PHASES: Tantalize me.
Chapter six: The check up.
The young man jokes and flirts with his staff as he runs from patient to patient in this little clinic downtown, he flashes a charming smile at his clients and the fall in love with him, it didn't matter if they male or female they trusted him without a second thought.
What a wonderful world to live in.
The youthful doctor ran a hand through his short brown hair, he sighed and plopped down some medical files on his office desk. He was a little tired but in high spirits this morning, he chuckled at nothing and leaned back in his chair. He then began to rub the metal of his desk, cold...Steely cold. Today was a Grey morning, a little rainy and a bit gloomy, it reminded him of the morning strolls in London. After a few moments of reminiscing he rubbed the sides of his face and began to dive into his work.
He began filtering through the files, softly reading of the names.
''Mister Harry Lovetts...'' He is currently suffering terrible back and stomach pains, sometimes so terrible he would wake up crying. He is 53, married for twenty-two years. No children, his wife's name is Mary.
''Mrs. Fiona Kizito...'' She has appointment for a mammogram. She is thirty-three, two kids.
''Miss Sybil Lane...'' She is a lot younger than most of his patients he'd been taking care of this week, age six-teen...On the edge of seventeen it would seem by her D.O.B, Red brown hair, hazel green eyes... She fainted at her work a day earlier. The company she's working for wanted some tests taking, they are either assuming drugs or pregnancy, but really it was most likely just plain dehydration.
The Doctor sat back in his chair, rubbing his jaw. Her name was familiar and yes about a million other girls shared the same name but there was just something about her file that peaked his interest. He looked up at the clock, ticking above the door. Her appointment was in a few hours, three to exact.
The young man yawned and stretched; he needed to get some more coffee.
Sybil woke up side ways, head hanging off the side of the bed on this glorious morning.
Well, not glorious...It looked like a gray blob puked all of the sky and left bleak rainy clouds in it's wake. She groaned and shimmed her head under her pillow, the foreboding sky reminded her of her doctor's appointment and she wish she died and instead of fainted yesterday. The Byrds played softly across her her room, she had left her ipod playing on her computer.
'Turn,Turn,Turn...' Their voices soothed her so, the music fit the rainy day.
After a good soak in the tub she ate some toast and to her disgust drank some orange juice.
Orange juice was one of liquid versions of Evil besides Nite Quil...That was evil in it's purest liquidized form.
No one was up...Wait, no one was even here. Her father gone on a business trip, her mother and little bro away to grandma's for a day; that was good. They didn't need to fret over her little spell at work which was most likely nothing at all...She was really thirsty that day and just didn't grab something drink all day...Well, she was actually not eating much or drinking any the day before she fainted but she wasn't going to do that anymore.
The young girl sighed and licked her sleeve to get all the evil off her tasted buds as she put her dishes in the sink, she sat in the living room for a bit, rubbing her dog Poncho's belly before going to put a bit of makeup for her appointment. A little eye liner doesn't hurt.
The face in the mirror looked un-happy and she knew why.
The young doctor looked up at the clock, it was almost time and Miss Lane still hasn't signed in yet.
He doubled check with the nurses to see if it was a screw up but as far as they know a teenage girl named Sybil hasn't signed in or even walked through the front doors. The man peeked out into the waiting room, a bunch of old people 50 and up;some grandmothers with little ones. No teen girl in sight.
He sighed and went about his work, giving pills to seniors, it's amazing what you can get when you are at that age and with the medical coverage that you have. It's wonder have the things elderly have to take is legal, a few crying tots but with his smiles and sweet soothing voice plus some loli pops took care of the screams.
''Doctor Hallward, Patient Miss Lane has just signed in...Poor thing, caught up in the wind and rain while walking here.''
He nearly fell out his chair when he heard the news. He wanted to know...He craved at any clue of who she might be.
''Thank you, tell her I'll be right there.'' He gave a charming smile and gracefully moved to grab her file from the nurse who gave a shy blush and went to go tend to Miss Lane. The doctor smiled to himself before going to pour some hot chocolate one of the nurses made not to long ago- it was still quite hot-For Miss Sybil.
I was soaked walking to the clinic, I paid for a taxi but we got stuck in traffic so I just shoved him the money and ran the rest of the way. The rain came down hard, the coldness was everywhere. I tried to keep moving as fast I could but the cold chilled me to the bones and after a few minutes of enduring the freezing rain the cold wasn't as sharp as it was... It became numb. I began to think I had frost bite when I finally made it to the building.
I awkwardly made my up the clinic stairs.
