Devyn held onto me the entire time we made our way to the nurses office, it was only then that they let go of me so I could get examined. It was just a few questions, but it felt like time was slowly going by.
There was a curtain between the bed I was in and the one neighboring me, but I knew someone else was in the room with us. I looked at the daft office, wondering how miserable and bland it must be in here.
It wasn't until I felt a firm hand on shoulder that I was taken out of my thoughts, "you okay?" It was Devyn. They had a concerned look on their face as they had a towel wrapped around their shoulders. They sighed and grabbed a towel that they were holding in their lap, "here. The nurse gave us them to dry off, we're absolutely drenched."
I quickly wrapped the piece of cloth around me. I couldn't help but snuggle into the warmth. I looked over to Devyn who was doing the same and couldn't help but laugh. They looked over to me, puzzled. "What's up?"
I smiled, "we definitely need to have a movie night tonight. Some hot drinks and goods sound so yummy, especially with this weather."
Devyn opened their mouth, but instead of words we both gasped as a sharp noise was made from the curtain next to us. "As for you, you'll have to apply some neosporin and band aids to your cuts." The nurse pointed to my legs that were covered in scratches and scrapes, along with bruises slowly appearing. She sighed, "you're lucky that's all that was done to you."
She walked over to the opposite side of the room and back, handing me bandages to use for the healing process. I nodded and thanked her as she exited the room with the soft clicking and clacking of her heels.
It wasn't until I heard my name that I came back to reality, "what's up?" I looked at Devyn urging them to explain. "Oh, I was telling Xavier what happened." They were nodding over to the guy that was neighboring us on the other side of the curtain.
I looked to where my friend was pointing and saw the boy from earlier, but instead of a fencing uniform he had the school's iconic academic uniform on, along with his hair now put up into a bun.
"You're both really lucky, that you were there and that she didn't get hurt." I scanned the bed that was slightly hidden behind the curtain. The girl from earlier, Wednesday. Dare I say, she was hauntingly beautiful.
A soft chuckle grabbed my attention, Xavier looked down at his lap. "Yeah, right place, right time I guess." He looked back up, furrowing his brows, "what were you two doing up there?"
Devyn began to sputter complete nonsense until I cut them off, "photography, we thought we could get some pretty nice shots from up there." I looked down at the cuts on my leg, "just trying to get work done since we were caught slacking."
A sharp gasp was heard neck to me followed by a soft slap to my shoulder. I looked over to Devyn, "how dare you? That's so embarrassing," they whined.
The guy in front of us laughed, "you seriously got caught? I thought you were better than that."
Devyn had an exasperated look on their face, scoffing. "Okay, mister 'Tortured Artist', just because I'm not good at most things like you doesn't mean I am good at others."
The two looked at each other, sharing a knowing glare of something I didn't.
I cleared my throat, "we should probably get going, we're limited on time."
Devyn sighed, standing up from the chair they were sitting in. The beads in their braids made a satisfying noise as they walked to the door.
I followed suit, slowly making my way out of the bed. As I stood, I was immediately met with a stinging sensation. I sighed and tried my best to ignore the pain as I made my way out.
Before I reached the handle, I stopped and faced the other figure in the room, who was now on his phone.
"Xavier, right?" He looked up, a slightly surprised expression on his face. The boy nodded and I decided to continue, "this is going to sound odd but... I saw your mural the other day and..."
I paused, looking down trying to find my words, "it's beautiful." I looked up at him to see him now looking at the ground smiling.
"Thanks... you're new here, right?" I nodded, "(y/f/n), (y/f/n) (y/l/n)." He looked back up again, making eye contact, "welcome to Nevermore, I hope to see you around."
I couldn't help but smile, "I mean, you obviously know Devyn... you know where their room is? He hummed in reply and I could feel a stupid grin making its way on my face, "guess you know where to find me."
With that, I exited the nurse's office and made my way back to my room. Though, I was surprised to be greeted by Principal Weems. "Young (y/l/n), it's time for your session." Oh, therapy. It's silly but I forgot about it, though I suppose it makes sense considering everything that happened today.
