The therapist playbook

NEW BEGINNINGS

Raphael stepped onto the sprawling campus, filled with excitement and uncertainty. It was his first year at university, and though he’d heard countless stories about the adventures awaiting him, nothing prepared him for this. He was now a freshman in the faculty of engineering, eager to explore this new chapter of his life.

The university was vast, with grand buildings standing tall under the bright afternoon sun. As Raphael walked past clusters of students chatting, he noticed the sheer diversity around him—students from all walks of life, each navigating their own paths. Raphael smiled to himself, feeling a mix of nerves and exhilaration. This was his chance to reinvent himself, to push beyond the boundaries of who he had been in secondary school.

His roommate, Sam, was the first person he met at his new apartment off campus. Sam was older, by about two years, and had an air of confidence that immediately put Raphael at ease. Despite their age difference, they got along effortlessly. Sam was studying economics and often joked about how Raphael’s “engineering brain” must be wired differently, as he’d catch him reading thick textbooks on mechanics and thermodynamics late into the night.

One evening, as they settled into their new routine, Sam chuckled as he watched Raphael pour over yet another engineering text.

“You know,” Sam teased, “you’re gonna burn yourself out before the first semester’s over if you keep that up.”

Raphael grinned, closing his book for a moment. “I can’t help it. This stuff just pulls me in.”

“Well,” Sam said, throwing himself onto the couch, “as long as you’re not one of those nerds who never goes out, we’ll be alright.”

It didn’t take long for Raphael to live up to that expectation. He quickly earned a reputation in his faculty as a social celebrity, not just because of his academic prowess, but because of his knack for making people laugh. Between classes, he’d gather with his new friends in the faculty garden, where their conversations ranged from the intricacies of differential equations to the latest campus gossip. His charisma was infectious, and soon, people began recognizing him across campus.

Despite the new friends and the social whirlwind, Raphael didn’t forget his roots. He often found time to meet up with Alfred, an old friend from high school. Alfred lived not far from campus, and Raphael would often drop by his place. Alfred, being the gaming enthusiast he was, introduced Raphael to the world of PlayStation. Hours would pass with the two of them huddled in front of the screen, competing in various games, trash-talking each other, and bonding over their shared love of competition.

“Bro, you’ve gotta work on your defence,” Alfred laughed one evening after beating Raphael in a football match on the console.

Raphael rolled his eyes, pretending to be offended. “You know, I let you win, right? Just to keep your confidence up.”

Alfred smirked. “Yeah, sure, man.”

Their playful banter filled the room, reminding Raphael of the simple joys of friendship.

Then there was Snow. Back in secondary school, Raphael and Snow barely spoke. They were in different classes, different worlds. But university had a way of bridging gaps. Somehow, they became closer than ever. Snow had a warmth about her that Raphael found comforting. She was always there with a smile, welcoming him into her apartment, which smelled of freshly cooked food.

“You’ve been eating properly, right?” Snow would ask, raising an eyebrow as she handed him a plate of home-cooked food.

Raphael smiled sheepishly. “You know how it is—busy schedule, not much time to cook.”

Snow shook her head, disapproving but amused. “You’ve got to take care of yourself, Raphael.”

He appreciated Snow’s hospitality. She had a calming presence, and her place became a refuge for Raphael when the pressures of university life became too much. They’d sit in her cosy living room, talking for hours about everything—life, school, relationships. Despite their distant past, they found comfort in each other’s company now, forming a bond that felt as though it had been there all along.

One evening, after a particularly tough week of lectures and assignments, Raphael found himself at Snow’s place again. He leaned back on her couch, sighing deeply.

“Rough week?” Snow asked, setting down a bowl of steaming noodles in front of him.

“You have no idea,” Raphael replied, taking a deep breath. “Engineering is no joke. I feel like my brain’s going to explode.”

Snow chuckled. “You’ll be fine. You’re smart. You just need to take breaks.”

Raphael nodded, grateful for her encouragement. “I don’t know how you always know exactly what I need to hear.”

Snow shrugged, smiling softly. “It’s a gift.”

As the weeks passed, Raphael settled deeper into university life. He thrived both academically and socially, making new connections and rediscovering old ones. There was a vibrancy to university that was different from secondary school. It was a place where he felt truly independent, where every decision he made was his own. He enjoyed the freedom, the challenge, the endless opportunities that lay ahead.

One sunny afternoon, Raphael and Sam sat on the balcony of their apartment, enjoying the view of the bustling city below.

“Do you ever think about what the future holds?” Sam asked, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.

Raphael, staring into the distance, smiled thoughtfully. “All the time. But I’m trying to live in the moment. This is our time, right? We’ve got youth on our side.”

Sam nodded. “True. But don’t get too caught up in it. Time flies.”

Raphael laughed. “Yeah, well, for now, I’m just enjoying the ride.”

And so he did. The first year of university was a whirlwind, but Raphael embraced it fully, with all its highs and lows. Between studying, socialising, reconnecting with old friends, and forging new relationships, he found a rhythm that suited him. It was a year of growth, of learning, not just about engineering, but about life, friendship, and himself.

Raphael hadn’t seriously considered joining the university football team, but when some of his classmates urged him to go to the informal tryouts, he decided to give it a shot. The process was oddly casual—there were no coaches with clipboards, no strict drills or training exercises. Instead, it was just a group of fifteen boys coming together on the field, calling out their preferred positions.

"I’ve got left wing," one boy declared, his tone leaving no room for debate.

Raphael hesitated, unsure which role he wanted to claim. He liked the midfield position, where he could both defend and attack. But so did several other boys, and a challenge was inevitable.

A tall, lanky boy eyed Raphael as they approached the midfield area. "You want to play here?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of arrogance.

