Against The Odds: Guarded

31

MAYA POV

As the day came to a close and I was finally able to take a breath from all of the reading, underlining, highlighting and note taking, I found myself alone with Dr. Koch once again. He was sitting at his desk with leaning his head on his hand and squinting his eyes to read by dimly lit floor lamp that barely illuminated more than the butt of a lightning bug. As he read instead of a scowl on his face there was a look of concentration and if I’m not mistaken, mirth? He’s rereading the grizzly details of the murder committed by his case study and this makes him happy? I turned on the ceiling light so that he could read without straining his eyes, seeing as the natural light from outside has disappeared and he turned around to look at me as if the new lighting distracted him from the zone that he was in. This is the first time that he has seemed human since I’ve met him.

“Maya, you were so quiet for once I didn’t even notice that you were still here. What time is it?”

“Almost Nine.”

“Hm, you can go for the rest of the night I don’t need you.”

He continued to read and smile slightly to himself as he read over the notes he had taken from talking to the girl before he spoke aloud to himself again.

“This girl has a whole list of problems...the fact that she wasn’t in a lock down psych ward is the real mystery here I think. She’s a complete nutter.” I cleared my throat to gain Dr. Koch’s attention again before I spoke. I have to put in my request for time off for Anne’s wedding, and since he seems oddly happy, right now is the best time to ask.

“Maya, I said you could go back to the hotel I have nothing else for you to do today.”

“Actually I was wondering if I could have the weekend of October eighteenth off.” I mentioned it timidly, and looked around the room waiting for a response. Dr. Koch looked at me like I had two heads on my shoulders in addition to the one I already have.

“You came into work almost an hour late yesterday, you barely pay attention to detail or study for the tests I give you, and you were texting today. Yes I noticed. Why should I give you time off? Let alone an entire weekend?”

It was my turn to look at him as if he had three heads. How did he know I was texting? He barely noticed that I was here today, yet he knew that I was on my phone. It’s as if he has eyes in the back of his skull.

“I was invited to a wedding. It’s important that I go.” Dr. Koch frowned his face and then scoffed.

“Is it not important for you to be at work? Apparently not.”

I almost rolled my eyes and gave a smart rebuttal but my focus side saved my ass and reminded me that he’s my boss. I bit the inside of my cheeks so that nothing out of line would come out of my mouth and then pleaded with him. I should have known that this wasn’t going to be easy.

“Please Dr. Koch? I’ll do double the work to catch up on what I miss, but this is really important. Please?” I cringed thinking about how much I would have to do and how I would have to probably get notes from Peyton, but Lucas needs me at this wedding and I can tell. I’ll do whatever I need to so that I can be there for him during what I’m sure will be a rough day.

Dr. Koch’s eyes softened momentarily and I almost dropped my mouth open in shock. The look wasn’t there long before he went back to being his normal arrogant asshole self.

“You’d better know everything there is to know on this case inside and out that next Monday when you get back. Nod if you understand.”

I nodded my head silently not saying a word and trying to fight the smile on my face, when I realized that he was telling me yes...I think he finds smiling offensive.