Better

Chapter 2

"Alright, Lexie, I'm punching out" Emma called, pulling one earphone out, throwing the towel over her shoulder, resting the bucket of glasses on her hip. The platinum blonde rolled her eyes, placing her phone down on the table.

"Leaving so soon?" she asked, offering her fake smile. Emma sighed heavily, tucking the loose pieces of her pony tail behind her ear.

"Yeah, I actually have somewhere I have to be" Emma replied, placing the bucket in the sink, running the hot water over the dishes, wiping the sweat off her forehead. Lexie laughed, rolling her eyes.

"Oh yeah? Where?" she asked, clicking her bubblegum pink nails on the counter. Emma paused, resting her hands on her hips as she stared down at the boiling water, willing herself not to say something that would land her without a job.

"Its a volunteer thing. Anyway, Fletcher should be here anyway to take the next shift. So, yes I'm clocking out" Emma replied, turning off the sink, Lexie popping a bubble of her gum, Emma putting the other earphone back in. Emma sighed in relief as the tall, lanky red head, Fletcher, walked through the doors. "My savior" Emma smiled, throwing the towel onto the table.

"Lexie giving you hell already?" Fletcher whispered as he passed by her, pulling out a headphone, tying his apron around his waist. Emma laughed, widening her eyes.

"That's an understatement" she chuckled, throwing her apron back on the rack. "Thank you so much, I'll see you tomorrow, and try not to get too waisted at your gay club tonight" Emma squeezed his shoulder as she passed.

"Thanks mom" Fletcher smiled as Emma swiped her card in the time machine. Emma waved, offering a glare to Lexie before disappearing out the door. She jogged to her car, ignoring how she could see her breath in the cold air. She reached her car, hopping in the front seat, starting it up as she wrapped her earphones around her phone.

"Shit" she swore, spotting the time on the clock. I'm going to be late. She stepped on the gas, speeding out of the parking lot, towards the hospital. She drove a little faster then she should have, pulling into the parking spot at a crooked angle. She grabbed her phone, keys and ID, leaving her coat and bag behind as she locked the doors, jogging towards the building.

She pushed through the front door, the warm air surrounding her instantly. Her nose still tingled from the cold air, her hands numb. She gave a wave to Debra who sipped her coffee, offering a friendly wink in response. "Here you go" Emma smiled, showing the guard her ID before passing through the gates to the common room. Emma still hadn't decided if the security made her feel safer, or in more danger.

She stepped into the common room, looking around. A larger group watching a movie, a smaller group looking to be drawing pictures, all of them wearing pleasant expressions, which immediately ruled Dylan out. In a few moments she spotted his slumped shoulders, absent stare and wheel chair, in the same corner that he had been in yesterday. It was the corner in front of the large window.

She walked at a brisk face, finally arriving next to Dylan who looked as somber as ever. "Hey" she breathed, rubbing her hands over her jeans, trying to get some warmth in them. Dylan looked to her, his expression softening ever so slightly.

"Thought you might not be coming today" he replied shortly, Emma pulling up a chair next to him, collapsing in it.

"Yeah, sorry I'm late" she breathed, running her hand over her face as she collected herself. Dylan stared at her for a few moments, pursing his lips. "What?" she asked, a tired sigh escaping her.

"You look like hell" he replied bluntly, a small laugh escaping her.

"Please, don't sugar coat it" Emma chuckled, looking at herself in the reflection of the window. Her pony tail was barely still intact, clumps of hair hanging out around her face. She had grease stains across her forehead which must of come from the times she wiped her face with her sleeve. Her cheeks and nose were bright pink from the cold, her eyes heavy and tired.