When Worlds Combine - A WWC Sequel

16; Asylums, Cafes, and Anger

Zayn

 

I walk into Psychology and take my usual seat, pulling out all my supplies from my bag. I set three pens out on the desk, just in case.

"Hey."

I look up and see Emma sitting down beside me, opening up her laptop. "Hey," I answer.

She turns to machine on and looks at me. "Uh, how's your sister?"

"She's good," I say. "There was a, uh, problem with her lungs. But she's okay." I don't tell her the details. "I'm sorry for ditching you."

"That's fine," she replies. Her voice is steady with no emotion. "I was really worried."

I smile sheepishly. "Really sorry again."

"I had a good night until, uh, what happened." She gives me a half smile.

I return it. "Me too."

"We should do it again sometime?"

"Sure, I-"

"Morning, everyone." We're interrupted by our professor entering the room, dumping his briefcase down and setting up the projector. "Shall we begin?"

Emma and I don't talk for the rest of the lesson, focusing intently on today's topic. The lecture rounds up and our professor takes us by surprise by announcing an assignment.

"A research assignment," he explains. "This leads to your first paper due at the end of the term. Do it, don't do it, I don't really care. Just know that it will surely help give you excellent marks on your papers. You may work individually or in a group. Your paper is on mental health. Study this and research this any way you please. Thank you, I'll see you next lesson."

I begin packing up my things and from the corner of my eye see Emma swivel around to face me. I look up slowly.

"I think we should work together and go to a mental asylum."

Her sentence is so quick and unexpected that I drop my pens. "Excuse me?!"

She sighs, as if in frustration. "A mental asylum. There's this really good one in Liverpool called Ashworth. It's patients all mostly come from prison. I think it'll be interesting to do research there."

I blink. She's completely serious. "Okay," I say slowly. This is weird.

"What do you think?"

"I-I haven't really been to an asylum before," I tell her honestly. I don't really plan on going anytime soon either.

 

"Which makes the trip even better!" She cries.