Hurters and Healers

4

I went back to my apartment after my shift ready to shower then crawl into bed. Instead, I found a notebook on my bed with a list made in Alex's handwriting. I showered quickly then went up to Alex's apartment to talk to him about whatever the list was for.

"You better not be doing anything that could hurt your hand more," I said when I walked in on him working out and doing stuff that could definitely hurt his hand.

"What makes you think I would ever do something like that?" he asked.

"Well, you wrote out a list for me so I assume you're using your hand a lot."

"I expected you to take a little longer to pack."

"Pack for what?" I asked.

"You didn't figure it out?" he asked like it was supposed to be obvious.

"I'm supposed to be able to figure out what a list you left on my bed means?"

"Did you look at it?"

"No," I said a bit embarrassed. Reading the list is the most obvious thing to do and I hadn't done it yet.

"Read the list and see if you can figure it out. I'm going to go shower."

I looked down and started reading.

- 3 shirts

- 3 pants

- 3 pairs of socks

- 3 pairs of pajamas

- However much soap you use

- Snacks

"Well, there isn't much on here for me to go off of," I shouted to him through his bathroom door.

"Well, it's pretty obvious that I'm taking you somewhere that you need to pack for," He was still fully clothed so he came out of the bathroom to talk to me.

"But I have daily shifts in the infirmary," I protested.

"Don't worry, my mom worked everything out. The infirmary is in good hands."

"But what if Gracie needs me at some point."

"She'll be fine. Everything's all planned out and I probably forgot something on that list so just pack what you need to go away for 3 days," he reassured me.

"Why did you plan this?"

"Don't worry about why, just go get packed. Come back up here when you're ready."

"Fine, but if something happens while I'm not here I'm blaming you."

"I'm fine with that. Come find me when you're ready to go," he said one last time before he went back into the bathroom.

I went back to my apartment to get ready for Alex's secret get away. I didn't know where we were going so I didn't really know what to pack, but it isn't like I had many options. I had a weekly supply of undergarments, shirts, pants, and a few of Alex's old sweatshirts that he had grown out of. I grabbed enough clothes for three days and went to my bathroom for soap. I went around my apartment thinking of anything else I would need then went up to Alex's apartment.

The journey to Alex's apartment is a bit annoying. I have to go to the other side of the floor to get to the elevator or stairs, go up a few floors, then walk across his floor to get to his apartment.