You Are Mine Little Sister (by Syra Tucker) novel Chapter 73

RALI

"Tell me more about this person. How did you two meet?"

I fidgeted with the strap of my bag as I thought of the best answer to the question.

I could feel her patient eyes on me as I kept mine glued to the floor.

"I met him when I was seven. He um... My parents brought him to live with us. My parents were the kind of people who loved helping homeless kids. Except this time, they helped the wrong one."

She tilted her head, her pen balanced between her fingers.

"Why don't we leave out the sentiments, sweetheart and just rewind to that moment? What did the seven-year-old you feel when she first saw him? Forget what came after. Just that day."

I exhaled through my nose, my eyes landing on the half-glass of water between us.

"I felt... excited." The word came out soft like it had slept too long in my chest. "I always wanted a big brother. Wanted someone to be protective of me, just like my friends'. I was happy daddy brought him home that day, and I tried... I tried to build a good relationship between us."

She scratched something onto her notepad.

"And did he ever do something back then that made you feel loved?" she crossed one leg over the other, her eyes never leaving mine.

I lowered my eyes to the strap again. "The first night he... ate my candies. He told me he didn't like them, but he ate them one night. I think he did that to make me happy."

"Was there another incident?"

"He always orders the same thing when we go out. With our parents, I mean. I found it weird but... I liked it."

She scribbled in her note again while my mind pressed play on memories I thought I'd buried.

"When he left, did you miss him? Did you cry?"

My eyes rounded, the woman's question feeling more like a betrayal.

"How could I have missed him after what he did!? I told you he almost killed my best friend!"

"I know what you told me, dear. But that's not what I asked. Did you miss him?"

"No!" The answer came out on impulse.

The woman pinned with me a direct stare, long enough for me to break down.

"You were confused, Zerali. You still are. As a little girl, you wanted a big brother. You were happy you got one, and even when he turned out to be bad, you still wished things would work out between the both of you. Now, he's back and you're conflicted about staying away from him 'cause you think he's a bad person. You just don't understand why you're starting to feel things you shouldn't feel for him."

"I don't want to feel these things," I whimpered. "He's a terrible person. He's not the kind of man I want to end up with."

Fuck, it was getting harder by the day to pretend the memories from the boat did not exist. Our makeout in the corridor. His lips on mine. Him eating me out in the restroom. Getting me to kiss him while there was someone at the door.

God, I actually kissed him!

The therapist went on. "Yet, as days go by, you find it difficult hating him,"

"But I want to keep hating him!" I screamed. "He's a monster! He's hurt me! He's hurt my friends!" My rage shattered into sobs.

"Please, that's the reason I'm here. I don't want to feel these things anymore."

She finally placed her pen down, then clasped her hands together.

"I understand your concerns, honey, and I'm pleased you came to me for help. If you truly want help getting him out of your mind, that's something I can help with. But you'll have to do exactly as I say."

I stopped crying and paid more attention to her. Could she really help me get over Void?