Page 15 of Unfix Me
She let out a relieved breath. “We know how things can be at university and with all of the stress, it can’t hurt to talk to someone. Especially somewhere like that.”
“Like what?”
“A big city like that. You know.”
The wordliberalwas probably on the tip of her tongue. Another thing I just didn’t care about. Politics was the last thing I had any interest in.
“Okay. Look, I’m gonna try to get some more sleep.”
“Feel better.”
I hung up without saying anything else. The death grip I had on my phone might have been worrisome, but it was the heat building under my skin that really solidified how angry I was. I was a freaking adult and if they had concerns, that was fair. They were my parents. I didn’t like them trying to push me to do something like this, though.
When I thought about it more, I determined that I really didn’t want to talk to this counselor. Unless I felt like my thoughts were slipping back into that place, the one that was impure and would make my life fall apart, I didn’t need him.
My stomach felt a little better and I couldn’t imagine sleeping anymore, so I texted West. It was four, which gave me plenty of time to get ready. Hopefully, I wouldn’t throw up on the ice. I could just imagine it freezing there. They’d have to pull everyone out of the rink to scrape it off. The thought made me shudder.
Chapter 6
Sen
As I waited in parking lot B, I tried to determine if the weird feeling in my stomach was from the food poisoning or nervousness. Given how much I’d thrown up since yesterday, I hoped the former had run its course. Unless the bacteria actually wanted me dead, I assumed it was over.
Back home, I hadn’t minded that I didn’t have a car. The college was a short bus ride from my house and if I wanted to go somewhere with friends, one of them would usually pick me up or my parents let me borrow one of their cars. Now, I was at the mercy of people who I didn’t know very well. If I wanted to leave at some point, I’d have to find my own way back. I felt like a child.
I checked the time on my phone. It was ten minutes before seven. Clearly, I’d been anxious to the point of showing up too early. If they knew, they’d probably laugh at me. My dad always told me that everyone got anxiety, but it was women who made it known. I should’ve just sucked it up and stayed in my dorm until seven.
He'd probably call me weak.
Thankfully, a dark sedan pulled into the lot. It was nice but not fancy. Since it was headed for me, I assumed it was my ride. That, or I was about to get kidnapped and sold for my body, which would just be my punishment for being an anxious little bitch.
When it stopped in front of me, I opened the front door and sat down. After I’d buckled, I turned to look at the driver. My mouth opened, but I was frozen.
In the overhead light, the green of Kai’s eyes was aggressive. My mom loved gardening and she had this sansevieria plant with dark leaves. That was what the color reminded me of.
Why was I making comparisons?
The light turned off after a moment and I realized I was just staring at him. He looked back with no particular expression on his face, like he was just waiting for me to say something.
“Hey,” I said lamely.
He smiled, then rolled his lips. “Hey, Seneca.”
The awkwardness disappeared. “Don’t call me by my full name.”
“Why? I think it’s a cool name.”
“It’s really not.”
As he put the car in gear, he tapped the fingers of his other hand on the wheel. “Why don’t you like it?”
“I just don’t. Maybe you should tell me your full name.”
“Didn’t you hear it in class?”
“I wasn’t paying attention.”
“Hm. It’s Malachi.”
