Why Did Jem Put Me Up To This?
860 Words
Typing, typing, typing. Clicking and tapping. Sunny shifted uncomfortably, crossing her arms.
Why oh why did Jem do this, she wanted to scream. I'm perfectly functional. I don't see why I have to arrange an appointment with a counselor. I'm doing just-
"You are Sunny Washington?"
"Yes."
More typing.
Sunny's leg began to shake, out of habit, and her hands itched to do something. Frowning, she quietly crossed her legs and folded her hands in her lap in an attempt to remain still.
The typing continued, nonetheless. "Alright. So, can you tell me a little about why you're here-"
"Because my friend Jem, who I love but who is a huge busybody, said I needed to go," Sunny replied. "But I'm fine, really, don't worry-"
"I see. Still, why don't we talk?"
Pause.
"How is your life right now?"
Sunny frowned. "Fine."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, I'm alive, I have the person I love the most in the world next to me, and I have the food and shelter I need. I'm fine," Sunny put on a wide smile.
"Do you have any difficulty with financial stability?"
"Nope, money has never been a problem. Jem takes care of everything."
"I see." Clickety clack click. "How busy is your schedule?"
"I just get up and go to class when I can. I'm not that booked," Sunny unclenched and clenched her fist, looking unto the counselor's eyes.
"Mh. Do you like your time here at the University?"
Sunny shrugged. "I said I'd follow Jem wherever she went. I figured I should get some sort of degree, but I'm not sure what to major in, really, so right now I'm just take general requirement classes like math, science, diversity…" She trailed off and blinked. "Are you taking notes about me or doing your own work?"
A pause.
"Just my work," the woman replied, though Sunny did not believe her that readily. "How is your social circle? Do you feel welcome?"
Sunny frowned. "Fine, I guess. I don't need anyone besides Jem."
"You don't go out? Don't visit any parties? Don't call up any classmates? You're a very pretty girl, I'm sure people would love to talk to you."
"No." Sunny shifted. "I made a vow to stay with Jem, and follow her and her only. Jem doesn't have any outside relations, and so, neither do I."
"How about your teachers? Do you get along with them?"
"I get along fine," Sunny replied, squeezing her legs tighter, almost hoping she might disappear. "My Astronomy teacher is great."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes."
"That's nice," the woman smiled. "Tell me, Sunny, what do you want to do with your life once you graduate?"
"Oh, I'm probably not going to graduate. At this rate, I'm definitely going to drop out at some point," Sunny muttered. "I probably shouldn't even be here. I have no idea why I was accepted."
"…Why not?"
"Well, the fact that I'm a queer woman and have ADHD makes it statistically harder," Sunny muttered. "On the other hand, Jem is Creole of color, so she may also have difficult odds, but she has really good concentration. Anyways I haven't been giving anything towards my studies, so, I expect I'll fail them eventually."
The woman frowned. "Why not?"
"I just don't see the point in it," Sunny replied.
The woman looked down and pulled out a sheet of paper. "Well, are there any classes you would rather be taking?"
"Sure. I took a few art classes, but they just killed my interest in drawing," Sunny drawled. "I just don't see the point in it. Everyone knows I'm not made for school and am going to fail anyway. Why bother?"
"We have lots of other students with ADHD in our roster, you know. And plenty of them are – and have been – doing well, despite their difficulty. It's not impossible, you know."
"Maybe not," Sunny crossed her arms, "But I'm not one of those inspirational poster kids for ADHD, so I'm afraid I haven't found the secret key to success."
The woman gave her a long look.
"Miss Washington, I would appreciate it if you could come to the Health Center for mental health counseling. I know you don't believe in it very much, but I think if you took advantage of the resources, you might find your circumstances improving somewhat."
Sunny looked down and gingerly took the paper from her.
"Don't be surprised if I disappear around the second or third session. Or entirely forget to show up at all."
"It happens," the woman smiled understandingly. "But showing up for one session alone is already a good step."
Yeah, yeah. "Nice talking with you," Sunny shook the woman's hand.
"Nice talking with you too. Have a good day, Miss Washington."
"Good day."
Quietly, Sunny trudged back, now alone and left to her own devices.
I wonder what Jem is up to.
Hey, her brain muttered. Didn't she say she had a study group around this hour?
Sunny grinned.
Oh, no, the voice in her head groaned.
Oh yes, Sunny replied, a devious smile spreading across her face.
- Writer
