I still feel lousy, but Elena is on the mend. Let's check in on her, shall we?

A/N: Brooke's perspective. Definitely shows friendship in this chapter. No other questions? Great!

This Is Not a Drill

(Alternate titles: This is Reality, Time for the Cleaning [or] I'm Going to Clean My Best Friend's Teeth for My Exam and I'm a Bit Nervous)

(Sunday afternoon)

I went to Elena's hotel room. She told me where she'd be staying. I parked my car at the Courtyard by Marriott. She had a room on the third floor. I looked at the texts. 'Room 327,' I thought as I saw the door. I knocked on it. Nothing. I did so again. Nothing. I sent her a text. Still nothing. Was she in the shower? Finally, I heard footsteps. "Yeah?" I heard Elena say. *

"Hey. This a bad time?" I said, leaning against the door and moved my body off. Good thing, too because the next thing that happened was the door opening. I saw her light purple lounge pants and an old T-shirt. Well, I also saw why she probably didn't hear me. She had her steel gray headphones in and I could faintly hear some music. She was looking a lot better than when I saw her.

She looked at me before pausing whatever she was listening to. "Well, are we just gonna stand here or what?" she asked. I shrugged and went into the room.

She opened the mini fridge and grabbed some orange juice. "You look better, but your voice is a little hoarse. Why's that?" I asked.

She flashed me a weak smile before unplugging her headphones. "I was given tickets to a concert. Well, specifically, the 3rd annual Queen City metalfest," was her reply and I was stunned.

"I didn't know you like metal," I said and Elena raised a brow.

She scrolled through her pictures or something and showed me. "I got some pix taken with some of the lead singers of a few bands," she said and I noticed her duffel had a sticker on it. "So, what brings you here?"

"Tomorrow or Tuesday. I've got to have an answer. Soph and I still have to do our parts," I said and Elena nodded.

She put her phone down before sipping some OJ. "Mm. Now that you said it, I remember," she said. "Oy, but it's Sunday."

That was true, but Ms. Cohen said I could email her. "Don't worry about it," I said, whipping out my phone and scrolling through my contacts before working on the email.

As I worked on that, Elena went back to her music. Then my phone rang. I answered it and her left ear. Of course that got her attention. "Okay, so what are the times left tomorrow morning?" I asked, putting my phone on speaker.

"10:30 and 11:45," she said sternly.

I looked at my friend. She raised a brow. "First one," was all she said.

Before I could speak, Ms. Cohen beat me to it. "Perfect. We'll see you then," she said and I looked at my friend after disconnecting.

"You better be ready," I said. "I'm going to call you when I leave the house, okay?"

Elena rolled her eyes. "Yes, Mom," she teased, giving me a nudge. I sighed.

"Alright. I'm glad you're feeling better, but I better get going," I said, giving her a slight hug.

(Sunday evening)

Elena texted me once I got home and I texted her back. I was sure to call Sophie after dinner.

(Monday morning)

I kept my word and sent Elena a text. I waited three minutes before driving out to campus. I wore my purple scrubs that had my name embroidered in old gold. I didn't see Sophia and I know I wasn't supposed to. Well, not yet, anyway. I grabbed Elena's chart and made my way out there. I got close to the door and took a breath. This was it.

I had the file in my left arm and was ready to go. I pushed the door open with my right arm. I looked at the file. "Elena Sangster?" I called. I looked up and around.

"Coming!" I heard my friend call. I noticed her bag on the floor. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans with her CCU T-shirt. "Heh. Sorry," she said casually. "Probably gave myself a little too much water to drink." I held the door open and then it closed. I watched her put her hands into her pockets.

I took a breath through my nostrils. "Right," I said and led the way. "We're going to the third room on the left."

She just nodded at that. The door was open and Ms. Cohen introduced herself to Elena. I had already put Elena's X-rays where Sophie could see them. "You can put your bag on that chair over there," Ms. Cohen said and Elena nodded.

I didn't know what was going through her head, so I didn't try to think about it. I heard Elena sit in the chair and I looked at Ms. Cohen. I began washing my hands. This was really happening. I dried them and put on a mask before putting on my loupes and a pair of gloves. I placed the napkin on Elena's chest and told her that I'd tilt the chair back. I looked around before handing her a pair of sunglasses. I sat down and brought the light down before flicking it on. I looked at her and she hadn't put the glasses on yet. 'Ready?' I had it in my eyes and Elena nodded before putting the glasses on over her eyes.

"Okay Elena, open up," I said and she did so. So far, so good. First was the scaling: the part I had the most nerves on. I started slowly and before I knew it, I was done with her bottom teeth. I moved to the top and that was that section done. I knew polishing came next. "Okay. Flavors are berry, grape, mint and watermelon. Which do you want?"

Apparently, she didn't feel like grape and that was odd. "Watermelon for a change," she said and I didn't deny her. "Mm. One thing I used to do with my parents was eat watermelon on a warm, summer day back in Chicago," she reminisced. "I used to worry about swallowing the seeds and my dad told me not to."

"Well," I began, hoping she'd at least find it somewhat funny (or pretend to), "I can guarantee you won't have to worry about seeds, but the paste is a little gritty."

She shrugged and chuckled. "As long as they're not seeds, I'm okay with that," she replied and I asked her if I could continue. I did so.

Elena started giggling. "Hm," Ms. Cohen mused. "typically, kids think it's ticklish and I've seen it once or twice in adults."

"Elena, are you ticklish?" I asked and she raised a brow.

She took a breath (through her nostrils) and said, "Not really. Just thinking about my dad and watermelons brought back a funny memory. Plus, the watermelon flavor I was given as a kid never really tasted like watermelon."

I nodded. Once that was done, it was time for me to floss her teeth and I did that. "Okay," I said. That was everything.

Ms. Cohen nodded and said she'd be right back. With her gone, Elena lifted her glasses. "See, Brooke? You stayed calm and no shredded gums."

I nodded and before I could speak, the door opened. Instead of Ms. Cohen came Dr. Williams with Sophie. "Well, are you ready?" Dr. Williams asked Sophie. I noticed Elena had decided to sit up. We looked at our younger friend and I took a breath, slowly releasing it.

Cliffhanger! I've missed those! Quick rundown and then I'll see you at the end A/N!

(*) Yes, the name of the hotel Elena stays in is real.

(**) The Queen City metalfest was awesome. …even though I didn't get to stay for the whole thing :/ -sighs-

End A/N: and that's a wrap. Sophie's exam is next. What will happen? Only I know! That's really all I have to say for now.

So, until next time:

R and r, fave and follow (if you want) vote and ask. Ciao!

~Queen

PS Loupes are the fancy name/term for the pair of glasses that the dental assistant/dental hygienist/dentist (the list is actually pretty long) wears.