December 22 2020
The resident's lounge smelled like burnt coffee and leftover Chinese takeout. Parker was sprawled across the couch with a notebook in his lap, and Simone was perched on the armrest, scrolling her phone when Gabriel slumped in, dropping into a chair with a dramatic sigh.
Parker - Rough night?
Parker asked without looking up.
Simone - That bad?
Simone teased, glancing over.
Simone - Or did Medusa corner you again?
Gabriel groaned, dragging his hands down his face.
Gabriel - Why does everyone in this hospital know my business?
Simone - Because you wear it on your face, golden boy
Simone shot back.
Simone - It's like watching a soap opera. You look at her like she's the last slice of cake on earth.
Gabriel - Simone—
Gabriel muttered.
Parker finally looked up from his notes, brows raised.
Parker - What happened?
Gabriel leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
Gabriel - She knows. AJ knows. She confronted me about... closure.
Simone's phone slipped a little in her hand.
Simone - Closure?
she repeated, eyes narrowing.
Simone - Please don't tell me you actually thought about kissing Medusa for closure.
Gabriel buried his face in his hands.
Gabriel- ...Maybe.
Simone nearly choked on her laugh.
Simone - Oh my God, you've lost your mind.
Parker winced, though his voice stayed calm.
Parker - That's... risky, man.
Gabriel looked up sharply.
Gabriel - I didn't do it! I just—told Camilla I *thought* about it, and of course she ran her mouth.
Simone smirked.
Simone - Camilla runs her mouth? Shocking.
Gabriel ignored her.
Gabriel- AJ overheard. She told me straight up that she knows I like her. That she's known the whole time. And that if I can't get over it, I don't belong in her program.
Silence fell for a beat.
Parker shut his notebook.
Parker - That's... brutal. But fair.
Simone whistled- Medusa strikes again. She didn't even have to turn you to stone — just shredded your heart with words.
Gabriel glared- Not helping.
Simone - Hey, I'm just saying
Simone said with a shrug.
Simone -You knew she was unattainable. Married. Kid. Literal department head. And yet here you are, pining like it's a YA romance.
Gabriel - It's not that simple!
Gabriel snapped, then lowered his voice.
Gabriel - I can't just turn it off. She's brilliant, she's... kind, she sees me in ways no one else does—
Simone groaned- Ugh. You're so far gone it's painful.
Parker gave him a steadier look.
Parker - Gabriel... maybe what you need isn't closure. Maybe you need distance. Focus on patients. Focus on Ana. Focus on something *other* than AJ Brewster, before you ruin your career.
Gabriel's chest tightened.
Gabriel - You think I don't know that?
Simone slid off the couch arm, standing.
Simone - You know it. You just don't want to hear it.
She pointed at him with her phone.
Simone - But take it from me, golden boy — crushes burn out. Heartache fades. Careers don't come back if you torch them.
Gabriel slumped deeper into his chair, silent.
Parker leaned forward, voice gentler.
Parker - We've got your back. Just... don't let this crush define you. You're better than that.
Simone smirked, nudging him on the way out.
Simone- And if you ever actually try to kiss Medusa? Text me first. I want front-row seats.
Gabriel groaned again, pressing a pillow over his face. He was doomed. Completely, hopelessly doomed.