The building was old, use to be a grand old house until it was stripped of it's period airs and remolded to serve as a dentist office first then that business went under after three years and became this clinic. The grayish white brick was chipping here and there, there was still remnants of the old house; it's lavish courtyard with it's ancient stone benches and crackling angels looming behind weeds and suffocating inside bushes.
The plants and the skies were looking gloomy and bleak then usual.
I passed an old couple sitting on the front porch, they were silent...Looking beyond the streets and building surrounding us, there was something in the way of their eyes...No flicker of memories passing behind their faded and vague stare, something more complicated...Something bone chilling. I can assume one of them was going to die, the somber of this silence gave the oracle of death more real and closer then I was comfortable with.
I shuddered slightly, pushing my way inside.
I signed in, shaking, cold and wet. My hair which was down today stuck to my shoulder and neck, I tried to write my name without blotching the paper. The nurse at the desk was kind, I could tell by her smile and warm eyes. She fetched another nurse to bring me a soft blanket to wrap around me like a shawl, I thanked her, it helped with the cold a little.
The number one thing I hate about hospitals or clinics, dentists is that their offices are always cold.
Glancing around the waiting room I only see old wrinkly faces and some snot nosed smooth rosy cheeks sitting upon the winkle faces' laps. I never want to grow old...I really don't. I don't want kids that much either, I think I would be a terrible mother...I can barely even look after myself sometimes. But I would choose having kids as the lesser of two evils, I don't quite think I could handle the aging reflection in the mirror as well I could handle a little baby.
Dorian Gray...
I wonder if he has figured out the truth behind my undies? Or is he still crooning over Mrs. Harker...Like Tom.
No, Tom likes me still right?
No answer from my mind, maybe I left her behind?
It's been a short while since I left the 3-D library and ended up on the a Paris street. That is one thing Nemo needs to work on; the landing. The man could send me back to my era but not where I lived...That's how I ended up in the french city. I remember the almost burnt smell of the leather seat of the machine, all those gears humming and the rush as if I was falling. I felt dizzy all a sudden and rested my head against my hands.
I shivered at the thought of having to go through something like that again and again. Who knows where I would up next time? I think I should start carrying my cell phone and ipod when I go back to the past...If I end up on Easter island maybe I could catch a faint signal and call dad...I mentally giggled at the thought of his expression when I would tell him to come and get me from the island, he won't believe it.
My pants started to hum, I panicked for a second. Was I going back to the past?
It was just my cell phone.
I looked at the tiny screen on the front of my phone. It was daddy.
''Hiya dad what's up?'' I cheerfully answered.
''Nothing much, honey.'' His British voice sounded soothing and comforting. ''I was just worrying about you. You weren't at home when I called.''
''Don't worry dad, chillax.'' I laughed slightly, keeping my voice low to not disturb the old farts and their kid's offspring.
He was laughing and the speaker was humming at the sound. I smiled, I loved my father's laughter. It used to tell me everything was right in the world and it sort of still does even if the people at CNN disagree.
''It's hard to chillax, sweet heart when you disappeared for a week or two-No almost two months without a note or a call.'' He chuckled.
My dad. He never lets anything that I do upset him, I used to run away a lot but my dad still didn't lose his smiles. Even now when I disappear out of thin air he doesn't let it bother him that much...Or what I can hear from his voice or see from his expressions. Now my mum (or mom if you prefer) is the one to go nuts well- she's calm down quite a bit but her fretfulness returned when I called home and told them I was in Paris. She freaked.
According to her I am grounded for a week. It would have been longer if my father hadn't stepped in and got it down to a week instead of three months. I am grateful for my Bav, he lied and said it was his idea and he was the one that whisked me away to the airport and to Paris with him. He told this story of how he was trying to get into this awesome art school in Paris but he needed a stunning portfolio and a model for his photography, since he hasn't seen me in quite awhile and was missing me he flew to new England to see me.
My parents believed him.
To them he is Jesus almost, they trust him, love him and praise him for taking a risk at Paris. He butters them to the point of melting.
But as a price for his colorful story he made me promise to come stay with him during fall break which wasn't far off when I thought about it. I was actually thinking of going use the break to go back to see the league...Well-Tom mostly.
''Sybil...Sybil.''
Someone was calling my name. I looked around...No one was looking at me, not the nurses.''
''Sybil!'' My father's voice slightly panicked.
''Opps, sorry dad. I zoned out and forgot I was on the phone.'' I laughed, embarrassed.
Dad chuckled and I could see him smoothing his hand over his auburn hair, ''Sweet heart...Sweetheart.''
