Try for Me.

Disappointment, a feeling I never expected to receive from my parents as they stood in front of me, forcing me to sit and listen to their complaints. I manipulated the situation last night to get high, and I wasn't proud of myself. However, as selfish as this was, I couldn't help but smile at the fact Jace not only dropped me off, but waited down the street till I was inside and out of sight. He cared even if he did not want to admit it.

"I am not sure what the hell is going on, Vivian," my mom continued to scold. Dad kept staring at the floor, peeking to me, then back at the floor with a shake of his head. "Lying to both of us, on how we said you could go? Did you even go to that girl's house?"

Silence.

"Great!" my dad exclaimed, his hands flailing in the air. "Just fucking great, I bet the next step is she's going to come up pregnant. What is this some rebellion against us for moving? Making you get a dorm? What, Vivian? Tell us! Stop just staring at your hands."

"I'll call the school and request she comes home, I'll take her to her weird schedules, and then we can monitor her," mom was being over dramatic.

"I'm fine, my first day wasn't bad, and you wont have to worry about my grades slipping," I assure. Obviously I am not cut out to be some 'rebel' because the first chance I get at it, I'm already caught on the second day. Shame.

"Vivian, I hope you take us seriously, we will ship you off to a military boarding school if you keep this up! I will not have Nicole, Chad, or Brad start acting up too!" she screams, forgetting the youngest of them. Oh well. I guess I would to if my daughter lied to me.

"Go to your room, just...go to your room," dad shook his head. I felt lousy at this point, and slowly trudged up to my room. Once the door closed, a huge grin appeared on my face. Jace cares.

...

The next week didn't change anything, I went to my classes, then met up with Noelle and Seth avoiding Aiden. The look on Jace's face when he saw me walk down the hall, bags under my eyes, and hair looking a mess from the lack of care, was of shock. Each stride matching the loud rock music blaring through my headset as I ignored him.

"Vivian?" Someone interrupted the song Iron For Hire - Make A Move, their finger delicately tapped on my shoulder. I pulled my headset down, and my eyes connected with Jace's familiar ones. I rose my brows in response. "Okay then, umm... I have not seen you in my office this week, on Wednesday, it is time for your visit."

"Is that so?" I reply, biting the insides of my cheeks. My fingers laced the bottom of my shirt now, and I let out a sigh. "Is it mandatory?"

"Yes," he dryly replied stalking past me. I quietly followed, tucking my headset in my backpack. His office was quiet, and dark. I gulped as he held the door open for me, and closed it behind us. "So, Vivian, how has your week been?"

"On or off record?" I ask, our eyes intensely met and neither of us looked away.

"Vivian please," he simply answers breaking our gaze.

"I mean, it has been one hell of a ride." I stared at the closed curtains, the light that barely escaped through the cracks reminding me of my own life in a way. He turned to the curtains, then to me with furrowed brows.

"Well?" He broke my intense thoughts as I shifted. I tightly closed my eyes, reopened them and jerked my head a bit to refocus my attention on Jace.

"Well, I mean it just is?" I was sure I did not make sense, I mean how do you talk about the crazy week you have had with your best friend? Avoiding Aiden, occasionally drinking during the week with plans to do drugs on the weekend, all the while maintaining my grades? It was not like me, and I guess part of me was ashamed about my more rebellious side.

"Maybe I should refer you to our psychologist on campus," he gulps, stacking his papers neatly.

"Wait," I cut him off. "You are trying to get me evaluated?" I snort with a shake of my head. "You're serious?" My expression held nothing back as my eyes narrowed and lips tightly pursed together.

"Vivian, I don't know what is going on with you, or what you are going to do this weekend... But you don't look okay," he was blunt as he shifted in his seat.

"Are you going to mention what we did last weekend too?" I snap.
"Or are you going to leave out important details to this psychologist?"

"Don't do that," he begs.

"Do what?" I bit my lip innocently.

"Stop me from actually trying to help you," he sighed. Our eyes connect again, but it was different this time, it was sad.

"I had an amazing week, I am tired because I am not used to this college like schedule. But, you can check my grades, they are outstanding. I have friends, and my roommate is rather amazing. I do not know what else there is, Counselor." I changed my tone for the better.

"Very well," he sat the papers down with a nod. "Don't hesitate to come talk, if anything bothers you."

"As my counselor?" I ask, he closed his eyes with a heavy sigh.

"Yes," he answered. Without another word, I left.