We made our way to a car parked outside of the school and the woman beside me spoke, "I know as an exception it isn't mandatory for you to attend these meetings. But I believe, along with your family, that with what has taken place in your hometown that it would be beneficial for you."
I nodded, understanding perfectly well that she and my family were trying to help. We got into the car and Principal Weems drove us to the nearby town, Jericho.
When we arrived, the weather was gray and dull, I didn't dislike it at all. It was oddly comforting.
Principal Weems told me the directions to the therapist's office and I quickly followed them as I made my way up to the second floor to the therapist, Dr. Kinbott.
When I reached her office, I knocked and waited. It wasn't until I heard a soft 'come in' that I did. I saw a woman with blonde hair sitting at a chair ready for the session, Dr. Kinbott. She was dressed all cozy too, how cute.
She looked over to me, smiling sweetly, "you must be (y/f/n) (y/l/n), it's so nice to meet you." I nodded and took a seat in front of her. She grabbed her notepad and looked at the time, then at me, "as a first session I won't push you, this is a safe space and you're allowed to talk about whatever you want. This first meeting could just be about getting to know you."
I nodded, I wasn't sure how to go about this. Luckily Dr. Kinbott spoke again, "so how are you liking Nevermore so far?" I looked down at my lap and smiled. "It's been great, I mean some unexpected things, but it truly has been lovely."
I could visibly see Dr. Kinbott lean forward, "how are some things 'unexpected'?"
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, "could we not talk about this? Sorry, I don't think I'm ready yet." I mean, the events of today were not ideal. In fact, they were purely terrifying.
She nodded understandingly, "there's no need to be sorry, (y/f/n), it's completely normal and understandable."
A few moments of silence passed between the two of us, I wasn't comfortable, but it wasn't unpleasant either.
The silence was broken by the woman in front of me though, "(y/f/n), I do want to bring up a certain topic, if you're alright with that." I nodded, knowing it wasn't a question, but more so a statement. "I'm sure you know why you're here and the situation back home."
I nodded as she continued, readjusting herself in her seat, "what are your thoughts on it? Any strong feelings?"
I looked up at her while I fiddled with my uniform, "the whole situation is unwanted. I hate it. Knowing people in my town are..." I faltered and sighed, in an attempt to calm myself down I closed my eyes. "I think it began to sink in when friends began to move and the case seemed to go nowhere."
Dr. Kinbott hummed, understanding how I felt. "What did you do to help that feeling?" I honestly don't remember what I did. Days blended and time didn't seem to move, just one big repetitive cycle. I looked out one of the windows in the cozy office. "I got out just in a scenario that I didn't expect."
It hurt, being sent away by my own family. Though, once again, I understood their intentions. If anything, I just hope they're doing alright.
With that, Dr. Kinbott gave me a sad smile. "Thank you for being so open and willing during this first session, I hope to talk with you more next time."
I looked back at her, confusion written on my face. Wait, it's over?
She gave me a warm smile and nodded. As a result, I quickly thanked her and went back to the car that transported me here.
Principal Weems looked at me as I entered the car, "how was it?" I looked at her, a chill running down my spine remembering what had happened before I left. "Not terrible, just.. uncomfortable."
I looked down at my lap, fiddling with the uniform once again. She sighed and patted my shoulder, "wait right here, I'll be right back."
She left the car and entered a building not too far away, all within view of our ride. I was confused, furrowing my brows as all I could do was watch.
It didn't take her long to get back, "here, hopefully this helps a little." I smiled at the beverage in my hands, not expecting it to be my favorite warm drink. I looked at her, giving her a soft smile, "thank you." She was genuinely so sweet, I can see why my family got along with her.
With that we left for Nevermore. I decided to take a sip of the drink she got me, but of course I didn't think it through.
I heard Principal Weems gasp, "Young (y/l/n), are you okay?" I had tears forming in the corner of my eyes. I looked over to her, nodding furiously. All I managed to get out was a small squeak, "hot."
She stared at me for a second, worry written on her face which then contorted into humor. She began to laugh and I couldn't help but join her. I can't wait to tell Devyn all about this when I get back.