"I'm not going," Lia told her mother decisively as she stared at her laptop screen later that night. The twins had been put to bed and Vanessa thought it was probably the best time to talk to her daughter about some of the new changes that were going to be starting the next morning.

Vanessa sighed, wishing her child hadn't inherited her tenacity for arguing at the moment. "Lia, it's not negotiable," she continued. "You need to go talk to Dr. Sanders and, after speaking with both she and the physician at the hospital, you're going to try out group therapy. You had an overdose and landed in the hospital. Close the computer please."

Vanessa sat on her daughter's unmade bed, which was highly unusual and perhaps another indication of her still precarious mental state. She assumed Lia had been trying to catch up on homework but when she saw she was actually looking up SAT dates, her heart sank. Was she really not getting how serious this all was?

"Lia," she said again with more urgency, but it seemed to fall on deaf ears. The teenager kept scrolling. Vanessa felt blood pounding in her ears, getting frustrated. She stood and quickly snatched the Chromebook out from under Lia's fingers, then snapped it shut.

"Hey!" Lia yelled in protest, glaring at her mother. "You can't do that! That's mine!"

Lia was a lot of things, but she had never been a petulant kid.  It frightened Vanessa that her child was so unrecognizable at this point.  She thought Lia had long ago learned not to take a disrespectful tone or cross her when she gave a consequence.

The twins were asleep, but Vanessa simply couldn't hold in her disapproval.  "Emilia Marie Nadal Miranda," her voice was loud and firm.

The look she received along with her mother's voice left Lia shrinking and turning away in her seat.  She couldn't remember the last time her mom had used that tone with her.  As a child, that was the tone she dreaded and when she knew she'd crossed the line.  Even at seventeen, it had the intended effect.

Vanessa ran her tongue over her front teeth in frustration just as the door pushed open quickly.  Lin had heard his wife's voice from where he was cleaning up in the kitchen and knew it couldn't be good.  "What's wrong?"

Tears were beginning to form in Vanessa's eyes and he knew she was done for the evening.  Whatever had transpired between the two of them had upset Vanessa to the point of tears, which was a very rare occurrence.  It had happened several times in the last few days, and it was all due to Lia.  Lin glanced at their daughter, who was now holding her head in her hands.

Vanessa strode across the room, not answering, and passed her husband the Chromebook.  Luckily, she didn't hear any crying from the next room so she strode straight to her bedroom, leaving Lin to deal with their teenager.  She had reached her limit.

Lin sighed and looked down at his feet, noticing that Lia was crying softly, ler legs pulled up to her chest.  Knowing his kid, she would be lost in this mood for a while now.  Lecturing and yelling wouldn't do them any good at the moment, and that wasn't his style.  Seeing anyone in his family hurt was one of the few things that would drive him to that; but when it was at the hands of another family member, it just complicated the feelings further.

"Get your shoes," he told her, his voice steady.  "Let's go for a walk."

Lia wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand as her dad closed the door softly, leaving her to get herself together.  She let out a shaky breath as she sat up and straightened a few things on her desk.  As she looked around her bedroom, it was a wreck, which she didn't like at all.  School supplies were everywhere, clothes strewn about, her bed unmade.  Worst of all, she had just snapped at her own mother, simply for asking her to close her computer.

Lia picked up a discarded jacket, deciding it needed to be washed, and tossed it into her hamper, along with a few other pieces of clothing around the room.  She stacked the school notebooks and planner on her desk and pushed in her chair.  At least that was something.  She opened her closet and pulled out the Hamilton hoodie she'd bought back when she was a freshman.  Finally, she grabbed a pair of socks and her comfiest tennis shoes, pushing them onto her feet.  After a quick check in her bedroom mirror to make sure her face didn't look awful after crying, she stepped out.

Lia didn't expect that her dad would start yelling at her, but she knew he definitely wasn't happy with her.  She'd upset her mother and that was never okay in his book.  She stole a quick glance at him as she walked into the kitchen, noting that he looked concerned but calm.  In the few years she'd known him, Lia had come to count on him to stay level-headed.  He lost his temper rarely, more often retreating into himself with introspection rather than lashing out. Sometimes, the calmness with which he approached problems could throw her off.  At times, she'd much rather prefer him to yell at her and get angry then be done with it, rather than the drawn-out psychological therapy session their talks morphed into. 

The pair made their way to the front door and began walking wordlessly down the hallway.  Lin let his daughter lead the way, not surprised she decided to take the stairs rather than wait awkwardly in the elevator.  Lin said a polite hello to the doorman and they stepped out into the heart of Washington Heights, instinctively both knowing they were heading for Fort Tryon Park.  Neither spoke or needed to speak for the time being as their feet carried them to the familiar community spot.

