The Troubled Youth Inc.

Chapter 5

*LEVIN’S POV*

“So, how was your first session in your cousin’s new business?” My mother barged into the room while I was busy playing in the battlefield.

“It was the worst! You should ask him for your money back.” I managed to reply.

“How so? Did you get into a verbal fight with him again?” Mom sounded rather intrigued.

“Not him. It was his subordinate. She’s just three years older than me and yet she acts like she’s in charge.” I clicked my tongue as I pictured my newfound nemesis in my head.

“Ooh! Is she cute?” My mother squealed like a teenage girl which I found rather disturbing.

“Well, she’s not deformed or anything but she sure has a nasty personality which is definitely not my type.” Damn it! I just got shot from behind.

“What is your type, dear?”

“Can we not talk about this now? I’m kind of in the middle of something… important.” I sighed.

“Oh you’re always in the middle of something important! Could you stop playing and talk to your mother properly?”

“The game can’t be paused.” I continued playing anyway and then the screen suddenly went black.

“What the?!” Turns out mother dearest unplugged my gaming computer.

“That should ‘pause’ the game for now.” I just look at the woman before me with a hint of disdain.

“Did you forget about our deal already? You get to continue living in our house as long as you attend your weekly sessions.” She reminded me.

“But it’s such a waste of time!” I protested.

“You’re not doing much at home anyway. It’s not like an hour will mess up your whole gaming schedule.” Mom rolled her eyes.

“Gaming schedule?! I don’t just play the whole day you know? I’m currently designing this new kick-a*s game that’s going to blow a lot of teenager minds!” I shrieked as I attempted to explain the importance of my job to her as she left the room just like that… what a nuisance.

*CLEMENTINE’S POV*

“We should brainstorm together today on how to deal with our clients’ problems.” I told Ash in his office when Wednesday came.

“I’m afraid we have to reschedule that. We have a walk-in.” He was peeking through the blinds.

“We accept walk-ins?”

“For now. You’ll have to write his profile from scratch. Ask him all the necessary details in the first thirty minutes then get to know him in the remaining half of the session.” My boss instructed.

“Well, that’s convenient but the guy is probably just lost so don’t get your hopes up just yet. I’ll go take a look.” I said sarcastically as I went out his office.

“Can I help you?” I asked the tall pretty boy next door kind of guy with light blue-grayish eyes. He was probably six feet tall since he was towering over me and was sporting a short clean cut hairstyle on his dark blonde hair. The guy was wearing smart-looking clothes like he belonged to a book club or played chess.

“Is the name of this place really ‘Troubled Youth Inc.’?” The guy made a face.

“That’s what I also ask myself sometimes…” I shook my head which made the stranger chuckle.

“What kind of services do you offer exactly?” He asked.

“We mainly deal with family problems. Picture ‘family counseling’ but more expensive.” I tried to explain.

“Oh great. I’d like to book an appointment, please? Do you have a vacancy for today?” The stranger flashed me a dreamy smile.

“Could you wait for a minute? I’ll take a look at the schedule for you.” I managed to reply as I went back inside Ash’s office.

“The guy is a walk-in case as you predicted.” I grimaced as I told my boss.

“See? Now go back out there and start interviewing him!” Ash pushed me out the door.

“We have a vacancy right now so please follow me this way.” I led the guy to the counseling room.

“So I’m going to have to ask your name first.” I sat down on my chair and quickly grabbed my notebook and pen.

“I’m Seth Montgomery. How about you?” Mr. Montgomery asked for my name.

“Clementine Bishop. Birth date, please?”

“You’re named after a fruit so you must be pretty sweet, right?” Montgomery joked.

“Oh I’ve heard that one before but no, I don’t think I’m a sweet person at all. When were you born, Mr. Montgomery?” I repeated the question.

“September 18, 1999. You can just call me Seth. Can I call you by your first name?” He asked.

“You can call me Clement for short.”

“And how old are you, Clement? You look like you’re just about my age.” Is it just me or does he ask my questions back to me?

“I’m actually four years older than you, Seth. Are you a college student?” I moved on to the next question.

“I’m in my last year of my pre-med course which is Medical Technology. I’m thinking of following my parents’ footsteps in the world of medicine. They own a hospital.”

“You want to be a doctor? That’s cool. What kind of doctor do you want to be?” I jotted down some notes.

“I’m leaning towards Psychiatry. I’m a mental health advocate.” Seth gave me a small smile.

“Wow. Well, I think you’ll do a great job if that’s the path you’re going for. Any hobbies?”

“I love reading books and I’m interested in learning languages. So far I’m fluent in German, French, Spanish and Chinese.” He’s a bookworm and a linguist! I have a feeling we’ll get along perfectly.

“Are you currently seeing someone? Feel free to skip this if you’re not comfortable talking about your love life.” I don’t think this question is relevant anyway but Ash still asks for it.

“It’s okay. I have no dating history but I do want to start a loving family of my own. One that’s not divorced like mine.” Seth gazed at me with his intense light blue-gray eyes.

“Oh, um, usually we get clients based from parent complaints. Is that the reason why you’re here? Are you having a hard time dealing with your folks’ divorce?” I asked.

“Oh no, I’m perfectly fine about them going their separate ways. I’m here because I think I might be a sociopath.”