“But that wasn’t a very kind answer,” Clausen says.
Daniel straightens, glare fixed on the director. “What are you doing?”
Clausen returns a confused expression. “We’re just trying to get at the heart of your resistance to the group. It’s safe here. What better place?”
“Safe? You’re setting me up to be attacked.”
“Calm down, son. Your peers are just trying to help.”
“Don’t call me that.” Flames shoot from his eyes.
“Okay, look. The fact that you’re feeling threatened is a positive sign. That’s a good start to any healing process.”
Daniel jumps up, shoving the chair back. “Like I said yesterday, this is bullshit. Keep the damn necklace.” He kicks the chair on his way to the exit.
“Hey, come back here! You are not handling this in a healthy manner. Daniel!” But the younger man ignores him and smashes through the door into the hallway.
I stiffen in my chair, fighting against my strong reaction. For a brief moment, I fear I won’t be able to ward off my own internal fury at what just happened. The last thing we need is a public display of our alliance, and I hope Clausen will dismiss us like Chambers did yesterday. Instead, he brushes off the quarrel with a shake of his head and offers an apologetic look.
“I’m sorry, class. He’s been improving lately, and I thought he might be ready for the next step, but I suppose not.” He turns to me. “I especially apologize to you, Miss Carson. We wanted your first few days to be so special, and it seems we can’t quite make it work. I hope you can forgive us.”
Jackass.
I force a weak nod. “Healing requires pain,” I manage, and he raises his eyebrows in approval.
“That it does.”
“Of course, not all pain leads to healing.”
It’s his turn to force a smile, and he holds my gaze for an uncomfortable length. “Very profound, Rebecca. Do you have anything else to add?”
I smile and shake my head.
“How did it go today? Better than yesterday?” Anna crosses her legs and leans back in her chair.
“What’s the goal of this place, exactly? Are we supposed to be learning and growing? Because so far it feels like daycare.”
“That’s an interesting statement. Why do you say that?”
“The brochure and my orientation visit made it seem like we were going to take courses modeled after university curricula and learn more about our gifts. We would acquire skills to integrate into the rest of society and become best friends forever. But so far it seems like we get shuffled from one mind-numbing activity to the next. And don’t even get me started on the pointless group sessions.”
“I’ve heard your sessions have been eventful. I can see why you’d question their value.”
“I didn’t come here for rehab. I thought this was a school, but it seems more like a treatment center. Does the staff think we’re sick and need to be fixed?”
“Are you?”
“In some ways, but no more than everyone else on the planet. I certainly don’t want to give up years of my life to sit around talking about my feelings and watching other people get humiliated.”
Crap. I suck in a breath as Anna considers my statement. “That’s a strong sentiment. Are you referring to something specific?”
I sigh, exhausted by the turbulence of the last few hours. “Nothing specific, I’m just afraid I made a mistake in coming here.”
“Are you thinking about leaving?”
“I don’t know, maybe.”
She nods, clearly not liking my answer. “I understand your frustration, but I really think you need to give it more time. Most of our students are overwhelmed for the first few days, especially until they form a circle of friends and settle into the groove of the schedule. I’m going to recommend additional counseling sessions in place of group until you feel better-acclimated. Would that help?”