Soon, they had found their way to the Anne Loftus Playground, where they often brought Seb and Stella to play.  It was almost dark and all of the children were no doubt tucked into bed or at least at home.  Lin and Lia leaned against a set of rails near the empty swings.  The fall breeze gently pushed them around as leaves scuttled around on the ground.

Lia felt the cool air in her nose and heard the sound of her neighborhood in the evening - traffic, radios blaring, some teenagers laughing and talking across the park.  Life continued on for everyone, just like it did for her, but why did it seem easier for everyone else?  Maybe she was being naive; she knew that as a teenager she didn't need to worry about bills, health insurance or raising kids, but in her own world this was by far the hardest and most stressful situation of her young life.  Her famous dad, overachieving mom, the breakup and all the pressure of school had formed a perfect storm of stress and she couldn't manage it anymore.  Not even when she took Ritalin.

Lin finally broke the silence as they both stared forward blankly.  "Mija, your family is worried about you," he began gently, pausing to let the words set in.  "Your mom and me, your grandparents - we see you struggling and we want to help you.  I'm sorry we didn't see how bad it was sooner, but..."

Tears stung at Lia's eyes, the guilt of hurting her family weighing freshly on her.  She was so selfish.  All she was worried about was herself and her own achievements.  Her parents and both sets of grandparents were the most loving people she knew.  They cared fiercely about their families and all she'd been doing was pushing them away.

"Now that we know," he continued, "You need to work with us.  No more pills to stay up to work, no more lying about pulling all-nighters.  And you need to see Dr. Sanders. Starting tomorrow morning."

Lia knew this all needed to stop but she was in so deep she didn't think she could.  She adored her parents, but she still didn't think they got it.  "Dad, you don't understand," her voice choked as she felt the frustration boil again. 

Lin turned so he was facing his daughter.  "Then explain it to me."

She let her head drop, already feeling exhausted and tongue-tied as the thought of trying to explain her feelings.  Lin had seen this before - how she wouldn't even try to explain her side because her mind couldn't comprehend her parents actually understanding.  He wasn't going to let her shirk explaining anymore.

"Emilia," he said more firmly.  "Explain.  Take a breath and find the words."

"You don't understand the pressure I'm under!" she almost snapped, finally looking at her father in the face.  Lia almost expected him to look offended, but his face was kind and patient, waiting for her to continue.  "You're a freaking legend and mom's a scientist lawyer genius.  I'll never get out of your shadows!  I can't study writing or theatre or movies or science or the law," she counted them off on her fingers, "because I'd never be my own person."

Lia pushed herself away from the railing and started pacing, her fists clenched.  Lin didn't interrupt her, sensing she was just getting started.  She needed to get this all out.

"I know you both went to Hunter but it's changed," she went on.  "We have to do coding for Christ's sake.  Everything is online in some portal and we're expected to be good at everything technology because we're Generation Z!  I can't just study for the SAT, I have to take prep courses and practice test on top of practice test all the while trying to keep up with five AP classes and trying to do extracurriculars! And the stupid freakin' ranking bs!  I'm just so...," she gestured helplessly, not able to find the right word.  "AAAGGGHHHH!!"

Lia kicked at the railing with the bottom of her foot in frustration.  Her heart was pounding but it felt good to get all this out.  When had life gotten so complicated?  And if she wasn't even an adult yet how was she going to handle all the responsibility of being grown up?  It seemed she was trying to climb a mountain she'd never be able to summit. 

Before she could stop them, tears started wracking her body as she finally let all the emotion take over her.  It was too hard.  It was all just too hard, and she needed it to stop.  A moment later, she felt her dad's arms close around her and she was wrapped up in his warm, reassuring embrace.

Lia let herself sob like she hadn't in a long time, her face buried in her dad's shoulder.  She didn't even care that they were in public. He didn't speak, just held her and let her cry as he rubbed at her back.

After several minutes of sobbing, Lia finally began to get a hold of herself.  She breathed in through her nose and out through her mouth like Dr. Sanders had taught her.  She realized she felt tired, but somehow more calm now.  Lia felt her dad gently pull back, then take her face in his hands.

"I'm so sorry you're having all these feelings, mija," he told her softly, wiping under her eyes with his thumbs.  "You have a lot of pressure on you; even more than other kids and I hate that you have to deal with all of this. Your mom and I are here to support you, but you need to let us help, okay?"

Lia sniffed and nodded in agreement, then Lin gave a small smile and kissed her forehead.

"I think we need to start by getting some things off your plate," he told her, squeezing her upper arms. "You're doing way too much."

