DINNER & DIATRIBES. . . JACKSON AVERY!

chapter eleven: the time warp

"I can't believe Derek brought lecture day back," Briar sighs, leaning against Alex's shoulder as they watch Derek set up the podium.

"Do you think they'll notice if I fall asleep?" Alex asks, making Briar grin.

"They will when I shove you out of your seat. Come on, if I have to stay awake, you have to stay awake. It's in our best friend pact."

"I hate that I ever met you."

"Right back atcha. Oh, look, Derek's starting. Oh wow, he's really smiley today."

"Good morning!" Derek greets them all from his spot behind the podium, smiling widely as he looks around the room. There are jumbled greetings back, some chirpier than others. "Good morning. I'm excited. Are you excited?"

Alex yawns into his hand, making Briar do the same thing a moment later. She punches him in the shoulder in annoyance.

"This is a, uh, teaching hospital." Derek announces, as if they weren't all aware of that. "We learn a lot by doing. We can also learn–we should also learn–from other people's experiences. Their losses will save you losses. Their mistakes will save you mistakes. Their victories will inspire yours."

Has anyone working here ever actually experienced victory?

"Let's play close attention." Derek adds. "This is gonna be good. Dr. Miranda Bailey." He starts clapping, and Briar quickly joins in. She can't help the way she instantly sits up, not wanting Dr. Bailey to call her out for slouching.

"Good morning, everyone." Bailey greets as she takes the stage. She gets more enthusiastic greetings, no one wanting to face her wrath if there's silence. A second later, she throws something into the audience, Briar laughing as Cristina gets smacked in the forehead with it.

"Ow!" She yelps, looking up from whatever she's preoccupied with.

"Morning, Dr. Yang." Dr. Bailey smirks, making the whole room laugh. "If I have to stand here, you have to listen."

"Sounds familiar." Alex mumbles, getting punched by Briar again.

"Eyes forward. Answer a question right, you get a chocolate."

Well, Briar is awake now.

"Doze off, you get beaned in the face. Ask Dr. Yang: My aim is exceptional. 2003. . . I'm three days into my intern year. . ."

✦

"Can we get chocolate for staying awake?" Briar asks Alex while Callie sets up for her presentation. Fuck, she wants chocolate so badly now. She would do absolutely anything for one piece of it.

"You on your period?" Alex asks, knowing how her cravings work by now. She only ever really wants chocolate when she's on her period: otherwise, she's a salty snack lover. Briar hums and nods, shifting slightly.

Not only is she experiencing menstrual cramps, but she broke a few toes when the crib fell on her at Mark's. She got yelled at for it by both attending's, Callie especially mad that she kept broken bones a secret from an orthopedic surgeon. In Briar's defense, what was she supposed to say: hey Mark, I'm sorry your kid dipped with your unborn grandson, but I broke my foot while taking apart his crib. Mind scheduling your breakdown for later on? Not a chance. She lasted a good few hours before the pain got to her.

Callie, of course, did a good job taking care of it. Since none of them wanted to go back to the hospital over broken toes, she used cotton balls between Briar's toes and taped them together. She's going to be okay in 2 to 4 weeks, but until then, she's riding it out.