The Prophecy

room.

“There you are, Star. Sit on the couch, and I'll join you when I'm finished.”

I did as I was told, sitting stiffly while waiting for her to finish. I tilted my head back and watched the flickering light. All the unpacking had taken the edge off my anger, but the darkness was still there. It was always there.

She wiped the dust off her hands and joined me on the couch. I knew what she was expecting, but I just didn't want to deal with anything. I had way too much to process already. “So, I hear you got a job!” she chirped, almost blinding me with her radiant smile.

I kept my focus on the exposed beams of the cathedral ceiling, thoroughly ignoring her. Please, just let me go back to my room.

“Oh, come on honey, it's not that bad.” I gave her a mental eye roll as she patted my knee and scooted closer. She was way too happy about all of this. “So, where are you going to work at?”

“The Nook.”

She tried to get into my line of sight, and I could feel her almost willing me to speak. “The Nook? What is that?”

“Bookstore.”

“Oh, well that’s wonderful! I know how much you love to read!”

“Whatever.”

“Star, that’s enough. Talk to me.”

“I thought I only had to talk to my therapist? That was the deal, right?” My temper flared at that reminder.

“Starlette Marie Elizabeth McKinley.”

I winced at the use of my full name and lowered my head. I looked at my mother from beneath my mass of hair. I let out a resigned sigh at the look on her face. “Fine. It's going to suck, okay? The daughter of the store absolutely freaking hates me, and I have no idea why. Well, telling her to take care of her rash in front of those guys probably didn't help anything—”

“You did what? Why would you talk to Mary Beth's—”

“It wasn't my fault! She was a major bi—”

“Language!”

“Brat to me the entire time, and I just had enough. It wasn't that bad, more embarrassing than anything for her. Then, when I left, I literally ran into the most conceited jerk ever. So no, I'm not happy about anything, this is going to suck, and I do not want to talk about it.” I crossed my arms and glared at her. My eyes narrowed as I caught onto her using the store owner’s name. “Wait a minute, how do you know Mary Beth?”

My mother's doe-eyed expression may have worked on the opposite gender, but it didn't even touch my suspicion.

“What do you mean? Who's Mary Beth?”

“Oh come one Mom! You just said the store owner’s name! I'm not an idiot!”

She grimaced as I stared her down. Score one for me. “Well, I may have—” she cleared her throat, obviously uncomfortable. “I may have run into her before, and asked about whether or not she may be looking for a new employee.”

I stared at her. I couldn't help it. I knew getting the job seemed to easy, but I thought it was just because Mary Beth was insane. Sweet, but insane. All along it was my mother playing job hunting. “Are you serious?”

“I knew you wouldn't like any of the other places around here and, honestly, I didn't want you working at them. You'll fit in wonderfully there, Star. I just know it. And Rosemary is in your grade. I figured it would be easier for you to transition if you already had a friend.”

She looked exceedingly hopeful, expecting me to be grateful. Yes, I knew that The Nook would be the only feasible job for me here, but I wanted to get it by myself. Not to have my life planned out before me.

“So— tell me more about the conceited jerk.” My head snapped up at her sudden change in topic.

I felt myself blushing. I refused to meet my mother's eyes and began picking at my nails. “There's nothing to tell. He's a jerk, and I hope I never see him again.”

“What did he look like?”

“Ugh, Mom! This isn't 'let’s play matchmaker for Star'!”

“Oh come on. We haven't talked in forever without one of us yelling. Please just talk to me.”

“The reason we never talk anymore is because you refuse to believe me! You're wanting me to admit to something that I didn't do, and I don't know how it happened!” I stood up quickly, intent on fleeing the room.

“Your first session of therapy starts tomorrow.”

I stopped short, feeling like ice had been poured down my spine. “So soon?”

“You agreed to this. You don't have another option.”

“Story of my life.” I raced to my room before my mother could see the tears glistening in my eyes.

Chapter Seven

The therapist office was suffocating in its over-achievement to appear soothing. The cool pastel green of the walls was supposed to make one feel soothed. Instead, they grated on my nerves, and caused a slight ache to appear behind my eyes. Hanging plants were placed in every available area that obtained sun, making me feel like I was in the middle of a green house.

I stared at the worn out gray carpet while absently chewing on my thumbnail, and my knee was bouncing from my nerves. I didn't see the receptionist approach until a pair of sparkling white orthopedic shoes came into view. I jumped back from the invasion of personal space.

She smiled kindly and told me that 'James' would see me now. I shrugged and gave the woman a small smile of thanks. Taking a steadying breath, I stood up and headed back to whatever was waiting for me.

From the bright, happy waiting area, the office itself was a major contrast in color choice. Dark cherry wood bookshelves lined the walls with doctorate degrees spread throughout. A heavy desk sat in the middle of the room, facing away from the solitary window on the back wall. Dark brown leather chairs were set facing the desk. I thought this room was far more soothing than the waiting area. I stood in the doorway, waiting for the therapist to take notice of me.

Pecking away at his keyboard, he was blissfully ignorant of my presence. I took a moment to study him while he worked. He wasn't bad looking for an older man. While being obviously in his mid to late forties, his skin held a healthy, sun-kissed glow. While he had laugh lines around his eyes and mouth, other lines weren't apparent, making him seem younger than he was. His hair was slightly long and shaggy with golden streaks throughout the warm brown tones.

I stared at him a moment, feeling like I've seen him before. When he finally looked up, my eyes widened in shock. I knew why he seemed so familiar. He was an older replica of the pizza guy. My eyes locked with the same gold flecked amber ones from the first night. I gave him an awkward smile and shuffled slowly into the room.

He smiled warmly and rose from behind the desk. His large, well-built frame causing a shadow to fall over me. I felt like David in front of Goliath. A friendly Goliath.

“Hello. You must be Starlette.” I lightly placed my hand in his offered one, nervous about the session, and freaked out over the thought of him being related to the pizza guy. That's all I needed at this moment.

“It's Star.” I looked behind him at the mounted clock, and started to slowly count down the minutes until the session was over.

“Ah, I see. Well, let’s get started, shall we?” Gesturing to the chairs he returned to his spot behind the desk.

I sat lightly on the edge of the farthest seat, my hands already starting to twist my hair. “So. You're my therapist.”

“Correct, but you can call me James. It's my understanding that your parents had to bribe you to come and