing lunch.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vERJL29j7
"I don't know, you were pretty entertaining on Twitter" Sid said with her usual smile, grabbing the slices of bread from the toaster when they popped up.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDQAQ9i9gI
I smirked, "The other guy looked worse didn't he?" I joked with her as she began adding ham and cheese to the sandwich.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjr00dB3RnY
"You smashed a bottle over his head" Zion laughed, sitting down beside me at the kitchen island.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWyC8uewyR
"He deserved it" I determined with a nonchalant shrug.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoSNSbGVUa
"All guys do" Sid agreed with me until Zion gave her a dramatically narrowed look, "Except for you babe."
Zion lazily raised his brows, "Right," he mumbled, side-eyeing both of us as Sid cut the sandwich she made in half and then handed the plate to Zion.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBXhRxTjGy
"Thank you" Zion said, already reaching for one of the sandwich halves.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtACdK7HCY9
Sid hummed in response, grabbing the bag of cheddar chips.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN0KBlBFyr
As she poured some onto his plate, I began eyeing the late lunch she had made, suddenly wanting a sandwich too.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUjS8WaaCY
"Yours is next, Riv. Don't worry," Sid said before I could ask, adding a sliced pickle spear to Zion's plate as well.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWdprZIY3Y
"Thank god," I sighed dramatically, leaning back in my chair like I was a famished blue-collared worker coming home from a long shift, "You made that sandwich look divine."
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5MbN0lFBV
"This shit is divine," Zion mumbled as he chewed the bite of his sandwich that he took, grabbing some of the chips to stuff inside his sandwich.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK7yM2gpyK
Fuck, I can't wait to dig into a nice sandwich.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMhN3yR5wp
"I can cook, I can clean—"
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqziedYjoVo
"But let me tell you, I got this ring," I cut Sid short, finishing the Cardi B lyrics she altered slightly.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxSMBfLZxq
Sid grabbed the nearby spoon, holding it like a microphone, "Gobble me, swallow me—"
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgD143d1gj
"Alright," Zion cut his girlfriend short with an amused smile, shaking his head at us.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LgKIs0Yiw
I only laughed along with Sid—stealing one of Zion's chips as I waited for my sandwich.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRm84Enh3IY
I swear I started eating immediately when Sid set a freshly made sandwich in front of me, basking in the toasted bread and soft cheese and ham.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7Bgwc5wPl
I also added chips inside of the sandwich for an extra crunch and flavor.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOA0JRPehAt
It was heavenly.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxd1tKAIWk6
At least until I got a text from my mother.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yrlPHzJeX
Mary: I've arranged your therapy session with Dr. Nine Luccino for Friday at 10 AM. I've sent the address separately. Don't be late, this is non-negotiable.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWh9CnYPWB
I furrowed my brows, reading over the address she actually sent.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yX3fW1G88
Then I processed the stoic follow-up text—and the fact that she was actually serious about therapy.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UXm9SMlTT
Fuck.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgBsepDRfG
"Riv?" Zion suddenly cut into my thoughts, causing my stare to snap away from my phone.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBgC6gfbkC
But even then I was still dazed, processing that I would really be going to therapy.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9OjJ0cT5D
Why can't my mother just focus on her own life?
I'm a grown-ass adult at this point and she's still micromanaging me.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BTfDOESQZ
"Are you okay?" Sid asked, sitting down with us to eat her freshly made sandwich.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzQpA2aBey
I nodded before I could think it through, "Yeah, my mom's just on her bullshit again," I mumbled, sighing as I locked my phone.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfJcD30hig
I don't technically have to do therapy.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7i5eoHIwt
Like I can go but not speak or anything.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPWAAdhMKn
Right?
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKW9ybSbmuk
"Mare bear is on your ass huh?" Zion said, using the nickname he made for my mother back when we were kids.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTnn2Pg29T
When she was softer and nicer.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4FJFGv37n
All before my dad died.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LP0IGsYE7
"Yeah and this shit is so fucking annoying," I said, standing from my seat to clean my half-empty plate off.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunoLqLL1ba
I'm not hungry anymore.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyitSOPtGG
"I swear it's a nerve only my mother can press," I sighed, pressing on the trash can pedal to open it and dump the leftover food.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquqtvSOKiL
"She scares me honestly," Sid said as she took a bite of her sandwich.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds1wXibW6t
I lazily raised my brows, "She wishes she scared me," I mumbled dryly, rinsing my plate off in the sink.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfQF3a6O3G
"What is she up to now?" Zion curiously asked, popping a cheddar chip into his mouth.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXU3MYdWMr
"Therapy," I said blankly, opening the dishwasher and putting my plate in, "She's forcing me to do therapy— like imagine being that self-controlling and absorbed over your public image that you force your child into therapy for your own benefit."
