Dr. Cashby [✔]

Chapter Two: Normal is For Stupid People

"Did Jaron ever apologize?" I asked James. James glanced up and took a bite of his pizza. 

"Yeah. Tried to kiss me too." James laughed, rolling his eyes. I laughed too, taking a bite of my sub. "How's your new Double Duty?" I rolled my eyes and glared at Tino who was playing with his phone, ignoring me. 

"He's in denial." I muttered. "Real bad shape." 

Dr. Mullins and Dr. Flint smirked at me in unison. Dr. McDougall smiled gently at me. 

"It's okay, Austin. You'll break through. You did for Shay-"

"Did you catch the game last night?" Dr. McKinnon asked, changing the subject, saving me. I fell silent as my colleagues talked of sports. 

A knock came on the door and we all looked up, some mid-sentence. 

"Dr. Cassells, Danny's asking for you." Sam Bettley, Danny's nurse, said. James stood up, wiping his hands on his pants, wrapping up his lunch. 

"That's my cue." He chuckled, walking off with Sam. I sighed loudly and turned to my friends, Jeremy, Jenna, Matty, Tino, Dan, and Alex (Dr. Gaskarth).

"I'm gunna go check on my DD." I smiled at the joke of the Double Duty's that we liked to make. I wrapped my sub up and stretched slightly. 

"He has a visitor." Jeremy warned. I rolled my eyes. 

"Where? Sun Room?" 

"No. His room." Jeremy admitted. "But Oli's nurse is there too," 

Somehow I was slightly comforted that Rian was there with Alan and this stranger, but I should have been the one to say if Alan was suitable for visitors. 

I mumbled random incoherent words and stepped out of the staff room. I checked the charts on the wall and followed the directions to where Alan's room was. He was roommates with Oli Sykes and Josh Franceschi. 

Oliver and Joshua got along really nicely and were practically begging for a new friend, and Alan seemed like he needed friends. 

As I got closer, I heard laughter and voices. Knocking on the door,  I let myself in. 

"That's my doctor." Alan said bitterly, his eyes glaring at me. I assessed the situation. Josh and Oli were, of course, sitting next to each other. Rian was leaning against the wall, away from Oli (poor guy was nervous around Oli still every since Oli punched him in the face from a stupid disagreement), and Alan was sitting next to a stranger (on my part). 

The stranger smiled and stood, a hand outstretched to me. 

"I'm Phil." He told me, shaking my hand. "Alan's old roommate."

"Dr. Carlile." I said, nodding to him. Alan snorted. 

"His name is Austin. Don't let his title of 'Doctor' fool you." Alan snapped, burying his head in his pillow. 

"He's my doctor too!" Josh cheered. Oli frowned. 

"Dr. Gaskarth is mine." 

Josh smiled and nudged Oli softly. 

"I think Dr. Gaskarth is a better fit for you." Josh assured him, making Oli brighten. As I let Josh smother Oli in compliments, I turned to Phil. 

"How long have you known Alan?" I asked, leaning against the door. 

Phil shrugged. "Four, five years?" 

Alan nodded. "Five." He confirmed. I grinned as Phil sneered at Alan. 

"And for those five years, was he always so-" I paused for effect. "Difficult?"

"Hey!" Snapped Alan as Oli, Josh, Rian, and Phil laughed. "You can't say that about your patients. In fact, you're my therapist! Not my nurse!" Alan stomped his foot making me smirk. "Get me that Andy kid. He's hot."