[hr][hr] [center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/3NXWvvj.png[/img] [hr] [color=b71d5d]Location:[/color] School Field [color=b71d5d]Skills:[/color] Enhanced Reflexes (Passive) [/center] [hr][hr] Andy had sent a request for a meeting with Dr. Whitehall. She had promised her mother that she would think about the situation with Zari. It wasn’t that Andy didn’t love Zari. She did. With all of her heart. But did Zari love her? She hadn’t said it. She had been so distant. Zari had always been on the distant side. Andy had fallen fast. The only sign that Andy had that Zari loved her in any capacity was that she had asked Andy to join her in the future. When the time for the meeting arrived Andy knocked on Dr. Whitehall’s door lightly. She was going to have to explain a lot in this session. At least it wouldn’t be as much as last time. And it wouldn’t be her history as much. It would be figuring out what she wanted to do. Dr. Whitehall had been finishing up a report when she got the request for a meeting with Andy. She had been looking forward to seeing some of the students again for further aid. After setting things up Dr. Whitehall got her office in order. Now that there as a relationship here Maeve didn’t bother with setting up the office like she did last time. Instead it looked like her regular office, complete with comfy seating and her desk with some pictures of her and some of her friends as well as the love of her life, Settler, a rescue Golden Retriever. She heard the knock and sat down on one of the armchairs, [color=968dd5]”Come in.”[/color] Andy entered the room, she froze for a second as she realized the room was different from last time. Her eyebrows furrowed, but then she took a seat. [color=b71d5d]”It’s different.”[/color] [color=968dd5]”This is how it always looks. I figured I didn’t need to have it set up like last time since we are meeting again but I can always change it if it helps. How have you been Andy?”[/color] Andy nodded, accepting that answer. [color=b71d5d]”I’m mostly okay. I’ve made some friends. The guy I told you about who’s parents I knew in the past. He knows now. We talked about it. And I made a couple of other friends.”[/color] She smiled. Happy with the progress she had made in trying to make friends. She hadn’t changed herself to do it either. In fact she had opened up about who she really was with them. [color=b71d5d]”I need to talk about something specific though.”[/color] She frowned looking down at her hands. She didn’t have a coffee cup to hold and so was fidgeting a bit. [color=b71d5d]”I took my girlfriend on a date. I told her how I feel and she didn’t say it back. That’s fine. She doesn’t have to. But I feel like I am more committed to the relationship than she is. I mean I literally left my time to join her here.”[/color] Andy didn’t have the words to really explain what was happening. Even after the talk with her mom. Maeve nodded as Andy went into it. She also took note of the fidgeting. Maeve conjured up some fidget toys that appeared on the table in front of them. [color=968dd5]”To help if you want. I know I need to do something with my hands sometimes.” “I am happy to hear you are making friends. I know that was a worry for you. And opening up with that guy took a lot of courage. I hope you are as proud of yourself as I am. But let’s get into what you came here for. You went on a date with your girlfriend and opened up to her and she did not do so back and you are worried you are more committed to the relationship than she is.” “Tell me Andy, has your girlfriend said or done anything outside of this date to make you question if you are more invested than she is?”[/color] Andy picked up a cubed thing that folded in on itself over and over. It only made a soft clacking noise as she went through the folds. [color=b71d5d]”Thank you. I am proud of myself. I hadn’t expected it to happen, and I was really scared. I probably wouldn’t have if he hadn’t found a photo of me from Genosha. But I plan to visit his parents during the Contest so it would have come to light then. I’m looking forward to that.”[/color] She was avoiding answering. She knew it. Pausing for a moment, watching the cubes she didn’t say anything until finally she said. [color=b71d5d]”We’ve kissed twice. The first time, I was rude. During the date was the second kiss. I asked her if she wanted to kiss, after I told her all of my feelings. Her response was just ‘I don’t see why not.’ I know you said outside the date, but that’s the thing, there isn’t anything. I have to ask.”