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The white walls of the physical therapy waiting room seemed to press in on Blake, amplifying the nervous jitters coursing through her veins. Each tick of the clock felt like a hammer blow, and the lights overhead cast a harsh glare on the tremor in her healthy leg—a nervous habit she couldn't seem to control. The dull ache in her injured leg was a constant reminder of the battle ahead, a battle she wasn't sure she was strong enough to fight.
Alex sat beside her, a silent pillar of support. His presence, even without words, was a lifeline. He noticed the tremor in her leg, his eyes filled with understanding. He reached out, his touch light but reassuring as he gently put his hand on her leg, stopping the bouncing.
"You'll be fine, Blake," he assured, but even he could detect the hint of doubt that lingered in his own voice. This was uncharted territory for both of them.
Blake offered a weak smile, her lips barely moving. "Yeah, I know," she mumbled, the words lacking conviction.
They were interrupted by a doctor coming up to them. She came straight up to them since they were the only ones in the waiting room. "Blake?" she greeted, holding a clipboard in hand. "Hey, I'll take you in. My name's Adrienne. And I'll be—" She was cut off by Blake wheeled herself past her, wanting to get this appointment over with. "Okay. Uh, are you coming?" She asked Alex when he made no effort to give up.
"Oh, no. She's all yours."
▼▲▼
A knot of apprehension tightened in Blake's stomach as Adrienne wheeled her down the hallway. "Where's Rachel?" Blake asked. Adrienne wasn't the name she was given when she was told the name of her doctor.
"She's out today," replied Adrienne. "I'll be putting you through the paces."
"Aren't you a little young to be a physical therapist?" Blake couldn't help but ask, a flicker of double sparking in her chest.
