She nodded. “Like not to talk to you at work? Or pretend we aren’t close, or—”
“Who has rules like that?” I knew who already.
She didn’t answer, just glanced out the window.
I brought her face back to me. “I told you my one and only rule this morning: don’t lie. That’s it. If you want to talk to me when I’m not busy, then talk to me. I’m not going to broadcast that we are…a couple, but if people find out, I really don’t care. I’m not Sebastian, and I would hate it if I were being compared to him in your mind.”
“You don’t compare me to Hannah?”
“I don’t think about her. I think about you, just you. That’s why I’m here. Can’t you tell? I grow more attracted to you with each passing second. Catch up.”
“How are you doing it?” she whispered, her eyes dropping to my lips. “Why am I all of a sudden thinking about you like this? We should be going slow, getting to know each other…”
“Maybe it’s because we’ve already been doing that for weeks,” I told her.
“I should still make you work for me, right?”
She is too close. “Fine. I get off at eight. Late dinner? I’ll cook.”
“It’s our first date, then,” she said, taking off her seatbelt as we arrived.
Opening the door for us, I took her hand to help her out and thanked the driver.
She glanced at our hands and smirked, but didn’t say anything.
Only when we were inside the blue and white building did we break apart.
“Let me know before you leave?” I asked.
She nodded, waving. “Looking forward to it, Dr. Davenport,” she replied, heading to the wall.
I watched as she grabbed her headphones from her backpack and placed them over her ears. She danced as she walked like she didn’t care who saw her, just kept bobbing her head.
“Is that the artist your mother brought in?” Dr. Seo asked, coming in on my right. As we watched, she took off her jacket and dropped it to the ground beside her, leaving her in just a tank top and jean shorts.
“Yes—”
“Interesting.” He tilted his head to the side, watching her. “Go ahead, mate. It looks like I need to go introduce myself.”
He stopped when I put my hand on his shoulder.
“What?”
“You can say hello to her, but if you try to go beyond that, you’ll regret it. Enjoy your day of facelifts and silicone breasts.” I turned, starting up the stairs.
Sadly, he followed me up two at a time. “She’s not even your type.”
“Female is my type, didn’t you know?” I replied, heading to the locker room.
He snickered, pulling his hair up into a ponytail. “I bet you I can get her to go on a date faster than your cruel, stiff self.”
“Really? How much are we talking about?” I lifted my shirt and pulled out my scrubs.
“The usual $5K, and this time the loser has to dye his hair.”
Idiot. “Fine. Shake on it.” I offered my hand.
When he took it, I said, “I think pink would look nice. How about you?”
“Fine, as long as you are willing to bleach that dark hair of yours.” He still didn’t get it. Pulling out my phone, I video-chatted her.
“Eli?” She stared, confused.
“I was just wondering, what should I make for our first date tonight?” I smiled as Dr. Seo's mouth opened and closed before he flipped me off.
“Anything is fine, I’m only allergic to—”
“Coffee, I remember. Sorry for bothering you.”
“No problem. Bye.” She laughed, hanging up.
“Sometimes man, I can’t believe I’m your friend,” he muttered.
I tied my laces. “I warned you if you tried to go any further you would regret it, didn’t I? Listening is what makes you a good doctor.” I patted his arm, heading to the door.
“One of these days I’m going to win against you. I’m donating the money to the children’s ward again?”
“At least someone will just think you are a remarkable guy,” I replied, walking out. When I did, I noticed Dr. Stretch, Dr. Four Eyes, and Dr. Bunhead were only then running up to me.
“You're late,” I said, glancing down at my watch.
“Only by two minutes!” Dr. Stretch raised his hand.
I glared at him.
“The pit?”
They sound so sad. It was nice. I didn’t answer, just nodded, heading to my first patient. That day I felt amazing.
Guinevere
Taking a step back, I stared at the wall in front of me. I had been at it for the last four hours and had only traced out the left corner. Stretching my arm and fingers, I kept stepping back.
“What is it?”
Turning around I saw no one, but I felt her move toward the wall. Placing my hand on her shoulder, I stopped her from kneeling down. Her head was covered with a small hospital cap with a bow on it. Her white skin was so pale it was eerie. She didn’t even really look alive.
She hugged her teddy bear to her chest.
She shouldn’t be walking. “Ms. Molly?”
“Hi Guinevere.”
“Molly, shouldn’t you be in your room or something—”