Khrisana woke up early at Amara's place, the soft morning light seeping through the curtains. She felt heavy, the night's laughter still lingering but dulled by what she knew was coming today. They'd spent days together during the break watching movies, falling asleep on Amara's floor, making each other snacks, fighting over playlists. Amara had teased her about her mystery man, but Khrisana hadn't said much. Jaylen had rolled his eyes every time she blushed at her phone, but at least they didn't push. Now, though, she had to leave. Amara gave her a quick hug at the door. "Hey, good luck, okay? You'll be fine," she said. Jaylen just waved. "Don't overthink your whole life in there." She laughed weakly, hoisting her small overnight bag. "Thanks," she said, and headed out. She took the bus to her therapy appointment. She watched the streets roll by, chewing on her lip. She texted her mom that she was on the way. When she got there, Dr. Riley greeted her with a small, calm smile. "Hi Khrisana. Come in." She sat down on the same couch as always. It felt like exhaling after holding her breath for days. "How've you been?" Dr. Riley asked. Khrisana hesitated. "I don't know. Okay. I think. I stayed at Amara's for a while. Just…hanging out." "That's good. Did you get a break from the stress at home?" "A bit." Dr. Riley waited. Khrisana looked down at her hands. "There's this boy," she said finally. Dr. Riley nodded. "Tell me about him." Khrisana had to go all the way back to the start.
"He's in my class. Shawn. We...we talked one day in school. It was nice. He asked for my number." She told her about that first afternoon, feeling shy but excited. About him being sweet and checking up on her. "We went out a few days ago. Just walked and talked. Amara and Jaylen were there at first. But they left early. After that it was just us walking home. He said he liked me. But he also told me to, like… tone it down around them." Dr. Riley watched her carefully. "How did that feel?" Khrisana fidgeted. "Bad. I guess. I didn't know what to say. He looked so serious. It was weird. But then he was normal again." Dr. Riley wrote something down. "Did you see him again after that?" Khrisana nodded. "Today. I met him after this. We talked. And he... he asked me to be his girlfriend." She felt her face heat up saying it. Dr. Riley raised her brows slightly. "And what did you say?" Khrisana picked at the couch fabric. "I said yes." Silence. "How did that feel?" Khrisana exhaled. "I don't know. It was nice, but scary. It's really fast. I don't know how to feel about it." Dr. Riley nodded.
"You don't have to know right now. But it's good you're thinking about it." They talked more about her family. About feeling responsible for everything. About why it felt good to have someone see her. By the end, she felt wrung out. When she left the office, the air felt different. Colder. She texted her mom she was heading home. She walked slowly, thinking about everything Dr. Riley had said. It's fast. You don't have to know yet. But she'd said yes anyway When she got home, her mother was in the kitchen. "Hi baby. How was it?" Khrisana set her bag down. "It was...fine," she said. Her mom paused, looking at her. "Just fine?" She shrugged. "It was a lot. I'm tired." Her mother opened her arms and she leaned in for a hug. "You can talk to me, you know." Khrisana didn't answer. That night, she lay on her bed with her phone.
Amara: you home?
Khrisana: yeah
Amara: how was everything?
Khrisana: okay. therapy was fine.
Amara: and?
Khrisana: i saw him after.
Amara: shawn?
Khrisana: yeah.
Amara: so??
Khrisana: …he asked me to be his girlfriend.
Amara: omg 😭 what did you say??
Khrisana: i said yes.
Amara: oh. okay. if you're happy. just be careful, okay?
Jaylen: hold on HOLD ON you said yes to SHAWN??
Jaylen: bro i need the whole story tomorrow.
Khrisana: he just… asked after. after therapy. i walked and met him.
Jaylen: mmhmm. suspicious.
Khrisana: STOP
Jaylen: nah. nah. we talking tomorrow.
Khrisana dropped the phone on her chest. She didn't even know how to feel. It all felt too fast. She closed her eyes and sighed.