At the suggestion of cutting back, Lin could feel her tense. "I can't-"

"You can," he corrected her, looking her in the eye. "Taking two or three things off your schedule won't ruin your chances at college."

"But MIT-"

"Nobody is saying you aren't going to get into MIT," he reminded her gently, taking one of her hands in his. Lin guided her towards the exit. "But there are plenty of great colleges you can go to and still get a fantastic education."

Lia sighed as they slowly walked along towards home. Her dad was right, but it still didn't make her want to go to MIT any less.

"Look at your mom. She studied, tried her best and got in. And if MIT realizes how lucky they would be to have you as a student, then you'll be admitted."

"And what if I'm not?" The words were barely audible, afraid to say hear fears out loud.

They stopped and Lin lifted his daughter's chin up, their brown eyes focused on one another, "Then it's their loss and we figure out your new plan," He said clear and without missing a beat, "We are team Emilia, all day, everyday. Your loudest supporters; that's never going to change."

Lia gave a slight shrug of her shoulders, never being a fan of unknowns. It went against every fiber of her type A personality.

"Hey," Lin stopped walking further as they were approaching their building, "You know no matter what you're going to blow us all away, right?"

No matter how much she wanted to fight against it, a smirk crept up on Lia's face as she wiped away the remaining tears on her cheeks, "This is so not the time for you to be quoting your own show,"

"I know," Lin held a dopey grin, "I've just really missed seeing that smile,"

Lin flashed her a wink as they headed up the stoop. Lia knew she wasn't going to figure all of her problems out in one night, but as her dad squeezed her hand she was reminded that she didn't have to figure it out alone.

——-
Lia sat in the uncomfortable chair, wrapping the ends of her sleeves around her hands tightly as the AC blew out from the vents. Her worn sweatshirt wasn't enough to keep the goosebumps on her arms at bay. She couldn't believe she let her family talk her into this.

When she had returned home from her walk with her dad Saturday night, she immediately went and found her mom to apologize. As a peace offering, she perked up her tone about going to the therapy sessions. Vanessa knew her daughter well enough to know it was partly an act, but she was thankful their daughter wouldn't have to be dragged kicking and screaming.

That morning, Lin took Lia out for breakfast and Vanessa stayed back at the apartment to veg out with the twins. Different from their conversation the previous night, breakfast consisted of mostly small talk about their upcoming trip to California and the plans they'd made. Lia still couldn't believe her dad was getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and how quickly everything was approaching. She made a mental note to text Hunter later that day a, "I know I OD'd but instead let's talk about what plans we're going to make to distract me from my shitshow of a life," text.

Her appointment with Dr. Sanders had gone over as expected. Lia did find the sessions useful and, after having gone to her therapist for nearly three years, she had a comfortable relationship with the therapist. She had said, more or less, the same things that her parents had been saying in terms of her needing to get to the root of anxiety. They had decided to up her sessions from biweekly to weekly for the foreseeable future.

The topic she wasn't as receptive towards was group therapy. Lia had always leaned more introverted and had never been one to have a lot of friends. She normally felt awkward with kids her own age, opting to just lay low with her family or a select few close friends. Talking through her most private thoughts and struggles with a group of teenage strangers? Lia could think of nearly 96,000 things she'd rather endure.

Regardless, that's where Lia found herself sitting for the second time that week, freezing to death. The rec center was in the Bronx, a stretch from her life in Washington Heights and certainly her time at Hunter. The first time she had attended had been right after her session with Dr. Sanders, who gave the support group a glowing recommendation. It was all that Lia had expected it to be: uncomfortable and awkward. It felt like Lia was trapped inside a TV show.

It was a group of about twelve teenagers who each had enough issues to get sent by their parents to the group for at least an hour per week. Lia was 'lucky' enough that due to the timing she was getting a dose of two in her first week. She had spent the entirety of the first session counting down the minutes until her mom was going to come pick her up as she half-listened to the different accounts. Some were dealing with heartbreak from the end of a relationship and others spent most of their days getting high. Nothing groundbreaking or criminal, but Lia couldn't relate either.

"Thank you for sharing, Thomas," Becca, the group leader, expressed with a smile, before turning her attention, "Em? Anything you want to speak about?"

It was nearing the end of the session and she was almost free. Lia, who had opted to go by the nickname she detested, shook her head. Although she had been told everything in the group was supposed to remain confidential; she wasn't that trusting. Her father's PR team had done an unbelievable job at keeping her OD out of the press. Most of the world hadn't seen her face too many times and only knew her by the names, 'Lia' or 'Emilia'. Maybe she was paranoid, but the last thing she needed was whatever she would or wouldn't say showing up as a headline for TMZ.

