Psyche

Psyche; Fourteen

"I think something's wrong with Alicia," Eric announces after closing the door behind him.

Mr. Wallis stands up from his study table and sets down some file of his patients he was reading. "Yes, I've noticed it too. Something tells me she's hiding something."

"You should go talk to her, maybe she's-"

"Depressed?" The man cuts off.

"I was going to say going through PMS. She is a teenager, right?"

Letting out a sigh, the man slowly massages his forehead in an effort to calm himself down. "You want an assignment, right? Well here it is."

…

Alicia frowns when she catches her reflection on the mirror, dissatisfied of her body image. She's been stressing out about her image for the past hours ever since she saw Dianne, the Dianne Roeman, the model she often sees in the front page of her magazines.

Pressing her already-curved waists, planning to buy a corset, worrying whether wearing she looked ugly with her horrible braces- insecurities were buzzing in her ears as time flies by.

Abruptly the door swings open, causing her to run for the window and pretend like she was overlooking the backyard.

Eric folds his hands in front of his chest, watching as the redhead scratches her foot with her other foot.

The irresistible scent of musk immediately lingers throughout the whole room. She knew who have had just entered. "Don't act like you don't know me."

His voice was like heroin to her ears. Spinning around, she mischievously wraps her arms around his neck and pulls him down, pushing the door close behind him softly.

She tasted of cinnamon gum and a small hint of strawberries.

"I missed you," she said, pushing Dianne's favor away in her head. She has decided not to tell him.

"Me too." He responds, kissing her forehead. "But I'm not your boyfriend right now, I'm your psychiatrist."

She scoffs. "Is it really that obvious?"

"Your Dad is a psychologist, Alicia. Do you really think he won't notice?"

The girl pulls away, shrugging. "And you're here because he sent you, right?"

"I came with my own free will."

"Liar." The teen muttered.

"Look, I just want to talk- what's that?"

She looks down to her wrists. Lifting up her sleeves, she proudly shows him the crimson lines she has on her wrists.

"Are you mad, Alicia?" His voice was booming with anger. "Why? What made you do this?"

"None of your business."

"It is my business!" He exclaimed. "Yesterday was your birthday and you were perfectly fine. Did something happened while we were gone? Did someone did you wrong?"

She doesn't respond.

"Alicia." He warns.

"Why didn't you told me Dianne Roeman was your girlfriend?"

His mind becomes static for some seconds.

Taking a brave step forward, she presses, "why, Eric?"

"She's not my girlfriend."

"Really?"

"She's my cousin from Mexico."

She couldn't believe it. "So you impregnated your own cousin!?"

"What? No! I haven't even seen her since ten years ago- wait, pregnant? Did she came here earlier?"

Alicia doesn't respond, again, making him irritated. But he couldn't be mad at her, she's was young.

"Can you drive me over to Madeline's?" She breaks the silence.

"Why?"

"'Cause I'm staying over at her place for some days since this house is killing me with boredom."

He raises a finger. "You still haven't told me about your mood swings."

"I don't like my body, alright?"

"What? Why would you?"

"Because... Because I wanna look like the models I see in the magazines, who have beautiful teeth and-and are very tall!"

He couldn't believe with this girl. She was beautiful in her own childish way, how can she not see that?

Pouting her lips, she slumps down at a bean bag with a grumpy expression. He kneels down between her legs, making it harder for her to resist gnawing on his lips.

"Being insecure is normal, Alicia, but you gotta accept and embrace the body you were born with."

"I feel like I'm fat. All the time," She grumbles.

"Alicia, you're perfect just the way you are. Do you really think I'd fallen in love with you if you weren't?"

"Psh. You don't love me, silly."

"I do, even if I'd have to go to prison for loving such a uniquely beautiful sixteen-year-old."

"Oh, nonsense. I'm only a five foot three."

"Your body's still growing."

Leaning in, she wraps herself around him. "I don't know what I'd do without you." She was about to pluck his lips when he pulls her away. "What? You don't want me anymore?"

He smirks, "I just wanna take a look at you. You're really beautiful without makeup on, Alicia."

"Awe." She attempts to kiss him again yet he still resists. "Eric!"

He lets out an amused laugh. "I'm out for the whole day. Do you wanna go somewhere? Eat some ice cream?"

"Can we pick up Maddy along the way?"