A/N I have the best readers, but I am a truly terrible person. I am so incredibly sorry for the long wait for this chapter! And it's not even a long chapter! Gah, I don't want to make excuses, but I have just been so busy! School started, and we all know what craziness that is. Getting away from that un-fun subject, I have news - this story has now surpassed my Vampire Diaries story in all categories across the board except for words! Yay! You guys are awesome! Thanks! And here are some more thank yous...
Thanks to:
NicoleCC, VampireAcademyLuver98, Theluckyturtle, Sarmoo123, and RiaKiki, who are new followers. Welcome!
ijuska, YourQueen, and unhappycrazygirl for favoriting.
nowell97, fey4life, and shakia-illanious09 for favoriting and following!
hollycullen5 and catharticone, my amazing reveiwers!
And, last but by no means least, MindlessScrawlings, who reviewed and followed!
Also, since I still don't have a beta (hint hint) this is the best I could do. Tell me if there are any errors! Thanks!
Chapter 3
Adrianna POV
I looked up over to the doctor with wary eyes. I curled myself into an even tighter ball as he stood and cautiously walked over to the bed. He hesitated, his hand hovering over my shoulder, as if considering putting his hand there. His hand that would give me more memories, more pain. I flinched away, closing my eyes tightly, putting more distance between the offensive appendage and my too-sensitive skin. The doctor retracted his hand slowly, also looking at me with wary eyes. He took a step back.
"I won't hurt you," he told me very softly, his voice like music, like a one-instrument symphony. My eyes widened. Voices don't sound like that, I thought, perturbed by this for reasons I did not yet know. I warily moved into a sitting position, and studied this doctor for the second time, this time more closely.
The first thing I noticed were his unnatural eyes – they were twin pools of liquid gold. This added to my feeling of unease – there was something weird about this doctor. As I continued my dissection of this doctor's appearance, I could see that my first analysis was a bit skewed. I could see that this man was much taller than I had originally guessed – maybe six foot three? I had no way of telling for sure. And boy, did I seem off about his age. He looked barely 24 – nowhere even close to my earlier estimate. As I scrutinized his face, I found my original assessment almost spot on, his harshly beautiful features just screaming perfection. But still… my Aaron was the only man who could truly catch my eye.
My eyes unfocused again as I became lost in thought. Aaron – my one constant in all of this madness. My lifeline, my rock, my heart. All six feet of tall, dark and handsome was mine, just as all of me was his, unconditionally and forever.
I heard a throat clear and reluctantly came back out of my musings, my eyes coming back to rest on the young doctor in front of me. He made his way forward again, and carefully sat down on the edge of the thin hospital mattress. I had been frozen since the moment he took the first step toward me. My muscles were taut, my whole being tense with alarm.
Don't get too close, don't get too close… I internally chanted. I did not want to be pulled into this doctor's memories, and most definitely did not want to take his pain – I had already taken more than my fair share from this week, and didn't need Aaron on me about taking even more when he came to visit tonight.
"Hello, Adrianna," the doctor's melodic voice chimed, returning my concentration to him. "I'm Dr. Cullen. I believe we met briefly earlier, in the ER, do you remember?"
Now that he mentioned it, I could remember the whole fiasco down in the Emergency Room, where I had come in unprepared for the pain and sickness there. Taking the two concussions from the high school jocks is what had done me in and caused me to faint. I felt myself nod slowly. Dr. Cullen seemed pleased.
"I'm glad," he said. He looked down at my hand, specifically the minute wound where the IV had torn out. His eyes caught mine once more. "May I?" I absently nodded once more.
The doctor's icy cold, yet gentle hands picked up mine and examined the small wound there. I tensed, and pulled my hand away rapidly, not wanting the current of memories to commence its assault on my senses. Dr. Cullen looked back at me calmly, caution prevalent in his eyes. His angelic face serene, he asked again if he could examine my hand, and this time I responded appropriately with a vigorous shake of my head. Letting out a big gust of air, he said to me, "Okay, Adrianna. Would you like to bandage it yourself, since you seem so adverse to me attempting it?"
I considered this doctor. I was surprised he had relented so easily – I would usually have to make a big deal out of the whole thing so that I would be able to do it myself. This doctor was certainly odd.
I gave a short jerk of my head to show my assent. He turned to get the bandage and another needle. When he faced me once more, the supplies in hand, his eyes held a spark of mischief that I couldn't understand. I warily took the supplies and began to address the wound on my hand.