A Friday Night Like This

Vic hasn't touched me after the hug two days ago. At least not purposely. He flinches at my touch, and it breaks my heart every time. We were getting ready for our third counseling session and Vic was becoming sulky.

'Vic, come on. The session is in twenty minutes.' The drive was five, and we were required to be there at least ten minutes earlier.

'I'll just walk and meet you there.' Vic mumbled, shuffling aimlessly around the house. He was always wearing long sleeves and tons of bracelets these days. I sighed, but let him have his way.

'As long as you start walking in about five minutes.' I said, taking the car keys and driving to the white-washed walls and sickly sweet demeanor of Dr Mason and her counseling complex. I entered and Misty greeted me, her blue eyes following my every move. Dr Mason emerged from behind the hallway door and, upon seeing only me there, asked,

'Where's Vic today?'

'He wanted to walk. It's only ten minutes. He'll be here in a few.'

'Okay. I need to finish up, and then you'll be ready to go with your session.' She smiled and was whisked away by her obligation to the other married couple. I twisted my ring on my finger. Call it a nervous habit, but it calmed me down anyway. Vic finally walked into the office, bracelets littering his wrists and a red stain along the side of his leg. My heart jumped into my throat.

'Are you okay?'

Vic looked at me, disgust spoiling his soft features.

'Fine. I just tripped. Seriously, you're so overboard at times!'

'Mr and Mr Fuentes, please stop yelling. This is a relaxing place where you can overcome your issues.' Misty said, cutting off our potential argument. 'If you could please sit down and wait for Dr Mason, that would be much appreciated.' We sat in silence, and a couple came out of the office. The guy had spiked up hair, that was going in all directions, and the girl turned around, and turned out to be a guy too. I saw Vic stiffen, but just let it slide.

'It'll be okay, Hime.' The other guy said. He had plugs and snake bites. Both had heaps of tattoos littering their bodies. They seemed somehow familiar. We followed Dr Mason back to her office, where she gave us our task for the session. We sat down on the loveseat, and I crossed my legs.

'Girl.' Vic muttered, low enough for only me to hear. My heart stopped for a split second, and I felt awful to my core. I quickly switched to crossed ankles, and I could feel Vic's hateful smirk from the opposite end of the loveseat.

'So, last session, I had you both recall a memory. Kellin, you gave me a memory of a tour with Vic, and Vic then followed it up with it being your year anniversary as a couple, am I right?' Dr Mason asked, still flipping through notes.

'Yurp,' I said, 'at least, for my part.' I saw Vic nodding along as I added the last words. Our anniversary? Is that what he had been upset about?

'I got quite an insight to your earlier relationship in the memories. But there's a problem in your relationship.' Dr Mason shifts position on her chair, clasping her hands and leaning forward. Her facial expression is dead-serious, and the homey, relaxed atmosphere has disappeared.

'Something that seems to be mainly centered around you, Vic. I'd like to know more, but for that, I need more information. But I promise you that I won't judge you. I'm here to help you solve your problems, not create more.'

I look at Vic. I knew there was something off about his demeanor lately, but how was she able to pick up on it after a week of knowing him? Vic shifts uncomfortably in his seat, yanking down his sleeves.

'Vic, would you care to start off a memory?' Dr Mason asks, shifting all of her attention to the short Mexican. He nervously moves his hair to the side, and I notice his ring glinting on his finger. When did he put it back on?

'I - I guess,' Vic's angelic voice cracks and he clears his throat.

Notes