[/color] [color=968dd5]”Kissing is a big step in a relationship though. What do you mean by being rude?”[/color] [color=b71d5d]”I didn’t ask her. After she said it was fine. But it wasn’t nice of me.”[/color] She looked up. [color=b71d5d]”It was right after I had become an energy vampire too. I didn’t even know what that meant yet.”[/color] Except for the dead crows around them. That should have been enough information. [color=968dd5]”Consent is important, yes. It sounds to me like your girlfriend isn’t quite ready for that large of a step, but that does not necessarily mean she does not care about you the same way you do for her. Different people experience relationships in a multitude of ways, usually going back to their relationship with their parents or caregivers and seeing how those relationships pan out. On top of other mental health-related things.” “The important thing to do is to talk about it. Much like opening yourself up to your friends. I would encourage, if you did, to use “I” statements so as to not accuse her of anything, but also understand you have your own love languages compared to her. It’s important to understand pacing as well. You may be ready for more, she may not be.” “And above all, know that all of your feelings are valid. It’s a tricky situation to be in, but love is an amazing, albeit tough thing to have.”[/color] Andy let out a soft sigh. Some of the tension she had been carrying since the conversation with her mom was released. Sure, she might have gone too far in too fast. But there might still be a chance. If she could get Zari to talk about it. She didn’t want to feel like she was forcing the conversation. [color=b71d5d]”Thank you. I think I can work with that. It might take some time. But I think I can. I care for Zari a lot. I’m just afraid I did something stupid by following her here if she doesn’t have the same feelings for me.”[/color] [color=968dd5]”There are many examples of people changing their lives for someone else. I can’t speak on that too much but sometimes it ends poorly, sometimes not. The important thing is that it is your life and decisions made should take what you need and want into account. One-sided relationships are not healthy. If you both care for each other, a conversation like this can help though it will take work. If you want I can recommend a counselor who specializes with couples to help or you both can even come see me if you want. Up to you though, but I believe you can have this necessary conversation. You’ve already demonstrated courage in doing so with others.”[/color] Could she get Zari in to see Dr. Whitehall or someone else with her? She almost felt like it would be received with either a ‘no problem’ or would be questioned why Andy thought it was necessary. She chewed on her lip. [color=b71d5d]”I’ll talk to her.”[/color] She nodded. This was going to suck. But it wasn’t like she could make a decision for both of them. That wasn’t fair. [color=b71d5d]”Thank you Dr. Whitehall. I needed someone who wasn’t my mom and had a better perspective on the situation.”[/color] [color=968dd5]”Of course. You mentioned your mother briefly before. Parents have interesting takes on their children’s relationships, for good or bad. Just remember this is your life, not hers.”[/color] Andy rubbed her face with hands, having dropped the fidget toy in her lap. [color=b71d5d]”I am not ready for that conversation.”[/color] She really wasn’t. She wanted to see Max and the others before daring to even consider talking about Selene in anything but abstract ways. [color=b71d5d]”I’ll say she definitely has designs for me.”[/color] She shook her head. [color=b71d5d]”But for once I don’t think this had anything to do with that. I think she saw I was upset after the date.”[/color] Andy picked up the toy from her lap and placed it back on Dr. Whitehall’s desk. [color=b71d5d]”Thank you again. I’ll let you know how it goes.”[/color] She stood up. Maeve noted the intense emotions coming up but remained silent. Now was not the time for that conversation. [color=968dd5]”It’s a conversation when you are ready for it. And let me know if I can be of further help. Again, I am very proud of you Andy.”[/color] Maeve smiled warmly. It was good to see her clients genuinely grow. It made her job worthwhile. Andy smiled back. Hearing someone was proud of her made her heart twist a little, but warmth went up her cheeks. She ducked her head. [color=b71d5d]”Thank you.”[/color] She felt like she was saying that a lot right now. Andy left the office, letting out a huge sigh. Yeah, she had some work to do.