"Yeah, I think I’d do well," Raphael replied with a shrug, his calm demeanour masking his nervousness.

The boy smirked. "Alright then, let’s see what you’ve got."

They faced off in a 1v1, and while it was intense, Raphael’s quick reflexes and sharp footwork won him the position. As the game continued, Raphael's confidence grew. There was an undeniable thrill in being on the field again, and it wasn’t long before he felt a sense of camaraderie with his new teammates. However, something was missing—no one wanted to take the goalkeeper position.

The team’s first match arrived all too soon, and without a proper goalie, it became a disaster. The other team, more organised and experienced, tore through their defences with ease. By the time the final whistle blew, they had lost 9-1.

Back in class, the loss was all anyone could talk about.

"Man, that was rough," one of his teammates groaned as they walked back to the campus cafeteria.

"No kidding," Raphael muttered. "We need a keeper."

"Or a miracle," another boy chimed in.

Despite the defeat, Raphael remained optimistic. “We’ll bounce back. Just need to get our act together.”

As much as Raphael enjoyed being out on the field, his home life was becoming increasingly complicated. Sam’s social life was lively—perhaps too lively. Girls were a regular presence in their apartment, sometimes multiple times a week. It didn’t bother Raphael at first, but as the semester wore on, it started to wear him down.

One evening, after a particularly gruelling day of classes, Raphael approached their apartment, only to notice a pair of unfamiliar shoes outside the door. He sighed, already knowing what awaited him inside. Sure enough, as he pushed the door open, the unmistakable sounds of intimate activity came from Sam’s room.

"Not again," Raphael muttered to himself. He grabbed his backpack and left, deciding to head back to the library for the evening.

The pattern continued for weeks. Sam's revolving door of guests left Raphael with little peace and quiet. The late nights spent away from home began to take a toll on his mood, and even his friends noticed.

"You look like a zombie, Raph," Alfred said one afternoon as they sat together in the common room. "You okay?"

Raphael rubbed his eyes and forced a smile. "Yeah, just not sleeping much."

"Is it your roommate?" Alfred asked, leaning forward. "Sam, right?"

"Yeah, he’s got... company over a lot."

Alfred laughed. "Sounds like a real ladies’ man."

"Yeah, well, it’s getting old," Raphael said with a chuckle. "I just need a break."

"Why don’t you crash at Snow’s place for a bit?" Alfred suggested. "You two are close now, right?"

Raphael nodded. He and Snow had indeed grown closer since their high school days. Back then, they were more acquaintances than friends, but university had changed that. Snow had always been warm and welcoming, and her apartment, conveniently located near campus, had become something of a refuge for Raphael.

Snow worked part-time at a local cinema, a job Raphael found surprisingly enjoyable. On the weekends, he would join her there, helping out with selling popcorn and drinks. The job itself wasn’t glamorous, but it allowed them to spend time together, away from the stresses of university life.

One afternoon, as they stood behind the counter during a slow shift, Snow turned to Raphael with a grin. "Ever think we’d be doing this? Working together in a cinema?"

Raphael laughed, shaking his head. "Not in a million years. But hey, it’s kind of fun, right?"

"Yeah, I guess it is," Snow replied. "Plus, the free popcorn isn’t bad."

They fell into an easy rhythm, chatting as they worked. Their conversations ranged from the mundane—class assignments and group projects—to more personal topics, like their families and dreams for the future.

"Do you ever think about what you want to do after graduation?" Snow asked one evening as they walked home together.

Raphael thought for a moment. "Sometimes. I mean, I’m studying engineering, so I guess something in that field. But honestly? I’m not sure. It’s all a bit overwhelming."

"Yeah, I get that," Snow said, nodding. "I’m still trying to figure it out too. Business is alright, but I don’t know if it’s my passion, you know?"

They walked in comfortable silence for a while before Snow spoke again. "You know, you don’t have to keep staying at the library late just to avoid Sam. You’re always welcome at my place."

Raphael hesitated. "I don’t want to impose."

"You’re not imposing," Snow said firmly. "Honestly, I like having you around. Besides, it’s nice to have someone to talk to after a long day."

Raphael smiled, grateful for her offer. "Thanks, Snow. I appreciate it."

Their friendship continued to deepen over the next few months. Raphael found himself spending more and more time at Snow’s apartment, not just to escape Sam’s chaotic lifestyle, but because he genuinely enjoyed her company. They would study together, watch movies, or just sit and talk for hours.

One evening, after a particularly busy shift at the cinema, they found themselves sitting on Snow’s couch, sharing a bowl of popcorn.

"Remember that time in secondary school when Mr. Davies caught us sneaking out of class?" Snow asked, laughing.

Raphael grinned. "How could I forget? I thought we were going to get suspended for sure."

Snow shook her head, still laughing. "He was so mad, but we got off with a warning. I guess we were lucky."

"Yeah, lucky," Raphael said, his smile fading slightly as he thought about how much things had changed since then.

Noticing the shift in his mood, Snow nudged him gently. "Hey, you alright?"

Raphael shrugged. "Yeah, I’m fine. Just... thinking about everything. University, football, Sam... it’s a lot."

"I get it," Snow said softly. "But you don’t have to go through it alone. You’ve got me, and Alfred, and the rest of the gang."

Raphael nodded, appreciating her words. "Thanks, Snow. That means a lot."

As the semester progressed, Raphael settled into a new routine. He would go to classes during the day, spend time with Snow in the evenings, and occasionally meet up with Alfred for some PlayStation gaming. Football practices continued, though the sting of their 9-1 defeat still lingered.

At night, he would lie awake, thinking about the future. Despite the challenges, Raphael felt a sense of contentment in his life. He had good friends, was excelling in his studies.