7:30 AM at The Alcott Manor
"The appointment is at eight-thirty," Eleanor Alcott announced over breakfast, her voice carrying the kind of crisp authority that made even the morning feel stressful. "Dr. Cross comes highly recommended by the Whitmore board."
Vivian looked up from her untouched bowl of Greek yogurt and berries.
"Excuse me, mom? I still don't understand why this is necessary. There was only one argument at a party. I have already self-criticized my insensitive action, and I am not gonna relapse it again for my own sake"
"Darling, it was a public spectacle that reflected poorly on our family," her mother corrected, not looking up from her tablet where she was reviewing some financial reports.
"The headmaster felt it would be prudent to ensure both you and Tristan are handling the social pressures appropriately!"
Charles Alcott glanced over his newspaper with the kind of mild expression that suggested he found the whole thing slightly absurd but wasn't about to argue with his wife. "Just think of it as a wellness check, sweetheart. Like going to the doctor for a physical, but this time for your emotional health."
"I'm emotionally fine," Vivian said, stabbing at a blueberry with unnecessary force.
"Of course you are!" Eleanor said in the tone that meant the conversation was over.
"The car will be ready in fifteen minutes."
Vale Manor - 7:45 AM
Three driveways over, Tristan was having his own version of the same conversation.
"It's just a small mistake," Victoria Vale said, checking her reflection in the hallway mirror as she adjusted her perfectly sculpted hair. "The school wants to make sure you're both processing the... situation... in a healthy way."
"The situation being that Vivian and I can't stand each other?" Tristan asked, leaning against the marble bannister. "I thought that was pretty clear to everyone."
Richard Vale emerged from his study, already dressed for the office despite the early hour. "Son, sometimes these social dynamics can be more complex than they appear on the surface. Dr. Cross specializes in helping young people like YOU navigate challenging relationships."
"Are there any relationships to navigate in the room with us," Tristan said. "That's kind of the point."
"Nevertheless," Victoria said, her voice taking on the steel undertone that meant compliance wasn't optional, "you'll attend the session and you'll be respectful and cooperative. Our family's reputation is not something we treat lightly."
Tristan sighed and grabbed his jacket. Another morning, another performance for the adults who seemed to think they understood everything while missing the point entirely!
Dr. Cross's Office - 8:30 AM
Dr. Helena Cross sat behind her mahogany desk with the practiced warmth of someone who'd spent decades perfecting the art of making people feel comfortable enough to reveal their secrets.
"How are you settling back into your routine after the weekend's events?" she asked Vivian, her pen poised over a yellow legal pad. Everything about her screamed professional excellence – the perfectly styled silver hair, the understated jewelry, the way she maintained eye contact just long enough to seem genuinely interested.
Vivian shifted in the plush chair, surprised to find herself not entirely hating this. "Better than expected, actually. I think everyone was more invested in the drama than Tristan and I were."
"Oh, you know. That's a very mature perspective," Dr. Cross said.
Making a note.
"Sometimes when we're in the middle of a conflict, it can be hard to see it objectively. How would you describe your feelings about the situation now?"
"Relieved, mostly." Vivian found herself being more honest than she'd intended. "It's actually easier not having to pretend we're friends when we're not."
"Pretending can be exhausting," Dr. Cross agreed. "Tell me, what does friendship mean to you? What do you value in your relationships?"
The question was thoughtful, not accusatory, and Vivian felt herself relaxing slightly. "Loyalty, I guess. Honesty. People who see you for who you really are, not just who they need you to be."
"Those are important qualities. And do you feel like you have people in your life who provide that?"
Vivian thought about Madison, about Luna. "Some. It's... complicated when you grow up in this world. Sometimes it's hard to know if people like you or just what you represent."
Dr. Cross nodded understanding. "That sounds like a heavy burden for someone your age. How do you handle that uncertainty?"
"I don't know. I guess I just... try to be worth liking for the right reasons." Vivian paused, surprised by her own honesty. Her tongue wanted to say something, something about Tristian but her teeth stopped it before any tea was spilled to the table.
Without any further inspection after Vivian's uncomfortable pause, Dr. Cross smiled warmly. "Growth often comes from questioning our assumptions. You seem very self-aware for thirteen. Keep going."
When the session ended, Vivian found herself thinking that maybe therapy wasn't such a terrible idea after all. Dr. Cross had listened without judgment or asked questions that made her feel attacked. Maybe she would take up that offer to talk more in the future.
9:30 AM - Tristan's Session
"So, Tristan, let's talk about conflict resolution," Dr. Cross said, her notepad fresh and her demeanor just as warmly professional as it had been an hour earlier. "How do you typically handle disagreements with people you care about?"
Tristan lounged in the chair with practiced ease, though something about the question made him pause. "I guess it depends on whether it's worth fixing."
"And in Vivian's case?"
"In Vivian's case, I think we've both realized we're better off without each other." He ran a hand through his hair. "Look, Dr. Cross, I know everyone wants this to be some big tragic friendship breakup, but sometimes people just grow apart. It happens."
"That's true," she agreed and started singing in a chill and funny way.
We used to be close but people will go from people you know to people you don't - "People you know" of Selena Gomez
" Young boy, I genuinely empathize with that but from what I know, you two were quite close for many years. That kind of bond doesn't usually dissolve without some pain."
Tristan was quiet for a moment. "Yeah, well. Pain's part of growing up, right?"
"It can be. But so is learning how to process it healthily. Tell me, what does trust mean to you?"
The question caught him off guard. "Trust?"
"Yes. What does it look like when someone has earned your trust? How do you know when someone is trustworthy?"
Tristan found himself thinking about his friends, about his parents, about the various people who moved through his life with their own agendas. "I guess... when they're consistent. When they don't change their story based on who's listening."
"That's a good definition. And do you feel like you're trustworthy to others?"
The question hung in the air, heavier than it should have been. "I try to be."
"Trying is important. Sometimes the hardest person to be honest with is ourselves."
When Tristan left the office, he felt oddly unsettled, like Dr. Cross had turned over rocks he hadn't realized were there. But she'd been easy to talk to, non-judgmental. Maybe there was something to this therapy thing after all.
/But somehow his gut feeling kept telling him there must be something weird about this/