𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓

𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙏𝙚𝙣

𝑱𝑼𝑵𝑬 20𝑻𝑯
7:15 𝑨𝑴
𝑵𝑰𝑪𝑶 𝑭.
𝑺𝑻. 𝑱𝑨𝑴𝑬𝑺 𝑷𝑺𝒀𝑪𝑯𝑰𝑨𝑻𝑹𝑰𝑪 𝑯𝑶𝑺𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑨𝑳

I finished charting in the nurses station. Day shift has arrived and taken over, but we had an overnight admit that I still had charting to finish for. I had half of a large red bull left for the drive home, but somehow I still felt the urge to push saline into my eyes.

Nothing crazy happened during the shift, it just felt extremely long. Nobody wanted to sleep, a new admit, and the new resident doctors don't know their head from their fucking ass.

On top of that, the apartment had been too quiet. Occasionally, Daniel would swing past after my stretches to drink and game with me, but he wouldn't stay. We're busy, and didn't have time to crash at each others places like we did fresh out of college.

But that wasn't the reason I haven't slept. Val hasn't come to work in three days, which wouldn't be out of the ordinary if she wasn't on the schedule, but called out for two out of those three days.

I submitted my charts and grabbed my book bag, heading home for the day so I could get what little sleep I had. When I got in the car, the check engine lights flashed, and I swear I could body slam a blue whale into a building.

So, instead of getting sleep for the rest of the morning like I had planned, I spent it at the mechanics, getting my engine checked.

"Alright man, she's good. Do you get it checked regularly?" The mechanic asked me, tapping on the computer so he could charge me.

"I try." I shrug, pulling out my credit card and swiping it.

He tried to make small talk, but I kept my answers short and to the point. By the time I got home, it was already past noon, and I would've passed out on the couch if I didn't need a shower.

I know she would've hated it, but with Val out of the apartment, I finally got to use one of her fluffy towels. She always told me not to use them cause I'd get my man scent on them, but I didn't understand that if I'm getting out of the shower.

"I gotta buy myself some of these, these are luxury." I say as I wrap the towel around my lower half. I brushed my teeth and threw some sweats on before I got comfortable in bed.

I turned on Annihilation, it was some sci-fi horror movie I think. It wasn't really my type of movie, but the trailer looked good when I watched it.

I heard the front door open and close, and I hopped out of bed, either getting ready to fight or die. I don't know why those were my only two options, cause I could easily just hide.

Nope, I'm not going out like a pussy, common sense or not. I open my bedroom door and see a defeated Val, dropping her book bag by the front door and taking her shoes off.

"Hi." She spoke quietly, disappearing into her room and shutting the door.

"Hey." I raise a brow, but I didn't question it. Once again, we weren't on the best terms so I didn't want to start another fight.

Mostly because I still haven't gone to sleep yet. I went back in my room, but this time I left the door cracked.

I heard her shuffling around in her room before I finally went to sleep. When I woke up again, the sun was setting, and half of my comforter was falling off the bed onto the floor. My sweatpants leg was rolled up to my knee, and my mouth was dry as all hell.

"Good nap." I nod, scratching my head and going to the kitchen. I saw Val sitting in the living room, watching some old movie that was poorly drawn in my opinion.

I opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water, finishing it off in a few large gulps. Val was silent, but I felt her gaze on my back, damn near burning a hole.

"Surprised you're still here." I say, throwing the bottle in the recycling. Save the planet, guys.

"Mm. I wanted space, so I came home. I still pay rent here, you know." She shrugged, pulling the cover up to her shoulders.

"It's not a bad thing. Just surprising." I raise my hands, and she raises her brows for a quick second before letting them fall.

There was silence again. That same uncomfortable silence where you feel like you should say something but don't have anything to say. I pulled a pair of fudge pop out of the freezer and went over to the couch, handing her one.

She looked at it and me suspiciously, but slowly took it anyway. "Thanks, Nico." She gave me a smile, opening it and going back to her movie.

I nod and go back to my room, leaving her alone. She was home, and I didn't wanna push it by asking why. If she was still here tomorrow, then I'd ask.

At least she was home.