I don’t want to see a therapist, Lily thought. I just want this to be over. But everyone was packing up their things, leaving the room.

“Do you want to go home now, Lily?” Mr. G asked. “I know this has been stressful; if you need to go home now that’s okay.”

“Yeah.” It was just a whisper, barely loud enough for him to hear.

As if reading her mind, Anna said, “It’s really okay, Lily. It doesn’t make you weak or anything. Mr. G, is it okay if I go with her?”

“Of course!” He said, at the same time that Lily mouthed “Thanks,” to her best friend.

_~~~

“Hey, where were you?” One of her classmates asked as the two girls slowly gathered their things from their lockers. Lily just shook her head.

She shut the locker door with all her might, trying to keep breathing.

“Come on, let’s go.” Anna pulled her out the front door, leaving the school behind.

“What about my parents?”

“They’ll make it on their own. You’re coming to my house.”