Mental illnesses are conditions that affect your thinking, feelings, mood, and behavior. They can be temporary or long-lasting. The anatomy professor drones on, listing disorders like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, personality disorders, and psychotic disorders.
While the lecture continues, I can’t help but let my mind wander. Why is Racheal in Ramsay? Could she have bipolar disorder? Maybe I should ask Alex later.
“I want each of you to research a mental disorder and provide a brief explanation by the end of class,” the professor announces, his tone sharp.
I sigh as I see some students taking out their phones to get started, while others clearly intend to scroll through social media. I open my phone and spot a message from Alex, which instantly brings a smile to my face.
**”You left without saying goodbye. Where’s my good morning kiss? :(“**
Pressing my lips together, I try not to laugh as I reply:
**”I was running late for school, but I gave you a good morning kiss. ;)”**
I set the text aside and begin researching unusual mental illnesses to impress the professor. I stumble across an article about Munchausen syndrome and start scribbling notes.
Before I can get too far, another message from Alex lights up my screen:
**”But if I’m asleep, it doesn’t count. :(“**
I grin.
**”I miss you. Let’s go out tonight. It’s been ages since our last date. Give me ideas (sex doesn’t count because it’s already included).”**
Heat rushes to my cheeks. Quickly, I type back:
**”Surprise me.”**
I lock my phone and glance at Emily sitting next to me. Her head is tilted forward, and her eyes are closed. Smirking, I flick my eraser at her.
She jolts awake, cursing. “Shit!” Her face turns red as she hides it in her hands.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, noticing how tired and unusually sad she looks.
“Nothing,” she mutters. “I’ll tell you at lunch.”
Class continues, and the professor begins calling students alphabetically to share their research. Each stands nervously, reciting their chosen disorder. When my turn comes, I rise confidently.
“Factitious disorder, commonly known as Munchausen syndrome, is a mental illness where individuals fake or induce illnesses to assume the role of a patient. They may self-harm or fabricate symptoms, driven by an impulse for attention and care from others.”
The professor nods approvingly, and I smile as I take my seat.
Another message from Alex catches my eye:
**”I’m going to surprise you… maybe :/”**
I smirk, my focus broken as Lucy begins her presentation.
“Teleiophilia describes the sexual attraction of individuals, regardless of their age, toward adults. For more information, consult Miss Moore,” she says with a pointed smile at me.
I roll my eyes, annoyed. Lucy has always been hypocritical, especially given her history with Professor Winston and her failed attempt to flirt with Alex.
To my surprise, Emily abruptly stands. Her turn hasn’t come yet, but she speaks confidently. “Intellectual disability, better known as mental retardation, is a developmental disorder characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviors before the age of 18. For more information, consult Miss Smith.” She grins mischievously and sits back down.
The room erupts in quiet laughter, but the professor isn’t amused.
“Both of you have detention! Such disrespect for your classmates is unacceptable!”
“I told Emily to do it. Give me detention too,” I lie, hoping to take the heat off her. Emily places a hand on her chest, touched by my gesture.
“Fine. Three of you. Two weeks of detention,” the professor says, glaring.
Well, that backfired.
When the bell rings, Emily and I head to our usual lunch table. I notice Luke sitting alone at another table, his head down.
“What’s wrong with Luke?” I ask.
Emily sighs, her expression tight. “He came over drunk last night. Niall was with me, and they almost got into a fight.”
“What? Why were they at your house? And where were your parents?”
“You know my parents are barely home. It wasn’t even late, just midnight. Niall and I were watching a movie when someone banged on the door. Niall opened it, and there was Luke, stumbling and apologizing. He tried to kiss me, kept saying he missed smelling my hair when I fell asleep.” She shakes her head. “Niall got mad, and they almost fought. I made Niall leave and took Luke back to his place. Now, they’re both mad at me.”
“Oh,” I murmur, unsure what to say.
Emily runs a hand through her hair. “It’s so frustrating. Niall and I agreed this was purely physical, no feelings involved. But now he’s acting like this.”
“Emily,” I say gently, “you can’t always control feelings. They don’t follow rules.”
She sighs, nodding reluctantly. “I know, but it’s just… complicated.”
Before I can respond, Noah plops into the seat next to me, grinning.
“Hey, bitches,” he says, as James joins Emily. “Nina, there’s a party tonight. It’s going to be epic. Alcohol’s on me if you bring Professor Gray.”
I roll my eyes. “Why are you so obsessed with Alex?”
“Maybe I like older men,” Noah teases, biting into his banana.
“I don’t think I’m going,” I whisper.
“What?!” Emily shrieks. “You have to come! We *have* to go!”
“Emily…” I groan as she clasps her hands in a pleading gesture.
“Please!” she whines, her voice exaggerated.
I sigh, already feeling my resolve weakening.