Five times Neil noticed her and she didnt
1
"She was kind of weird. She wore comic book t-shirts..."
The first time Neil met Audrey he noticed her immediately. Before you expect anything, no, it's not a cliche love story where the boy meets girl and he falls head over heels in love. However Neil won't admit that he did find her interesting the first time he saw her. Who knew he will get to know this person more in the next years, perhaps decades to come?
It happened one fine day in St. Bonaventure Hospital where Neil would spend the next five years of his career preparing and training to be a great surgeon. He was excited and a bit giddy to wear his white coat and be called doctor by his patients. And all of that will happen in a few weeks' time. For now him, as well as his fellow interns were gathered inside one of the meeting rooms as part of their orientation week.
He sat together with five other young new doctors while they waited for their program director to arrive.
He quietly observed these five doctors who will be his colleagues in the next years to come. He didn't know any of them before, besides no one of his friends in med school decided to take the same specialty as him.
They got a chance to get to know each other briefly a few moments ago when they arrived. But Neil was curious to know more about them, not only their personalities but importantly their skills.
He's not trying to be competitive...just trying to survive this five years of residency. And he's got a plan to impress and get his superiors respect in the hopes that someday he can get a chance to practice his profession here after residency.
While quietly judging his colleagues his attention was caught by this person seating at the farthest side of the long table.
He can't help but notice her because she looks like the odd one among them. And no, not because she's Asian. They've got another male Asian in the team, his partner in the first month of rotations, Dr. Choi whom he seemed to be getting along well. They were chatting a couple of minutes ago before he decided to continue the conversation with one of their colleagues.
Back to this certain doctor, it's because of the way she carry herself and her choice of ...well...outfit. While the others were trying to look presentable in neatly ironed ties, slacks or skirt, this person choose to wear a comic-book shirt under her blazer.
'This one's got some personality,' Neil said in his mind.
He wasn't trying to be a creep by being a critic of what she wears but he became curious of her. He wondered if that shirt got some sentimental value for her. Was she a Star Wars fan? Is this her 'lucky' shirt?
'Why do you care if she's a fan?' Neil silently scolded himself. 'You don't even watch or read those stuff. Why do you care?'
Well apparently one of his questions were answered within the months of knowing her. It wasn't her lucky shirt. He noticed how she likes to wear different kinds of shirts from her probably favorite comics. Sometimes she even wore those super-hero ones under her white coat. Those are the stuffs he saw her in when she's not in her scrubs.
'She's a nerd,' Neil concluded.
But aside from her not so weird choice of clothing, Neil also noticed a tiny bit of her strong personality he has yet to discover.
While observing her talk to one of their colleagues before, he can tell that she's a bit carefree and confident. She sat calmly and looked ready to learn more from her superiors. She doesn't look nervous like the rest of their co-interns.
Of course all of them are excited to begin their residency, but being anxious comes along with it because of the added responsibility. They weren't students anymore but new doctors in training.
'Maybe she's more smart than what I think she is,' he thought.
'Or maybe she's just good at masking her emotions. That's a skill sometimes people need in this profession.'
He decided to continue his observations once they are finally face to face with a patient. 'Maybe that's where I can really know how good she is, or not.'
Neil's colleague-judging was cut off when the door opened. Their program director had arrived and along with him is the Chief of Surgery.
Dr. Bailey, their program director started to introduce them to each other.
"This is our six new interns this year, Dr Neil Melendez," he mentioned their names one by one, each smiling and shaking his hand politely. "And of course Dr. Audrey Lim,"
After all pleasantries were exchanged the chief bid goodbye to attend one of his meetings leaving Dr. Bailey alone to orient the interns.
He gave a warm welcome speech for them. He also started to give additional information and guides for the six of them for when they start in a few weeks. He seemed to be in a good mood and gave a chance to answer every inquiries they had. He also gave a bit of encouragement for them and cheered for their first day.
At the end of the day he dismissed them and promised to meet them again tomorrow as continuation of their orientation week. Tomorrow is actually the real one where they will spend the whole day familiarizing themselves to St. Bonaventure Hospital.
As the six of them gathered their stuff and bid each other goodbye, Neil realized that he only had exchanged hellos and goodbyes with Audrey today. He had conversed with three of them already so perhaps tomorrow he could get a full conversation with the others, including her.
And maybe he could ask why she likes comic-books. Hahaha.
