The Troubled Youth Inc.

Chapter 4

*FORREST’S POV*

I woke up to the sight of ‘Clement’ sleeping soundly on her desk. I checked my phone and realized that it was now six in the morning which means that I slept with a girl for the very first time… in the same room that is.

I couldn’t help but examine her sleeping face up close and the next thing I know, I unconsciously took a picture of her which of course, woke her up.

“What time is it?” She yawned.

“It’s um, 6 AM.” I stuttered.

“What?! And did you just take another shot of me?” She raised her eyebrow at me.

“No. What are you talking about?” I furrowed my brows together in order to cover up my lie.

“I must be dreaming then.” Her voice was sounded rather skeptical.

“You dreamt of me? What kind of dream was it?” I couldn’t help but tease.

“A dream about you invading my personal space.” Clement eyed my camera.

“Okay, this was fun! We should sleep together again some time, I mean, do another session all about myself.” I chuckled nervously as I headed towards the door.

“See you on Monday, Fort.” She said.

“Can’t wait.” I said more to myself but I think she heard me anyway.

I fiddled with my camera as I got out of the building and once the coast was clear, I checked the photo that I took of her sleeping face.

“Whoa… I think I just found myself a muse.” I grinned from ear to ear.

*CLEMENTINE’S POV*

It was a good thing that my apartment was just a few blocks away from my work, coincidentally.

I still have some time to go back to sleep, take a bath and eat brunch since my appointment is still in the afternoon.

My neck was sore from last night’s sleeping position. I didn’t even remember when I fell asleep and I certainly did not expect to work overtime.

Fast forward to the afternoon session, I was greeted by my boss who directly shoved me inside the counseling room without telling me anything. He was looking rather anxious for some reason.

“You’re late.” A young man, who resembled a young Leonardo DiCaprio with his hairstyle but kind of geeky, checked on his watch. He was wearing a navy blue jacket with green headphones around his neck.

“It’s only 12:55.” I checked my wrist watch. I’m pretty sure our session starts at one o’clock.

“Not on my watch.” The guy sighed out loud.

Okay, he’s obviously not the friendly type but let’s be patient.

“Well, what are we waiting for exactly? Christmas? New Year? Anytime now. I’m a busy guy you know.” He said rather impatiently.

Scratch the ‘let’s be patient’ part… this dude is obnoxious.

“What are you exactly busy with, Mr. Cole?” I skimmed through his file.

“I’m supposed to have an impending online battle at 2 PM with my virtual friends which I tried to reschedule at 2:30 but I’m not sure I could make it so let’s make this quick, shall we?” Cole informed me.

“Alright, let’s---“

“Let’s just skip the introductions. I’m not going to be here for long anyway.” The guy cut me off pretty rudely.

“Fine. Why do you think you’re here, Cole?” I glared at the guy.

“Did you just drop your honorifics with me?” The guy squinted his eyes at me.

“I’m older than you by three years, I think I can do that.” I stated seriously.

“Whatever. Why do YOU think you’re here?” Did he just slap the question back to my face?

‘Deep breaths, Clementine. You can do this. Don’t let this spoiled rich brat get to you!’ Sometimes, the inner dialogue in my head works to help me keep my cool.

“Earth to this lady right here! Are you still there?” Levin Cole was really trying to test my patience and sometimes, I just burst.

“You shut your damn mouth, young man! If you try to answer my questions with substance then I might just let you go early but if you’re going to continue wasting my time then you better not dream of stepping out of this office until I get some proper answers off of you.” Sounds like an angry rap but it did silence the guy… for good.

“How’s your relationship with your parents?” I asked.

“…”

“Oh, you’re really doing this? I thought you were a talkative guy… what happened?” It came out sarcastically as I intended it to be.

“…”

“Nothing? Okay, let’s do reflection time then… until 2:30 or maybe 3 PM.” I tried to provoke the guy but I got nothing instead.

I decided to just let him go when the clock struck two in an attempt to ease the tension between us.

“You’re free to go. I hope you’ll open up to me by the next session, Mr. Cole.” I brought back the honorifics.

“I hate girls…” I heard the guy mutter under his breath as he left the room.

“I could tell that it didn’t go well just by looking at your expression right now and his expression as he left the office. What happened?” Ash came inside the room for feedback.

“I suppose I lost my cool when I shouldn’t have.” I said with a deep sigh.

“That’s totally fine! Levin can be pretty annoying given his character.” Ash tried to console me.

“You know him?” He probably does since he knows the guy’s first name.

“The brat is my cousin.”

“Oh.” For some reason, that’s not really surprising to me.