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Aurora woke up slowly, face-down, stretching her legs, cupping her toes over the end of the bed. Her head was lying flat, on white sheets. She was facing left, the breeze from her open window setting across her face, making it easier for her wake up. But at the same time going to the hospital was the last thing she wanted to do.
She spread her right arm out feeling the empty space in her bed. Her heart sank. Jackson was supposed to be filling that empty space. He had made her share the same bed with someone. He had made her let someone in that empty space. Only for him to decide that it should be kept empty. She felt a type of void, even if their fight was only just the previous night. She just wanted him to be there, cuddling too tightly.
But she still got up. She still got dressed. And did everything she did before she was with Jackson. Because if the whole hospital was against their relationship, she had to get used to not do everything with him, every morning and every night.
Aurora arrived at the hospital and quickly got dressed putting her white coat on. The chief had asked them all to gather at the lobby to announce something to them. She already knew, but she had to be there anyway and relive the whole heartache all over again. As she was heading to the stairs where everyone was already gathered, she bumped on someone at the corner.
Jackson.
"Ari," he whispered and placed his hand on her elbow steadying her.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Dr Avery, I didn't see you there." Even a person who didn't know her at all, could realise how fake the smile on her face was. And for someone like her to have a fake smile on her face, it only meant that she was really pissed.
"I'm really sorry for last night" he started after making sure that no one was looking at them, as everyone was too busy chatting as they were waiting for Chief Hunt to come. "That conversation didn't go as planned. I don't want us to break up."
"Just play hide and seek? Do you know how ridiculous that is? Do you have any idea how you made me feel last night? You didn't even try to find a way. You just told me to take a step back from our relationship. So I'm taking a step back, away from you." She took a step away looking him in the eye before continuing her way.
She walked to where the rest of the residents were standing and watched as the board members took their place close to Chief Hunt who was at the top of the stairs. Jackson was only looking at her the whole time Hunt was talking. And the only reason she knew that was because she was looking right back at him. Even thought it only made her feel pain.
"Thank you for coming. I know you're all busy, so this won't take long." Owen cleared his throat before he started speaking. "The board had just approved a new non-fraternisation policy. This hospital has to be a safe work environment where our focus remains clearly on providing the best patient care possible. Moving forward, all relationships with co-workers will be discouraged. And all relationships between superiors and subordinates is strictly prohibited. You will all receive a copy of the new rules. Your supervisors will arrange meetings to go over the details. And that's it. Let's get back to work."
