Mr. Dias: “You can’t or won’t ?” 

Ethan: “I can’t do it”

A knock at the door catches Mr. Dias’ attention and someone peaks in. “Can I talk to you and Ethan please ?” Says the lady. Ethan stands up straight away, avoiding Mr. Dias and dashes out the class. Mr. Dias slower behind him. Once they had left the class, the lady shuts the door, now giving Mr. Dias and Ethan the impression of this conversation being private or personal. Ethan sighed, turning to lean his back against the wall with his arms crossed, dreading the conversation they were about to have, even though he doesn’t know what it’s about yet. 

“First of all, nice to meet you Mr. Dias. I am Ethan’s guidance teacher” she smiles, shaking Mr. Dias’ hand.

GT (guidance teacher): “Ethan, remember when we talked about therapy sessions ? Mr. Dias is your teacher and therapist”

Ethan: “I said I didn’t want therapy sessions”

GT: “Ethan you never talk to anyone. You don’t have friends, you’re always fighting and never do your work. You need to speak to someone. It isn’t healthy to be alone all the time and be so secretive. You can’t bottle everything. And get that hood down, it’s inappropriate inside.”

Ethan hesitantly pulls his hood down.

Mr. Dias: “You don’t have to open up to me straight away. Also you don’t even need to tell me things you’re not comfortable sharing about until you are comfortable- what happened to your neck ?!” 

Attention now on Ethan, he has marks all over his neck, with bruising and redness. “It’s nothing” Ethan says, now panicking on the inside, not showing it and trying his best to calm himself down. 

GT: “Who did that to you ?” 

Ethan: “It doesn’t matter, I’m fine”

GT: “Ethan I’m afraid I’m going to have to contact your parents and-“ “No !” The guidance teacher and Mr. Dias left in shock from the sudden interruption. Ethan looks to the ground and says “You can’t tell my mum” 

GT: “Why not ?” 

Ethan: “I’ll explain to her myself. She’ll obviously see it and I’ll tell her then, just please don’t phone her.” The last part coming out quieter, and full of fear.