Shooting Stars

CHAPTER 63

The Seattle Grace Mercy West hospital cafeteria was buzzing with the energy of residents, attendings, and staff as the annual resident mixer took place. A cacophony of voices filled the air as everyone gathered together for a night of food, drinks, and camaraderie. The fifth-year residents stood at the center of it all—on the precipice of something monumental. This was their final year before fellowship applications, and the pressure to make decisions about their futures loomed large.

Aria Grey stood at the front of the room, Chief Resident and fifth-year, watching her fellow residents mingle. There was a certain weight on her shoulders as she looked around—this wasn't just a celebratory gathering. This was a moment of transition. The fifth years would be stepping into leadership roles, taking charge of surgeries, and solidifying which specialties they wanted to pursue in their fellowships.

But, at the moment, no one seemed to be paying attention. The noise in the room was almost deafening as people chatted over one another, blissfully unaware of the speech she was about to give.

Aria took a breath, her eyes scanning the room for a second, before she walked to the center, near the podium that had been set up for the night. Her hands clenched briefly at her sides, not out of nervousness, but out of resolve.

She tried to speak up. "Excuse me, everyone—"

No response. The crowd carried on as if she hadn't spoken at all.

She paused, letting the silence stretch for a moment. They'd done this before—the same thing happened every year, people not paying attention to the resident giving the speech. But this time, it felt different. This time, she wasn't about to let it slide.

"HEY!" Aria's voice rang out across the room, sharp and commanding. The chatter immediately stopped. Conversations halted mid-sentence as every head in the room turned toward her.

A satisfied smile tugged at the corner of her lips. It wasn't hard to command attention when you knew how to do it.

"Thank you," she said, her voice a little quieter now but still firm. "We're at the point where everything's about to change. This isn't just another breakfast of small talk and networking. We're in our fifth year. This is where we start to step up and take charge. This is where we start making decisions that will affect our futures, our careers, and the patients we care for."

She paused, her gaze moving from one resident to another, her eyes steady. "It's not just about being the best surgeon. It's about finding the specialty that speaks to us. It's about leading in the operating room and taking responsibility for the patients that trust us with their lives. We've been learning the ropes, and now we're the ones doing the cutting, making the calls. We lead the surgeries. We guide the interns and the juniors. We're the ones others look to."

Aria shifted her stance, her gaze flicking briefly to Alex, who stood by the back with a drink of coffee in hand. She gave him a small nod, before continuing.

"I'm not going to stand up here and tell you what you already know. But I will say this: In the next year, we'll decide where we want to go next. We'll choose our paths, apply for fellowships, and specialize in the field that challenges us the most." She let that hang for a second, the weight of it sinking into the crowd.

"Whether it's trauma, pediatrics, cardiology, or surgery, it's up to us to own it. We are in charge now, and it's time to prove we've earned the title of 'surgeon.' Not just by being able to perform, but by showing leadership and responsibility. We have to be ready for what's coming—and what's coming is a lot."

Aria took another breath, the silence in the room palpable. She could see the looks in her fellow residents' eyes, some nervous, some excited, but all paying attention now.