It's a good thing that even if my internet doesn't cooperate, I am still whipping up a chapter for y'all. There are only four chapters left. This one (chapter 8), the next one (chapter 9), the one after that (chapter 10) and the finale (chapter 11). Upon completion, this will be the story that has the second most chapters, coming in second after His Distance.

A/N: Elena's not too thrilled that she has to have more dental work done, but can you blame her? We get to see a different side of her in this. It's her perspective, too. Welcome to the next installment. I know you're probably wondering what chapters 9 and 10 are about if chapter 11 is the finale. Well, how about you read this chapter and I'll explain below. Okay?

Disclaimer: dental work in this chapter. ...just thought I'd point that out. I only own OCs and storyline.

Chapter 8: Numb

(August 12, 2017. Evening. Elena's perspective)

"I've become so numb, I can't feel you there. Become so tired, so much more aware. I'm becoming like this. All I want to do is be more like me and be less like you," came the finishing lyrics from Linkin Park's Numb on Sophia's laptop. She had been glued to it up to the point where I told her we were ordering pizza because why not?

"Yeah?" she said. "Okay. I'll call... you already did? Are you sure?" I heard Sophia say from downstairs. I was on my own laptop. "Fair enough. We'll be there. Bye."

I waited a few minutes. 'Hoo boy. I can tell something big is going to happen,' I thought as I put away my 3DS as I heard Sophia run up the stairs. "Fucking Hell! He's insane and I haven't even called Brooke yet!" she said.

"Tell her about your insane instructor and then tell me later," I said, pulling my console back out. I finally would be playing through Pokémon Moon again. I haven't played it in a while. I saw Sun first and started with Rowlet. Owls are neat, okay? Plus, Noctowl is one of my favorite Pokémon. Then in my first time playing through Moon, I decided to choose Litten and named him Miko ...because I can and I did. Plus, that was what my mom called her cat growing up. Of course I wasn't going to reset my copy. Why do you think I got more than one of each game?

Sophia looked at me as I turned on my copy. "What are you doing?"

"Getting ready to do my run of the game with Popplio. You have no idea how psyched I am for November!" I said, practically beaming. Sophia just rolled her eyes as she sat at the foot of the guest bed as I laid down to play the game.

I looked out of the corner of my eye as Sophia made her call. I got my own call from the region's Professor. I picked my picture, going with second option. "Your skin tone isn't that light you know," Sophia chipped in. I raised a brow.

I shrugged. "Maybe they'll change that in generation," I began before Sophia's phone rang.

"Hey," she said somewhat lazily. "Dr. Williams has lost it, don't you think?" I rolled my eyes as she talked to Brooke. "No, I haven't told her. You know how she is about missing church," I heard as I watched the opening scene again.

I watched Lillie run from grunts one and two as Sophia and Brooke chatted. Just as Nebby was about to Teleport the duo out of there, I heard, "Elena's also not a morning person, though," from the other end. I looked over and saw that Sophia put Brooke on speaker.

"You do know I'm still here," I said. Sophia looked at me as if I had eavesdropped. "you're the one who put her on speaker."

Sophia sighed. "Yeah. See you then," she said. She looked at me. "You might have to miss church tomorrow."

"Okay," I said, letting Meowth wake me up. I wish I could stay like this. ...well, minus the hat I mean. "Seriously?" Sophia asked.

I paused the game. "Yeah. I went to the vigil Mass. You've been glued to your laptop," I said. "But how," "I still have my car. Soph, just tell me what's up."

Sophia sighed as she looked at the clock in the guest room before grimacing. "Well... you're having the other side of your mouth done tomorrow and before we do our work, Dr. Williams said he wanted to see you," I nodded. "...and it's going to be done at 11 in the morning."

I found my mouth dropping slightly. "Seriously?! On a Sunday?"

"Well, the writer wanted to do it today but it just turned out to be a bum day for her. ...as she calls it," was Sophia's response.

I shrugged. "Good thing I brought more clothes. I have a feeling I won't be leaving Greenville for a little while."

(August 13, 2017. 10:25am)

I was dressed in my clothes. Like last time, I decided not to wear any of my CCU clothes. As tempting as it was. ...I convinced Sophie to come with me ...well, rather lead me to Dr. Williams' office.

I knocked on the door. "Come in," he said. He reminded me of my grandpa. His hair was graying blond and his eyes were a warm hazel. "Ah, Ms. Sangster. I take it Miss Clark told you that I request to see you?"

I nodded. He gestured to take a seat. "So, what's up?" I asked.

"You are aware that your wisdom teeth do need to be extracted, correct?" he asked me. I nodded. "Did you plan on doing that any time soon in Surf City?" I shook my head.

I ...was I going to tell him the struggle I had with uncle Frank? "Uh, no. Though I think my uncle's seen a few cases like mine, but not like my grandpa."

He looked intrigued at that. "Oscar," he said. "You're Oscar Sangster's granddaughter, aren't you?" I nodded. "He and Rita had two boys... Harlan and Franklin. ...but if my memory serves from Oscar's last letter, he had children not too long ago."

I nodded. "Yeah. My cousins. Harlan is my dad and ...he was killed about 16 years ago."

