Task 001
tw: abuse mention
They've never been in therapy before. Although you could argue that maybe they should have. River hasn't had it easy. A home filled with screaming and violence had made up most of their life, and even when their sister never threw a punch, they could have screaming matches that made the neighbors knock on the floor with a broom, Mr Heckles style. It's good that there is a Betsy, but that doesn't mean River isn't nervous about seeing her. They knock softly on the door, waiting for the voice that bids 'come in', and they enter.
"Hello, you must be River. I'm Dr Dobson, but you can call me Betsy if you want." She ushers them into the room with a warm smile, offering River a seat in a padded waiting room style chair.
"Hi," River greets, uncertainty evident in their tone. "Nice to meet you." They're trying their best. That's what matters. They take a seat, nodding along while Betsy explains what they're here to do.
"These sessions are purely for your own well-being. They don't have to be super formal if you don't want, and it's totally confidential among our staff and your other doctors unless you give me reason to think you're gonna harm yourself or someone else, okay?"
River nods their head with a low semi-chuckle. "Okay. No worries. The only violence I believe in is on the court," they joke, but something is a little off about it, a little forced. Besty doesn't seem to notice, or if she does, she doesn't mention it. It must be common for people to be nervous the first time.
"That's good. So, speaking ot Exy then, since you started us off, how are you settling in?"
They feel like they're gonna spend this whole time just nodding and giving 'hmm, yeah' kind of answers. Boring, repetitive, barely scratching the surface. They're fine. That's what they keep telling themselves. "Practice is tough. It's uh, disciplined. Definitely. Ache and pains, sweat and tears type stuff, but in a good way, you know? Like when you do a really good session at the gym or go on a long hike."
"You wouldn't say you're under more stress than normal or more than you think you can handle?"
River shakes their head, biting their lip. "No? I mean, if I didn't think I could handle it, I wouldn't be here."
"How's your accomodation?"
They perk up a little at that. There's even a smile.
"Great. Pax and Casey are great, and it's nice that we've all got something in common, apart from the Exy."
She must know what River means, but again, she doesn't mention it and simply nods along, making the occasional note.
"You feel like you've got people around who can listen to your problems? Or that you could go to one of us?"
"You mean if I had a problem? Yeah, but so far... I don't know. I came here expecting to be bullied, or pushed around, or not understood, and so far everyone's the total opposite. I don't know if I'm supposed to just wait for the penny to drop or what, but..." They knocked lightly on the arm of the chair with a nervous chuckle. "Touch wood."
"Okay, well that's great. You've got an away game soon, and classes and the rest of the student body arriving next week, are you feeling okay about all that?"
They aren't sure what she wants them to say. Does she want them to beg for help or something? She seems nice. Genuine too. But River just doesn't feel like they have anything worth sharing. "Yeah. I'm kinda looking forward to this place not being a ghost town."
"It's definitely livelier," she agrees, making another note. "How's your sister? Are you two still in touch? She's still supportive?"
Dana. They've texted her every few days since arriving, and more at the beginning, but she's so busy. "She checks up on how I am, when she isn't working. She just started a new job and the hours are kinda crazy, but I know if I needed her, she'd be here." They'd always been there for each other before, even when things sucked. They hadn't always been the best of friends, but they had always come out the other side. Ride or die.
"And your parents?"
Now they stiffen, body language seizing up, even in a subtle way. River shakes their head. "Screw them. We don't talk. And as much as I try and be a better person than they are, I'm not gonna keep someone in my life just 'cause we're related."
"Nobody's suggesting that." She must get the impression she hit a nerve. She wants River to be honest, of course. But she wants to keep them calm. "I just have to ask if you're okay. Whether you choose to have them in your life or not."
"Yeah," River nods, but their voice is a little stiffer. "I'm okay. I'm making a difference for myself and that's what matters."
"Okay." She ticks something off, signs something, and then closes her file. She must know they're not going to open up much further. To be honest, they seem like a typical eighteen year old kid that's gone through the things they have. And that's what she's going to put in her report. "Well, I appreciate your time, River. My door is always open if you need it."