The stench of disgust clouded the room.
Chad Riggs and Paisley Fairbanks could not stand each other, despite never having been acquainted before. There only knowledge of the other has been information passed down by fellow student to fellow student to fellow student and so on, until all truth erupted in a can of lies. But they were wrong; and I was determined to change that.
Chad Riggs, an outstanding athlete and producer of one of the finest defensive end seasons ever for State University's football team; and that was only slightly better from last year. A guaranteed first round pick in the upcoming draft and has all the notoriety that entails. It didn't help he also belonged to the most popular fraternity on campus, Zeta Alpha Lambda. His fellow female classmates have done him zero favors, constantly throwing themselves at him in hopes of being pronounced Mrs. Riggs. But he has two secrets. First, Chad Riggs doesn't trust any of those girls. He knows its only money they are after. He humors them only because his fellow fraternity boys live vicariously through him but he is smart enough to never be alone with them. Second, He is afraid. He knows a football player's career has a short lifespan. From injuries to just not being good enough, the averages aren't great. Though he is confident in his abilities, he wants to be prepared. He has also read all the stories of athletes going bankrupt; from trusting the wrong people, family and so called friends taking their share, to hiring the wrong agent; there are many murky waters to navigate. His worries are set in stone.
Paisley Fairbanks, a star for State University in her own right, at least from a faculty perspective. A mathematical genius and here on a scholarship for such. She has also delved into competition, leading State University to a third place finish at the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition but strong enough individually to place second. She was shunned by sororities her freshman year as not fitting in well due to her shyness, which was a result of being teased in High School. But Paisley Fairbanks has a secret. She has never been to a party; not a pool party or a graduation party or even a friends birthday party. The sting of never been invited combined with sorority rejection grew a deep rooted jealousy of the so called "in" crowd. Her preconceived notions are set in stone.
I'm the jackhammer to break down those stone walls.
"Counselor Higgins, why does SHE have to be here," Chad's head tilted briefly at Paisley.
"Funny, Paisley rolled her eyes and turned her body slightly toward the wall, "I was just about to say the same thing about you."
Somedays, I wonder why I bother?
I sat down at my oak desk and tapped my ring, which had a small digital screen with the flame of a flickering candle on it. Too easy. Both students did exactly as they were preconditioned and immediately sat straight and faced me, all the while staring at the flame which I purposefully left at their attention. All it takes is three sessions and I win. Two are done individually, and the third, well, that depends on the issue; but as a licensed psychiatrist, I firmly believe that any issue is more easily overcome when done with the helping hand of another... And I won't be in their lives for more than four years. They need someone else. Someone reliable.
It's not that I search out students and I am not playing games. I genuinely want to help the students who seek my advice. In this case, Chad is worried about females and financials and Paisley wants to have a social life, who also happens to be majoring in computational mathematics, mathematical physics, as well as accounting "just for fun." They are perfect for each other without even knowing it. Both sought my professional opinion and now, I am giving it to them.
"All right, Chad, Paisley, that was a great session.," I collected my files on both students and made for my small office, which was just the large closet that I had turned into an office. "If you two need anymore advice, you know where to find me."
I quickly shut the door and turned on the monitor to the camera that was hidden in the bookshelf behind my desk. I sat down in nervous anticipation.
"That was weird, right?" Chad broke the ice as he scrapped together his two notebooks. "Having both of us in here at the same time, I mean."
Paisley let out flirtatious laugh, which surprised even her. "Yeah. I sure wasn't expecting it." She stood, picking up her backpack as she did.
"But it was nice," Chad barely looked at Paisley. It had been a while since he had to ask anyone out and he was nervous.
Paisley paused. "Yeah, it was," she smirked.
Chad stood up, relieved at her expression. "So, would you maybe want to keep it going? Perhaps lunch? Oh, and there's this party Saturday night."
"Are you asking me on a date," Paisley asked incredulously. "On two of them?"
"Well... yeah," Chad shrugged with a smile. "I guess I am."
Paisley put her hand to her heart, "I'd be honored."
"Well, all right," Chad held out his arm and after a brief moment, Paisley hooked hers into it. "Where would you like to go?"
"How about we keep it simple and go to Archie's Diner."
"Archie's Diner it is."
"Oh," Paisley gazed at Chad as they left my patients room, "Did I hear you wanted advice on financials? I can help that."
I couldn't help the pure elation I felt. I sighed as I relaxed in my chair, reveling in my favorite part of this job. Just knowing that those kids are going to be fine in life and happy with each other made it all worth it. Looking at the clock, it was time to go to the cafeteria and have my daily chat with Cooper Rutledge.
Cooper wasn't one of my students, but I felt for the lad. He's actually a senior in High School who takes classes here twice a week. Smart kid, and a whiz in science, eloquent as any adult, as well as a hopeless romantic at heart, when he does land a woman, she will be very happy, but his self esteem with kids his own age was nonexistent. Over weight, picked on, zero friends; it wasn't hard to see why he was a fraction away from falling into a depression. I found him about a month ago, crying on a bench near the quad and now I make it a point to see him the both days he's here during his lunch break. Once he understood I wasn't there to torment him, he opened up easily with no hint of shyness.
I locked up my office, spending a few moments time fiddling with the latch. Not that the lock or the mechanism were broken, I was trying to get a better look at the student who has recently became my shadow. She was someone who appeared to be popular; confidence in her walk, dressed in the latest fashions to emphasize her curves, her styled brunette hair, manicured nails, and make up done to perfection. But why had she been following me the past couple days? Every day from lunch until I got into my car at four o'clock, she was present. Perhaps she needs help and doesn't know how to ask?
Today the cafeteria was serving cardboard, I mean pizza, and something that they called meatloaf but more resembled what would come out of the rear end of a horse. Being that it was my day with Cooper, I had to make a decision. I should really start bringing my lunch on these days.
"What's up, Cooper?"
I sat down next to him, placing my bottled water in front of me. He didn't look well.
Cooper was picking at the meatloaf, "Not much, Sir."
"Call me Emmett. You're not my student, and besides, I'd like to think we are friends now." I took a bite of my apple. "So what happened to get you so down." Cooper hesitated. "C'mon man, it'll help if you share." I tapped my ring on the table.
It worked instantly. He fell into a relaxed state. Not that I have given Cooper a suggestion, but I have preconditioned several people who I deem to have a high chance of occurrence. The practical side of myself.
