February 4, 2016

Chad marched into the hospital with a determined look in his eyes. Everyone moved out of his way as they watched him pass. He turned a corner and continued to walk down the hallway until he finally arrived at Kayla's office. As he stood outside her door he could hear voices from inside her office. "Here goes nothing," he whispered. He knocked at the door. "Come in," said some one within. He stepped inside and had just closed the door behind him when he spotted Kayla at her desk.

The blonde was not alone.

Paul Narita was with her.

Of course he's here.

Kayla stared at him for a moment before turning her attention to Paul. "I'm sorry, we'll have to continue this another time."

Paul nodded. Then he got up from his seat, extending his hand out toward Kayla. They shook hands.

Be cool, Chad told himself. He offered him a small smile. Paul gave him a curt nod before walking out.

Chad looked at Kayla in feigned shock. "Wait…" He points his thumb backwards toward the door. "Was that Paul Narita?"

"Yup; one and only."

He walked over to the desk, and plopped into the swivel chair. She watched him sit across from her as she started typing information into her computer. He tilted back the chair, looped his hands behind his head and put his feet up on the desk. "Ahem!" Kayla cleared her throat noisily. He just smiled at her and she narrowed her eyes at him. His feet came off the desk and his chair straightened up. He crossed his arms over his chest. "What's his deal?"

She stopped typing and looked at him. "What do...do...you mean?" she stuttered.

"It's just…he's been here a lot lately."

"It's really none of your business, is it?" she snapped.

"Yeah, well, I'm making it my business." She glared at him. He put his hands up in defense. "Hey, I'm just looking out for my friend."

"You two...friends?" She huffed.

He snorted. "No, not him. Will." His smile dropped. "I'm worried about him." he said in a serious tone.

She cocked her head to the side. "Still don't see how that's any of your concern."

"Isn't it obvious?" She looked at him, puzzled. "They're screwing." OK, maybe I over exaggerated all that, just a tad. Who cares? I sure don't.

Her mouth went agape and her eyes opened wide. Chad smirked as he added, "So if there's something going on, don't you think he deserves to know?"

"You know I can't discuss my patient with you."

Chad put his index finger up, gesturing for her to hold on. "I can't believe you're making me do this," he sighed and digged his hands in his pockets. She watched him warily as he pulled out a hundred-dollar bill and slid it across the desk.

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Really, Chad?"

"What? I'm desperate here." She shook her head.

They looked at one another and the room became silent.

Chad studied her awhile, waiting for her answer, but he could see she wasn't going to budge. "Fine," he said, shooting up out of his seat. "I'll leave."

He walked out of the office and slammed the door shut. Kayla jumped at the harsh noise and rubbed her hands over her face. "Great, just great." she sighed.

Chad leaned his head back against the door and closed his eyes. I guess we're going to have to do this the hard way.

He put his hands in his pockets and whistled as he strolled over to the vending machine and bought himself a Twix bar. Then he leaned his arm against the wall and settled his full weight to the side. Keeping an eye on this door, he took a bite out of the candy bar. By the time he had finished eating, she walked out of her office.

"About damn time," he muttered. He tossed the wrapper on the floor and walked casually and quietly along to her door. He took a deep breath and reached out for the door handle. But before he could open the door, he felt someone tap him on the shoulder. You've got to be kidding me. He quickly turned around.

A petite blonde-haired young lady stood before him. Licking her lips, she cleared her throat. "Excuse me, sir? Can I help you?"

Damn, she's hot. "I, um….Kayla?" Smooth, Chad, real smooth.

She eyed him curiously. "If you're looking for Kayla, she's in the back taking her lunch break," she said, adjusting her glasses on the bridge of her nose.

Crap. Crap. Crap. Come on, Chad, pull yourself together.

He took a deep breath and stepped towards her until they stood very close. He noticed her breath hitch, he smiled a little.

"Are you wearing lipstick?"

She just stood there staring at him. He cleared his throat for her attention.

"Huh? Oh yeah," she mumbled, startled out of her daydream. .

"It looks nice on you." He brushed a strand of loose hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing her cheek. "Very nice." She blushed at his compliment.

"Would you like me to go get her?"

"That'd be great, thanks."

He waited until she had turned the corner and then quickly reentered Kayla's office. He glanced at her desk, where papers and files were scattered. "That will take years." he mumbled and then glanced at the computer. He eyed the door, hesitating. "Hmm, maybe I shouldn't…ah, fuck it."

