The Space Between Us | Chappell Roan

Chapter 3 - In Too Deep

Chapter 3: In Too Deep

- Play Crush Culture by Conan Gray and Wish you were Gay by Billie Eilish -

The late afternoon sun filtered in through the hospital windows, casting a warm glow over the room. Astra sat beside Chappell's bed, her hand lingering longer than necessary as she checked the pulse oximeter clipped to Chappell's finger. It was something she didn't have to do-she knew the machine's readings were accurate-but the feel of Chappell's skin beneath hers made it impossible to resist.

"You're good," Astra murmured, her voice low and focused.

Chappell tilted her head, watching her with a curious expression. "You're very... thorough," she said, her lips curving into a playful smirk.

Astra tried to ignore the way her stomach flipped at the teasing tone. She cleared her throat and gently placed Chappell's hand back on the bed. "Just doing my job," she replied, but even to her own ears, the words sounded weak.

Chappell's gaze lingered, making Astra feel as if she was standing under a spotlight. "Hmm." The hum wasn't accusatory-it was thoughtful, observant, as if Chappell was trying to piece together a puzzle.

"Something on your mind?" Astra asked, shifting in her seat.

"Yeah," Chappell said slowly, drumming her fingers lightly on the bed. "I'm trying to figure you out."

Astra's heart stumbled. She forced her professional mask back on, straightening her posture. "There's nothing to figure out," she said. "I'm just your doctor."

Chappell's grin widened. "Right. But you care a little too much, don't you?" Her voice was soft, like a secret between them.

Astra's breath caught. Pull away. Now. Every instinct told her to stand up, to walk out before she did something foolish. But instead, she stayed, frozen in place as Chappell leaned just a little closer, her blue eyes searching Astra's face for answers.

"Unless..." Chappell's gaze flicked to Astra's lips for the briefest moment, and something inside Astra shattered.

But just as the moment thickened, Astra blinked and pulled back-breaking the fragile thread between them. She stood abruptly, her hands fisting at her sides to keep them from reaching out again.

"Rest," Astra said quickly, the word more of a command than a suggestion. "You'll feel better in no time."

Chappell blinked, surprised at the sudden shift. The warmth in her expression cooled just a little, replaced by a flicker of doubt.

Astra turned away, walking toward the door with quick, purposeful steps. But before she could leave, Chappell's voice stopped her.

"Hey, Astra." She paused, her heart thudding in her chest, but she didn't turn around.

"Are you... straight?" Chappell's voice was tentative, like she didn't want the answer but couldn't stop herself from asking, a hint of a mischievous glint in her eye. Her heart was racing in her chest for some unknown reason, eagerly awaiting Astra's answer.

Astra's breath hitched. For a moment, she considered lying-saying yes, ending the conversation right there. It would be easier that way. Cleaner. But the truth burned on the tip of her tongue.

"I don't really... date," Astra finally said, her voice quiet but honest.

Chappell exhaled a short laugh, the sound laced with disbelief. "That's not really an answer, Doc."

Astra didn't respond. She couldn't.

The silence stretched, heavy with everything unsaid. And before Chappell could push any further, Astra slipped out of the room, closing the door behind her with a soft click.

Back in the hallway, Astra pressed her back against the wall, closing her eyes and exhaling slowly. Her pulse was racing, her hands shaking slightly from the effort it took to keep herself together. She knew she was in trouble. Big trouble. Because Chappell wasn't just another patient. She was Chappell-with her infectious laugh, disarming smile, and the kind of presence that made Astra want to throw every professional boundary out the window.

But it didn't matter. Nothing could happen between them. Nothing should happen.

And yet, the way Chappell had looked at her, like she was trying to read between the lines of Astra's carefully guarded demeanor, was enough to make Astra's heart ache.

Later that night, as Astra sat in her apartment with a glass of wine, her mind drifted back to the moment in the hospital room-the fleeting glance at her lips, the way Chappell's voice had softened when she asked that impossible question.

Are you straight?

Astra groaned, running a hand through her hair. It would be easier if Chappell thought she was. It would save them both from crossing lines that shouldn't even exist. But the truth? The truth was messier. Complicated.

Her phone buzzed on the coffee table, dragging her out of her thoughts. A message from the hospital-an update on Chappell's discharge paperwork. Astra stared at the screen for a moment before setting the phone down with a sigh.

She knew she needed to maintain distance. She had to.

But the more time she spent with Chappell, the harder it was to pretend she didn't feel anything at all.

The next morning, Astra returned to the hospital, determined to keep things strictly professional. But the moment she walked into Chappell's room, she knew it was going to be harder than she thought.

Chappell was sitting cross-legged on the bed, scrolling through her phone, her hair a mess of red curls falling over her shoulders. She looked up when Astra entered, and a slow, lazy grin spread across her face.

"Morning, Doc," Chappell said, her voice still laced with sleep.

Astra's heart skipped. She clenched her jaw, forcing her mask back into place.

"Morning," Astra replied, keeping her tone cool and detached. "Let's get this over with so you can get some rest."

Chappell raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "You always this eager to get rid of me?"

Astra busied herself with the clipboard, ignoring the question. But Chappell wasn't done.

"You know," Chappell said, her voice softening, "you're not as unreadable as you think you are."

Astra froze, her hands tightening around the clipboard.

"You're good at hiding," Chappell continued, "but not from me."

Astra's pulse thundered in her ears, but she kept her gaze on the clipboard, refusing to meet Chappell's eyes.

"Let's finish your check-up," Astra said, her voice carefully neutral.

Chappell didn't push further, but the tension between them was palpable-thick and heavy, with too many unspoken words hanging in the air.

And Astra knew, with a sinking feeling, that no matter how hard she tried to maintain distance, she was already in too deep.

I hope you guys liked this chapter! A bit of a longer one this timee :3 Also what would you guys think of a potential playlist for this story hehe 👀👀 I'd love to hear any thoughts/comments you all have ! Until thenn <3