Vaughn 

“Alright, I get it. For whatever reason, you don’t feel like doing the journal? That’s fine.” I uttered dismissively as I retreated back to the desk and fell back into my chair with a sigh.

Well, there goes my session plan for today. It’s not like we could get anywhere in what little time we had, seeing as I had already assured him he could go home early.

I sulkily glanced over as I watched Leigh calmly adjusting his clothes, noting he was significantly less flustered and jumpy once I had left his side.

Do I still make him somewhat uncomfortable? That’s disheartening, seeing as Zoe went out of her way to push these clothes. I guess I’ll chalk that idea up to a failure.

Once I assessed that he was settled down in his seat again, I figured we would just chat today. Maybe I could get some more information out of him if he doesn’t think of this as a normal session.

“So, you really won’t tell me anything about what’s going on in school?” I tried to sound as nonchalant as possible when I asked, though the teen merely huffed and kept his lips sealed. I grimaced a bit at his reaction, though I wasn’t sure why he always became so rigid. This kid had a knack for closing himself off very quickly. Clearly his sensitive spots revolved around his family and his school life, though that was the case with many adolescents. However, most others his age did not build walls this thick and would actually prefer getting the weight off their chest by way of discussion.

I rested my cheek in palm as I eyed him, and in a way it pained me to see his expression become so stoic and restrained. 

Who had hurt you so? What hardships and tribulations have you gone through? Please tell me...

Silence persisted in the room and I pressed my lips together in a thin line. We couldn’t just sit quietly and not get anywhere, I had already decided I’d start making moves towards actual changes in his life. Therefore, seems I had to bring out the heavy artillery, starting with that habit of playing hooky.

“Have you decided what you’ll do once you graduate?”

My question hung in the air for a while, but he eventually murmured his answer.

“My dad is making me go to college.” He replied begrudgingly, a scowl etched onto his face.

“That’s great.” I exclaimed somewhat in relief. I had been worried that he’d given up on his education altogether.

“How are your grades then? Have you applied for any scholarships, and have you been accepted by any universities yet?“

“Agh! Are you my guidance counselor, or what?” He groaned and sank further into the couch, almost as if trying to disappear completely.

I paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before attempting to shoot my shot. 

“Have your senior classes been proving difficult?”

Leigh seemed to freeze and refuse to make eye contact with me, a moment’s hesitation passing before he eventually answered.

“No, they’re fine.”

“Liar. You haven’t been going.” I accused, much to the other’s chagrin as he visibly flinched at this.

“Wha— How would you know!?” He countered, his head whipping back to face me in indignation.

“Oh, I don’t. But now you’ve confirmed it."

The brunet grit his teeth at this and I could almost hear him cursing profusely in his mind.

“Well so what, it’s senior year. The classes are bullshit easy, it doesn’t matter if I go or not!”

“False.” I exclaimed adamantly, “colleges will still look at your grades for senior year even after accepting you, if you slack off then they can even cancel your enrollment! I’m sure someone has told you that.”

The young man groaned again before shaking his head in annoyance, causing me to clasp my hands together and address him seriously.

“Leigh... i’m going to tell your father about the fights you’ve been getting into.”

As expected, The boy quickly looked scandalized and tossed his hand in the air angrily. “What!?  Whatever happened to ‘your secret is safe with me,’ I knew you—“

“That’s IF.... you don’t diligently attend the remainder of your classes until graduation.”

My grave expression never wavered as silence once again followed my declaration of war. I watched the other intently as he pursed his lips, his eyes narrowing at my statement.

“You wouldn’t dare...” He replied, his face rife with skepticism as he crossed his arms.

Shit. Was he calling my bluff? I really didn’t intend to do it, because It has serious consequences. It would damage his trust in me and he’d never open up to me after that. Was he aware of all that? What a cunning kid...

Thinking quickly, I attempted to divert the conversation to somewhere more emotional as I stood up at my desk.

“I would if it meant keeping you safe! This fighting is getting out of hand, Leigh. You could get seriously hurt.” I watched his hardened expression waver at that as he glanced at me wordlessly. His silence gave me the boost of confidence I needed to continue laying into him about it.

