The Dental Student

S e t e n t a y s e i s

I wake up fairly early this morning.

Willow was still asleep and I just laid next to her and thought about everything that happened.

Why did my hand shake when I first took Willow's gauze out, but not when I got back from the hospital.

Was I not concentrating, is that what happened.

Was it my fault, was it just a first time thing.

I'm so confused and I don't know why my hand was shaking, or how I could've developed a tremor.

I better be okay for Wednesday, or else I'll be screwed.

Wednesday decides my whole entire future, and I cannot be a failure.

A few hours later, Willow finally woke up. I was just studying while she was asleep anyways.

"Good morning, cutie." I said as her bright eyes looked into mine.

"Is your hand okay?" She asked muffled, her cheeks were fairly swollen and lobster red. She looked like an adorable little chipmunk.

"My hand is perfect. Nothing to worry about." I responded back before I gave her a light kiss.

"So, half the day we're studying and the other half we're watching movies. Which one do you want to start with first?" I asked her as she seemed deep in thought.

"Ferris Bueller's Day Off."

Movies, it is.

She is the queen of procrastination.

The whole entire day we ended up just watching movies and eating ice cream and soup. We didn't do any studying, whoops....

But by the time we decided to go to sleep, we both agreed that tomorrow would be spent studying and preparing for Willow's and I appointments that would determine our future.

—————

Willow woke up before I did and had multiple textbooks thrown across her side of the bed.

"We have less than 24 hours before our whole life is determined. And I can't be the failure of the Samuels." She explained when she noticed I was curiously judging all of her textbooks and notes that took up my space.

She was currently looking through her notes on stitching of cavities and other dental procedures.

Alright. So stitches, that's familiar.

"Open."

Willow looked at me literally shocked.

"What? Why?"

"You're studying stitches and I need to look at yours so open." I tried to convince her, showing that there was actually a purpose to this.

"I already looked at them this morning. They're fine. They're not infected."

"Willow." I looked at her, knowing that she needed to follow everything I do tomorrow with ease, that way Dr. Clemens won't question that she's over her fear and she can successfully graduate with her DDS.

Willow's POV

I reluctantly gave in to Noah and sarcastically opened my mouth.

"You know you love me." He said, turning on his phone flashlight.

I rolled my eyes before he pulled me closer to him.

It took him forever to stop looking and actually say something.

"Your stitches look good. You're right, no infection. I'm glad that I'm taking out your cavity tomorrow, it's looking gnarly, babe." Noah said as I almost immediately went back to studying.

"Alright, which topic is next?" I heard him ask as I flipped to the last page on the stitches chapter.

"I already created a list. It goes stitching, anesthesiology, pharmacology, infections, implants, and anatomy. So next is anesthesiology." I explained, consuming myself in my notes in sedation, general anesthetic, local anesthetic, and nitrous oxide.

I didn't even realize that Noah stood up and went to his backpack and came back with something in his hand.

"In that case, I have one last test for you before tomorrow." Noah said holding something now behind his back.

"Oh. Did you create like a study guide or something!? Let me take it."

"I want you to stay calm when I show you. It's practice for tomorrow. It is vital for both of our successes." Noah said, starting to worry me a little bit.

I didn't say anything as I saw Noah slowly reveal his hand, showing a needle laying in the palm of his hand.

I suddenly realized I needed to remind the Chief about his appointment with me tomorrow.

I pulled out my phone from my quiet drawer where I keep my phone when I study, and text the Chief, hoping that this was enough of a distraction from the needle and whatever the heck Noah wants to do with it.

I texted the Chief, being satisfied with his basic thumbs up in response, and put my phone back in the quiet drawer.

I hesitantly looked over at Noah with a concerned look.

What is trying to do.

"You know you have to be prepared to face this. I told you when we first had a conversation that I would help you with your fear and that's what I'm doing. I love you. I'm here for you. I will always be here for you. But please let me do this, so we can nail it tomorrow." Noah said with his pleading eyes.

"Where did you even get that?"

"Your uncle. He's the only person you trusted with your situation. He knows I'm just trying to help you. I want to help you, Willow. You need to just trust me. Please." Noah basically pleaded.

I figured I should just let Noah do it.

I mean I need the practice.

I need to be able to handle this tomorrow.

"Okay. I trust you."