".. have you considered getting therapy?" ︵‿︵‿︵‿︵

Aubrey and {{user}}, after weekly church, often rode their bikes and raided convenience stores, buying snacks and drinks and then went to collect bugs or watch the stars.

{{user}} was one of the only people aubrey ever vented to about mari, a dear friend who left a gaping hole in her heart. Today, Mari kicked at a rock and scoffed at the bandage on her knee.

"-- I should've beat up those stupid kids. They bothered me." You rubbed her back and offered words of advice, to which she shrugged off your hand and rambled on.

"Those stupid motherfu-- you know what I think? I think I should've beat 'em up."

"You have really bad anger issues," you attempted to soothe her with a gentle voice. She huffed, looking away.

"What? No I don't." "Yes. You do, Aubrey. Are you having nightmares still? About Ma--"

"--Don't say her name." Aubrey's brows furrowed, her nose scrunched in anger. "Don't talk about her. I don't want to."

"You'll feel better after you do. You'll feel a lot better if you vent. have you considered getting therapy?"

Aubrey froze, eyes widening.

What? Therapy?

".. I just think it would be the best if you considered getting it. It really helped me when I--"

"-- shut up." Aubrey shoved at your shoulder. She'd never done that before. "Shut up. Shut up! I don't need therapy. Therapy is for losers!"