Home > Misunderstood (A Neighbor from Hell YA #1)(4)

Misunderstood (A Neighbor from Hell YA #1)(4)
Author: R.L. Mathewson

“Really? Because your parents were able to give me a list of concerns that they think we should talk about,” Ben said, throwing Sebastian a questioning look as he sat back down on the large leather couch across from him.

“Fine,” Sebastian said, gesturing lazily for him to continue. “Why don’t we go over that list so that I can get out of here before the library closes?”

“Okay,” Ben murmured, looking thoughtful as he reached back and picked up a manila folder off the large desk behind him. “Why don’t we start with school?”

“I’m homeschooled. There’s nothing really to talk about,” Sebastian said with a shrug.

“You don’t think turning down a full scholarship to one of the most prestigious schools in the country is something that we should talk about?”

“They didn’t have any of the extracurriculars that I was looking for,” Sebastian said, wondering when his parents were going to let this go.

“What were you hoping for?” Ben asked, clicking his pen open to make a note in his file only to pause and throw him a questioning look when Sebastian said, “Miming classes.”

“You want to be a mime?” Ben asked as his lips twitched in amusement.

“It’s the dream,” Sebastian said dryly.

“I can see that you’re very passionate about it,” Ben said, chuckling as he looked back down at whatever was written in his file.

“It’s all I live for,” Sebastian drawled before asking, “What else?”

“They’re concerned that all you seem to do is read.”

“There are worse things that I could be doing,” Sebastian pointed out as he took in the man sitting across from him, noting the meticulously combed dark hair, the neatly trimmed beard, the laugh lines around his blue eyes down to the unbuttoned shirt collar, blue jeans, and the way that he relaxed back in his chair and combined that with the way that he’d set up his office and knew that this one was going to try to be his “friend.”

“True,” Ben murmured in agreement before moving on. “What about Mikey?”

“Is off-limits,” Sebastian said firmly.

“Why is that?” Ben asked, absently drumming his fingertips against the armrest of his leather chair as he shot Sebastian a curious look. “He’s your best friend, right?”

“She’s my best friend,” Sebastian corrected him.

Nodding, Ben said, “And she’s also your cousin?”

“No, she’s not. My father’s cousin married her mom. We’re not related.”

“But the rest of your family considers her part of the family, right?”

“Yes.”

“But you don’t see her that way?”

“No.”

“Then how do you see her?” Ben asked as he continued drumming his fingertips against the armrest, waiting for an answer that he was never going to get.

“Next question,” Sebastian said, leaning back in his chair and began drumming his fingertips against the armrest, mimicking the therapist’s movements until Ben realized what he was doing and stopped.

“What about your other friends?” Ben asked, shifting his attention from Sebastian’s fingertips drumming in cadence with the seconds ticking away on the large clock on the wall across from him.

“What about them?” Sebastian asked, noting that there were twelve hundred seconds left before he could leave.

“Do you have any?”

“Imaginary or real?” Sebastian drawled.

“Do you have imaginary friends, Sebastian?” Ben asked, clicking his pen open as he shifted to get more comfortable.

“Don’t we all?” he asked, sighing heavily even as he noted that there were only nine hundred and seventy-eight seconds left.

“Usually not at fourteen,” Ben said, making a note.

“I’m a late bloomer.”

“What are their names?” Ben asked, glancing up from his notes.

“Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Happy, Sleepy, Sneezy, and Grumpy,” Sebastian drawled, making the therapist that was wasting his time with this, chuckle.

“And you’re very smart,” Ben said as he clicked his pen shut and tossed the file and pen on the coffee table between them.

“There’s nothing wrong with me,” Sebastian pointed out.

“No, I don’t think there is either,” Ben murmured in agreement.

“Then you’ll tell my parents that therapy is a waste of my time?” he asked, hoping to end this once and for all.

“I didn’t say that.”

“Why do you think I need therapy?” Sebastian asked, noting that there was only one hundred and thirty seconds remaining.

“Because I think you’re hiding something,” Ben said, sounding thoughtful as Sebastian continued counting down the seconds.

“And what’s that?” Sebastian asked even as he had to give the man credit.

“If I knew that, we’d be having a completely different discussion,” Ben said, glancing down at his watch as Sebastian slowly drummed his fingertips three more times and

Beep!

Before the loud chime finished playing its first alert, Sebastian was grabbing his backpack and heading for the door.

“I’ll see you next week,” Ben called after him.

Sebastian didn’t bother telling him that he wouldn’t be back since he’d probably figure that out on his own when he didn’t show up.

 

 

Chapter 3


Oh, that couldn’t be good…

Worrying her bottom lip, Mikey watched her teacher pick up the book report that she’d handed in yesterday and

Oh, that definitely couldn’t be good, Mikey thought as she watched Mr. Rose look from her book report to her, frown in confusion, and glance back down again as he reached for the red pen only to rethink that decision and grabbed the thick red marker instead.

Rubbing the bridge of her nose to cover a wince, Mikey watched him shake his head in wonder as he read her book report. A moment, and two more bewildered looks in her direction later, he turned her book report over and

Sighed heavily as he said the nine words that never ended well for her just as the lunch bell rang.

“Mikey, can I talk to you for a moment?”

Since she knew that this wasn’t going to end well, at least, not for her, Mikey cleared her throat and decided to go with a hopeful smile as she grabbed her bag and got to her feet as she said, “I can explain?” while the rest of the class filed out of the room, several of her friends throwing her pitying looks as they went.

“I’m sure you can,” Mr. Rose murmured as he gestured toward the paper covered in red marker. “Did you read the book, Mikey?”

“I don’t think that it would be in my best interest to answer that question,” she said, nodding solemnly.

“Probably not,” Mr. Rose murmured absently as he turned her book report over and skimmed the back before saying, “You didn’t explain how the book ended.”

“I didn’t want to ruin the ending for you,” Mikey said with a sad shake of her head and a heartfelt sigh that had him chuckling.

“That’s very considerate of you,” he drawled.

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