| Episode: | Season 1, Episode 1 – Chaos! At The Gala |
| Location: | Alexandra’s Office |
| Written By: | Alexandra Ortega Azalea Gibson |
| Date: | 08/06/2026 |
| Word Count: | 1,153 |
Alexandra felt like this had been a huge mistake, she had way too many things on her mind to be having this conversation right now. Though, Alex did know it was of great importance to get her little sister all the help the younger girl could possibly get. Perhaps, having Azalea coming to the government office was the mistake? The Councilor didn’t really have time to think about that much either.
“How’s she doing so far?” Alex finally asked.
Azalea sat in the leather covered chair staring at the youngest of the Councilor’s and wondered why this woman had just asked her that. It was just enough to give the psychiatrist pause before she responded. Azalea had been doing this for a long time, she’d dealt with criminals, she’d done psychological evaluations before trials, and she’d done work in the grief field.
Azalea shrugged, “Your sister?” She asked as if she really needed the answer to the question, “She’s a grieving twelve-year-old girl. She just lost her parents,” Azalea replied knowing that Alex didn’t need that answer. The young woman already had those facts.
“That’s not the real question right now,” Azalea said, “The real question is how are you doing?”
Alex didn’t want to answer that because the truth was, Alex hadn’t thought about herself. As far as she was concerned her parents were dead, her sister had survived the fire. Alex had saved her little sister, and been unable to save their parents. The question rattled around inside Alex’s skull, ‘How do I feel?’
She paused, staring at the psychiatrist for a long moment before she finally found the answer. “I’m fine…” Her voice seemingly trailing away and faded. And that was it, that was the only thing Alex could think to say.
Azalea didn’t believe what the Councilor was telling her. “Somehow I don’t quite believe you Alex,” Azalea quipped. Her expression changing from one of calmness to one of deep concern. “You know this only works if you’re open and honest with me right?”
Alex knew that, she knew that quite deeply in fact. But, despite everything from the nightmares that still plagued the young woman to her own survivor’s guilt Alex didn’t have a clear answer. She was convinced she was doing just fine right now. There’s no way it was having that big of an impact right? The young woman didn’t want to believe that, not for even a second.
“It’ll all pass,” Alex finally said knowing that she probably just gave Azalea an opening to pry further. It was a realization that came far too late and now the door was open.
Azalea looked at the young Councilor with continued concern all over her face. “What will all pass?” She asked finally, “You haven’t told me really much of anything. I know you thought I was coming over here just to discuss your little sister, but you are just as important as she is. Your mental health is just as important as hers.”
“I’ll manage Azalea,” Alex told her. It was a lie, and one that Alex was more than certain the psychiatrist would pick up on almost immediately. She didn’t want to give away too much, “I just want to make sure my sister is getting the help she needs you know?”
“And she is,” Azalea remarked steadily, calmly. “But, you are not getting the help you need and that’s what concerns me. I know you think that this is all okay,” Azalea replied. She wondered if Alex really believed that? If this Councilor really believed that it wasn’t just her sister that needed the help that Azalea was attempting to provide.
She knew that the Councilor was being stubborn and a bit thick in the head right in that moment. But, until the other woman actually attempted to get the help she needed Azalea didn’t know what use she was to her. “It’s your turn to talk now,” Azalea told her finally.
Alex didn’t know if she was quite ready to let her guard down with this woman. But, she’d made a few good points. “When I said it’ll all pass, I meant the nightmares from the fire.” Alex said, not giving away everything all at once. Nor, was she going to give away much of anything at all. “And before you ask in order to psychologically analyze me…” She hesitated.
“I don’t want to talk about them,” Alex finally said. “Look, I get you’re here to help me through this just as much as you’re here to help my sister. But, for me things are just really fresh so can we not talk about me, and instead concentrate on Ashley?”
Azalea sighed, she didn’t want the Councilor to shut down. So, she decided to table the conversation for later. It was clear that Azalea wasn’t about to get much more out of the young woman anyway. “Your sister talks about some things and she doesn’t talk about others. I can tell you she doesn’t seem to blame you, or herself.”
“That’s good,” Alex said.
Azalea nodded, “Do you blame yourself Alex?”
Alex raised a brow, she’d been certain the woman had dropped talking about her. But, clearly it was just another attempt to get Alex to talk. “No,” She answered plainly. Alex didn’t know if she blamed herself or not, honestly she’d not had much time to think about that. Between the election campaign, the death of her parents, and raising her little sister there hadn’t been much time.
Azalea didn’t make another attempt, just to press harder probably would have gotten her nowhere. Azalea sighed, “The next session for your sister isn’t until after the Gala, are you taking her with you to that?”
Alex nodded, “Not like I have much of anyone else to watch her,” She pointed out softly. “Unless I can find someone to babysit my little sister she’ll have to come. I don’t know what I’m going to get for her to wear yet, something fancy.”
“It would probably be good to bring her,” Azalea said, “For the both of you.”
That had been a valid point, “Probably.” Alexandra answered the psychiatrist. “Are you going to the Gala?”
“No,” Azalea answered softly. She stood up in order to leave, “I have some other matters I must attend to during the Gala. But, I do hope your sister and you have fun.” Azalea smiled warmly, “Take care of yourself. I want you to schedule yourself an appointment with me.” She said, and before the Councilor could argue Azalea left.
Alex watched the psychiatrist leave before placing her head down in her hands. There was a deep heavy sigh that escaped her lips. It probably wouldn’t be a bad thing to bring Ashley to this thing, but there was a small part of Alex that thought perhaps some time with one of her friends would also be good for Ashley?