The dreaded pounding on the door wrenched Pierce out of her dreams. The dreams probably weren’t that significant in any way though, as she forgot them instantly. She snuck a peek at the pulsating numbers on her clock.
“What the heck, Indigo?” she moaned. “It’s barely five in the morning.”
The pounding ceased for a moment. “Are you up?”
“Now I am.”
“Hurry and get dressed. Dr. Spencer and Dr. Claries want to meet with you.”
“At this God forsaken hour?” Pierce threw off her white comforters and landed on the hardwood floor.
“Dr. Spencer has an all-day meeting to attend, but wanted a chance to talk to you first.”
“Fine, I’m coming.” Pierce threw a disgusted look around her room. The white was too artificial, too stiff for her taste.
She blasted on a cold-water shower and stepped underneath it. The water droplets pounded against the fiberglass, creating small pinging sounds heard clearly by her enhanced hearing. She inhaled the lemon shampoo, the citric smell penetrating her nostrils. The icy water chilled her skin, making goosebumps run down her arms. Yep, I’m awake now, she thought, shivering beneath the jet of water.
She toweled dry and threw on some sweats, but deemed them too casual for a meeting. Pierce rummaged through her wardrobe and picked out a navy blue blazer, black skirt and flats to complete the outfit.
“Ten minute’s up,” said Indigo.
He opened the door as Pierce twisted her hair into a loose bun. Indigo raked his eyes over her and said, “Let’s move it.” His voice sounded reserved.
He waited until Pierce was a few feet in front of him before walking, allowing her to lead the way. She noticed he kept within grabbing distance of her; it appeared as though he was taking Dr. Claries’ words seriously.
Pierce’s face twisted into a grimace at the thought of Dr. Claries. The woman didn’t seem cruel or evil to Pierce, but she wasn’t exactly friendly either. Something about Dr. Claries threw Pierce off, though she wasn’t sure what.
“Conference room?” Pierce asked. “Is that where we’re meeting?”
“Yes,” Indigo replied in a clipped tone.
“Somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed today.”
He didn’t humor her with an answer.
Fine, let him be like that, Pierce thought. It’s not my problem if he’s in a bad mood.
“Good morning,” said Dr. Spencer.
He surprised Pierce by greeting her with an affectionate half hug. After a second of hesitation, Pierce returned his embrace. She peeked beneath Dr. Spencer’s arms and saw Dr. Claries observing them with unmasked distaste.
“I hope I didn’t wake you up too early,” said Dr. Spencer.
“No, not at all,” said Pierce.
She heard Indigo mumbled under his breath, “Ha, I could’ve sworn she asked why I had to wake her up at this God forsaken hour.”
Pierce bit back a grin. So, Indigo hasn’t completely lost his sense of humor.
