7 Chapter Six: Disheartening Disputes.

A compact glass building stood in front of Cassidy as she contemplatively nibbled on her lip, staring at the small garden and concrete pathway separating her from the glass doors. Rose petals swiftly floated to the floor as the brunette's gaze lingered on the plants, wondering whether she could get away with running off.

Ever since their arrival in St Briston, Cassidy had profusely avoided visiting her therapist, simply stating she required time to get used to the new city. While her excuses were understandable, Edith wasn't as daft as her daughter thought her to be, and the middle-aged woman seemed to be catching onto Cassidy's unusual mannerisms.

It was a simple ultimatum, she could either meet her new therapist and discuss a schedule, or have her sessions with Edith every Sunday.

Cassidy adored her mother, she truly did, but the brunette couldn't fathom discussing the past year's events with Edith, especially not when a great part of it had to do with Antonin's death. Her mother had always been a strong woman who dealt with every problem thrown her way, yet there were some things Edith couldn't understand.

While her mother was a great psychiatrist, she wouldn't understand why Cassidy persistently blamed herself for his death, much less comprehend the constant paranoia the skater was going through. Such things required an outsider's perspective, and doctor Williams happened to be just that.

Lucinda Williams was a renowned middle-aged therapist with a tendency to tie up her red hair into a ballerina bun. She was sophisticated yet carefree and usually was found communicating with her clients without a clipboard or any files.

That was one thing Cassidy liked about her, the therapist actually listened and understood her clients rather than berating them with questions.

She had been in contact with Edith for the past month and thrived to help Cassidy balance healing from her traumatic past, while also moving on with life. At first, the teen had been sceptical, presuming that Lucinda couldn't possibly be as genuine as she claimed to be.

Cassidy guessed today would be the moment of truth.

The bright posters strewn across Dr Williams office were visible as Cassidy began her walk towards the older woman, her gait slightly off as she nervously mulled over bringing up the note. In the end, she decided against it and took a seat in the armchair across from Lucinda.

"Hello Cassidy, you're a little late."

"Sorry Doctor Williams, Alex got busy."

Her statement might have been far from the truth, but Cassidy presumed she didn't have to be honest and open about every aspect of her life, especially not during the first session.

"Please, call me Lucy or Linda. We don't need any formalities."

The request seemed awkward, and was one that Cassidy didn't agree to, however, she didn't want to start an argument over something so small and chose to simply keep quiet and watch as the redhead filed a few papers while speaking.

"So, Cassidy, Edith tells me you finished year nine in Lonam. Were you comfortable attending school again?"

She was yet again perplexed by Lucinda's intentions but decided to play along and answer the question.

"I finished all of my final exams online within a week of my return, and then attended school for the last two days to submit all of my assignments."

Apparently, the answer wasn't what Lucinda was looking for, and she stated as much with a raised eyebrow and expectant frown.

"I was comfortable enough to handle two days."

That seemed to suffice as the redhead woman leaned back in her seat, allowing Cassidy to gaze around the room.

The room was quite big, almost twice the size of her bedroom, and took up three-fourths of the whole building. Light classical music floated through the background while her sapphire gaze flickered around the room.

Each part of the room seemed to be different from the other as she glanced towards her right, noticing a quaint reading nook. She presumed it was for when the patient felt more grounded. It was covered with a shelf of books and beanbags, the furniture taking up the far wall of the room.

A set of fluffy white carpets covered the whole floor, but that area's carpet seemed softer than the rest.

Cassidy turned away from the corner and instead gazed towards the left. It was a place filled with squishy toys, a punching bag, a gym ball, and other contraptions dedicated to letting off some steam, thus was probably the stress-relieving area.

Finally, her gaze switched back to the therapist, focusing on the wall behind her seat rather than Lucinda.

This area was allocated to nature, with huge glass windows and various flowers and plants specifically chosen to create a pleasant aroma.

It was evidently the more formal part of the room and consisted of practical furniture rather than therapeutic décor. There was the desk with swirly chairs, a set of armchairs (the right one occupied by Cassidy) and a tea table beside a beige couch.

The colour contrast seemed aesthetically pleasing; reds, pinks, peaches and greens drawing your eye to different things each second. The various contraptions helped draw her thoughts away from any severe and traumatic recollections. One object, however, that intrigued the blue-eyed skater was the photo frame behind Lucinda's desk.

"Is that your daughter?"

Lucinda seemed shocked for a moment, her eyebrows furrowing as she followed Cassidy's gaze before finally smiling.

"Yes. Her name was Rose."

Something didn't seem right in that statement, and Cassidy stated as much.

"Was?"

The older woman cleared her throat and fiddled with her sleeve's button, averting her gaze to the clipboard placed on her desk.

"She passed away three years ago in a car accident."

Cassidy couldn't help but suddenly feel very awkward, hoping for a change in topic yet receiving the opposite.

"I visited her grave last month for the first time after her death, it felt quite relieving like a weight was lifted from my shoulders."

She paused for a moment and made sure to catch Cassidy's eye before continuing, this time with a smile of pity.

"Have you visited Antonin's grave?"

Cassidy sucked in a deep breath at the question, breaking eye contact as she mulled over her answer. No one had ever dared talk about Antonin for the past week, as if his death was the forbidden topic her family couldn't mention.

"Not yet."

The older woman seemed disappointed as if she expected Cassidy to be better.

"There is strength in facing your past Cassidy, not weakness."

It was ironic how someone who had run from her past for three years thought she was the cowardly one.

"I would prefer not to talk about this."

"I understand you're scared, but you don't have to be."

That affected her more than she would have liked. Cassidy was far from scared about facing her father, in fact, it was the opposite. She was scared of facing herself.

How would she see him, much less talk to him, if she was the reason for his demise? Antonin Carlone had passed away because of her incompetence to predict her kidnapper's strength, thus she couldn't possibly face her father without bringing him the justice he deserved.

So, Cassidy wasn't scared, she was simply waiting to avenge her father. But how would someone like Lucinda, someone who didn't comprehend an inkling of what she had been through, understand such a thing?

"I'm not scared, I'm simply waiting for the right time."

Regardless of her thoughts, Cassidy chose to reply in a composed manner, attempting to calm down as she avoided Lucinda's gaze soaked in pity.

"You can't run from it forever."

This time her words infuriated Cassidy as she scoffed in her seat, replying in an uncouth manner that made both of them wince.

"Like you ran from your daughter's death?"

The flabbergasted look of betrayal and shock on Lucinda's face made Cassidy jolt from her position and mutter several apologies. If she could have, Cassidy would take those words back as soon as she thought of them, but the deed was sealed and the damage was done.

"I'm extremely sorry I-"

"That's enough."

Lucinda's gaze was different from before, rather than portraying a flurry of emotions it mimicked a steel wall; undeterred and unforgiving.

"I think that should be all for today."

Cassidy simply nodded at the reply, hesitantly getting up from her seat. It was wrong for her to say such a thing, but she couldn't do much except walk out from the office with a solemn expression.

The note in her pocket suddenly felt heavier than before as Cassidy sighed and glanced at the vacant street, picking up her pace as she began to walk home, her only company being the setting sun's receding rays of light.