Dr. Williams nodded. "You see, Oscar and I went to dental school together. I remember how excited he was to show me a picture of you. Anyway, I was thinking you'd be more comfortable if one of the surgeons who works with the school every now and then takes your teeth out."

I nodded. "As long as I don't have to be put under," I said.

"You have to be closely monitored, though. Would it be easier if she came here or would you like her office's address?" I shrugged.

I knew gas money was on the rise. "Whatever is more efficient."

Dr. Williams nodded. "You may go. I trust that Miss Clark will do well in her work. Besides, I'm trying a new experiment."

I just nodded at that. "Thanks, doc," I said casually.

He chuckled and I heard, "You're a Sangster for sure."

(10:45am)

"Thanks," I called as I entered the room before closing the door. My friends looked at me and I glared at them slightly. "I got lost. A janitor had to show me the way."

Brooke shrugged. "Sorry," she replied as Sophia studied the X-rays... again.

"Dr. Williams said he'd be trying a new experiment," I said as Brooke had me sit down. I opted to tell them about my wisdom teeth later. Brooke placed the napkin on me as I took a breath. She handed me the glasses before tilting the chair back. I sighed. "Play some music, Soph. You know I don't want you to slip because you're nervous," I told her.

Sophia nodded. "Yeah, okay. I guess I'll just turn on the radio," Sophia said before doing so and then washing her hands. I sighed.

"Something's bugging you, Ley," Brooke said. "I can tell."

I nodded. "Just surprised that Dr. Williams knew my family history. I ...don't want to talk about it," I said.

"How so?" Sophia said, pushing the subject.

I found myself pinching the bridge of my nose at this. "He went to dental school with my grandfather and knew my dad. End of conversation," I said, raising my voice slightly.

"Fair enough," they said.

Sophia dried her hands. "Brooke, do sensitivity tests 1-3," Sophia said.

Oh, why did that sound familiar? Ah yeah. "Raise your hand when you feel it," Brooke said. I felt the probe and raised my left hand as So What played in the background.

"Okay. It's gonna get cold," Brooke said.

How cold was cold? Um, it's kind of hard to describe. I winced and raised my hand again in the background. "Raise your glass if you're wrong in all the right ways," I heard next. Another Pink song. Brooke did the last test: to heat. *

I raised my hand. "Okay. She still has feeling in the tooth. Do you still want to use the dam?" Brooke asked Sophia.

"Yeah. Prepare the syringe," Sophia said. I began taking deep breaths through my nostrils. It was the best thing to do and it made getting shots (in the mouth, anyway) easier.

Do I tell them, 'Now,' I heard a voice in my head say. "Brooke, Sophia, Dr. Williams and I agreed on me getting my wisdom teeth out while I'm here. He made it sound like he'd talk to you two more after you're done with this today.

"Oh boy," Sophia said, not sounding too thrilled as she watched Brooke prepare the syringe. Sophia administered the topical and I watched Brooke pass the syringe to Sophia. "Ready?" she asked and I nodded.

I continued breathing through my nose as Sophia administered the injections. Brooke dabbed any blood away with a strip of gauze. I heard the familiar tune. "Thunder!"

I watched as Sophia fitted the latex over my mouth and grabbed the clips. "This is gonna be the uncomfortable part," Brooke said.

I said something that sounded like it was garbled. What I was trying to say was, "No, really? I had no idea." It probably didn't come out that way, but I was sure to speak with sarcasm.

This time, Sophia tested my teeth. "Feel that?" she asked and I didn't so i gave her a thumb's up to go ahead and even said ...or again, I tried to say so. **

(Third person perspective)

It took 20 minutes from start to finish. After a quick match of rock paper scissors, it was decided that Brooke would take Elena home and then meet up at Sophia's place. The rest of the day was long and Brooke opted to call Elena's uncle and update him.

(Monday evening)

Sophia sighed. "You'll be in good hands, Ley," she told her friend.

Elena was more focused on her game, but appeared to have heard that. "Thanks," she said. "I guess you and Brooke will come back to get my wisdom teeth removed?"

Sophia nodded. "You are going to have them removed on Friday. Nervous?"

Elena shrugged. "I've had teeth pulled before, so no. Not really," was her reply.

Two days late, but I managed to work that little end scene in there. Brief rundown and then the A/N.

(*) I've never had a cavity, so, I wouldn't know how it works. I did the test because Sophia was worried that Elena might've let too much time pass, but she didn't.

(**) Now, I know about the tests because under two different circumstances, I found myself in the chair at the endodontist's office. Endodontist is a fancy word for a dentist who specializes in root canals. Never had one of those, thank God.

End A/N: So, my internet provider company is being annoying by playing around with our Wi-Fi connection. That's why y'all are getting as many updates as you are today.

General note: I'm rotating the polls (or trying to, anyway) more frequently because there's a poll that I want to be done by the end of the year. Also, it's because I plan to get back to work on my betrayal fic: which is my third major story that I will be rewriting.

Thanks for reading this and I hope to see you on Friday with the beginning of the surgery. I might upload it in advance on Thursday, no promises.

As always, read and review, fave and follow, vote and ask. Ciao.

~Queen

PS I started this story because I couldn't physically access my desktop. That isn't a problem, the Wi-Fi is a different story. *sighs* Anyway, I hope to have the next chapter of "Eight Little Eevee" done after I finish this story and I'll get back to that story and finishing it.