Mia's Open Heart (Choices Open Heart AU)

Chapter 21: Sanctuary

Over the course of the next week, Edenbrook went through the odd week that it goes through every year. Residents were allotted less patients and responsibilities, and given time to study. Mia spent most of that time with her friends, and would spend the time at home studying while putting up tons of christmas decorations. Their apartment was covered in tinsel and decorations, and she even convinced him to put up a Christmas tree, the two of them decorating it all together (with the occasional help from Jenner). As much as he wanted to deny it, he loved it, and especially loved the warm and wide smile it brought upon her face.

The night before the day of the test, they had a study party at the apartment with the friends that lived there, along with Ethan and Mia, Tobias, Harper, and Baz and Alex.

The residents all slaved away to their notes, while their other friends helped them study, sharing knowledge from their own experiencing taking the boards (or similar situations for Alex). After hours of strudying, Aurora and Jackie got up and frustratingly stomped over to the kitchen to grab a snack, Elijah put his head against the back of his wheelchair, and Sienna and Mia laid down on the ground.

"What if we fail?" Mia asked.

"You won't fail." Baz said.

"But what if we do?" Elijah asked.

"We're going to get separated, work at different places, our careers ruined." Sienna said. "I'll give you guys a 30% discount at McDonald's when I work there."

"Woah, I expect this from the rest of you, but not Sienna." Ethan said.

"You guys will be fine." Harper said. "We all went through these exams, and we made it. You guys are prepared, almost crossing the line to overprepared."

"How about this, tomorrow, after the test, we'll all go on a night out on the town." Tobias said.

"Ooh yeah, Baz has been telling me about your guys' famous nights out." Alex said.

"Actually that's a good idea, we haven't had a good one in a while." Baz said. "So?" They took a look at the residents, who just looked blankly at them in looks of exhaustion and anxiety. 

"Okay, you guys will enjoy it tomorrow." Tobias said. 

The next day, Mia awoke bright and early, getting ready to go to the hospital for the board. Ethan didn't have work that day so she tried to be quiet as she got ready, but she was so jittery that it was no help. He awoke and walked into the bathroom, seeing her brush her hair as she looked down at her pages of notes for some last minute studying. She was wearing a gray turtleneck with black jeans and a simple silver necklace. Ethan came behind her and hugged her, resting his chin on her shoulder as he looked at her through the mirror with a warm smile.

"How are you feeling?" Ethan asked her.

"Nervous, scared, afraid." she said. "It's just, the world seems to always have something to throw against me, and I just really need to pass." 

"I know." he said, remembering back when he was in the same position. He had just fought with Harper and Tobias, and their otherwise close trio became struggled. He was nervous about the board, but it was like nothing was happening, at least, in comparison to Mia. She was overly caring and cautious, and meticulous and nervous over the smallest of things. So opposite to the way he was, but yet opposites attract.

"I am excited for the night out after though." she said. "I got a new dress that would be perfect for it, and a night with the friends is always the best." 

"You party animal." he said, shaking his head as he kissed her shoulder. 

"Okay, go back to sleep. We made a plan to meet a little early at the hospital for a good luck coffee run before we go in." Mia said, turning around and kissing Ethan. "Have fun, and have a good day with Jenner. You guys deserve a little guys day together."