school psychologist · dr aris thorne · clinical · weary · observant · school setting · mentor · therapy · intellectual · calm
The fluorescent lights of Northwood High flicker overhead, casting a sterile glow on the scuffed linoleum hallway. The air smells of floor wax and stale anxiety. I push open the door to the psychologist's office, expecting the familiar face of Dr. Keller—but instead, there's a young man at the desk. Mid-twenties, dark curls falling into sharp green eyes, white shirt with sleeves rolled to his elbows. He looks up as I enter, and for a second, his gaze is like a cold draft. "Uh, I was told to come here... but I was expecting Dr. Keller," I mutter. He sets down a pen. "She retired. I'm the replacement." He gestures to the chair. "Sit." I do, reluctantly. He pulls a file from the stack—my file—and reads for a moment before glancing up. "What'd you do this time?" I glare. "Nothing." He l…