**
"You're nothing that you seem"
from "Dizzy" by the Goo Goo Dolls
**
Seven.
Seven lives ruined. Seven that could've been zero. How many were there that no one knew about?
I was going to be sick to my stomach. My hands were slippery with sweat. I attempted a smile, because all of the women sitting in a circle were all looking to me.
"Okay. Here we go. My name is Sly. I am majoring in psychology at P.C.U., and I am leading this discussion group as part of an internship required for my major." I shuffled through the papers on my lap until I found what I wanted. I passed the slips of paper to the girl on my left. "This is my address and phone number. I want each of you to have it. In any kind of emergency, at any time of the day or night, or even just if you have no one else to talk to, PLEASE don't hesitate to call me."
The slips slowly circulated through the group. I forced another smile.
"Why don't you each introduce yourselves. Start with your name, your age, and tell the group why you're here. You only have to tell what you feel comfortable with. I'm not going to force anything out of you."
I pointed to the woman on my right. She gave me a trembling smile.
"My name is Stephanne..."
Stephanne's black hair was pulled into a ponytail. She tapped her fingers nervously together. Her voice was strong, but soft.
"I'm Annie..."
Annie's hand were shaking. She was clenching and unclenching them in her lap. Her blond hair was tucked into a bun at the nape of her neck.
"Hi. My name is Dawn..."
Dawn was a tall, slender fourteen. Her red curls were tumbled around her face. She spoke with confidence, but uncertainty also tainted her voice.
"I'm Jessica..."
Jessica was lovely. Her persona exuded strength, but I well knew that could be misleading. Her foot tapped against the floor and her hands were clasped on her thigh.
"Ellie. My name is -- I'm Ellie..."
Ellie was trembling all over. She was petite, and her oversized sweatshirt swallowed her. She twisted her hands together, and wouldn't look me in the eye.
"I'm Danielle..."
Danielle seemed fine until she got to the end of her introduction. Her voice broke and she went on with teary eyes.
"My name is Elizabeth..."
Elizabeth.
Something -- some force -- told me to take more than a cursory glance at Elizabeth. Her voice was even and calm. She didn't seem to be nervous. Her hands were simply folded in her lap; her shoulders were relaxed and back. Her brown hair fell to her shoulders. Her blue eyes penetrated mine while she spoke. Her lips curved into a half-smile, and her eyes almost seemed to change colors while I watched. She wore a short black miniskirt and a blood red tank top. Her shoes were black platforms.
Elizabeth finished her introduction and the group looked back to me.
"Great. You all did great." We've made it through the intros and I think you all deserve a break. There is coffee and hot chocolate and even cookies I think on that table," I pointed to the back of the room. I stood up and crossed my fingers that they would follow. They did.
I made my way over to Ellie before she had a chance to get up.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
End chapter 1.