Dare to Hope

Chapter 1

Lyrical Feels: What is Love? by Twice               I Could Write a Book by Harry Connick Jr.

I was just finishing up my lunch when my phone vibrated.

SAM: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

I swear although Sam and I have been best friends since forever, she still has no idea of my work schedule.

ME: WORK ;(

SAM: OH YEAH I FORGOT LOL

ME: IS EVERYTHING OK?

SAM: YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Something was definitely going on because Sam only uses excessive exclamations points when she's really excited about something. Like the time we found out our favorite book was being made into a movie. She and I practically spent the entire day fangirling. I found my friend soulmate in her because we are eerily alike.

ME: SUUUURRRREEEEE?!?! LOL

SAM: WHATEVES LOSER LOL I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU. CAN WE MEET AT OUR USUAL SPOT AFTER YOU GET OFF?

Our usual spot is our local frozen yogurt shop where we pretend to be in our favorite TV show ever FRIENDS and talk about our problems. Weird but true. At first it started out as a joke between us but then it just slowly morphed into something permanent AND the yogurt is really good.

ME: OK, SEE YOU LATER WIERDO

I still had about twenty minutes till lunch break was over. So I pulled out my current book obsession and started to read. I didn't realize how lost I was into my book until someone snatched it out of my hands. My first instinct was to kick anyone who dares interrupt me, especially during a good part. The main characters were going to finally kiss for goodness sake. However, I slowly calmed myself and looked up at the culprit.

"I was talking to you Ellena." The unwelcome intruder said. If looks could kill, I'm pretty sure he would be dead right now. He was inspecting my book curiously.

"I can't believe people buy actual books still. Haven't you heard of a Kindle?" He said mockingly.

For the past two years I have been working as a CNA at a private hospital called Winston Memorial. So far it's been great. There are days that I feel like jumping off a cliff but nothing serious to complain about. All the doctors and nurses are actually nice. Our working environment is relatively peaceful. Except when I'm forced to work with morons like Derick Wade. Granted he's not a total idiot or else how else would he have become an LPN and I don't completely loathe him. Sometimes he's even agreeable but today is not one of those days. Worst of all, today I have been assigned to work with him and he treats me like his personal slave.

"Please give me my book back Derick." Was my replied to his question. He ignored me by flipping thru the pages. He glanced up and I was meet with hazel eyes.

"IF I give it back, what will you give me in return?" I wanted to wipe that smug face off him but instead all I heard was a loud smack and grunt.

"Ouch! What the heck-" He complained while rubbing the back of his head.

We both looked up at the person standing next to Derick.

William Knight was looking at him with a scowl.

"Stop messing with Ellena and get back to work Derick. I told you to tell her I needed her assistant with a patient." He said in a deep voice while taking my book from Dericks hand and giving it back to me.

Quickly I put it away.

"I was about to tell her that man." Derick said angrily. "Just because were cousins doesn't mean you can hit me whenever you want Will."

As they continue arguing I looked at both of them. I still can't believe they were cousins. Even though some girls would prefer dark blonde haired guys I leaned more towards dark curls with blue eyes. Not that I was looking at Will that way. I've known him for a long time, since he is my best friends brother. We rarely talk to each other except when we are here at work and the occasional time I'm at Sam's house and he happens to be there. It's actually thanks to him I got this job.  Working as a CNA is ok money but working at Winstone Memorial I make a little more. Not that I will be rich anytime soon but its better.

"Come Ellena, I need you to help me with Mrs. Walker." I didn't realize I was gawking at him and for some reason I felt my checks warm. Quickly I recovered and followed him out.

"Thanks again for helping me." Will told me as we walked out of her room.

"It's no problem. That's what I'm here for." With that he just nodded as we went our separate ways. That's Will for you. A man of few words who for some reason made me feel like I had something in my stomach. Or maybe it's my lunch not digesting properly. Either way it's better to ignore it.

The rest of the afternoon passed by uneventful. I clocked out and drove to meet Sam.

I was just about to take my first spoonful of frozen yogurt when I spotted her. Sam had a huge grin on her face as she walked towards the back of the shop where we usually occupy every time we come in.

"Today's awesome flavor of the day is coconut lime." I told her as she sat down. "I think you will like it."

"Ella, you will never guess what happened?" By the looks of it, she's ready to leap out of her seat with excitement.

With a chuckle I said "Calm down Sam before you have a heart attack." She just kept looking at me with the same expression she walked in. Clearly nothing is going to ruin her big announcement.

"Ella, it happened! Code blue happened!!"