"Would you be willing to share at least a detail or two why you're here?" Becca prompted, as Lia felt all eyes on her.

Lia slid further back in her chair, sitting up straighter than her slumped posture. "I overdosed on Ritalin," She revealed with a heavy sigh.

It only took a few seconds after Lia spoke that the teenagers began snickering, leaving Lia even more uncomfortable than she had been when keeping her mouth shut.

"Wait, like ADHD meds?" A girl with curly blonde hair who had spent her portion talking about the betrayal of her ex-girlfriend moving to Chicago spoke up. "That's a thing?"

Lia couldn't help but laugh, along with a few others in the room, "I thought the same thing," She knew what she had done was stupid, but it was nice to talk about it in a more humorous tone. It felt a bit cathartic.

Thomas, who had just finished speaking, spoke up, "Do you even get high off of it?"

"I didn't," Lia shrugged her shoulders, "I only took it for me to stay up and get stuff done,"

"You go to one of those rich prep schools, don't you?" The voice of a guy with the greenest eyes Lia had ever seen chimed in from across the circle, a smirk plastered onto his face. It was the first time she had heard him speak.

Lia's eyes narrowed, slightly taken aback by the blunt accusation, "No I don't," she said pointedly and instinctively tucked her new Air Force 1's under the base of her chair. "But I'm in the middle of college admissions season and have had a lot on my plate,"

"The life and death decision between Harvard or Yale?" The guy with green eyes, who Lia couldn't recall his name from the beginning of the hour, said in a smug tone that, again, led to a chorus of laughter.

Lia pushed up the sleeves of her sweatshirt, suddenly feeling a rising temperature in the room, "Neither" She said dryly as the laughter began to die down, "But, yeah, my top choice is a prestigious school,"

"So why that school?"

"Excuse me?"

"You can't just be going through so much shit to get into a school without a reason," He said bluntly.

Lia felt her stomach twist into knots. She couldn't remember when she had last been asked that. As soon as anyone found out MIT was her mother's alma mater, they just assumed that was the reason. Having the question thrown at her felt almost validating; as if she wasn't crazy for having the dreams for herself that she did.

It wasn't until Becca spoke up that Lia was reminded there were more people in the room. "Alright," she initiated with a clap of her hands, "We're almost out of time for today, and we don't want to single anyone out. I appreciate you opening up Em," Becca gave her a genuine smile before she gave some closing remarks.

Lia couldn't get her focus back on anything other than the guy who was sporting a green track jacket and still holding a smug smile across his face. When they were dismissed for the afternoon, Lia quickly gathered her purse and phone and sped walked out of the rec center as she saw him already ten steps ahead of her.

"Hey!" Lia called out when she made it through the metal doors, "Hey, you!" She mentally screamed at herself when she thought about how ridiculous she looked. The looks of the New Yorkers on the street that were aimed at her made it clear she wasn't the only one who thought she was nuts. That included the guy whose attention she was trying to get.

She took the concrete steps two at a time as she made her way over to the snickering guy.

"Do you often make it a habit of yelling at strangers in the street?"

Lia shook her head, the fall breeze added to the flush of her face, "Do you make it a habit of giving the third degree to strangers in group therapy?"

He chuckled lightly, "Touché," he offered his hand out, "Justin,"

Lia shook his hand back and offered a small smile, "Em,"

"Short for?"

"Just Em," She leaned against the barbed fence railing, "So, are you going to answer my question?"

Justin stuffed his hands into his front pockets, "I've been going to the group for two months and everyone usually fits into a similar box: heartbreak, school suspension,  pissed off parents." He folded his arms across his chest, "You give off a different vibe, though,"

Lia tilted her head. She didn't know whether to take that as a compliment or an insult, "And what's your reason?"

She noticed he took his phone out of his pocket, quickly glancing at the time before returning it to its place, "Don't I have to leave you guessing with something?"

"For what?"

"To make sure you come back next week," He adjusted his backpack on his left shoulder, "I've gotta catch my bus though. See you around, Just Em," Justin offered a small wave before heading back in his original direction, leaving Lia clicking her tongue and at a loss for words. It had been a while since she was that intrigued by someone, especially a guy.

She heard the chime of her phone ring from her back pocket, the first text on her home screen was from her mother saying she had arrived. Limited alone time was also part of her new life; her parents hadn't grounded her, but she knew she had broken their trust and it would be a while before she got it back.

She turned on her heel and headed back in the direction of the center where her mother's SUV was parked. Lia gave one last glance behind her shoulder, Justin already blended in with the rest of the people in the city. Maybe group therapy wasn't such a horrible idea after all.