A love worth fighting for

Chapter Six

Dr. Starr had snapped out of the kiss shortly after it started, her voice re-echoed in my head as I drove back home, “we shouldn't be doing this,” she had said when she pulled herself out of the couch.

My thought was fixed on her calling eyes, the tan top she wore, I still felt the softness of her skin. I barely focused on the road as I drove, almost flooring the gas pedal.

I could still feel her soft lips on mine, her smell lingered on my shirt, I kept sniffing on it trying to let off the pain of the disappointment in every exhale. Disappointed that I didn't get too lucky or I let down my guards and did what I wasn't supposed to do.

“SHIT.” I immediately pushed the honk when my attention drifted to a man dressed in ragged clothes moving across the front of my car. I had almost hit him. I floored the brake, “Watch where you are going, man.” I screamed at him.

The memories of Dr Starr's lips on my mind would not leave my mind easily, I had to find a way to sort it out.

I changed the route, from my house to a lavish lounge on Lax avenue; Few sips of alcohol, and a girl for the night would be a perfect distraction.

My phone rang, interrupting the soft R n B music that came off the car speakers.

Bradley wants us to start preparing for the ER simulations. He wants to impress Lauren, I wasn't ready to team with my partner.

“C'mon man, you can do this.” Bradley sounded helpless on the phone.

Anna. 

She crossed my thoughts. My hate for her only got mixed with pity, she had grown without a mother, lost her father. She would be going through a lot, but that didn't mean we would work together. I'd rather change my school than team with her, but my Dad won't let me change school.

“No man. You are interested in your gain here. I'll help you, but I'm not teaming with her. Never.” My voice was firm. My face narrowed in. I dropped the call, redirected the journey towards Bradley's house.

I had stopped by a mall to buy canned foods, anything that would keep me awake and focused while studying with Brad.

Moving out of the mall, a young woman just parked, she dropped her left leg on the ground, her whole body dropped on the ground almost immediately.

“Fuck!” my eyes widened. I dropped the grocery bag I was holding on the balcony and ran down towards her immediately, my heart beating fast.

A couple was close by, so they arrived at the scene before I did. She fell on her left side, her shoulder would cushion the impact of her head on the concreted floor, her eyes were still open.

I thought she had stumbled, but it was more serious, she couldn't move. I bent over her, the man helped me to turn her on her back. “Call 911,” I yelled, pointing towards the lady. “What's your name ma'am?”

A crowd had formed around us immediately. Her eyes were not following my fingers. “My….. name. Katrine.” Her speech was slurred, her lips were twitching to the left as she tried to tell her name.

No wonder she could not turn, the left part of her body had become paralyzed.

Camera lights were shining on me, another thing I don't like; camera, but I had to help this woman, I tried not to mind the many cameras.

The woman who made the call handed me the phone. “Please help me keep her in this position, ask her how she's feeling.” I gestured to the man who had bent over with me. I had raised Katrine’s back to an approximate thirty degrees. “We might be having a CVA patient here, Lint Mall, 4th Trent's street.”

Though I tried to be calm, I could feel my heartbeat racing, lumps of sweat rolling from my forehead, and beneath the black tee shirt I wore. Any mistake I made could put the patient to risk, so I tried to be careful.

“Don't crowd her up,” I motioned for the people who had gathered around to shift out a bit. Dr Liz came to my mind, but this time it was her voice and demonstrations when she taught Cardiocerebral emergency. “Ma'am how do you feel?”

“Weak, so weak.” She struggled with her words, her voice too little.

“Are you a doctor?” The man asked, fixing a stare at me.

I swung my head. “Not yet.”

The siren's blare became closer and louder, the back door of the EMS flung open even before the car came to a stop. A female jumped out immediately with a carriage.

I narrated the events that happened and my observations to her. “Thank you. You were really helpful.

Bradley opened the door after the first knock. “Oh. Finally.” He offered his hand for a shake, I shoved it and moved into the living room.

“Good evening ma'am.” I greeted Mrs Maddy, Bradley's mom, with a smile.

“Oh Richmond. You're welcome my darling.” She stood up, hugged me and sat on the couch. “You've just been making the rounds on I*******m.” She raised her face to look at me, showing me the screen of her phone.

I knew what it was about; me playing hero, so I gave no attention to it. Brad's mom was in her early Forties, she was still pretty and attractive. I complimented her appearance.

“You are flirting with my mom Richmond.” Brad was just behind me.

“Yeah you should try doing the same with Lauren rather than putting yourself in this studying you wanna do...” I said with a smile on my face as I turned to look at Brad.

“Shhhhhhh.” he covered my mouth, preventing me from completing the statement.

“Lauren?” Mrs Maddy turned towards our direction. “Richmond, Brad has never mentioned her, no wonder he's been returning late these days. Tell me everything.” She adjusted on the seat, tapping an empty part beside her for me to sit.

Bradley held me back. I laughed out, trying to struggle out of his grip. “Mom it's nothing, we've been paired together for an ER assignment.”

“Also paired for Lunch?” I said, struggling with Brad who tried to hold my mouth again.

“Mom, don't believe him. Richmond, are we really doing this?” He released his grip. 

“Okay. No no no.” My voice was almost like a scream. I knew Brad knew all my secrets, and escapades. He might say things that would make his mom change her idea of me. “I'm joking man, C'mon.”

“You boys are keeping secrets from me, it's fine. No offense taken.” She rested her legs back on the couch.

We went to Bradley's room, where we'll stay for the night. In between our study and sleep, I told Brad everything that happened between me and Dr. Liz, and everything I found out about Anna.

Brad does a terrible job hiding his emotions. He was not surprised after I told him everything that happened at Dr. Starr's house. It only means one thing; He must have heard this before I told him, and if this is true, there is a plot that I have never known.

Something is going on between Dr. Starr and Bradley. I have to find out quickly before I'm caught in a web I can't escape.

Brad advised me how to handle the situation, I'll have to do his bidding to know what the plan has been all along. It was no coincidence he was paired with Lauren, and I with Anna. Brad, my best friend was involved.