The Space Between Us | Chappell Roan

Chapter 2 - Between the Lines

Astra had never been this distracted at work before. Normally, she could compartmentalize everything—her personal life, her feelings, her patients. But today, it was as if her usual sense of control had unraveled.

Because today, Chappell Roan was back.

It had been a few days since the incident at the hospital. Astra hadn't expected to see Chappell again, not so soon anyway. Celebrities were used to fast-paced lives, moving from one city to another. But when she walked into the room during her rounds, there she was—sitting upright in bed, phone in hand, a small smile already tugging at her lips when she saw Astra.

"You again," Chappell teased. "Did you miss me that much?"

Astra's heart gave a traitorous flutter, but she forced her expression to remain neutral. She couldn't let herself get swept up in Chappell's easy charm, no matter how much her pulse quickened. She was a doctor, here to do a job, not to... not to— Ugh Chappell Roan was going to be the death of her. 

"I thought you were discharged?" Astra asked, her voice calm but clipped. She approached the bed with careful, measured steps, keeping a professional distance between them.

"Technically, yes," Chappell replied, "but my team was concerned after the show last night. I've been feeling a little dizzy again, and they insisted I come back for a check-up." She gave a shrug, her nonchalance undercut by the flicker of something vulnerable in her eyes.

Astra focused on the charts in her hands, though her mind was elsewhere. It wasn't just dizziness. Chappell had pushed herself too far again—pushed until her body couldn't keep up.

Astra glanced up from the charts. "You need to take better care of yourself," she said softly, her voice carrying an edge of concern she couldn't quite hide. "Your body can only handle so much before it breaks down."

Chappell's gaze lingered on Astra, and for a moment, the playful mask slipped from her face. "Yeah, I've been hearing that a lot lately," she said, a note of weariness in her voice. "But it's hard to slow down when there's so much at stake."

Astra nodded, understanding all too well. The pressure to perform, to meet expectations, could be suffocating. But that didn't mean she could afford to let her feelings cloud her judgment.

She reached out to take Chappell's wrist, checking her pulse with a light touch. The contact was brief, clinical. But something in the air between them shifted—small, subtle, like the gentle tug of a current pulling them closer.

Chappell's pulse was steady, but Astra's own heartbeat quickened, a rush of warmth surging through her at the sensation of Chappell's skin beneath her fingers. It was nothing—just a routine check-up—but it felt like everything.

"Am I dying, Doc?" Chappell asked, her voice breaking the silence. She flashed a grin, though her eyes stayed on Astra, searching for something just beneath the surface.

Astra dropped her hand, stepping back. "You're not dying. But you need to slow down. I mean it."

"Why do I feel like you're scolding me?" Chappell teased, though there was a softness in her voice, a trace of something deeper than banter.

"Maybe because you're not listening," Astra shot back, her tone firmer than she intended. She immediately regretted it—regretted letting her emotions creep in again.

Chappell raised an eyebrow, looking genuinely amused now. "You're cute when you're angry."

Astra's face heated. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus. Professional. Stay professional. But the problem was, with Chappell here—looking at her like that—professionalism felt like a mask that was slipping more and more each second. Before Astra could respond, there was a knock at the door. The interruption felt like a lifeline.

Chappell's manager, a burly man named Charles poked his head in, looking concerned. "Hey, Chappell, you okay?"

Chappell's playful grin slipped away as she turned toward Charles. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little overworked. Nothing serious."

Charles' gaze flicked to Astra, lingering for a beat too long. "You're the doctor, right? The one from before?"

Astra nodded, straightening her posture. "Yes, I'm Dr. Evans. I've been monitoring Chappell's condition since she first came in."

Charles studied her for a moment, his brow furrowing as if piecing something together. Then, with a small smile, he turned back to Chappell. "You better take care of yourself. We still need you for the next show."

Chappell gave a mock salute. "Yes, sir. Doctor's orders."

But Astra noticed something in Charles' gaze—a flicker of awareness, like he was picking up on the shift in energy between Astra and Chappell. He glanced between them one more time, his lips curling into a knowing smile before he slipped out of the room.

As soon as the door closed, the room felt smaller, quieter, with just the two of them again.

Chappell sighed, sinking back against the pillows. "Charles' always worried. But I'm fine. I swear."

Astra hesitated, unsure whether to push further. She could feel Chappell's eyes on her, the intensity of the gaze unsettling in a way that made her heart race.

"So..." Chappell began, her voice dropping into a more serious tone. "Do you always stay this... professional, or is it just me?"

Astra's breath caught in her throat. She looked down, trying to hide the flush creeping up her neck. "I'm always professional."

Chappell chuckled softly. "Right. Sure. Just curious."

The silence stretched, thick with unspoken words and stolen glances. Astra could feel the pull between them, the undeniable tension growing stronger with each second that passed. But she couldn't—wouldn't—let herself cross that line. Her hands clenched slightly at her sides, a reminder to herself that no matter what she felt, she had to stay in control. The last thing she needed was to get swept up in something that couldn't happen. Something that wasn't meant to happen.

"I should go," Astra said finally, her voice low but steady. "You need rest. And I have other rounds to make."

Chappell's eyes narrowed, like she was about to protest, but she didn't. Instead, she smiled—soft, almost resigned. "Alright, Doc. Don't be a stranger."

Astra nodded, turning on her heel and heading for the door. But as her hand touched the handle, she paused, glancing over her shoulder one last time.

Chappell was still watching her, her gaze warm and lingering, and for a moment, Astra's resolve wavered. But she forced herself to turn away, walking out of the room before she did something she couldn't take back.

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- Chappellroanie