I took a slow deep breath of the fresh winter air. Five feet in front of me were the doors of Caduceus USA. I quickly brought out my compact and checked my makeup. It was fine. I did a quick head-to-toe check, and took one more breath. "Off I go…" I whispered to myself before walking into the automatic sliding glass door.
I go to the break room, signed in, and grabbed some coffee. I laid my purse on the coffee table and sat on the leather couch, and sipped slowly. Since I spent my residency here, I was pretty familiar with the place. Just not with anyone except Dr. Hoffman. After a minute or two, I see a tall man, maybe around 25 years old with light brown hair and matching brown eyes barge in. Behind him is a woman with long, light blonde hair, who was yelling at him for being so late and forgetting to do paperwork before her 2 week vacation. He yells back saying he was working late and couldn't do it. Furious, the lady grabs her bags, and leaves out the door. The man, not yet noticing me, grabs some coffee and turns my way.
"Oh my god! I didn't see you there…who are you? Are you the new girl Hoffman was talking about? Diana, was it?" He said, sitting down next to me.
"Um, yes. I'm Diana. Diana Cuzak." I say shakily while extracting my hand slowly.
"I'm Derek Stiles," he said softly while shaking my hand. His hands were soft and warm. "you're a surgeon also right? You look young. How old are you? 22?"
I nodded. I'm a little young to be a surgeon but I started early, and finished just a few months ago. Derek smiled, a warm, welcoming smile. I felt my heart flutter a bit. "No Diana…" I said in my head. "That blonde chick may be his girlfriend….Don't fall for him…Don't-" my thoughts were interrupted by a tall blonde male who was saying his hellos to Derek.
"Oooh Derek…is this the new chick?" He asked, while looking at me. "Hi, I'm Tyler. Derek's BFF," he winked.
I waved hello at him, and sipped the last of my coffee. As I walked to the sink, Tyler looked at Derek (who by the way, was blushing.) then at me, then with questioning eyes, whispered to Derek. Derek nodded anxiously. Tyler proceeded to walk over and ask me if I wanted to go lunch with everyone. I replied "yes" excitedly and then he whispered, "…and maybe dinner with Derek?" he giggled and ran off. Derek got up and placed his mug into the sink. He then whispered…
"Lunch at 12, at Little Italy on Talley Street. Dinner at Trio Bion," he smiled and walked out of the break room. I could tell that this first day was definitely going to be one I'd never forget.