After placing her damaged books inside her locker, Lisa rubbed some burn cream into her skin, feeling a faint smile curve her glossy lips.

Kaufman was giving her a chance. The man she'd found so intimidating was the only person who'd shown faith in her abilities. Perhaps he wasn't as bad as everyone made out?

Cheerfully heading for the elevator, Lisa felt a twinge of excitement at the prospect of finally being able to put her skills to good use. Though still reluctant to embrace the career, having an opportunity to do some real work was enough incentive to make her try.

She folded Kaufman's napkin into a neat square, promising that she'd drop by the laundry room before she left. The white silk was marred with coffee, and she felt obliged to rinse it out before returning it to the doctor.

Tucking it inside a pocket, she headed past a gaggle of nurses tittering about something. Gossip was never short in Alchemilla, and though she never partook in such conversations herself, the teen was often close enough to hear every word being spoken.

News stretched far and wide, relating to people and places alike. Some of the stories revolved around patients currently at the hospital, and although she hated the fact that confidentiality was being broken, the intern couldn't help but eavesdrop from time to time.

Upon noticing the young girl, one of the women called out to her.

Dressed in a pale blue cardigan, the older nurse waltzed toward the teenager, her brown hair held back in a tight bun. Scanning the clipboard in her grip, she threw Lisa an insincere smile, tapping a pen irritably against the paper.

'Miss Garland, be a dear and make the tea will you? We're all incredibly thirsty.'

Gritting her teeth, the girl tried to refrain from frowning, her fingers interlocking so the woman wouldn't see them clench. It was happening again, and she had to bite her lower lip to keep a nasty comment from escaping.

Making tea and coffee was not on her agenda, but as usual, she'd be bullied into it by the overbearing staff. She might have been young, but she wasn't stupid. They were taking advantage of her role as trainee, using it to twist the girl into doing what they wanted.

Lisa was sick of it.

The woman's words had drawn attention from other nurses loitering by the kitchen. All eyes were on her, and the teen could feel her poker face beginning to break. Part of her wanted to yell out in anger, whilst part of her refrained from doing just that, afraid of the repercussions it would bring.

'I..' She began, feeling her throat go dry.

Was it some sort of test? Did all the interns get treated this way? Frustrated, Lisa ran a hand along her forehead, feeling the distinct throb of a headache beginning to form. She didn't hear Kaufman approach until he placed a hand upon her shoulder.

'Miss Garland is not required to be your lap-dog.' He said, sounding slightly irritated, almost as if he had to scold them on a regular basis. 'I'd appreciate it if you would all get back to work. You're not being paid to stand around and chat.'

With a scoff, the elder woman headed for the medicine room, flipping through the pages of her clipboard. The remaining group abruptly scattered, many of them choosing to continue their conversation in the bathroom. Kaufman couldn't get them in there.

Rubbing at his temples, the opposing doctor released a grunt, at a loss as to how he was going to deal with their insolence. Female staff greatly outnumbered the male staff, proving to be quite a challenge when it came to making them do as they were told.

Lisa watched him curiously, wondering why he'd defended her. It wasn't that she was ungrateful, but she felt it strange that the man was only just beginning to realize she was there. It had taken him three long months. Why now?

Gesturing with his finger, Kaufman beckoned the girl to follow him, stopping outside the door to his office. Slipping a key into the lock, he turned the handle and slid inside, not even bothering to hold the door for her.

Gently pushing it shut, Lisa stood before the door, nervously shifting from foot to foot. The director pulled out a comfy chair, settling down with an air of control that sent shivers down her spine. It felt good, but she didn't know why.

The tiny room made her feel claustrophobic, but she tried to remain upright, forcing her hands to remain still. Exhuming confidence was something she'd learned from her acting class, though despite her best efforts, it didn't seem to be working.

Clasping his hands atop the desk, Kaufman stared at the girl.

