The Other Us

Part 3: Truth, Dare, Shots!

Standing outside my biology building, I wait for Helen to arrive to take me to the café. I feel really bad. She's probably been running late all morning because of me. I don't know why I thought I could do this whole college thing. I don't know why I could be independent and not feel like crap. I'm capable of everything. But I'm so scared to fail. Is everyone that way? Helen certainly doesn't seem like it. She seems to know exactly what she wants and how to go about getting it. I can't keep depending on her to help me through everything. I'm not her responsibility. I can't be her burden all year. This is her senior year as it is. She doesn't need some freshman ruining it for her and her friends. Looking up, she's nowhere in sight, so I head back towards my dorm. Taking my phone out to text her quickly.

Max:

I'm not going to be able
to make it to the cafe.

Helen:

Why?

Max:

My mom  wanted to go to
lunch since she missed
dropping me off yesterday.

Helen:

Oh, okay.

I'll see you later I suppose.

Max:

Sorry.

Helen:

That's alright, have fun.

I put my phone away, and I'm back at my dorm already. Heading upstairs, I feel terrible for lying, but I can't keep depending on Sharpe. Getting in the elevator, I head up to my floor make my way to 301. Opening my door, I head to my room and lay down. I set an alarm clock for 2 o'clock because my next class will be at 2:45. I didn't intend on taking a nap, but my eyes slowly drift closed.

Sitting in room 112, I stare at a sonogram of a baby. There's a knock at the door and it's Helen.

"Dr. Sharpe..." She stands by the door and looks so radiant and beautiful.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"Oh, no...my sister was here- in this room along time ago. I just wanted to introduce her to someone." My heart twinges as I look up at her staring at me with the big dark doe eyes. "I didn't think you were coming back."

"Neither did I."

"Did you see the farmers market downstairs?"

"I did."

"Buy anything?" I ask her.

"Couldn't. They were all sold out." Smiling at her, I can't help, but imagine where this road with take me. Hopefully down the same path with her. "People are excited, Max. For the first time in ages, people are excited to be doctors again....and I want to be excited too."

"There's a lot of death here...it got to you. Didn't it?"

"Actually it's the exact opposite. I became immune: which is worse....but I'm hoping I can find my way back to being the doctor I want to be. I want to go along with you...but Max you need to slow down."