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKiokZ0CiU
My ears are burning—and so is my face.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3CPNjA3zF
"That's fucked up," Sid said, setting her sandwich down as she chewed the bite she took, "Maybe try to spin it for your own benefit—use therapy as a way to heal instead," she offered.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuujKvMYH1
It was a good idea-a fucking amazing one really.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1hzrt78By
But it also gives my mother what she wants, a weird polished version of myself.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2fFg6zXGZ
People are allowed to be messy and make mistakes, especially at my age.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIxYqYWvIp
"That's a great idea, Sid, genuinely," I said, wiping my hands on the dish towel, "But I refuse to give my mother what she fucking wants—so I will be doing the literal opposite."
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3dluaw4Hu
Sid pursed her lips into a smile, "I figured that's what you would say," she said as Zion nodded.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8nXpkCFEp
"Just don't get so lost in trying to prove a point to her that you lose yourself," Zion warned me, grabbing the glass of water to take a sip.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefyw0e7BX5
"I could never lose someone so damn fabulous, Zi" I joked with my signature smirk, throwing the dish towel at him, which landed on his plate.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKj4LQ3dnng
Zion shook his head, "You and your massive ego, Riv." he said, moving the towel away from his plate which barely had any food left on it.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYpuW4LqT2
"You love it," I singsonged, walking towards the door so I could leave.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgr2qI8sFZZ
Mostly because I wanted to rant to Kai about all of this.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPMxcfU4j3
Don't get me wrong, I love Zion—he's been my best friend since I was a child, compared to Kai who I met in my freshman year of college.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDlZX4lezA
But he doesn't understand it.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCiMgh2lZP
He has two loving parents who constantly shower him with love and support.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQXHhfrsSg
Meanwhile, Kai and I bonded over our unavailable parents when we first met.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosS71rhskZ
Except her situation felt more complex, given her mom willingly left her to start a new family when she divorced her dad.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREQ8iCfsDb
It doesn't help that her dad is a surgeon and always focused on working.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfectCRfXPI
He never made time for Kai, instead he threw himself further into work when the divorce happened.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsYx5wnGK2
Kai was only ten years old without a mom to help her navigate her teen years—and then she barely had a present dad.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRvFgJWx78
At least my mother taught me the necessary stuff like periods or shaving.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemDnlESQPH
She also got me my first bra.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHtE8AtB8Q
The only difference compared to other mothers was how serious Mary was, every encounter with her felt like a business meeting.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdIjsdFAfw
"I'll see you guys tomorrow if you're free," I said, opening the front door.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN667NSO1JL
"We could do dinner," Sid suggested, earning a nod from me.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJfjlwsCet
"Dinner it is—text me a good time tomorrow" I said, giving them my flashiest air kiss, "Love you guys."
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8wh1VADPH
"Love you," they both said in sync.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLm8WjuzMxp
Zion suddenly turned around to cast his full attention on me, "Don't do anything crazy, Riv" he said, knowing me entirely too well.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONPWUffQRc
I held my hand dramatically to my heart, "Me? Never" I sarcastically said, flashing him a smile before I walked out of their apartment entirely.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNdP8Hi1yY
Then I was focused back on this therapy situation, heading down to my car and texting Kai to come to my place once she was done cleaning.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEkV5nnGvD
I swear my nerves were on this weird teetering edge, even as I drove toward the downtown neighborhood, Belltown, where my apartment was.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTUOHguG47
Kai had fortunately responded and said she would be over in the next hour, so I went ahead and prepared a quick cocktail that consisted of vodka and cranberry juice.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx5hUEPzDn
It was only a little past four, but I really didn't care.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ568y1tUuGZ
I desperately needed to calm my nerves.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBqvEErhEP
Kai joined me when she finally got to my place, making herself a glass and sitting beside me on the couch.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJL3GV49dAR
"I knew she was going to go through with it" Kai said, taking a long sip of her wine as I focused on my Macbook.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXWxypMpch
"She finally had time in her day to think about someone besides herself for once" I mumbled in irritation, clicking the enter button on my keyboard as I reached for my glass on the side table by me.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48MUD99lLZ
"I would only think about myself if I was her too" Kai subtly murmured, which earned a blank look from me.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIS70XgMe1
"Stop mind fucking my mother for once" I said, narrowing my eyes at her when she raised her hands in defense.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwM6T6CX6yv
"It's hard being a mommy defender, on god" Kai said, setting her glass down as she glanced over to my laptop screen displaying the Google search I inputted, "Who's this?"
