𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄, 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐘'𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐌𝐘

𝑻𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒆

──── ⑅*❀*⑅ ────

━━━Althea had always prided herself on staying positive, no matter how low she felt. It was her thing—her way of handling the bad when the world seemed determined to throw more at her. And right now? It was one of those moments.

The hospital merger had everyone in a foul mood. Being forced to merge with a rival hospital was the last thing anyone from Mercy West or Seattle Grace wanted to deal with. But here they were. Althea stepped into the sprawling Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital and couldn't help but feel a wave of awe wash over her. The building from the outside was impressive, but the inside? It was like stepping into a whole new world—so different from the utilitarian look of Mercy West.

She was jolted from her thoughts as an arm slid around her shoulder.

"Thea?" The familiar voice of Jackson Avery pulled her back into the present.

"Jack, hey." Althea greeted him, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips despite the tension in the air. She tugged Jackson further into the hospital, feeling the weight of the orange scrubs they were forced to wear, and muttered, "It's like we're the cute little guppies, and they're the hungry sharks."

"Come on, Thea, don't be so pessimistic. It doesn't look good on you," Charlie said from behind them.

"I know, but seriously. Do you not see these Scrubs? They want us to stand out just so we can get glared at," Althea shot back, her voice laced with a mix of annoyance and humor.

April and Reed nodded in agreement while Jackson and Charlie rolled their eyes, amused by her dramatic reaction. "Alright, let's go to the Attending lounge," Jackson suggested, his arm casually draped around her shoulder as they walked toward their destination. The lounge was full of Mercy West and Seattle Grace staff, their rivalry still palpable despite the forced merger.

Althea watched as people claimed their cubbies, but when Reed went to put her things in one, a woman's voice stopped her.

"Oh, hey. You can't put that in there."Reed and April exchanged confused glances.

"They told us to grab a cubby."

"I know, but we keep it empty for a reason," the woman explained, her voice starting to show signs of irritation. "Can you just take your stuff out? There are other empty ones."

The tension in the room began to build, and Althea, sensing an impending confrontation, stepped in before Reed could snap back.

"I don't think so," Reed said, visibly annoyed.

"How about this, Reed," Althea said, her tone calm but firm. "Why don't you share with April?"

"Why?" Reed shot back, her eyebrows raised in confusion.

"Because I asked," Althea replied simply, her gaze unwavering. "And maybe she wants to keep that cubby empty for a reason."

Reed hesitated, meeting Althea's unwavering gaze, then finally sighed and agreed.

Turning to the woman, Althea offered a warm smile. "Sorry about that, I'm Althea James. What's your name?"

"Izzie," the woman responded, though her expression remained distant. Before she could say anything more, a man appeared behind her, glaring at Althea as he pulled Izzie away.

Reed, who'd been watching the scene unfold, grabbed Althea's arm. "Why'd you do that?"

"To piss you off," Althea teased, giving her a mischievous grin. "I'll catch up with you guys later. I gotta find my Resident lounge."

With that, she turned and walked out, leaving Reed, April, and Charlie behind, who could only shake their heads in amusement.

As Althea navigated the halls of Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital, she couldn't help but feel a little lost. She was an attending—one of the highest positions in the hospital—but still felt like a fish out of water. She was supposed to be shadowing Dr. Bailey, but she had no idea where to find her.

After a few moments of aimless wandering, Althea decided to ask for help. She approached the nearest person in blue scrubs and tapped their shoulder.

"Excuse me, I'm looking for Dr. Bailey. Do you know where I can find her?"

The person turned around, and Althea felt a lump form in her throat. The woman was stunning.

"You're looking for Dr. Bailey?" she asked, her voice warm and friendly.

"Yeah, I'm Althea, Althea James."

"Lexie Grey, nice to meet you," the woman said with a smile.

"Follow me, I'll show you where she is."As they walked down the hallway, Althea noticed that Lexie was about the same height as her—if not an inch taller. "Are you an intern or a resident?" Lexie asked.

"Resident," Althea answered with a casual shrug. "But I was told to shadow Dr. Bailey to get a feel for the hospital."

"Really? You're so young!" Lexie exclaimed, her surprise evident.

"Eidetic memory," Althea replied, offering a small grin.

"Cool," Lexie said, her eyes lighting up. "I have a photographic memory."

Althea raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "How old are you?"

"22," Lexie answered, glancing over at her. "You?"

"23," Althea replied.The two shared a brief silence, the only sound being the shuffle of their footsteps as they continued their walk. Finally, Lexie pointed to a door. "She's right there."

Althea gave Lexie a grateful smile. "Thanks, Lexie. Maybe we can have lunch sometime?"

Lexie's face brightened immediately, her voice a little too eager. "Yeah, definitely!"

The awkward smile and wave they exchanged lingered in Althea's mind as she turned and walked towards Dr. Bailey, ready to face whatever challenge awaited her next in the chaotic hospital.

Meanwhile, Lexie couldn't help but smile to herself, excited at the prospect of a new friendship.

──── ⑅*❀*⑅ ────𝒜𝓊𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓇𝓈 𝓃𝑜𝓉𝑒

First new-old chapter! I haven't changed much. I still need to edit it a little more, but that will be at a later date.

Share your thoughts.

───── ❝ Dɪsᴄʟᴀɪᴍᴇʀ❞ ─────

I do not own Grey's anatomy. Or, anything related to the show or its plots. I own my OC, her plot line, and any additional characters I add to the show.