//------------------------------// // Chapter 17. Comfort Zone // Story: Help // by WittyNameTFM //------------------------------// "Hello miss Zap, my name is Dr. Waller." A kind woman spoke as Indigo entered her office. "It's nice to meet you." "Feel that way about all your patients?" Indigo shot, arms crossed. "Well, yes, actually. When I meet someone in this office, it's because they've recognized they need assistance." She smiled patiently. "It's unfortunate to meet you under these circumstances, but I am very happy to be the person to offer you a helping hand on this journey." "I'm sorry, I don't like doctors." "All too common, I assure you. Please. Take a seat." "I'm good standing." She huffed, leaning against the wall. "Whatever you're comfortable with." She looked down at her clipboard. "So...how's this work? I whine and you say I'm crazy?" "Well, you explain some of the problems you have and I'll listen as a neutral party." She explained. "And no, I will most certainly not call you crazy." She added, looking up. "Did you sleep well last night?" "How's that matter?" "Just a way to break the ice. It's usually a pretty common topic that anyone can comment on. I have notes on your case, but I'd much rather hear your side than the word of someone who wasn't there." She shifted up. "But you can take your time, I'm here to listen." "Because you're paid to. You don't actually care." "I'm sorry you feel that way, but I assure you that I handle every one of my patients with the utmost care." "I'm sure you have to say that for legal reasons." "You don't seem to trust doctors very much, is there a reason behind that?" "..." "Whenever you're ready." She said simply. Indigo groaned, sliding down to sit on the floor, but still against the wall. "I-, They-," She hugged her knees. "I don't want to talk about it." "Then talk about what you're comfortable with telling me." She suggested. "Are you getting along well with your foster family?" "I-I think so. Cerise and Solar have been nothing but welcoming and supportive." She smiled softly. "Cerise, she's the one who made me realize I didn't need to work myself into the ground in like six different clubs, and Solar? He's been really cool actually. We watch wrestling together and he geeks out about it. It's funny to see a grown man be so passionate about something like he is with wrestling." She admitted. "So you're fitting in with them well, that's wonderful news." She smiled. "Do you have any stories from school?" "Well-" She sighed. "I got a black eye once because my friend accidentally decked me." "Ah, I believe I know a bit about that, but patient confidentiality and all, I can't say more." "You're the doctor that Sour goes to?" She asked. "Can...you at least tell me if she's doing well?" "I cannot, unfortunately. It's a big no-no for us. You have some close friends, why don't you tell me about them?" "Who should I start with..?" She asked herself. "Sugarcoat is-" She took a moment to think. "She's probably my first?" She asked. "Technically? I flaked on all of them at one point…" "Well, what kind of person is she?" "The kind you need to keep you grounded." She giggled. "She won't hesitate to hit you with her opinion and it's so refreshing sometimes. I love that about her. She's so confident in herself, I don't think she'd believe me if I told her how much I look up to her." "That's really sweet." She smiled softly. "She's one of those types that you feel like, y'know, you earn her attention. Like if she's chosen to be your friend that you're doing something right." She mused. "But I guess I'm lucky to have any of them. So uh, I guess I'll go to Lemon next?" She looked over for guidance. "I'd be glad to hear about her." "Well, Lemon is maybe the most level out of all of us, surprisingly. People think Sunny, but I know how she is outside of school." She chuckled. "Lemon's been a thorn in our sides since we were younger. She didn't want Sugarcoat to be alone, so she went out of her way to be her friend. Same with Sour. I think she and Sour are very close, but Sour isn't great with outward affection." She explained. "Lemon loves music and she's, like, scarily perceptive." She looked up. "Lemon can just kinda tell if you need someone to talk to or if you need your mind off of something." "She sounds like a good person to vent to." "She is. Now uh, Sour. I dunno what she's okay with me telling you, but I'm gonna guess that it's safe to tell you that she's not always in control of her responses. Don't hold that against her." "I've noticed, but I can't give you those details." She chuckled. "She's been very open with herself." "She has?" She thought for a moment. "Well...I'm on this train of thought. I'll finish it first." She said, resolving to open up more. 'If Sour is doing it, this has to be on the level…'  "Right, I didn't mean to interrupt, please continue." "So, like, Sour cares more than she lets on. She tries to help when she can, but she gets really embarrassed and angry, more at herself, when she can't do something. I'm glad she's getting help." "It's been wonderful getting to know her, for sure." She assured. "Guess that leaves Sunny." She thought aloud. "And how would you describe her?" "Overdramatic and nosy." She smirked. "But she's my best friend and I owe all of this to her being nosy." She admitted. "She's a dork and annoying as hell, but we can actually jab each other and tease and she doesn't get upset. It's great." She chuckled. "But if anyone else does, they're getting knocked out." "She's the one who helped you through your struggles?" "She wouldn't leave me alone about it, and I can't thank her enough for it." "Thank goodness she did." "For real, she's been a godsend for me, dude. Like, I know for sure I wouldn't be here without her. I'd probably be in the hospital." "Why is that?" "You don't have that in your notes?" She asked, crossing her arms. "I do not, I know a few things from what was told to me when we set up the appointment. Would you like to enlighten me?" "Well, my folks..." She sighed. "Weren't great. They pushed me to do so many sports and god forbid I wasn't the best on the team." "I see." She frowned. "Yeah. A very hostile homelife." She looked down. "I...didn't know who I was, I don't even think I know that yet. I remember just looking at myself in the mirror and not recognizing