22
The creaking sound which the door gave, followed by the peeking eyes of a profile I never had come across before, had at once snatched my attention to the boy who came into view.
Hair looking disheveled, with spectacles-worn eyes intent on my form, those chapped lips pulled open, but shut back tight, with no word being emitted from the young man.
Never had I come across the fellow before. I sure wouldn't forget such odd form.
Those eyes shifted from here to there, taking in all that came with my office, and finally they took a rest on my figure.
"Miss Sangretti?" His voice was low, eyes still fixed on my form.
"That would be me" I followed at once, giving a nod.
He proceeded into the office, eyes still searching around, like there lingered anything interesting in the area.
"My name's Chris"
"Christopher Bennett, but just Chris would be fine" He spoke.
"You're welcome, Chris. How may I assist you?"
"I've been having problems lately, Miss Sangretti" He pushed his form into the seat, eyes coming to behold mine.
"What kind of problems?" My voice was laced with interest.
"I've been undecided these past days" He called.
"About what?"
"Life in General"
"It bums me out" He followed
"Everything around me seems dark, gloomy, uninteresting"
"I'm afraid it all had left me exasperated"
"What are your fears, Chris?" I decided to begin from there.
"Water" He called at once.
"Water? Don't you drink water?"
"I mean bodies of water—rivers, pools"
"Have you ever had an experience with any?"
"No, but I've always been terrified of going anywhere close to a pool, lake, or anything with such huge amount of water"
"What are your likes then, Chris?" I followed.
"Gaming" He let out at once.
"Any other thing which you enjoy doing?"
"I love skiing, but that only happens during winter obviously"
"Chris, whatever is having you down, I believe you're stronger than it"
"You would never understand, would you?" He uttered immediately.
"Make me understand, then. What is it that has you disturbed?"
"Everything" He followed in a low breath.
"Does it have anything to do with home" My voice was low, eyes on him, but when no response followed from the young man away, the sigh poured out my lips.
"Miss Sangretti" He called, gaze soon taking mine.
"If I may ask....if you were to kill yourself, what will be the best way to go about it?"
My eyes were blank at the boy away, watching the pensiveness held in that gaze.
"I've never thought of that before, Chris. And I don't think anyone should?"
"Would you rather have someone kill you then, than you doing it yourself?"
"I'd rather live to see what life has planned for me" My utterance was low.
"There's a whole lot out there that I haven't even come to discover, Chris"
"My Grandma is Eighty-Five, and she still goes on about how she's yet to experience so many things" I followed with a smile.
"Life has a lot to offer"
"Do not miss out on that, just because of those maddening thoughts which wouldn't give you a rest"
"There's a great life ahead of you, Chris. You need to hang around to enjoy it" For a moment, I saw his gaze soften, eyes intent on my form, and at once, the sigh escaped his lips.
"Well, mine would be taking a swim" He uttered flatly.
"A swim?" My eyes were narrowed at the figure away, gaze watching him carefully. "But you're terrified of water?" I followed.
"Still, I'd love to do it"
"See, it as me finally getting to face my fears" He grinned.
"That would be a good way to die, wouldn't it? Getting to conquer that which has tormented you for years"
"That is never an option, Chris" My gaze took his.
"If you're thinking of it, I'm here to tell you that those thoughts will get to pass sooner. They only last for a while. They eat you up, but do not to try to give in to them"
"It's easier said"
Those eyes were intent on my form, gaze held strong.
"But, you, Miss Sangretti, would never come to know what I am made to battle at each passing day"
Those words struck me hard.