He sat hunched over the computer, scrolling through the list of names. As he neared the bottom of the page, he found the file."Bingo," Chad said softly to himself. He double clicked the file and Paul's face appeared on the screen, along with his information. "What are you hiding?" he whispered to himself. His body tensed as his eyes roamed the screen. "Holy shit!" The words came out of his mouth in a shocked gasp.

Paul lay in bed staring at the ceiling for what seemed like hours, replaying the conversation with his therapist over and over in his mind. "It's not healthy to lock up your emotions and push everyone away from you…Once you've accepted it it'll become easier."

His thoughts were suddenly disrupted by a loud knocking. He sighed and turned over. They'll go away eventually. "Tap, tap, tap." He groaned and put his only pillow over his ears. "Tap, tap, tap." "What the hell?" he muttered. He got up and padded over to the door. "What is it?" he yelled as he swung the door open.

T crossed his arms over his chest. "Nice to see you, too."

Paul's shoulders sagged, and he huffed out a breath. "Sorry."

They both stood there and looked at one another.

T shifted awkwardly on his feet. "So…can I come in?"

"Um, yeah." He stepped aside so T could enter.

T then quickly sent out a text. Plan P is in full swing. As he stepped further inside and looked around, he became aware of an unpleasant odor. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Dude, it reeks in here."

Paul just shrugged.

T glanced down at the floor and saw beer cans and old food scattered throughout the bedroom. There was also piles of dirty clothing on the floor. His eyes drifted over to Paul. He couldn't help but frown at the sight of him. A sheen of sweat plastered his hair to his forehead. His eyes, sunken and bloodshot. His clothes, soaked through with sweat, were sticking to his body.

"Why are you here?" Paul shouted.

"Honestly, Will sent me here. He, uh, just wanted to make sure you're okay."

Paul rolled his eyes. "Well, clearly I am…so you can go now."

"Nuh, uh, uh," T said, shaking his finger. "You're not getting rid of me that easily."

"How 'bout we call him right now and tell him you came over?"

He opened his mouth to speak, then paused. Paul looked at him waiting for an answer. A hint of a smile played on his lips.

"Well?" Paul asked, impatient with his long pause.

"As good as that sounds, I made a promise and I'm not gonna break it." T said as he took a seat on the floor, pushing the clothes surrounding him to the side. He smirked up at him.

Paul sat down on the edge of his bed and let out an over exaggerated sigh. "Ugh…" Suddenly he put his fist to his mouth and began a fit of coughing.

T waited until he calmed down some. "You mind telling me what's going on?"

"It's none of your damn business."

"Well, that depends."

He threw his hands in the air, with frustration. "On what?"

"Does it have anything to do with Will and Arianna?"

"My God, you people are so nosey."

T shrugged. "You get used to it."

"And no, it doesn't involve them. I've put all that behind me now."

T nodded. "That's good. He has too," he added.

"Oh, really?" T nodded. Paul crossed his arms over his chest. "Well, then how come you're here?"

T considered a moment and then laughed. "Then again, he's probably still angry with you." Paul rolled his eyes. "Yeah, he may have overreacted a bit, but anyone would have done the same thing in his position. He's done you wrong. He knows. He's sorry."

"I need to hear him say it."

"Understandable." He sighed. "Now," he said, "Do you mind telling me what's wrong?"

Paul wrapped his arms around his stomach tightly. "I want to tell you, but I'm just not ready to talk about it yet."

He nodded. He's obviously in no condition to talk anyway. "Why don't you go wash up and I'll order some pizza."

"Really?" Paul asked, sounding genuinely surprised.

He shrugged. "Yeah, why not?"

"Okay, then." Paul reached down for his towel and flipped it over his shoulder. He headed for the bathroom door but stopped halfway. "Hey T." T looked up from his spot on the floor. "Thanks." He smiled.

As soon as T heard the shower running, he was up. He glanced around as if hoping he might find the answer somewhere. He noticed that the top drawer was half open, he walked over and pulled out the drawer. He rummaged about, moving the delicate clothes around. Then he spotted an orange-brown bottle with the prescription facing him. His eyes grew wide as he read the label. That can't be right? Shit, man... He slammed the drawer shut as he heard the water in the shower turn off.

"I can't tell Will," he sighed. "I just can't."