January 2 2021
Gabriel stormed into the residents' lounge like a storm cloud on a mission. His scrubs were rumpled, his tie askew, and his usual composure was gone. Simone looked up immediately, eyebrow raised. Parker, ever calm, straightened his notebook.
Simone - Well, someone woke up cranky
Simone said, smirking. Gabriel dropped into the chair across from them, fists clenching on the edge of the table.
Gabriel - I'm *done* with AJ.
Simone blinked- Done? Golden boy, you've been dreaming about Medusa for months. What happened? Did she finally turn you to stone?
Gabriel - No!
Gabriel snapped, voice sharp.
Gabriel - She's—she's disrespecting me. She—Camilla was talking to her, and I overheard it. She called me—pitying me!
Parker raised a brow.
Parker - Pitying you?
Gabriel - Yeah!
Gabriel slammed a hand onto the table.
Gabriel - I wasn't listening to the context, but I heard it. She said, 'don't pity him.' Can you believe that? She thinks I'm pathetic. AJ Brewster thinks I'm pathetic!
Simone blinked, then laughed—sharp and incredulous.
Simone - Oh wow. You really took that out of context.
Gabriel gaped at her.
Gabriel - It's not out of context! That's literally the only word I heard. Pity. As in—she feels sorry for me. For *me!*
Parker leaned back, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
Parker - Maybe you should calm down before you go storming into rounds like a volcano. You're letting your emotions dictate your perception.
Gabriel slammed his hands over his face.
Gabriel - No, you don't get it! Every time she looks at me, every time she talks to me, I feel like... like I'm beneath her! Like I'm just some weak intern she has to manage!
Simone leaned forward, smirk replaced with serious intensity.
Simone- Listen to me, golden boy. You're *not* pathetic. AJ doesn't pity anyone. You heard one snippet and blew it up in your head because you're too busy thinking about her lips and her... everything. That's not pity. That's your own insecurity screaming at you.
Gabriel shook his head violently.
Gabriel- I'm done feeling insecure around her. I'm done pretending I'm okay with her seeing me as some... some... joke!
Parker finally spoke, calm but firm.
Parker - Then do something about it. Don't stew in imagined pity. Focus on your patients. Prove to yourself why you belong here. Let your actions define you, not what you think she thinks.
Simone leaned back, smirking again, but softer this time.
Simone - And maybe, just maybe, try not to burn the hospital down while you're at it.
Gabriel groaned, burying his face in his hands again.
Gabriel - I'm doomed.
Simone and Parker exchanged a look — part exasperated, part amused, knowing full well he'd survive... somehow, but also knowing the slow-burn train had just hit full speed.