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTDTvazN5Z
I sighed, glancing back over to the bright screen that displayed numerous articles and pictures of one particular woman, "The hypnotherapist" I mumbled, clicking on one of the recent articles.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3DAoq2xvq
Apparently, she's world-renowned.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugfVUql6pg
No surprise there given my mother's standards, but at least the fame that this woman has gives me something to go off of.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEXBeYwJHs
Like numerous articles and pictures.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyVWvNDi7W
"Nine Luccino" Kai read her name from the bold article title that read: Off The Clock With Dr. Luccino.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk1ygOLE4O
I scrolled further down, briefly overviewing the article that quoted various interests that my newly made therapist had outside of work.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z58YcJJ4i
It was boring stuff like literature, hiking, expanding her culinary skills, listening to someone called Miles Davis and—
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5C99odHW8
Bars?
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNBkilMrpU
One bar specifically that she pointed out.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0vVA0g9jX
I think I can work with that.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbsmC8brQf
"The Archive," I murmured the name aloud, motioning to the article that Kai read with me.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZu7rFvXtsq
"I'm drawn to places with personality, she says" Kai quoted, reading along with me, "Her evenings often consist of a Negroni Sbagliato—I think that's how you fucking say it" she said, furrowing her brows at the unfamiliar drink.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGv5WP9Tjz7
Meanwhile, I read further down in the article, but I was mostly left unimpressed by her philosophical answer about a literal bar.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ2ekyybA4
"It's less about overindulgence and more about restoration. Think of it as a space to unwind and reflect."
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIDhGryTId
Of course, she refers to drinking as overindulgence.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgveSfoNkv
I can't work with this at all.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKLl3zpxvo
She's so fucking boring.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jAaQHJ60w
"Therapy is going to suck" I sighed, shaking my head at this boring ass article.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5OsNen5y2
"At least she goes to bars and looks... sort of young?" Kai said, trying to look at the bright side for my sake.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNG6IPWpRM
I clicked the back button, reading over what Google displayed of her, "She's twenty-nine" I said, now wondering what she'd be able to relate to.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeznS4hTIWu
She won't understand any of my experiences.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NxNhOAZ0J
"That's not bad," Kai said, reading over the screen.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIFgZK7mL8
I groaned dramatically, "It's so bad-she sounds boring as fuck," I said, already hating this entire situation.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhXyBHvppX
"I mean she's somewhat interesting, Ri" Kai said, now grabbing my laptop to navigate back to the article, "Maybe check out that bar... Archive I think it was. You might like the environment and maybe she'll be there."
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuZewOAswn
I laughed through my nose, "Right, so I should stalk my therapist?" I sarcastically said, shaking my head at her insane idea.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9WHoozEZM
Sometimes she can be more insane than me.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTvMKxsn6d
Keyword: Sometimes.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqitGGViY9
"No, she wouldn't necessarily know you're going for her—she doesn't even know you yet" Kai quickly clarified, raising a brow at me, "You said you didn't want to do therapy—maybe this is your way."
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqm4QdSktuj
I tilted my head, unsure of what she was suggesting right now.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7KhcN7s2v
Kai let out a dramatic sigh at my confusion, "You meet her as someone normal-not as her patient and maybe..." she trailed off when I gave her a skeptical look, "You know flirt with her and then she'll see you at your first session and say it's too inappropriate to continue on as your therapist."
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdpJQjwk5s
I raised a brow at her idea, finding it smart for once.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCidtkY7y8
"That's actually not a bad idea" I murmured in thought, knowing if I met her on an inappropriate basis she would most likely drop me as a patient.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5UY7uX8ZW
And my mother definitely won't find the time again to search for another therapist.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThNNLAQwQ8
"But what I just end up with another fucking therapist?" I pointed out, shaking my head as I weighed the pros and cons of all this.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvMywyvJiI
There's a small possibility my mother would find the time.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLQo2gTQsF
"Just do the same thing-over and over again. Try to meet them first" Kai suggested, nodding a few times at her impulsive idea, "You know I'm right."
