The following Thursday Tina and Bette took me to see the shrink. I was completely resistant to the idea and had planed on not saying anything to her.

When I came in to her office she introduced herself as Jenny before she sat down. I sat down in a chair across from her. She smiled at me and I smiled back. Not that it was funny or something, I just wanted to be polite.

I looked around the room and saw a number of diplomas on the wall. She had to be a well known psychiatrist. I felt that she was watching me, but I tended to stick to my decision not to say anything to her.

So, Kathy. She was the one to break the silence. Can you tell me why youre here?

I wondered if she was stupid, mom mustve told her why I was here. I still didnt wanna talk so I just looked away from her.

Okay, lets start with something smaller then. She said, watching me closely. How are you feeling?

Was she kidding me? How would she feel if she was sitting alone in a room with some stranger that wanted her to reveal her most secret thoughts to? I stared at the floor.

Hey. She said and I looked her in the eyes. I know that you might be a little uncomfortable, and that it feels scary to open up to a stranger, but Im here to help you. And I cant do that if youre not talking to me. I wont tell anyone, Im not allowed to.

I looked at her and I felt stupid for not talking to her.

Im here cause my moms sent me here.  I said in a low voice.

Do you know why they sent you here? She asked me, and she seemed to be interested.

Because they think Im a ***** up. I looked down at my feet again.

Why do you think that? She asked.

Because theyre always telling me Im doing things wrong. I kept looking at my feet. They had so big expectations before, and I felt that it was too much, so I kinda joined the cool gang. And I screwed up pretty bad as I was caught shoplifting.