Chapter 2

Quote of the chapter: "You win for now. But in a building full of doctors, you will not get away with not getting an examination done today."

Jenna wiped her fingers harshly under her eyes, drying the skin. The rubbing did not help, as her eyes got even redder. Her brow arched in frustration and she let out a sharp sigh. Hm, I wonder if anyone will notice that I am wearing sunglasses in the middle of fall…

Heaving another sigh, Jenna trudged over to the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror. Dark circles sagged under her eyes lightly, and a moist glaze covered her eyes, making them seem glassy. Her lips were slightly cracked, and a cold sweat was once again gathering on her forehead. Grabbing a hair band off the counter, she pushed her straightened hair in a pony tail.

Jenna always hated her natural curly hair. It made her feel like a freak, so she straightened it with a cheap, 25 dollar wet-to-dry straighter from Target. Well, it may be a cheap straighter, but it worked. You see, even though Jenna lacked a father in her life, and her mother was sick, they weren't incredibly poor. Sure, they were only a little bit above the poverty line, but she managed with paying for all the taxes, bills, and daily needs; even though that included going to work.

However; she did not need to over-do herself in work and take extra shifts and hours. Sure, she was only 17, technically living illegally without a guardian, but when her mother was still healthier a bit in the past year, Jenna took her to the bank and got a huge deposit of about half of what was in her mother's account. This money lasted her up until now, it started to run short. But once she turned 18, in about 4 months, should be able to take hold of her mother's account, and take out the rest of the money, to at least last her the beginning of her newly fresh adulthood.

College. She still did not know what she would do with that, she was currently a volunteer at Gotham Central Hospital, volunteering there on Tuesday's, Wednesday's after school, and the morning shift of Saturday's. This was supposed to go for credit and volunteer hours in college… if she could ever afford to get there.

On all the other days except Sunday, she worked at a Children's Daycare. Paying her 9 dollars an hour; this was enough to last her until she was 18, and off to start her life as a fresh new start of adulthood. Maybe things would get better then, maybe her life would start to advance towards happiness…

Once her hair was all secured in a tight bun on top of Jenna's head, she reached out to the sink and placed her slim hands on the two sink faucets. She pulled both of the faucets towards her and the sound of rushing water filled the dead silence of the house.

Jenna cupped her hands together and let the lukewarm water gush into her palms, cupping up the water. In one swift movement, she swished her hands up to her face and the cool water made contact with her face. It trickled down her face and she let out a soft sigh in between her slightly parted lips.

As she straightened her head out, black spots started to cloud her vision. Shaken up, Jenna grabbed the cabinet counter and her breathing started to get heavy. Her eyes fluttered closed, and her legs started to weaken. Jenna was greedily gulping for air as her lungs came short of it. Her chest moved up and down violently.

She breathed in so hard it hurt, but she was still short of breath. Thinking she was having a heart attack, Jenna started to panic. Her tiny, petite hands started to grip violently at her chest. By now, she was down on her knees, leaned over; her left hand supported her, stretched out in front of her, palm against the cool tile floor, and her right hand still gripping at her chest.

Her breathing quickened, and came out as a slight mixture of a sob. Jenna was getting hysterical. What the hell was happening to her?

Jenna threw her head back, and a short, mirthless, bitter laugh escaped her lips in between her hysteric panting for air. She, a medical student, could not figure out what was wrong with her?

Jenna slumped down onto the floor as her episode started coming to an end. Her mental barriers started to slowly break down. Tears were blurring her vision, but she did not let them go. She's been through this before, she couldn't cry, she's held her tears and emotions in and under control from the time her dad left, and her mother started going crazy.

The shrill, sharp noise of the phone made Jenna jump a bit. Still weak and shaken from the un-known episode she had earlier, Jenna just lay on the floor like a ragged doll. Her limbs were numb, and spread out randomly, her right hand over her eyes, her left on her stomach, and her head was lolled back with her legs out straight in front of her.

Her head pounded as if a jackhammer were planted inside, and her air pressure was squeezing out little by little.

The phone rang one more time before dead silence filled the house again for a couple seconds. A 'beep' was heard from the phone machine, and Olivia's voice came on, "Hey Jenna, its Olivia here. I just got out of school. I am calling to make sure that you are alright and to bring your homework-"

Upon hearing the last part, Jenna's yes widened. Bringing homework. That would mean Olivia coming to her house. She sat up in a hurry, and her head started to spin as her vision clouded. But she paid no attention. Her arms reached out, and Jenna grabbed the sink counter, hoisting herself up. In a rush, she was over by the phone.

