Page 82 of Trick or Treat Nurse at My Feet
"You're catastrophizing."
"Am I? Or am I just being realistic?" Pulling out my ruined textbook, I drop it on the table. "And then there's this."
Sylas frowns. "What happened?"
"Ryan happened. This is the third thing he's damaged this week."
"What? Ethan, you need to report him."
"With what proof? I never see him do it." The book slams into my bag harder than necessary. "And before you ask, no, I haven't told Tyler. He'd just confront Ryan and make everything worse."
"So let me get this straight," Sylas says slowly. "You're dealing with harassment from your apparently psycho ex, stress about Tyler's homophobic mother, and instead of leaning on your boyfriend for support, you're pushing him away because you're afraid he might leave you someday?"
When he puts it like that... "I'm protecting myself."
"You're sabotaging yourself," Sylas corrects. "Tyler makes you happy. Anyone with eyes can see that. And from what you've told me, you make him happy too."
"For now."
"Jesus, Ethan." Sylas runs a hand through his dark hair in frustration. "Since when did you become such a defeatist? The Ethan Barrett I know doesn't hide from things he's afraid of."
His words sting because they're true. I have been hiding from Tyler, my feelings, and the possibility of getting hurt.
"I should text him back at least.”
"That would be a start," Sylas agrees, finishing his coffeeas I pull out my phone. "And maybe consider that running away from something good because you're scared it won't last forever, is a pretty guaranteed way to make sure it doesn't."
Knowing he's right, I start to type a response to Tyler when my phone buzzes with a notification. My clinical schedule has been changed; I'm now assigned to the geriatric ward instead of pediatrics for tomorrow's shift.
"Unbelievable," The phone gets shoved toward Sylas, showing the notification."I specifically requested pediatrics this rotation."
"It is the too-short dipstick again?"
"Has to be. He must have access to the schedule somehow." My phone gets shoved back into my bag as my mood darkens further. "I should get going. I need to review different protocols now before tomorrow."
Sylas gives me a look that says he knows I'm using this as an excuse, but he doesn't call me on it. "Fine. But promise me you'll talk to Tyler. Actually talk, not just text."
"I will," Though whether that's actually true remains unsure.
After leaving Sylas, I cut through the humanities building to get to the medical library. The hallways are mostly empty this late in the afternoon, with only a few students lingering outside classroom doors.
As I check my phone, finally composing a text to Tyler, when a voice stops me cold.
"Well, if it isn't Tyler's little friend."
Looking up, I see Cher standing by the water fountain, her blonde hair falling in perfect waves around her shoulders. She's wearing an expensive-looking red sweater, and her smile doesn't reach her eyes.
"Hi, Cher," my voice tries to stay neutral as the words come out, "I'm actually in a hurry, so…"
"Oh, I'm sure you can spare a minute," she says, stepping closer. "I've been hoping to run into you. Alone."
The emptiness of the hallway suddenly feels threatening rather than peaceful. My hand unconsciously tightens around my phone..
"What do you want?"
Her smile widens. "Just a friendly chat. You know, Tyler and I have known each other for a long time. Since freshman year."
"I know." My feet try to step around her, but she shifts to block my path.
