2:30~a.f.i

~11~

I grabbed my keys from Luke's office and call my receptionist on the way to my car.

It was a few seconds before she picked up the phone.

"Irwin Orthodontics, creating the best smiles in the state. How can I help you today?"

"Abby hey! It's Ashton. Can you text me McKenna Knight's address?"

"Oh yeah, sure Dr. Irwin. I'll text it to your work phone."

"Thank you, Abby."

I hung up the phone as soon as I got in my car.

This is so unprofessional, but McKenna has to get this done. She can't avoid this.

I started the directions to her house. Luckily she was only 10 minutes from Luke's office.

I've never showed up to a patient's doorstep before, I don't know how this is going to go.

As I pull up to McKenna's house, I saw one car parked in her driveway. Hopefully it's her's.

I parked next to the other car, seeing a high school parking decal in the rearview mirror. It's McKenna's car, well at least she's here.

I walk up to the front door and ring the doorbell. Maybe she's just asleep, she did have a long day yesterday.

I wait a few seconds before I ring the doorbell again.

Silence.

I begin to knock on the door.

By the fourth knock, I hear a quiet "Who is it?"

"It's Dr. Irwin."

I hear a lock click and the front door open slowly, revealing a very tired looking McKenna.

"And what do you think you're doing?" I asked her. She didn't even seem shocked to see me.

"I wish I was sleeping."

"Well if you came to your appointment, you would be sleeping right now."

She looks down at her feet. She was wearing fuzzy pink socks.

I look to my watch and see that it's 8:05. If we leave right now, we could make it there by 8:15 and she would be done by 9:00.

"Is there a reason why you didn't go to your appointment?"

"I don't feel good. I didn't sleep very well. My mouth hurts. I haven't been able to eat anything. I don't have the energy."

"We can help you. That's what we're trying to do. You just have to let us. Here, go get changed and put shoes on and I'll drive you."

"I really don't want to go."

"We'll I'm already here and I'm not leaving so." I said, leaning against the door frame.

She looked up at me with exhausted eyes.

"Fine."

She turned around and walked off down a hall.

She was gone for maybe five minutes before she made a reappearance wearing an oversized hoodie with leggings and converses.

I walked towards my car and opened the passenger door as she locked the front door.

I waited for her to get in and saw her softly smile at me before I closed her door and got in my car and drove back to Luke's office.

We would get there at around 8:22. She is definitely putting a damper on Luke's strict schedule. It's a good thing he set aside two hours for her appointment.

I looked over at her as she absentmindedly looked out the window before looking back towards the road.

"Why do you care so much?"

I abruptly looked at her, somewhat offended by her question.

She immediately seemed to realize what she asked.

"I'm sorry, I'm tired. I didn't mean that in a mean way. You just care so much for me and my well being. I don't get it."

"Well that's my job as a doctor, to sincerely care for my patients. Whether it's in your orthodontic treatment or dental procedures. That's why I love what I do. I love helping people and creating beautiful smiles."

That answer seemed to satisfy her enough. She nodded her head in understanding and looked back towards the window.

We arrived at Luke's office within a few minutes. McKenna didn't seem excited to do this, but she got out of my car. That was a start.

I held open the office door for her, seeing her slowly trudge past me.

She followed me through Luke's clinic to one of his back exam rooms, where he sat on a stool waiting for us.

"I didn't think you were ever going to come McKenna."

"Well I'm here now." She said as she entered the room, looking all around. Her eyes catching the covered needle tray.

"She's not really a morning person." I mumbled to Luke, seeing McKenna give me a glare as she sat in the dental chair.

"Well let's get started shall we."