Misunderstood (Neighbor from Hell (YA) 1)

“Do you like to ask questions that you already know the answer to?” Sebastian countered as he took in the selection of books in front of him, looking for something new to read.

“Fair enough,” Ben said before he suggested, “Then why don’t you tell me what you want to talk about.”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Sebastian said, biting back a disappointed sigh as he took in graphic novel books, books on bullying, eating disorders, and depression, noting that Ben had the same collection of books that seemed to be standard in every therapist’s office, and was about to turn around when he saw it.

A book written on the best methods of behavioral therapy for teenagers written by the man currently trying to get inside his head. He made a mental note of the title before making his way back to his seat, noting that Ben already had a fresh legal pad and pen ready to go.

“Really? Because your parents were able to give me a list of concerns that they think we should talk about,” Ben said, throwing Sebastian a questioning look as he sat back down on the large leather couch across from him.

“Fine,” Sebastian said, gesturing lazily for him to cont

inue. “Why don’t we go over that list so that I can get out of here before the library closes?”

“Okay,” Ben murmured, looking thoughtful as he reached back and picked up a manila folder off the large desk behind him. “Why don’t we start with school?”

“I’m homeschooled. There’s nothing really to talk about,” Sebastian said with a shrug.

“You don’t think turning down a full scholarship to one of the most prestigious schools in the country is something that we should talk about?”

“They didn’t have any of the extracurriculars that I was looking for,” Sebastian said, wondering when his parents were going to let this go.

“What were you hoping for?” Ben asked, clicking his pen open to make a note in his file only to pause and throw him a questioning look when Sebastian said, “Miming classes.”

“You want to be a mime?” Ben asked as his lips twitched in amusement.

“It’s the dream,” Sebastian said dryly.

“I can see that you’re very passionate about it,” Ben said, chuckling as he looked back down at whatever was written in his file.

“It’s all I live for,” Sebastian drawled before asking, “What else?”

“They’re concerned that all you seem to do is read.”

“There are worse things that I could be doing,” Sebastian pointed out as he took in the man sitting across from him, noting the meticulously combed dark hair, the neatly trimmed beard, the laugh lines around his blue eyes down to the unbuttoned shirt collar, blue jeans, and the way that he relaxed back in his chair and combined that with the way that he’d set up his office and knew that this one was going to try to be his “friend.”

“True,” Ben murmured in agreement before moving on. “What about Mikey?”

“Is off-limits,” Sebastian said firmly.

“Why is that?” Ben asked, absently drumming his fingertips against the armrest of his leather chair as he shot Sebastian a curious look. “He’s your best friend, right?”

“She’s my best friend,” Sebastian corrected him.

Nodding, Ben said, “And she’s also your cousin?”

“No, she’s not. My father’s cousin married her mom. We’re not related.”

“But the rest of your family considers her part of the family, right?”

“Yes.”

“But you don’t see her that way?”

“No.”

“Then how do you see her?” Ben asked as he continued drumming his fingertips against the armrest, waiting for an answer that he was never going to get.

“Next question,” Sebastian said, leaning back in his chair and began drumming his fingertips against the armrest, mimicking the therapist’s movements until Ben realized what he was doing and stopped.