Page 33 of Dream a Little Dream

“And do you like him that way?”

“I have my eyes on someone else. But I could keep him warm if that don’t work out. But I’m not sure he’ll last long out here.”

“Why’s that?”

“If you should make anyone come to therapy, it’s him. Flight risk. He’s this shy, quiet lad. No one would even care if Rahul went missing. He’d probably get all the way home and get married before the uni noticed.”

“Would that worry you?”

“What? That he went back home?”

“That he went missing?”

Aaron shrugged. “No skin off my nose, is it? There’s always someone else waiting in the wings for me.”

“So it isn’t him who’s making you angry?”

“No. Nor because some dick head called me a bender. Or because he showed himself to be a racist. Not at him at all. I just have this fucking knot, right here.” He prodded his chest. “And I can’t get rid of it.”

“What do you think is causing it?”

Dr Kenneth Lyons.

A timer beep went off. Saved by the bell. Aaron stood. “Are we done?”

“For now, but I’d like you to come back.”

“Is it voluntary?”

“No.” Drew leaned behind him for a pamphlet and passed it over. “I’ll send your schedule to come see me to your email. Please do. If you fail to show, administration might consider it a failure to comply. They’ll strike you off the course.”

Aaron snatched the leaflet and looked it over. Mindfulness classes. He scrunched it up, shoved it in his bag by his feet, then flung the bag over his shoulder and made for the door. “By the way, I’ve not seen Rahul since Friday.”

“Thank you for letting me know.” Drew reached behind him for his notepad and pen, once again scribbling it on his lap. “Would you expect to see him over the weekend?”

“Pretty sure he wanted some, so yeah.”

Drew peered up over his pad, face stoic, pen writing.

Aaron ripped open the door and bashed headfirst into a sturdy chest.

“Whoa.” Dr Kenneth Lyons stepped back, hands up.

“What areyoudoing here?” Aaron hated that his heart thumped a little faster.

“Came to see why you weren’t in my lecture.” Kenny peered over Aaron’s head at Drew. “Was it really necessary to take him from a core module?”

“He assaulted another student.”

“Didn’t assault him,” Aaron sang over his shoulder. “He was in my way.”

“Do you break the bones of everyone in your way?”

“Is a nose a bone?”

“Yes.” Kenny and Drew said in unison.

“And cartilage.Youbroke the bone.” Drew pointed the tip of his pen at him. “Quite impressive for opening a cupboard door.”

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