Check Ups and Check Downs

[LtLukas]

Jessica hated to admit when she was wrong. It was a pride thing, for sure, but it was always going to be a pride thing for Jessica. But one of her family members was the one who suggested that she come here. She wasn't sure if she was actually making progress today, but she got the feeling that she was headed in the right direction. The Violent Violet really did not like the idea of not having a plan. There was always an end goal with her, and plans were the easiest way to get that. The doctor squeezed Jessica's shoulder. She wondered if Dr. Becker appreciated the muscle in there.

"Fuck apps. I am not doing that shit. The gym thing though, maybe. I mean, I have been around wrestlers my entire life. I guess I can meet one person there. She is going to have to keep up with me, though." Jessica raised a finger in the air, setting stipulations for a woman who was now imaginary. "How do I put myself out there? Like, what do you mean?"

[Dubski]

Lilly Becker looked mildly amused when Jessica qualified her potential friend. Her lips twitched to avoid a laugh as she continued to listen to her and then shook her head with a friendly smile. "Jessica, you just need to talk to someone. Maybe ask about their workout, or discuss supplements. Compliment their outfit. I know it's not easy sometime, but you could even ask someone else for a spot. Anything to start a conversation and let it go from there."

The psychiatrist grinned encouragingly at Wright, tapping his own chin with her finger. "And then before you know it, maybe you're working out together and finding more in common. And I wouldn't discount apps, Jessica. There are plenty of fitness groups you could join with people who you know already have an interest similar to yours. But Jessica, you have a sense of humor, you are more than capable of being nice enough. And I think you can open up and allow someone else to share in some fun with you." After Dr. Becker had finished, she watched Jessica calmly, studying her reaction to what she suggested.

[LtLukas]

Jessica was leery. There was literally nothing in the world that Jessica would have enjoyed less than going up to someone and complimenting their outfit. It seemed so servile, so obsequious. She wouldn't even know what to say. Sure, she could spit a pretty good game when she was trying to charm some girl out of her pants at a bar, but this was something else. "I, uh, I think I will discuss supplements. Some girls don't even know about the fucking metabolic window, can you believe that shit? But yeah. I get complimented on my outfit sometimes," Jessica lied, "But I can't imagine complimenting someone else."

She sat back in her chair. "An app?" Jessica paused for a second, as if reflecting on it herself. "I dunno. I think I will just go to the gym. And yeah, I think someone could have fun with me. I just don't know if I could have a lot of fun with someone else. If that makes any sense."

[Dubski]

Dr. Becker listened patiently and smiled at Jessica, laughing a few times at a couple of her comments, particularly the metabolic window remark. She waited until the girl finished before she idly twirled her finger around her a lock of her golden hair. "First of all, as someone who is also into fitness, I do understand that frustration. We should exchange tips sometime. I could use the help for sure," said the psychiatrist before clearing her throat, smiling again at Wright. "I think a lot of things are going out of your comfort zone too, including paying a compliment--if anything, you could even compliment them on their workout regimen, if that seems easier to you."

A wide smile appeared on Lilly's face as she leaned in, resting a hand on the girl's shoulder. "I think it's fair to be skeptical that you'd have fun with others, but... you'll be able to find someone you're compatible with, Jessica. Someone who may be so uniquely equipped to handle you, and you'll be equipped to handle them. All you need to do is open up and allow yourself to enter this with an open mind. You'll be surprised just what you may be able to find with an open mind." Becker gave Jessica's shoulder another squeeze before settling back again, an optimistic expression on her face.

Glancing at the clock across the room, Lilly would follow up by looking at her patient. "We're almost out of time though for today. Is there anything you'd like to touch base on before we're done?"

[LtLukas]

Jessica's eyes narrowed. The doctor was playing with her hair. The Violent Violet was not the most social woman and as such was not the most acutely aware of emotional cues that people were doing, but understood that one. Especially given the fact that Lilly was squeezing her shoulder as well. It would be a breach of ethics for sure, but Jessica was not aware of a moral code that she had not violated hundreds upon hundreds of times. She wondered if she started ratcheting up the heat, that she could...

No. Hold off on that. She was here to get better.

Jessica paused for a second. "I am not really sure how to keep an open mind. I am just stuck in a rut, I guess. I suppose there are worse things that you could do than trying to make more friends." Jessica shrugged.

"Nah, I'm pretty good. Unless there is anything you want to mention before I head out?"

[Dubski]

Lilly Becker studied Jessica's expression, noting it and pulling her hand back from her before offering her another encouraging smile as she spoke. It seemed like Wright was going to make an effort, and in a first session that was all she could ask for. The psychiatrist would then nod when Jessica had nothing left to say. Briefly, Dr. Becker tapped her lip with her finely manicured index finger and thought on that. And then she said, "Hmm... Well, I think we were able to really tackle some issues of yours, Jessica. And I want you to remember that it won't be an overnight process to work through all of them. But we seem to have a goal for you right now, and I hope you take it seriously."

The blonde folded her hands in her lap, giving Jessica a bright smile and added, "I had a great time talking with you today, Jessica. Really. And I would recommend you come back for subsequent sessions so we can work through some problems of yours. Can I schedule you for your next appointment?" Lilly asked the question not in a pushy manner, but a more hopeful one. Ultimately, it was Jessica's choice whether or not she would come back, but she felt confident that she could help Jessica were she to come keeping to her.

[LtLukas]

Jessica pondered for a second. It was not going to be an overnight process. There were very few things in Jessica's life that came easy, and she knew that this was going to be just like the litany of other things that required deliberate, conscious work. She took a deep breath. The Violent Violet had just started a journey into something that she was not entirely sure that she could define, and she would have to be comfortable with that ambiguity. It was either that, or go back to the unhappy life that she had always known.

"I am taking it seriously. I promise. And like I am actually trying to get better." Jessica wasn't looking at the psychiatrist. She thought that it might be easier to do it that way. Jessica put her hands on her knees and started moving as if she was getting up, when she stopped. Lilly asked a very interesting question. She paused. "Yeah, go ahead and book the next one. I will give the secretary my cell number."

[Dubski]

Lilly Becker smiled warmly at Jessica when she said she was taking it seriously. She figured by this point she would. Jessica was a smart girl, and she had made a good enough of a connection to ensure the purple-haired wrestler knew this would be good for her. And then Jessica said she would give the secretary her number, making the psychiatrist beam happily.

"That's great, Jessica. I'm glad. I know you're taking this seriously, and I am excited to help you," said Becker cheerfully. The blonde would then stand up and added with a simple smile, "I know you don't seem like much of a hugger, so I'll give you the option between the hug or a handshake." She jested with her, extending her hand to Wright for her to shake. "See you soon?"

[LtLukas]

Jessica looked on with a raised eyebrow. No, Jessica was not a hugger, not in the slightest, and it was good for the psychiatrist to have recognized that if nothing else. Then again, if someone who was supposed to evaluate thoughts and feelings couldn't tell that Jessica was not the most affectionate type straightaway, then that person perhaps ought to find alternative employment. All the cheeriness was perhaps overdoing it, but Jessica could live with that.

"Uh, yeah, not much of a hugger at all." Jessica reached out and shook Becker's hand. She was going for the death grip. The Violent Violet was willing to make some progress, but she was still herself to the core for now. Which meant that she was going to be a little bit stronger, a little bit meaner than she absolutely had to. "See you soon." And with that, Jessica turned and left the good doctor's office.