I could easily imagine him shaking his head. ''Anyways, Sybil dear like I asked before while you had a zombie moment-''
He called my periods of 'intense thinking' zombie moments because I kinda looked like one.
''-Where are you?'' He asked.
''Where are you at?'' I asked him.
''I asked you first...'' I could see his lips twist into that playful smile he uses with my little brother and me.
''Oh- I am at the clinic down town for a check up.'' I sighed.
''The Doctor Hallward one?'' He mused.
''That's the one, a lot of people like him.''
''Yes, you mum says he's quite handsome.'' He snorted.
A little Jealous maybe?
''Too bad, mom and me don't have the same taste in men.'' I laughed.
''Are you insulting me?'' He chuckled.
''Noo, dad I'm not. You are handsome but your my dad...That be weird if I liked you like that.'' I said very matter-o-factly.
''Yes, that would.'' He didn't laugh...He seem sightly disgusted. I bet he rembered the news lines about daughter trying to marry father.
''Anyways, you never answered my question Dad.'' I tried to sound disappointed like.
''Oh, I am in jolly ole' London.'' He chuckled.
''Sounds jolly.'' I giggled.
''Is it raining? Because it's pouring over here, I think I even hear some meowing.'' I giggled and I looked up to see, a nurse motioning me to come into the back.
''Yes, it is actually-'' My dad began but I cut him off.
''Sorry dad, I gotta go.'' Click...
I obeyed my nurse when she asked me to step up on the scale. I was more or less a hundred + thirteen pounds- at least six more lbs then usual i noted. She makes a comment about how she wished she was small like me, my nurse may be a little bigger than I was but that didn't make her fat-at least I didn't think so.
Next came the height thingy test, I am either 5'2 or 5'3...With or with out shoes.
Finally I was rushed into a room where they said to wait until the doctor came to minster my test. I get to have a choice either I can pee into a cup or give up my life blood. Finger prick or needle in the arm? As degrading as peeing in a cup is I rather take the cup then see blood any time soon...I think I could heave at the sight of the shimmering crimson liquid.
I haven't felt quite right since I was kept sedated in the Nautilus's infirmary, I have been feeling rather sick.
I dunno-Just not right.
I laid back on the examination table-thing, the paper crinkled under my weight. I curled myself up and relaxed.
I was facing the wall when I heard the door opened, I didn't bother to face who ever came in.
''Good afternoon, Miss Lane. I am doctor Hallward.'' The velvety familiar voiced cooed.
That voice. I know that voice.
I slowly turned head to face the doctor, the first feature my eyes locked on was a pair of oh-so-familiar warm brown irises.
Gray.
Dorian Gray.
The only words to escape my lips was softer version of the yelling in my head. ''What The Fuck.''
Dorian chuckled, running a hand through his hair. ''Ahh...'' He cooed. ''I thought as much.''
I continued to stare. My brain had momentarily died...
I noticed he had lost the mustache and go-tee combo. Smart move-He actually looked younger without it. His hair was still it's chocolate brown shade but shorter and modern, not a buzz-thank god but still enough hair to rung one's finger's through.
''You haven't changed at all Sybil.'' He pulled up that rotating stool that you find common in a small clinic's medical rooms.
''My, my...'' He continued, looking me up and down. I was sitting up straight, I all but bolted up when I realized who my doctor was.
I had swallow to clear away the lump in my throat. ''Well, Dorian...'' I almost practically choked.
''I did come from '08 and we're in '08...'' That wasn't what I wanted to say. I was horror struck and thrilled at the same time. I kinda had a piece of the past with me...Kind of.
He smiled, not his usually smirk...This was warm, friendly and inviting. So, different.
''Yes, I know...But you must understand something...last time- or this time if you please- you left for your time...'' He rubbed his chin, looking down at the warm steamy thick paper cup in his hand.
''Oh, this for you...I thought you needed some warming up.'' He smiled again, so warm...So toasty.
He handed me the cup, I peered down at the dark brown liquid, it didn't look much like coffee. I sipped it against my better judgments,but this Dorian in front of me...Was a different Dorian...A modern Dorian. I liked this Dorian even a little.
The hot chocolate I mean...It was yummy.
''What were you saying?'' I smiled up at him, still sipping at my gift.
''Never mind.'' He chuckled. ''Any who-'' Hey, I talk like that...Oh yeah It's about a hundred years and he's lived through the cultural changes and all that jazz.
''- so how are you feeling? Oh yes, that's right you fainted at work.'' He clicked his tongue and shook his head at me.
