Az and Maddie's Story

~ *After reading that one chapter from Uglies, by Scott Westerfeld, who owns all the characters and basic story plot, I was intrigued by David's parents and their untold story. So I've decided to expand a little on that and what had happened to them, what had led them to running away and creating the smoke. It'll sort of be a pre-Uglies fanfic. Hope you enjoy.*~

Maddy walked through the white hallways, scribbling in her notepad as doctors and surgeons rushed by. She was interning for a few months now and had gotten used to being overlooked and ignored by all the crisp, white-robed doctors. All interns wore striking, blue colored robes that immediately signified who they were. Consequently, you were spoken to sometimes like a littlie who barely understood what was going on and were often ignored. Maddy was ready to get rid of this thing after the first three weeks. At first, she would've given everything for the beautiful and official blue robe, enticing as it seemed at the time. But after her career choice as a cosmetic surgeon was finally approved and she had received the robe, it didn't take long for her to realize how it diminished you in front of everyone's eyes. The tall and daunting surgeons didn't spare a glance her way and she almost found herself resenting them. Just a few more months, she promised herself, and I'll be allowed to scowl at all the incoming interns. Most importantly, I'll be able to don that graceful and empowering robe, the one that demands respect and makes people believe anything I tell them, once and for all. She took a second to look up from her notepad, making sure she was in nobody's way, and continued scribbling last minute notes from the morning's lab. A few more months and all the interns will be making sure to stay out of my path, she thought to herself.

Someone called her name. She looked up and saw Dr. Specter, dressed in his elegant, superior gown, beckoning her. Soon, I'll be standing right beside you, Dr. Specter, she promised herself as she smiled at her instructor. Soon, you won't be looking at me like I'm just a pupil, but a fellow colleague and cohort. Soon I'll be able to call you by your first name.

She noticed someone beside him, a slightly shorter intern, clothed in her same unappealing apparel. He had light brown hair, somewhere in between the color of sand and straw, and a big nose. Even with the operation, she could still notice that small blemish. But he was beautiful, of course. He hadn't had the Early Middle Pretty operation yet. Neither did she, nor any of the other interns, not until they finally became cosmetic surgeons. Then they'd get the operation that gave them a more official, mature, and authoritative face. She glanced from the new intern to her beloved instructor. There was no comparison. She made her way towards them, tucking away some hair behind her ear.

"Dr. Specter?" she greeted him, wondering why he had called her over. She knew there was a lecture in five minutes. That was exactly where she was headed at the moment. Surely he hadn't called her over just to remind her. She had a feeling it had something to do with this new intern.

"Maddy, I wanted to introduce you to our newest intern." Dr. Specter said with his standard smile. Naturally, she thought as she eyed the younger man. He couldn't be much older than her, nineteen or twenty at least. They were pretties who had grown out of the excitement and partying and were ready to face responsibility and pick their future careers. However, they still had the brilliant and beautiful faces they'd received when they turned sixteen and it was hard to remember that they weren't here for parties or fun, but serious work. She had never been one for partying back in New Pretty Town anyway, so it wasn't very hard to adjust and prepare herself for this job. The other interns, on the other hand, tended to annoy her just a bit in the beginning, when they occasionally couldn't take things seriously. Didn't they understand that all the revelry was over and it was time to grow up? However, they'd improved over the last few weeks and she was grateful for thta.

She put on a polite smile as she turned to face the young pretty. He had soft, green eyes that were a little more open and inquiring than most. His mouth smiled in an almost amused, half-teasing way. He was slightly endearing, she had to admit. But she was more into the older, more sophisticated looking gentlemen and doctors that confidently treaded these halls. Men like Dr. Specter.

"This is Az. His father has worked as a surgeon formerly, so he isn't exactly new to our facilities." Dr. Specter gave him a smile. "I've been looking out for him ever since he was a kid. I'd promised him I would be his instructor as soon as he was old enough to intern here."

"Evidently, you were an intern yourself at the time." Az laughed. He had a soft, kind voice, matched with a hearty laugh. Maddy felt a sudden twinge of jealousy from the sight of their friendship. How could this new intern possibly be more acquainted with Dr. Specter than I am?

"He'll be our star pupil in no time, I'm sure." The doctor said. That did it. Maddy really didn't like the idea of this guy taking her place as star pupil and Dr. Specter's favorite.

"I'll take it you've wanted this job for a while then," she said to him, a slight challenge in her tone of voice. He sobered a bit as they made eye contact.

"Since my littlie days," he answered back confidently. "The fundamentals of the operation have always fascinated me. I'm especially interested in anesthesia and the effects it has on the brain."

"I'm more into the cosmetological aspect. I plan to one day be named into the CMS" She liked to tell everyone her goals right off the bat. Even if it sounded lofty to some, she knew her goals would one day be achieved. She would stop at nothing to reach the top.

"The Committee for Morphological Standards?" he disbelievingly asked. She nodded with self-assurance. He said no more.

"Why don't we enter the lecture room?" Dr. Specter advised, leading them toward the other room. Maddy walked beside Az, clutching her clipboard firmly. He turned to look at her with a soft smile. He leaned in and whispered,

"Great to meet you, Maddy."

Maddy looked up at him, furrowing her brows for a moment with suspicion. Then she started to feel a little guilty. She should have been friendlier towards him. Dr. Specter walked in and Az held the door open for Maddy, who graced him with an apologetic look before entering.

Most of the interns were already seated and looked up at Az with curious expressions. Maddy took her seat and watched as Az uncomfortably tried to find an open spot. He found one near the far end and sat down.

"This is Az, everyone. He's a new intern so make him feel welcome." Dr. Specter said. Maddy looked down, trying to a hide a blush. She'd already failed at that. She doubted if anyone would be friendlier than she had been. This was no place for friendship. In fact, she'd hardly taken the time to get to know any of her associates. Sure, it was lonely, but she figured she didn't need anyone to help her succeed. She had her brains and will power. And she had her instructor.