Pros and cons of dating a younger guy/older girl

Chapter 3: Con #3

Con 3: When the 'stupid crush' won't go away

Quinn's point of view

I hated hospitals, I know- such a cliché line, but I really did. Mainly because it usually meant getting blood taken, and getting blood taken usually (always) involved huge ass needles.

"Just sit still – Quinn, it will be over before you know it" the nurse said, reading my chart.

"May I ask what this is for?" she asked, prepping the syringe and doing that tapping thing which I'm convinced they all did to intimidate patients.

"Uh, coach wants us to clear for steroids and all that before the tournament" I said. The more I looked at the syringe the more light headed I felt.

"Oh dear, you're starting to lose colour. Are you feeling alright?" The nurse asked, walking closer with that fateful syringe. I literally felt like I was going to throw up my breakfast.

"I just, I don't do well with needles and blood, just get it over with" I said, looking away. She seemed to understand and handed me a small pillow which I guess I was supposed to squeeze but I doubt it was going to help.

"Paige, can you get in here..." the nurse called out.

Is Paige a common name? What was the probability of this Paige being that Paige, of being my Paige.

"What can I get for you?" Paige asked, opening the curtains, and of course it was the Paige. As stupid as it sounds, I didn't want her to see me in my moment of weakness. I was always this calm and collected guy around her and I didn't want her to think I was a sissy. I wanted her to see me as a man.

"Could you help the patient calm down, he's having a little anxiety over the blood work" the nurse said.

"Sure" Paige said, walking over to the other side of the bed to face me. I saw recognition register on her face but she didn't say anything.

"I'm just going to talk you through while the nurse draws some blood, whatever you do, don't look at the needle and breathe normally" Paige said, smiling, while the other nurse walked over with the syringe.

When she got closer and I felt the needle penetrating my skin, I couldn't help it. I grabbed Paige's hand and shut my eyes. It was either that or throw up everywhere, and this was by far the better choice.

Her hand was nice and soft and felt like it belonged in m-

"Quinn, you can let go now" Paige said, slightly blushing. I don't think I'd ever heard her say my name before. It sounded right coming from her mouth. Everything just felt right.

"Oh" I said, letting go slowly. I held on to one of her fingers and looked into her eyes before letting go completely, this usually worked with all the girls I tried it on but she just looked confused.

"If you could follow me I will show you to the waiting room where you can wait for your results" Paige said, and I just nodded and followed her. Why didn't she flirt back? Why didn't she respond? Was I missing something?

"Just have a seat here and when your results are ready, they'll call you up" she said and left me sitting there, wanting her more than ever.

Paige's point of view

Was Zoe's friend flirting with me or was I now imagining things? And anyway, what did I know about flirting, the poor kid was probably still terrified from the blood work. I needed to snap out of it. It was inappropriate to think of him in any suggestive way, and guys like that didn't like girls like me – not that any guys did to be honest.

"You really should take the weekend off, you've been here every single day this past week" Judy said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah, I'm actually about to clock off, just taking these results to the patient from earlier. The lab said the patient requested the original copy to be stamped and sealed"

"Oh yeah, he did mention something about a tournament. Should've guessed he's an athlete, he's in great shape. They're so strict about lab results these days"

"Mmm" I agreed. Judy walked me to the waiting room and it didn't take me long to find Quinn, he was chatting up one of the younger interns, which didn't surprise me but was also a little bit annoying. He was probably used to having girls throw themselves at him. Normal girls, girls who could talk to guys, girls his age.

I handed him the results along with a list of emergency phone numbers – it was protocol - and told him we would email him a copy in case he somehow lost or misplaced the original.

"Paige I hear you're off this weekend" the intern said. I wasn't one for small talk, I just smiled and started to walk away but Quinn caught up with me.

"Do you need a ride, I'm heading out too" he asked casually. I was too tired to overthink it or even politely decline so I just agreed and thanked him.

"Zoe told me your car is still at the garage, do you know what the problem with it is?" he asked when we got into his car. I really did hate small talk. And all of a sudden, all of the exhaustion hit me at once.

"Not really" I said. I just wanted to sleep but I also didn't want to be rude. Of course my body gave in and I eventually drifted into sleep.

***

hiii (:

here's chapter 3. all comments welcome and please vote if you liked it.

thanks,

Val

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