Outer space | klance au |

14: puke girl

Lance looked up at the hospital. He knew he would eventually have to walk in but couldn't bring himself to. In five minutes he needed to be ready for morning rounds but the sinking feeling prevented him from moving. He could ask to transfer to another hospital but it would mean more walking distance and more than likely his teacher wouldn't let him.

Lance bit his lip as his nerves seemed to eat him alive. He wanted to call Keith again but he knew he couldn't. The young male stood up straight and fixed his lab coat, he would at least walk into the hospital with dignity. That was what he did. He made it all the way to the elevator without anyone saying anything to him and more importantly, he had dodged Shiro.

He stepped into the elevator and held the door for the incoming people. Lance was a nice person. His impending doom and humiliation still plagued him so he shoved his hands in his pockets to hide his shaking. His fingers found his pen and he gripped it with all his might. He got to his floor no problem.

Romelle found him first. "The day hasn't even started and I've been called puke girl thirteen times!" She sounded exasperated as she threw her hands in the air. "I'm praying to god it doesn't stick. I do not want to be known as puke girl for the rest of my life." For some reason despite the situation–or despite himself–Lance laughed. He wasn't sure why but it felt good to laugh.

"I'm sure it won't. I know for a fact it'll fade soon. You're far too pretty to be known as puke girl." He wiped under his eyes and they walked together to their patient's room.

"Are you alright?" The blonde woman asked quietly. It was blunt and he didn't expect the question so he had to think for a minute. Romelle took his slight pause as a sign of hesitation. "I mean with everything that's happened," she clarified quickly. Her blue eyes couldn't quite meet his own and Lance felt himself sigh.

"I'm not going to lie to you and tell you that I'm fine," he glanced up at the ceiling. "I will be fine though. Eventually. With a little time and a little space I think I won't be so blue." Lance smiled and finally glanced at her. "It's life. Heartbreak and rejection are part of it and I'm pretty much used to it." He cracked a grin and she suddenly enveloped him in an embrace.

"That's exactly how you have to think about it!" Romelle exclaimed as Lance hugged her back. He was embarrassed and caught off guard by her sudden affection. "It sucks now but it will suck less in the future I promise." She squeezed him.

Lance was still flushed as a few nurses walked past them in the hallway. "Romelle you can let go now." A nervous sort of laugh bubbled past his lips. She squeezed him one last time before finally letting go.

"We got rounds to do," she said suddenly. "Can't be late." She teased and they were off. They walked into their first room and Lance made a point to talk to the young daughter of their patient as Romelle waited for Dr. Kaltenecker.

He stepped into the room and both young doctors' posture straightened. "Good morning sir." They said together and glanced at one another.

"I wouldn't say it's good but it's definitely morning." Neither laughed. They both glanced at one another as if silent questioning whether or not they should laugh. They decided against it. "Well let's get started." He motioned toward the patient and Lance quickly went through the motions. He caught on fast.

"Simple terms please. You're also explaining it to her daughter." The older doctor motioned to the young eight year old girl. She looked up from where she sat on her mother's bed. Romelle rocked on the heels of her feet and without missing a beat explained the complex brain surgery that would be taking place in a way the girl would understand. Lance admired her a lot in that moment. "Thank you Dr. Pollux." Kaltenecker compliment and waved a small farewell to his patient before leaving. The two soon to be doctors breathed a sigh of relief when he was gone.