Kennedy Stabler stepped into Adrian’s office with a weary sigh, collapsing into a chair.
I'm tired, he said, rubbing his temples.
Adrian looked up from his desk, raising an eyebrow. My office is not a massage room. Go back to your office, he replied smiling.
Kennedy ignored the remark, grinning. We’re on lunch break. Aren’t you going to eat?
Adrian leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. Kennedy Stabler, I ate an hour ago, and all I want to do is go home. But you keep sending patients my way.
Well, they need your expertise, Kennedy shot back, unbothered. And considering you didn’t send them back, it means I was right.
Adrian sighed heavily. Is it too late to stop being friends with you?
Yes, Kennedy said, laughing.
The two had known each other since high school, their friendship a bond that had survived years of medical school, residency, and a brief falling out that lasted two years after high school. But they’d rekindled their friendship, and now, both were at the pinnacle of their careers. Adrian was the youngest and most skilled neurosurgeon in the country, his precision and brilliance unmatched. Kennedy, in turn, had earned the same distinction in the field of cardiac surgery. Their competitive natures had only fueled their successes, though it didn’t stop their playful bickering.
Just then, Adrian leaned forward, a serious look crossing his face. By the way, Kim’s back.
Kennedy’s expression immediately soured. Kim hates me.
I know, Adrian replied with a shrug.
Kennedy shook his head. Fuck you and your brother, I hate you.
Adrian chuckled, the tension breaking. Yeah, yeah. I’ve heard that before.
As Kennedy prepared to leave, the door opened, and Marina strolled in, her usual calm demeanor contrasting the energy in the room. She was the third part of their trio, a general surgeon with a specialization in trauma surgery. While Adrian and Kennedy focused on complex brain and heart surgeries, Marina thrived in the chaotic world of emergency medicine, often the first to tackle the life-threatening injuries that came her way.
Interrupting something? she asked, eyeing the two of them.
Nah, just Ken whining about how everyone hates him, Adrian said, smirking.
Marina chuckled. I can see that. She turned to Kennedy. He told you about Kim?
Yeah, he did. Can’t say I’m excited about it.
Don’t worry,Marina said with a wink. He’ll hate you slightly less this time around.
Kennedy rolled his eyes. Not helping and I still don't understand why he hates me.
And Chris is back too, why are both my haters back, Kennedy said.
Have care how you speak, Chris is my boyfriend, Marina said.
Boyfriend, you have been together for seven years, that's four years of college and three years of you to become a doctor, that's concerning, Ad got married a month after his graduation Kennedy said.
That's because he was engaged to his husband since freshman year, they had been holding it until he finished school, Marina said.
Something is lacking in you, or you'd be a wife by now, Kennedy said.
I hate you, Marina said.
Jeez, Ken, go easy on the girl, she needs still on the boyfriend stage Adrian said.
I hate you two, Marina said.
Sure you do, I'm actually happy to have them both home, I miss them, it was only yesterday they left college so they can play for the big leagues, Adrian said.
Me too, Marina said.
Let's go grab lunch, Kennedy said.
You guys go ahead, I have an operation, in thirty minutes, Adrian said standing up.
What operation, Ad, did Dr Melony give you his work again, you know you have to say no, Kennedy said.
It's not his work, and more operations means more experiences, we three are lucky we did our big ones during resident year and Dr Melony saw our potentials and we are now surgeons, Adrian said.
Dr Melony doesn't force you to do it, so you ask to do it Kennedy said.
Bingo, and this patient is Dr Freddy's, he is busy with another patient, so I'll operate, see you guys at seven o'clock, Adrian said going away.
I swear he thinks he's god, Marina said.
He is god, Kennedy said.
Speaking for your best friend huh, Marina said.
Yes ma'am, Kennedy said.
Are you okay though, Marina asked.
What, I'm okay Kennedy said.
Don't give me that bullshit, your best friend and the others may be delusional, but I know unrequited love when I see one, I've been there before. Ken, will you be okay, I've always seen you watching him during college, you were there at all his football games even though you acted like you hated it, you joined the same frat he was in under the guise of saying you want to be close to Adrian, Marina said.
You noticed, Kennedy said smiling sadly.
Adrian thinks you are into girls maybe that's why he hasn't noticed, Marina said.
I am into girls, he's the only boy I want. It sucks to be in love with someone who hates you, I try to be friendly with him and everything I do always seems to tick him off, this time around I'm going to stay away from him, Kennedy said.
Can you do it though, Marina asked.
I have to, please don't tell Ad, Kennedy said.
I won't, Marina said, she patted Kennedy and left. Kennedy left to his office.