Swiping her arm down, she grabbed the phone out of the cradle and whipped it up to her ear, "Hello?" she asked into the small device pressed up to her ear. Jenna sounded out of breathe, and shaky… unsure.

"Jenna?" Olivia asked, and Jenna could hear the concern and worry seeping through her voice.

Jenna took some short, sneaky breathes, and inhaled again, "Mmhm?"

"Are you okay?! It sounds like you just ran the 10 miles. What's going on?"

Jenna pursed her lips slightly and her brows furrowed, "Oh no it is fine. You know, I was just feeling kind of dizzy. Taking a couple breathes, to uh, feel better... get the oxygen and red blood cells in the brain and heart flowing, you know.." She was rambling, her right hand holding the phone to her ear, pressed so tight to her ear; it was turning red and warm. Her left hand was propped up against the counter, holding Jenna's weak body up.

"Uh-hu... That's good... I guess." Skeptism was clear in Olivia's voice, "So do you want me to drop off your homework?"

Jenna's breathe started to quicken again, and her heart was pounding behind her ears, "Uhm, no it's fine.. Really. I have the uhm," She quickly though of a lie, "the flu. I'll be in bed most of the time, unable to do my homework. I'll just come in early in the morning and after school to make it up when I get back."

"Oh! That's fine, I understand completely. How are you feeling?"

"Oh just fine. You know, I feel just like I should when I have the flu. Dizzy, light-headed, headaches; the normal." Jenna responded back, lying smoothly; well, it wasn't a complete lie, part of it was true.

"Ah. Good to know it's not anything extremely serious." Olivia sounded relived, as if a ton of bricks were just lifted off of her shoulders.

There was a pause.

"Why do you care?" Jenna asked bluntly.

"What?" Full shock was heard in her Olivia's response.

"Well- not that I am trying to sound mean, that may have sounded wrong, but why do you care about me so much? Why do you care if I have something more than the flu? Why care if I got home safely? Why care about my homework and education? We've never gotten close, just locker buddies, people who have their lockers next to each other. All we mostly say to each other in one day is 'Hi' and 'Bye' in between classes. So, Why?" Desperation. That's what it sounded like as Jenna's voice rose at the end.

There was some silence before Olivia finally spoke up; dead silence was heard through the little device, deafening silence. "Because Jenna, I care." She stated softly. Another pause. "And don't you think that I pity you, Jenna. I don't." Olivia threw out, "Don't you dare think I pity you because you are the fragile girl in the class who is smarter than everyone. Don't you dare think I pity you because you never go to parties or hang out with anyone, or because you are known as the shy girl in school, with no friends." She snapped.

Jenna was speechless as the complete truth hit her like a ton of bricks, she was never thought of as the normal girl. Always the freak. "Good to know that's what you thought of me all throughout high school." Jenna told Olivia coldly, venom dripping from her voice. She knew that was harsh, and she knew that what Olivia was saying was the complete truth, and it was not Olivia's fault for telling her the truth, but she couldn't take that comment back. What's done is done.

Olivia's protests were heard, but having enough of all of that, Jenna pressed the 'end' button so hard, her finger stung. She harshly threw the phone on the table and grabbed her coat from the coat rack, slipping on and snatching the keys to the house from the little table near the door.

Jenna grabbed the knob with her hand, and turned; the cold breeze from outside made her shiver as the wind licked her skin. She grit her teeth together and stepped out of the door, slamming the door behind her, momentarily forgetting her sick, sleeping mother.

Never the normal girl.

Those words echoed in her head as Jenna stomped down the sidewalk, her head pounding harder with each step. The rhythm of the thumping in her head, and her feet kept her occupied as she walked the same old path she's been walking to the Hospital every time. That's right, today was Tuesday. One of the three days that she volunteered at the hospital.

Jenna's breathing started to rhythm in with her footsteps and the pounding of her head.

Inhale.

Stomp.

Exhale.

Inhale.

Stomp.

Exhale.

Coming to realization of what she was doing, Jenna's eyes widened and she stopped dead. Why was she evening everything out and counting out rhythms of her daily life?

Her legs started to shake, and it wasn't from the cold. A deep feeling rose in the pit of her stomach. Could it be possible that she was coming down with a psychological disease? Her mother has one, and they are genetic, right?

She shook her head to clear her thoughts. No. Impossible. She did not have a mental disease; she was just scaring herself because of her mother. Yeah, that's it. No psychological problems, Jenna told herself, trying to convince herself that no such thing was possible.

