Piper
I want to function. I’m not functioning right now, and I don’t know what else to do.
Theo
Then why are you hesitating?
This time, it was me who took a long moment to respond.
Piper
I feel like I’d be using something to get better. Even if it’s something as small as anxiety medication.
There. I’d fully said what it was.
Theo
I’ll be blunt here. People use other things to avoid dealing with their anxieties. That’s not what you’re doing here. You’ve been facing them head-on.
Theo
And if I ever think you’re going too far with it, I’ll tell you.
I blinked at the text, feeling my chest warm as I read it over and over. There was something about the kind of support Theo offered that I loved. With Joey, he wanted to solve my problems. Theo was just ... here.
I never realized how much I liked the way Theo did it.
Piper
Thank you. I’d really appreciate that. Wish me luck.
And then I went back to my email and requested an appointment with Scarlett’s colleague.
12
THEO
Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch
Hu Gh:Can someone let me know why I was banned! Don’t be sissies! Tell me like a man!
Comments:
Tammy Jane:I don’t know, maybe the ass pictures, shooting drones, eating random roadkill?
Hu Gh:NONE OF THAT IS ILLEGAL!
Tammy Jane:Can’t you message an admin?
Hu Gh:Now why would I do that??
It tooka week before I saw Piper in person. After what happened and how she’d felt, I thought it might be longer.
When she did finally come in, it was noon. She looked normal. Her long hair fell over her shoulder, and this was the first time I’d ever seen her wear short sleeves.
“Hey,” I said when it was her turn to order. “Feeling better?”
“Uh, yeah. Mostly.” She gave me a smile and her eyes flicked to Kelsey, who worked behind me. “I do have some work to get done, so I might be awhile, if that’s okay.”