myself." Indigo hugged her knees again. "And what's worse? I do the same thing." She mumbled. "That bastard would hit anything he didn't like, and I-" She shook her head. "I can't believe I almost hit Sunny." That image was burned into her subconscious, all the way back to one of their earliest conversations. Sunny cowering and her hand raised. "But you stopped yourself?" "Of course I did!" "Miss Zap, learning from your environment can be instinctual, but it's up to you as a person how you take those lessons and use them. Personally? I think you've got a much stronger will than you think. To take that negativity and still be as cheerful and caring as you are." "Wh-What?" "You choose who you become as a person. Other's advice may help guide you, but ultimately, you chose to get out of that abuse and have the strength to accept a helping hand when you were at your lowest." She smiled. "It's inspiring. To take that away from you and your level of progress is unfair to yourself." "You think so?" She asked. "I do, and you're only going to continue succeeding. You have that drive." "Huh, thanks doc." "Of course. So what has been new in your life?" She asked. "I got a part time job at a gym. I actually met two of my favorite wrestlers there. They're gonna be starting a training class there and I'm really thinking about giving it a chance." "I'm sure that'd be an interesting avenue to pursue. I know that it can be extremely physically taxing." "So would any sport, I guess." She shrugged. "Well I hope you have fun with it. I'm expecting a lot of stories from that venture." She chuckled. "Yeah, yeah." She smirked. "Sunny's been trying to get me into musicals. They're kinda fun. Never thought I'd like them in general, but actually enjoying them? That girl is ruining my image." She said, "and Lemon has been all over me with song recommendations, I have a whole ass playlist whenever I work out." Dr. Waller took notes as Indigo continued to open up. The young woman seemed a little jaded when it came to affection, though she wasn't completely shut off. "Solar is pretty cool, I just hope he's not just being nice y'know?" She asked. "Your daughter brings home a friend and asks to let her stay indefinitely? That's gotta be annoying to some degree. I try to stay in my room whenever I'm home." "Have the Flares been reaching out to you?" "Well, I guess. Solar and I talk about wrestling a lot. He's obviously the one who got me into it. Cerise will ask me about my day, and they invite me to family events. I just feel weird going with them, like I'm intruding." "Sounds like they're trying to include you." "It still feels weird. How do I fix that?" "It's not a matter of it being broken. You've had a hard time trusting people up until now." She explained. "Challenge yourself to accept the invitation, make the most of every experience. I'm sure they would love to see more of the side you show Sunny. I've really enjoyed the little glimpses I've seen today." "You think so? It's tough, man. I don't like being involved when I don't belong." "That's natural, but any relationship is a two way street. They're reaching out to you, and when you feel ready to take that step, they'll be there. I'm not telling you to rush it, but each time you accept, you'll likely feel more included." The doctor explained. "I guess you've got a point…" She pushed off the floor. "Sorry about earlier." "It's quite alright. Nothing I've never had to deal with before." "Heh, right. I just never met a doctor that my family didn't know. They did the talking and I was to be seen not heard. I never liked doctors. They told me bad or scary news and then went on their merry little way." She sighed. "I tell Sour all the time that people handle things differently, but I have trouble understanding that sometimes, I guess." "Your advice is a good way to reinforce that sentiment, but saying it is different from implementing it. You're quite a positive influence on your friends, I must say, and I'm glad to have met someone I've heard so much about." "Thought you didn't know anything about me…" "Would you rather tell me your story or have someone who knows of you try to tell you about your life?" She asked. "Because if I were in that position, I'd feel incredibly insulted. I'd rather get to know you, not the idea of you that my mind has built. If that makes sense." "It does, it does. That's, uh, kinda wild to think about. But hey, thanks for at least trying to get to know me." "Of course. Now it seems our time is up. I'll give you my number if you need to speak between now and your next appointment. Please, don't hesitate to message me if you need to speak." She offered with a smile. "Thanks, doc. I appreciate it." She turned to the door. "Y'know, you're alright." "Why thank you. Oh, and miss Zap, do try to step out of your comfort zone. You may just enjoy yourself." "I gotcha…" She sighed with a small smile. "See you next week." Indigo exited the office, and headed out of the building. She knew she should have mentioned her folks more, but that was still too fresh. She rubbed her arm as she thought back to the yelling. She had to push down the loathing that was beaten into her. As she opened the door to the reception area, she was greeted by Sunny, Solar and Cerise. "Uhh…" "Hey kiddo." Solar waved. "How did everything go?" Cerise asked with a smile. "Well, I think." She said, "What're you guys doing here?" "We were gonna go out to dinner as a family and wanted to pick you up after your appointment." Sunny said. "I can run you home if you don't want to, though." Indigo felt that familiar feel of unease, but shoved it to the side. All three of them were smiling and supporting her. The least she could do was try. "I'll tag along. Since you guys went out of your way to come get me." She crossed her arms with a fake smirk. "You don't have to, y'know?" Sunny asked quietly, a hint of concern in her tone. "Sunny, I'm okay." She assured her with a more genuine smile. "I want to get over this weird feeling. I don't wanna shut them out. You guys are trying so hard and I'm just being a stick in the mud." She put her arm around Sunny's shoulders and quietly added. "I'm just really nervous around them still…" "I'll be with you." She reassured her. "C'mon…" 'Step out of your comfort zone, huh? Here we go…' Indigo mused as the family exited the building.