The rest of the way to the hospital was rushed and full of slight strips and tumbles. When she finally made it through the door, a deep sigh of relief escaped her lungs. For some reason, she always felt safe when she was in the hospital. Most people were scared of the hospital, it gave them the creeps. But Jenna always felt safe in the hospital. Maybe it was because of all the doctors. Doctors that save people, help them with illnesses. And maybe in the back of her mind, Jenna thought that if she ever did get sick... a psychological disease... the doctors in Gotham Central would be able to help her out and she wouldn't go into a severe case like her mother.

"Jenna?" Her bosses voice made Jenna jump up slightly, startled and pulled out of her thoughts.

Jenna turned and saw her boss, Doctor Elise Carter walking towards her. Well, not exactly a boss... yet. Doctor Elise Carter was the head of the whole hospital. Jenna was a mere volunteer here; did not know a lot about medicine. Just volunteer hours for college.

She managed a weak smile, "Yeah. I'm here. Do you know where Dr. Jameston is?" Dr. Jameston was technically her boss. She was his volunteer, and followed him around most of the time, no help at all. But she sometimes got to put in her own opinion about a patient.

Dr. Carter stopped in front of her, "He is in exam room 4 with a patient." She told Jenna. Her eyes swept across her while talking and stopped on Jenna's face. Concern grew in her eyes, "Jenna, are you okay? You look a bit put out."

The corners of Jenna's lips turned up, but it was not a smile. "Yeah. It is just a slight case of the sniffles." She lied about her health; again for the second time today.

Dr. Carter's expression turned skeptical, "Are you sure? It does not look like just a case of the sniffles..." She trailed off.

Jenna bit her lip nervously, "Uh-hu... I just... you know... didn't get a lot of sleep last night... studying for exams today. Senior year in high school, busy, busy, busy..." She laughed nervously, her face turned warm as D. Carter's gaze burned a hole through her.

"Are you sure you don't want to get it checked out?"

"Yeah. I am positive. There are many sick people here; I will not waste a doctor's time with a small, simple case of the sniffles when people here have it many times worse."

"Okay..." Dr. Carter seemed slightly defeated, "You win for now. But in a building full of doctors, you will not get away with not getting an examination done today." Dr. Carter teased.

Jenna's breathe caught in her throat, "Oh. Ha-ha." She tried to make her laugh sound real and full of joy and happiness, but it came out as more of a robotic sound.

Dr. Carter's face turned serious again, "Are you sure you are fine?"

Jenna gave a small, reassuring smile; ignoring the aching of her muscles and head, "Yeah. Just the sniffles!" She exclaimed, trying to sound a bit energetic.

Dr. Carter sighed, defeated, "Alright then." She told Jenna, "You best get going to Dr. Jameston then. Exam room 4." Jenna nodded, and Dr. Carter turned on her heel, walking back towards her office.

Jenna started down the hallway. She passed a few nurses and doctors that she knew, and they nodded their greetings to each other. Finally reaching Exam Room 4, Jenna stopped and listened. Low murmurs were heard from inside. Dr. Jameston's low voice was clearly heard over the patients.

Smiling slightly, Jenna turned the knob and walked in. Dr. Jameston looked up and smiled a warm, fatherly smile before returning back to his patient, a middle-aged man with short black hair, and some grey hair showing.

"..And while using the bathroom, I get this burning sensation every time." The patient finished saying as Jenna was taking off her coat and winter-wear in the corner of the room.

"Mmhm. Any pains in your other muscles? Nausea? Head-aches?" Dr. Jameston asked, his hands holding the open folder in front of him, and his eyes scanning the patient's medical-records.

The patient explained all of his symptoms and Dr. Jameston nodded, an agreeing sound coming from the back of his throat, "Mr. Deniston, it seems like you have a bladder infection."

The patient, Mr. Deniston, started to panic, "A-a b-bladder infection? Does this mean I will have to be hospitalized? B-but my wife, and kids-"

Dr. Jameston cut him off, "No, no, no. A bladder infection is nothing serious to worry about, at least in your case. It can be easily cured with some medication, and regular tests from the lab about every 3 weeks or so. Your infection does not have any severe symptoms that lead me to believe it is serious. However, to be sure, I will write out a note for you to be taken to the lab. There, they will have you take a urinating sample, and the results will be sent to you in 2 to 3 days. Then you will come back here, and we will get you on the appropriate medication for your condition." Dr. Jameston explained while writing out the lab-pass in his medical pad.

