Healed to Love

3

I do try and dodge him every day since that day. Unless it's absolutely necessary, meaning Chandler would kill me if I didn't, I refrain from going into his room. I even skip the entire hall completely. Whenever I did go in though, he'd meet my gaze once before looking away. I'm pretty sure he even feigned slumber a few times, but it didn't matter. It shouldn't have, but it hurt nonetheless.

It was Wednesday afternoon and he'd be discharged in the morning.

"Dr. Chandler, I think I'm going to call a sick day tomorrow. I'm haven't been feeling well for the past few days."

"What's wrong?"

"It's probably nothing, but I'm going to stay home tomorrow just in case." A look of suspicion crosses her face but she doesn't question.

"You know this means that I expect you here bright and early Friday."

I nod my head, knowing her price since the get go. The day goes on without having to go into his room once, and by the time we get ready to leave, Stephens comes up to me.

"Hey." He bumps me on the shoulder with a smile.

"Hi."

"I was wondering if you'd want to go get a drink?"

I raise my eyebrow in question.

"I mean if you're up for it and all. I just don't think we left that conversation at a good place a few days ago."

The discourse a few days ago is reminded. "I'm not feeling so swell, so rain check?" I ask after a bit.

"Yeah, sure." He offers me a small smile and we separate ways.

"You, I'm starting to think you may not be that all into guys." A voice perks up from beside me.

"What are you doing out here? You're not supposed to be up and walking by yourself."

"I'm getting discharged tomorrow; I better be able to be up and walking, doctor." A feeling of hurt comes upon me when he doesn't call me by name.

"So I heard. Do try to be careful." With that, I walk away from him.

~~~

"Tell me again why you called a sick day tomorrow?" Serena asks in disbelief.

"He's being discharged."

"Yes, by you." She reminds me how I'm stuck with him until discharge.

"No... You're going to discharge him for me."

"Why?"

"Because, I'll be here, sick."

"Arielle, what are you not telling me?"

I look away from her demanding gaze. "You've fallen for him again, haven't you? The so called high school crush is back."

I continue looking in the opposite direction. "Did I tell you that Matt invited me out for a drink?" I desperately try to change the direction of the conversation.

"I'm going to guess you said no because you still have feelings for him."

"Rena- "

"No, do not Rena me! Why didn't you tell me? I mean I'm your person. You call me to drag a dead body across the floor. You call me if you want to assassinate the Prime Minister. You fucking call me to tell me you've fallen for your patient!"