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVwrbqlL6t
I rolled my eyes, mostly because she was right and now giving me a smartass look right now, "Fuck off," I mumbled, reaching for my glass to take another sip of the terrible cocktail.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLUdHmBJTL
"Fuck me," Kai smoothly twisted my words back to me.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAUSAfm5SH
"Get me drunk enough and I will" I didn't hesitate to say, setting my glass back down over on the side table.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfJnp58hMo
"Well, there is this bar.." Kai subtly trailed off.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbK0trmrlL
Which earned a groan from me, "I can't do your insane plan," I said, giving my best friend a narrowed look. It's smart but it's insane. "Besides do you think she would actually drop me as a patient over this?"
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpUh7hSq2V
Kai shrugged, "There's only one way to find out," she determined, giving me a knowing look, "It's also the only plan you have other than going to therapy."
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhcqdKAILV
She's right.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuDWvVZJh7
It is the only way, and I'm pretty good at flirting...
Dr. Luccino also isn't unattractive.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl434E1rjkh
I dramatically sighed, "I guess I'll fucking do it" I determined even if this was an insane plan.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJiM1qVEMH
But I'm insane so...
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW419x4DfJ
Kai immediately jumped up from the couch, clapping happily to herself.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeVyTCdeBr
"But I'm going alone" I quickly added, knowing that bringing my best friend along might be a recipe for disaster.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCOi8hZJqd
Odds are Kai being there will easily make me fuck this all up, even if she's helping me from afar.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jDM6ZZi6y
We might both end up laughing and fuck it all up.
"I could sit far away" Kai offered, following me as I walked out of the living room.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXZI52AF9a
"There's no way" I said, walking into my bedroom as Kai ran over to plop onto my bed, "I won't be able to be serious with you there, Kai."
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGSNSml0Nc
I seriously can't believe I'm going through with this.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEkkQHHTn6
But at the same time, it's necessary if I want to get out of therapy and piss my mother off.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5XCcUdJRa
I can't wait to see how she reacts when she hears about Dr. Luccino dropping me for unsaid reasons.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNFg4BNvjw
Kai sighed as she stretched out on my bed, "I can wear all black to blend in," she said as I walked into my closet.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZNJVVYjNU
"Right, because that's not fucking obvious," I sarcastically said, sifting through the different short dresses hanging up.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7G3DQXcph
I don't even know the vibe of this bar and I've been to almost every bar in the downtown radius of Seattle.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm7ixLvqAO
"Okay then we'll match outfits," Kai offered as I continued looking through the different dresses, grabbing the ones I liked and folding them over my arm.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRiHXoEWhE
"Either we'll end up in a full laugh attack or shit-faced—you can't come with me" I called out from my closet, now moving over to my jackets hanging up and grabbing a few that would match my dresses.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQcLt1eWmk
"Fine, but I want every detail of the night—even if she's not there and it doesn't work out" Kai said as I walked out of my closet, heading over to my bed where I laid out the different outfit choices.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzTIyeTkNi
At least I knew I wanted to wear a dress.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCd00MNqCRX
The only issue was which one.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbJtxhlUoo
It took me almost thirty minutes to decide on the cheetah slip dress lined with black lace at the hem.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiz0ovEwYu
Then I settled on the long black coat, pairing it with black heels and gold jewelry that I set off to the side with the coat.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSyNiqO5hy
I had to do my hair and makeup before getting dressed, but planning my outfit was already a step in the right direction.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwUoYZoe5e
It didn't take long to pull my hair into a sleek high ponytail, gelling down my edges and curling a few pieces of my hair since yesterday's blowout wasn't as prominent.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfe8GaUKW8
I did a natural amount of makeup with faint brown eyeliner, lining my lips in brown and putting on a nude-pink lipgloss over it.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFaIP4Tj0O
I slid on my heels and jewelry last, grabbing my stiletto-shaped perfume bottle called Good Girl and spraying it on before I slipped my coat on.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCOBhT5GHG
The nerves officially hit me upon exiting my apartment with Kai.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcdBR8b5ot
Or more like the realization did.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6AT1pZg3P
I'm going to a bar that my therapist mentioned in an article I found from cyber-stalking her, and now I'm purposely going to flirt with her.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBUaSHD9p9
It definitely sounds unhinged.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTvAGb8Xoj
But I want to do this.
36Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqYeXa66fD
I need to if I don't want to sit through therapy.
ns216.73.216.224da2
然後按「加至主畫面」