When finishing writing out in his pad, Dr. Jameston ripped the note out of the pad and handed it to the patient. Mr. Deniston looked relieved and shook Dr. Jameston's hand, "Thank you so much."

Jenna stood in the corner of the room, holding her coat, and waiting patiently for Dr. Jameston. The patient soon left, leaving Dr. Jameston and Jenna in the room. Dr. Jameston stood up and picked up the folder, turning his body towards Jenna, his eyes scanning the folder, still examining the information in the folder "And how are you doing on this fine day, Jennalyn?"

Jenna gave a soft smile, used to Dr. Jamestone calling her by her full first name "I am doing fine, and you?"

"Same old, same old." He replied, finally closing the folder and looking up. Dr. Jameston was a 37 year old man, Brown hair, and a kind face.

The happiness faded out of his eyes as he looked at Jenna's face, but he did not say anything. He pursed his lips slightly, and he gave her a knowing look. That's what Jenna liked about Dr. Charles Jameston. He understood that if Jenna wanted to tell him, she would when the time was right, or when she felt most comfortable.

Jenna's smile widened slightly. Dr. James walked out the door, towards his office with Jenna in tow behind him. He opened the door to his office, and gestured Jenna in. She nodded in thanks and walked in, placing her coat on the rack. Taking out her medical student I.D, she hung it from her neck.

Dr. Jameston got settles in his desk, and Jenna sat down in a chair that was pulled up to the side of his desk.

"So, what is the 411 for today?" She asked, Dr. Jameston looked up and his lips pursed in though, "Hmm. There was the patient you just saw me with, Lots of cases of the flu, and a girl with low protein; bulimia. Things have been pretty laid back today."

Jenna nodded; the action caused shooting pain to run through her head. Jenna was tempted to raise a hand to her head; but she knew it never helped, and Dr. Jameston would realize something really bad was going on with her. So she just settled with grinding her teeth together and muttering a small, 'yeah'.

Dr. Jameston shot her a concerned look, and was about to say something before his pager rang; causing him to cut his concentration from Jenna, and pull the pager from his belt.

"Emergency." He said, standing up. Jenna followed his motions and followed at his heels. His sharp turns down the hallways caused Jenna to stumble back a bit, preventing her face from meeting the sharp corners of the walls.

When they finally reached the Emergency Room, Dr. Jameston's pace sped up to a jog, "What happened?" He asked oen of the nurses who was carrying some surgery supplies.

"A boy, 18 or so was shot in the shoulder, just a bit above his heart." She replied in a rush, jogging over to the patient, who was now in a rolling bed, and being towed down the hallway. Dr. Jameston followed them closely, and Jenna had no choice but to follow him. She caught up to his pace, and he turned to look at her slightly from the corners of his eyes, "Jennalyn, you have volunteered her for about 3 months; helped in and watched most cases," He said, and Jenna tilted her head slightly in confusion, Why was he telling her this? They were still jogging along the bed which was being rolled down, closer to the surgery room every minute. "Would you like to watch this surgery? I am sure it would help immensely in your learning." He offered, a small smile curving his lips, despite the situation they were in now.

Jenna ginned and nodded rapidly, "Yes. Definitely! It would be an honor." She replied. Dr. Jameston nodded slightly and turned his full attention to the patient in the bed.

The rush of nurses and calls filled Jenna's head, causing a dull ache at the back of her skull to show up. They finally reached the surgery room and a swarm of nurses rushed over, pulling IV needles, bags with fluids, and tools with them.

Jenna stood outside the room, watching through the glass as the doctors and nurses quickly put on their protection clothes. Gloves, Mouth clothes, and plastic caps. One nurse injected him with a fluid that Jenna suspected was morphine. The patients face was turned away from Jenna. All she could see was medium-short black hair. She folded her arms and watched the procedure begin.

The patent's head lolled to the side, His face now facing Jenna. Her breathe caught in her throat. His eyes were closed, but some hair fell from his head, covering parts of his face. His lips were a slight pink, perfectly molded, and his face was sharp, but yet soft.

Jenna wished she could stare at his face for forever, but she knew she should get back to watching the surgery. Yet, she couldn't manage to tear her eyes away from him.

A strong, beeping noise tore Jenna's gaze from his face to the doctors, who rushed around the room. Dr. Jameston continued working on pulling the bullet out of the boy's shoulder, while several other doctors and nurses pumped air into him with a breathing pump. Another nurse injected him with some fluids, letting his heart rate go down to normal.

Jenna continued watching the surgery. At times, her eyes slipped from the place where Dr. Jameston was curing the wound to the boy's wonderful, chiseled face.