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Especially given the last one and its implied message.
“How have you been, Phoenix?” Dr. Parker sits with his leg crossed over his knee.
A laugh leaves me as I try to think of where I can even start on all this. “Not good, Doc. Not good.” I cross my arms over my chest as I lean back on the couch.
His brows furrow. “What happened?”
“Well, let’s see. I was attacked by someone on Friday. Knocked the fuck out. No one believes me. But somehow, there are bruises around my neck. No one can explain them, but whatever. Then, every single uniform I owned was destroyed in someone’s shitty prank. And by destroyed, I mean there was a dead gutted fish that somehow ended up in the dryer with my clothes, so you can imagine the smell. Oh, and I got detention for it. So, that’s cool. And while all that went on and I was puking my guts out, a stalker left a black box on my bed with pictures and a note. Also, the three kings have now somehow gone from my tormentors to my knights in shining armor. That about sums it up. Got any questions?” I smile, seeing his shocked and pale face.
“Actually, I have a lot. First, your safety is paramount. If you have someone attacking you and a stalker, we need to inform your aunt. Not to mention the authorities.” Dr. Parker clicks his pen and fiddles with it.
I shrug. “Well, we went to the authorities about the attack. They did jack shit about it. Is there a report? Yes. But they couldn’t find video evidence, and they think I’m crazy. So, they can go kick rocks. As far as the stalker, it honestly could be one of the students messing with me. Hell, could be the kings,” I say as I run my hand through my hair.
He cocks his head to the side. “I thought you just said they were your knights now?”
“Well, can’t really judge a book by its cover, now can you? I may have fucked all three of them, but they could be fucking with me.”
An audible gulp comes from Dr. Parker. “I-I’m sorry. What?”
“Wow, did I just make you uncomfortable? When was the last time you got laid, Doc? I mean, I know you just graduated from high school, but it’s probably time you lose that V-card.” He shakes himself out of his stupor and clears his throat. I ask, “Anyways, what’s next on your list on me to tackle for today?”
“Um, let’s revisit the kings later, all right?” he offers, his cheeks still flushed.
“Sure, Doc. Whatever you want.”
“Now, you said you got in trouble for the fish and your uniforms?”
“Yep. I was told that I did it for attention and that I should have been standing by the washer and dryer while my stuff was in it. Apparently, they are sending my aunt the bill. She’ll be happy to see that, I’m sure.”
“You haven’t told your aunt?”
“I haven’t talked to the old bag since she shipped me here. I need new uniforms, and I know that if I pick up this phone and try to call her, she won’t answer. She’s pulled a disappearing act on me.”
My doctor hesitates. “Well, maybe I can call her for—”
“Don’t,” I interrupt. “I don’t want a damn thing from her.”
“But you need new uniforms, Phoenix. Those aren’t cheap.”
“I’ll figure something out, Doc. I always do.”
He sighs. “Fine. Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“Can you tell me what happened when you got attacked? Go through whatever events you want, whatever you’re comfortable with.”
I nod as I feel my heart beating harder in my chest. I let out a long breath and then begin. “Daxon talked me into going to the football game, so I went. Colton went with me, to keep me safe or some bullshit. Which was because the students have been bullying me, of course because they told them to.
“Which as I say all this, I realize how idiotic I sound. But I digress. Colton was there to make sure nothing went wrong. Obviously, that didn’t happen, but I don’t blame him. He went to go get me some food or something and then I had to pee. My roommate told me we had to head over to the fitness center to use the ones there, so I went in, but the ones that should’ve been open weren’t. So, I headed to the other restrooms that I knew of and hoped it would be open, the locker rooms.”
I stop for a moment, and my hands start to tremble.
“I finished doing my business, and then the lights when out. I remember taking out my phone and trying to root around for a way out in the dark.” I pause and take a deep breath. “I ran into what I first thought was a wall, but then I realized was a person. They grabbed me and started c-choking me.”
Tears begin to stream down my face, my breathing coming out in short, panicked gasps.
My mind replays that night, the fear, the pain. Everything. I thought I was going to die, alone. “I-I passed out. I remember him saying something to me. ‘Beautiful.’ But that was right before I passed out. Honestly, I think the attacker is the stalker.”