Page 3 of Mated By the Pack
“Maybe you’ll dream about her,” I mutter, feeling a strange twinge in my stomach.
The fact Mr. Pierce is spending his final days here, instead of at Haven North General Hospital, means he was never fertile. Neither was his wife, or she would have been a Bride, and only permitted to marry a Groom. He’s Unassigned, so he married by choice. Some who are infertile still choose to marry, but those unions seem like a waste of time to me.
After I finish my rounds, I’m dead on my feet. The only thing I want to do is go home, eat my rations, and go to bed. I can sleep late the next two days. I wouldn’t trade that luxury for anything.
I walk into the changing room, open my locker, and start removing my scrubs.
“There you are!” Abigail says as she walks in. “I went to the fourth floor looking for you because you usually work late.”
“Not today,” I sigh. “I’m tired.”
“Not too tired, I hope,” Abigail chimes. “I heard that some of the nurses are meeting for drinks at the Angry Sparrow. We should stop by.”
“I don’t know.” I shake my head and sigh again. “I really need some rest.”
“Some doctors might be there. Maybe even a director or two.” Abigail gives me a playful nudge. “You wouldn’t want to miss out on your last chance to impress them before they choose the next graduate, right?”
“What am I going to impress them with?” I scoff. “My ability to finish an entire glass of Green Syrup without barfing?”
“Clyde can finish two,” Abigail says. “And you know he’ll be there.”
“Even more reason for me to go straight home,” I mutter.
“No, you need to put in an appearance,” Abigail says confidently. “Otherwise, you’ll regret it if Clyde does something heroic tonight and jumps ahead of you.”
Abigail is right. The chances of Clyde getting chosen over me are better than I’d like to admit. I’ve seen superstars jump ahead afew times over the years. I doubt Clyde will do anything heroic that impresses the doctors and directors who show up, but he’ll get to schmooze them. I need to be present to remind them that I’ve put in a lot of hard work to get where I am. I won’t remind them directly, of course, but if I’m there, I won’t be easily forgotten once the Green Syrup gets poured.
It’s dark when we get outside. The moon casts an eerie glow, even on the pristine streets of the College District. The wall shimmers a little at night. In school, they said it was because the metals used to build it were kissed by the sun during the solar flare that devastated our planet.
“Lena is here too!” Abigail says, pointing at a group of people gathered outside the Angry Sparrow.
I wave to the group as we approach. Abigail joins the conversation. I smile, nod, and pretend to be engaged, but I’m not. Something feels off, like my shadow isn’t connected to me. Like it’s peeled away, and following someone else. Or searching for something.What?I don’t know. I may need an emergency appointment with Dr. Thomas if this continues.
After a brief conversation, we walk into the Angry Sparrow and order drinks. They only serve one. Green Syrup. Once I graduate, I’ll be able to buy fancy drinks made from fermented grapes and grains. Until then, the bittersweet thick concoction will have to do.
“Here’s to Calla!” Abigail announces. “Our next graduate!”
“Hey, don’t jinx it!” I groan, shaking my head. I already asked her not to do that, but she seems determined. Sometimes, I think it means more to her than it does to me, and it’smyfuture at stake.
“To Calla!” Lena chimes in, and the others follow.
“Celebrating my success already?” That voice—I don’t need to turn to know who it is. Clyde’s here.
Clyde is tall with muscles that suggest he did some training for something other than nursing before his aptitude test results came back. We all had training in other fields when we were in high school as part of our elective classes. I always felt a call toward helping and healing, so I was happy when I was assigned to be a nurse.
“Hey there, superstar,” Lena giggles, sipping some of her Green Syrup. “We’re talking about Calla, not you. You know she’s next to graduate.”
I feel a twinge of something different. Embarrassment? I haven’t felt this since I was in high school. The supplements usually mute emotions like that. It makes me shrink in on myself, instead of straightening my back like I’d usually do.
“We’ll see about that,” Clyde says, his eyes lingering on me for a moment longer than they should before he turns and saunters to the bar.
I say nothing in my defense.
The conversation continues, but once the topic shifts away from me, I’m able to relax. I feel a pleasant buzz from the Green Syrup that seems to help bring my emotions in balance like they should be. A couple of doctors and directors stop by, but they don’t stay long, and Clyde’s schmoozing doesn’t seem to be acknowledged.
Maybe I was worrying for nothing. I’ve put in the work. Long hours at the Academic Medical Center, after I finished two years in the classroom. More time studying books than required. I’veeven read old medical journals only doctors are required to read. Those who decide who graduates next know that. I’m not sure why my confidence is slipping. Clyde’s a superstar, but I’m dedicated. That still means something.
“Hey, I’m sorry about earlier,” Clyde says, leaning against the bar next to me. “I know you’re the next one to graduate, but I can’t resist a little teasing. It’s in my nature. I’m actually going to miss you when you’re gone.”