Dr. Hallward (a.k.a Dorian) took a vanilla envelope out from under his arm and flipped it open, his eyes scanning along whatever it had printed in it. The cup was quite warm in my near frost bitten hands, I bet I looked terrible...Like a soaked rat with black smeared under my eyes. He must really pity me.
''Really Sybil, I thought you are the type of person to take better care of your-self.'' He took a fatherly tone which didn't set well with his youthful features and luring eyes that glisten.
''I thought so too.'' I laughed slightly, it was a pathetic hollow laugh.
''Well, you can make it up to me.'' He flashed a brilliant perfect smile.
Dorian has a Jasper Cullen effect on people, I couldn't help but smile too.
''You want to do weird experiments on me?'' I asked and laughed even know everything seemed awkward and weird.
He smirked while reaching into his lab coat. '' As tempting as that sounds. No-''
''For starters, please take this cup...You know what to do.'' He smiled as he handed me the plastic cup with the ominous white lid.
For a second our fingers barely grazed the other, it prickled my skin. ''Second: Do you want to hang out some time?'' His smile faded a bit, if thinking I would yell at him or scream no at him.
I just shrugged . ''Sure. But I dunno, school's starting up soon and your a doctor now-'' He cut me off with his handsome laughter.
''Just say yes, Sybil. Besides, I am sure I can make some time for my little time traveler.'' He winked and I couldn't but laugh at his action and his words- I tried not to blush.
''Whatever Dorian.'' I chuckled. ''Any who what's your alias's first name anyways?'' I asked, wiggling my toes in my vans.
''Oh, it's David.'' He smiled. ''Now, go fill that cup and we'll talk about personal stuff later.''
I stood up and shrugged off my temporary shawl.
''The lady's is just down this hall, to your right.'' He looked up from my file smiled warmly at me.
I nodded and open the door, softly closing it behind me.
Ho-o-o-l-l-y Shit.
.Fuck.
I walked stunned into the woman's rest room, fumbling with the cup he gave me.
Dorian smiled as he rested up against the medical room counter, he was so please with this little surprise that he almost forgotten to go ahead with the standard procedure. He'll have to wait until after she fill's the little cup, to ask any more questions.
''Wow.'' He sighed, ''I never saw this coming.''
Doctor 'Hallward' shook his head sightly. ''I wonder if she'll mind catching a movie with me? Besides, we have so much catching up to do.''
I carefully placed the cup in the small sliding door above the toilet. As soon as I shut the door, I heard the wall of the small space open and whoever on the other side take my body fluid. It's a bit creepy when you think about it.
I washed my hands...I tried avoiding looking in the mirror, I didn't want to see how horrid I looked.
''Wow. No fucking paper towels.'' I hissed, rubbing my hands on my pants.
I spun around, closing my eyes so I wouldn't catch a glimpse of my reflection and headed for the door.
When I came back to the room, He was leaning up against the small counter writing some things down on a note pad.
''Welcome back.'' He cooed, not even looking up.
''Yeah, hi.'' I mumbled, sitting back up on the examining table.
''So, how have you been feeling the last couple of days?''
I shrugged, ''So-so. A little tired...maybe achy.''
''I see.'' He said, his eyes smiling but his lips were not. ''How about your eating habits...A little more? A little less?''
''A little less.''
''Uh-huh. Now, what about drinking?''
''What about it? You mean beer and stuff...?'' I asked, almost timidly.
He raised an eyebrow and laugh softly. ''No. No, I mean non alcoholic drinks. But, have you been drinking a lot or drinking some...Not at all?''
''Less then some I guess...''
''Ah.'' He continued with his scribbling. ''Well, I thought that might be the case. From what I remember a hundred odd years ago is that you were very forgetful.''
He finished his sentence with a smile, a teasing smile with a wink.
I hid my blush.
Dorian drove me home after our appointment, he said I would get the test results in a few days and so would the company I was currently employed to.
When I told him where to drop me off-At my house-His dark chocolate eyes lit up. ''Oh, so you don't live very far away from me.''
''Nope.'' I said in a flat tired voice.
My mind was years and years away, my mind was skipping along a beach with the sword of the ocean in the distance, my mind was too preoccupied by a blonde's crooked smile and his warm arms around her. My mind is a dirty girl.
Dorian pulled into the drive and unlocked my door for me. I smiled and thanked him before opening the door, he returned my smile.
''No problem.'' His brown eyes seemed amused.
''See ya around.'' I closed the door behind me.
I didn't look back as I walked up the steps to the front door.