“It’s honestly no wonder your father doesn’t know about this life of yours. Just look at the way you’re always covered up in over-sized hoodies. He would be able to see the bruises otherwise....” I watched him glare at me for that one, but I couldn’t stop now.

“He appointed you to therapy because of how reclusive you are, but he has no idea just how much trouble you get in!”

“YOU—!!!” The teen piped up, looking quite livid as it seemed like he really wanted to say something. I turned to him, inwardly urging him to reveal what was on his mind, even if i’d get insults hurled at me. Much to my surprise, his ire seemed to dissipate with a brief sigh as he lowered his gaze to the floor.

“Not that you would even care for the reasons that I get into fights....” He continued, his voice a bitter murmur. While watching him I wondered just what kind of dynamic we had. It was a constant battle between us, with Leigh trying to keep my prodding at bay while simultaneously getting riled up. Then, after I’ve stirred him up enough, he finally lets me scratch the surface of his life. 

Is this healthy for his mentality? Is it worth it to force my way through his defenses and get him to bare his soul to me?

I mustered up my sincerest expression and pushed my brows together at his words.

“That’s not true... I’m only pressing so hard because I want to hear from you. I want to help.”

Leigh fiddled with his bag strap for a bit as he seemed to ponder whether I was being genuine or not. Eventually, he replied, his voice just barely above a whisper.

“I don’t fight for myself, and I don’t just jump in mindlessly— well. I don’t jump in without valid reason.”

“How could I know that and empathize with you when you wall yourself off and don’t tell me these things?” I replied evenly.

“Therapists are always working with just bits and pieces of information, and we make assumptions based on what we find. However, I can't do much with only the conclusions I draw, it all depends on the client’s willingness to share in the end.”

I wanted to make sure he was reminded of that at every moment. Although presently, I’d say I believe I am making progress with him in this regard. With that in mind I once again took a seat, calmly gesturing for him to go on speaking.

He made a face at me but picked up where he left off quite easily, his gaze flickering to the ceiling as he laid down.

“Fine then. I’ll reiterate it for you. I’m not just walking up to people and punching them square in the jaw. If I am in a fight, it is for good reason.” He insisted, his expression shifting to one more melancholy. “In fact, there’s only one person I’d dive headfirst in for.”

I nodded and grabbed my clipboard and pen. “Katalina. I get that, so all these fights have been revolving around her. What’s going on that you have to jump into fights and defend her all time? Does she like to fight?”

The teen scoffed. “She couldn’t hurt a fly, but she at least knows a few ways to get out of a tough spot.”

“So she doesn’t enjoy it. Does she often get into fits of rage?”

“No way, she’s like the sweetest person ever.” Leigh furrowed his brow, almost as if angry that I even insinuated the girl could be violent. Studying his reactions and using process of elimination, I finally addressed what I feared was the case.

“Is she being bullied?”

He didn’t reply to that, and I took it as an immediate yes. Scribbling that note on my clipboard, a lot more seemed clear to me. I now actually had an Inkling of what I am dealing with.

“I see. But, why is she being harassed in the first place? Maybe If you tell me I can—“

“You can’t!” The boy blurted out, causing me to look up as a myriad of emotions crossed his face. “We can’t go to the teachers or anything, and I don’t think it’s my place to tell you either. We just have to deal with it alone.”

I paused at this before placing my clipboard and pen down.

“You don’t have to. I am here." I replied instantaneously before reinforcing my own thought process. 

If Katalina were able to testify for the harassment for herself, perhaps it would shed some more light on Leigh's school life.  

 "Maybe-" I began before going quiet, the other lifting his gaze in my direction. 

"...One day, we can arrange for Katalina to accompany you for a session?"

Leigh blinked at this as if he didn’t understand what I said, sitting up in the couch as he tilted his head at me.

“Wait, huh?”

I simply mirrored his gaze, a ghost of a smile playing on my lips. 

“You can go home for today, just leave everything to me.”