'You look scared. Don't be, I won't bite.' Leaning back, he allowed himself to be consumed by the soft leather, releasing a deep breath as he made himself comfortable. 'My staff can be quite troublesome, I know. Sometimes even I have difficulty putting them in line.'

Slender fingers gripped her earring, subconsciously twisting it back and forth. She was a bag of nerves, having to force her eyes to remain on Kaufman's prodding gaze.

'How's your hand?' He asked, motioning to the patch of damaged skin.

'It's alright,' She replied, rubbing at her heated flesh. 'I'll return the handkerchief just as soon as I wash it.'

Taking inspiration from the various novels she'd read, Lisa wholeheartedly expected him to let her keep it. However, Kaufman merely gave a nod, assuring the girl that he did, in fact, expect to have it returned. She'd be visiting the linen room afterall.

'It was quite expensive, I hope it's not too damaged?'

She shook her head, 'No, I'm sure it won't stain.'

'Good.'

Removing a pen from his desk drawer, the older man began to scribble something on a notepad. From where she stood, the girl couldn't quite decipher the text, though she was impressed with his neat handwriting.

Three minutes passed without so much as a word, and the intern began to suspect she'd been forgotten. Shuffling her feet on the carpet, she tried to gain his attention without being forthright, scanning the small office inquisitively.

There wasn't much to look at, but it was better than looking at him.

'We're having some repair work done to the building.' His eyes were still firmly fixed on the paper, though his words were directed at her.

'Oh really?' It was a weak answer, but Lisa didn't know what he expected her to say.

'As of next week, the basement and third floor will be off limits.'

'Okay,' She followed his hand as it slid along the paper, carefully trailing each movement. 'But what about the patients, where will they go?'

He paused to glare at her, though the nurse wasn't sure whether he was angry or merely thoughtful. It could have been either, but she wasn't going to ask.

'Some of them will have to share rooms. The more able bodied residents are being temporarily transferred to Brookhaven and St. Jerome's.'

The girl considered this, believing it to be quite a distance for them to travel. Brookhaven was on the other side of town, whilst St. Jerome's was situated in South Ashfield. However, in comparison to it's neighbours, Alchemilla was quite a small hospital, and the girl understood that there wasn't enough space for everyone.

'Is there anything I can do to help?' She offered, remembering his promise of work.

'As a matter of fact there is.' He placed his pen down, once again clasping his hands together. 'I've a girl on maternity leave, we'll be needing all the help we can get. I'd like you to take up her post whilst she's away. If you do well, it may become a permanent position.'

The intern didn't respond immediately, under the mistaken impression that she'd misheard him. Then, as his words slowly sank into her mind, she found herself filled with a sense of elation, unable to prevent the smile that curled her lips.

Despite her joy, the nurse couldn't figure out why he was doing all of this. He didn't seem like the sympathetic type, nor did he strike her as someone with pity. She was just a kitten amongst cats, trying to learn the ropes against more experienced staff.

'Why me?'

'Because I see potential in you. Everyday you immerse yourself in those books, though I've yet to see you perform any real work. I want to give you a chance, see if you really know what you're doing.' He edged forward ever so slightly, rolling the pen between his fingers. 'But you only get one chance, so don't mess up.'

'I won't, I promise.' She meant it, despite not having much in the way of enthusiasm.

The girl left the office in a daze, dismissed by Kaufman once he was fed up of her company. Becoming a nurse wasn't something she aspired to be, but she certainly wasn't going to waste the opportunity he had given her.

Grabbing a glass of water to lubricate her coarse throat, the intern sat down in one of the chairs reserved for waiting guests. She felt light headed, adrenaline coursing through her veins from the sheer excitement of the news she had received.

Whilst overcoming her stupor, the same brunette nurse passed by, a mocking smirk on her unkind features. Lisa smiled right back, not a care in the world for what the nasty woman might have been thinking. She was going to be the best nurse she possibly could.

Even better than you, she thought.