Rays of November

Chapter 1: Nova

The framed picture reflects an image of my messy hair. I tuck a muddy coloured, unruly strand behind my ear, and fix my ponytail. I arrive early and so breathe a sigh of relief when the chairman finally gives the introductory speech. He's nervous, I pick up, though he doesn't look it at all. The 30-something year old man congratulates us for picking such a noble profession and drones on about how lucky we are to have such inspirational people come and talk to us. I knew I wouldn't enjoy the event at all, but I had to give it a go. It may help me some time in the near future.

After the speech, the five guests introduce themselves, while I study the picture hanging on the wall next to me.
"I'm Dr. Palmer, and I specialise in thoracic surgery..." the first guest starts by saying, but I'm more interested in the vibrant shock of violet across the pale lilac background of the image. What is it supposed to mean? The artist had felt a sense of turmoil cutting through her mellow life. A beautiful mix of joy and despair. The emotions come off strongly, hitting me in the gut. What happened to her, I wonder? It's times like these I wish my gifts could give me more of an insight.

"...thanks for having me." a guest concluded.
"Hey, I'm Xavier Benedict. I'm studying medicine and am also working right here at Whittington Hospital for a little while." says the last speaker. He is young, and not to mention good looking, with a strong American accent. "Xavier Benedict" suited him; he's calm, cool and collected, with a beautiful warmth radiating from him. He's in love. His eyes mostly stayed around the front of the audience. She's here, with him.

Before long, the conference ends and I find myself caught up in the lazy crowd to get out. Xavier. I see him leaving and try to call out after him to ask him about the theory he was discussing. "Dr. Benedict?" I try calling out but he's oblivious to my calls, my voice drowned out and left behind, unheard. "Dr. Benedict?!" I try again. Frustrated, I try to shuffle (unsuccessfully) around people, earning myself some nasty glares, but this is important. A final time I call out "Dr. Benedict?!" in a much louder voice. He turns and sees my misplaced looking hand in the air, waving feverishly. I guess it's true what they say: third time lucky. "Dr. Benedict could you wait up, please?" He beams at me and steps to the side of the crowd patiently.

"Call me Xav." He says upon my arrival. "No need to be so formal, it doesn't really sit well with me, all this formality." He laughs a beautiful sound, reassuring and so full of kindness. A pretty lady with a mass of curly hair is with him, wearing a ring on her finger. Married. They suited each other well; both tall and elegant, his green eyes bringing out the warmth in her hair.

"I just wanted to ask about the theory. It seems really interesting, what made you think of it?"
The lady lets out an exasperated sigh. "I don't want to hear this Xav, I'll be in the car."
Dr. Benedict lets out a short laugh and rolls his eyes at her. "She's a fashion designer, not a doctor, by the way."
"Hey! I hear you, you know!" She pushes his arm, pretending to be offended. She finds this hilarious and it's these small, seemingly insignificant moments that makes their bond so tight.
"There's a whole load of background. I could email it to you, if that's alright?"
"Of course it's not alright!" Jokes his wife before wandering off.
"Yes please, that'd be great. Thank you." I tried to act nonchalant but wow, getting this guys email? We're practically married! Okay no, I don't want to break his relationship with the love of his life, they seem really cute together. Not that I can anyway.

I smile. "My email address is 'novamorse999@gmail.com."
He grins. "Is that some sort of secret plea for help?"
"Um, what?"

"Nova? I let you come here for education, not flirtation." Aaron. Anger and jealousy. It radiates off him in waves of wild aggression. Uh-oh. 
"Oh, h-hey Aaron," I attempt to act confidently, to reassure him, but he sees through my facade.
"You said you came here to learn yet I find you talking to a random bloke! Seriously? How low can you get?" His face contorts with fury, his brown eyes turning black. Red flashes in front of me and I know things will only get worse. "What is wrong with you?!" He's close to shouting now and my smile quickly fades.
"Excuse me?" intervenes Xavier, behaving professional, "Is everything okay here?"
Lifting my shoulders, I stand up straight. "Of course, Dr. Benedict, everything is just fine." I send him a tight smile. I will face this alone.
"You sure? And please, call me -"
I harshly interrupt him before he finishes his sentence, "Pleasure meeting you, but we really ought to get going now. Bye."
A flash of confusion passes over his face before he quickly recovers and holds his hand out to Aaron, "Hi, pleasure to meet you. I'm Xav."
Aaron blankly stares into his eyes for a few seconds before Xavier drops his hand, feeling the rejection.
"He's my boyfriend." I quickly interject, trying to relieve the atmosphere of some of its tension.
Aaron nods slightly before pulling me away and my hearts tugs in pain and embarrassment as I glance back to a lone Xavier, standing there, staring back at me, his eyes burning, penetrating into me.