Riding with Desire

Chapter 2

Sophia

The whole week went by attending classes and figuring out stuff. By the end of the day, I am exhausted. While waiting for my mom to pick me up, I decided to walk to the cafeteria. I mean I can drive by myself but it's just tiring, or I just get an Uber. It's no big deal but mostly my mom drives me where I want to go. As I walked into the bustling cafeteria, the sounds of eating and talking filled the air. Suddenly, I heard someone calling my name. Turning towards the voice, I saw Mia waving at me, sitting with a bunch of people. She's calling me over to join them. I hesitated for a moment but then decided to go. It would be good for me to socialize and make some new friends.

"Hey, Sophia! Come sit with us," Mia called out cheerfully. "Guys, this is Sophia," she introduced me to the group. "Sophia, these are my friends." The group's a mix of seniors, some already working in hospitals and others in their house job period.

Wow, she really knows a lot of people, I thought to myself. Everyone introduced themselves to me, and I did the same. I took a seat beside Mia, feeling a bit more relaxed. As we settled in, Mia began ranting about life at the school. "You can't just stuff yourself with work," she said, her tone both serious and lighthearted. "We need to enjoy life. We have the right to live our lives just like anyone else. So what if we're doctors? We need to live to our fullest." I nodded, appreciating her perspective. Around the table, I noticed that everyone looked a bit tired, probably from their shifts and the demands of their studies. But there is also a spark in their eyes, a youthful fire that wanted to get wasted in every party they could get it.

"We were thinking of a night out," one of the guys said, excitement in his voice. "Just to blow off some steam."

There were nods and murmurs of agreement around the table. It seemed like everyone is eager for a break, and some fun. I felt a warm sense of belonging as I looked around at these new friends. It is comforting to know that even in such a demanding field, there is room for camaraderie and fun. I realized that this balance is crucial—not just for surviving medical school but for thriving in it, otherwise people will be so boring.

"So, Sophia," Mia said, turning to me with a smile, "are you in for a night out with us?"

I looked around the table, and everyone's eyes were on me. I felt a wave of nervousness wash over me. I mean, it's been only a week, and I can't just go anywhere with people I've just met. "Ah, I don't know... I'm kinda tired today. Tons of classes," I said, trying to sound casual, I mean that is true, I have load of shit to do.

The guy across the table leaned in, placing his hands on the surface, his posture radiating confidence. "Come on, it will be fun! Plus, I can assure you that this is your last chance to have fun before the mids come around. You won't be able to enjoy anything then," he said, his tone persuasive and warm. I did saw him before in my class, he had a strong, pronounced jawline and large, expressive eyes with a slightly deep-set appearance. He wore round, thin-framed glasses that added a touch of intellectual and vintage charm to his overall look. His fair to medium skin tone contrasted nicely with his dark hair and glasses. The layering of his sweater and collared shirt, along with tailored trousers, gave him a neat and put-together appearance while maintaining a relaxed feel. He looked exactly like the kind of hot doctor you'd embarrassingly encounter on a hospital bed during one of your most vulnerable moments.

As he leaned in closer, I felt a twist in my stomach. "Seriously, Sophia, it's just one night. We all need a break sometimes," he added, his voice softening. He's handsome I must agree, and he's making me nervous. Shit -

I hesitated, feeling the pressure but also the warmth of their welcome. Mia nudged me gently with her elbow, made some weird side eye, "He's right, you know. We all need to get wasted before mids starts. Plus, it's a great way to get to know everyone better.", she is right, I need to know new people around me.