Alexa's P-O-V

I closed my ears once again as James screamed through his dressing procedure. He didn't need stitches but the clean up did need some operational equipments to fix his wound.

Miss Marie was very careful with her ways and I really liked her patience in her work. I could already say she was doing a perfect work.

'Come on James. It does hurt that bad, does it?' Eva asked James in the most polite way but the guy was still sobbing while shaking his little head.

God! What's his age?

I really can't believe they did this to James. Why couldn't he stop them? And the same goes for Bayley too. They asked her to eat the pastries and she obeyed like a good girl! Why?

Right from the moment I saw her this morning, I knew she was on the softer side. I mean, she tripped on the desks at least thrice before finding herself an accommodation. To be honest, I felt like pitying her when the class was laughing at her but I believe you should never pity anyone anyone in your life. It weakens them further.

I really didn't to be harsh on her on our very first conversation but the  way she said the Shield was her dream and she's now living her dreams...got into my sensitive part. It disturbed me knowing that the girl beside me was happy following her own dreams while there was me...forced into the medical world by my parents and I  was forced to bury all my own dreams and aspirations. I was jealous of her. I really was and that caused the unlucky outburst.

But, then the way she acted by standing alone when everyone sat and speaking out loud like somebody just got her awake simply disgusted me. And the way, she was openly gawking at the Professor simply stated that she has never seen a man in her life! Can you believe that she wasn't even concentrating on what he said and had no idea about the task provided to us! Which world does she live in?

But, somewhere deep down in my heart, I felt extremely angry when that bitch Zahra put her hands on Bayley. She seemed so helpless! I assume she's kind of a person who is habituated with protection and safety from others and they totally don't know how to fight for themselves and the same crap goes for the guy sitting near me and screaming loud everytime the forcep went a centimeter near his skin.

'We're done.' Eva finally said bandaging James' wound. 'Just open the wound and dress it regularly after every two days.' Eva said.

Being medical students, we already knew that though. James nodded getting up from the chair he sat on. I opened his bag and handed him his pants.

Of course, it looks weird seeing a grown up man walking in shorts around the hospital but I just wanted to draw the authorities' attention towards the cruelties of their original students and so, I asked Bayley and James to keep things as they left. I guess Dr. Lynch already saw that and was taken aback by the incidents. She seemed really nice and cooperative if you ask me. I hope we get the same cooperation from the Students Welfare Cell.

Eva directed James towards the adjacent changing room and he went inside with a silly smile.

'Would you  guys like some coffee?' Eva asked walking to me with a smile on her face.

'Thanks but no. I guess we have to go to the Students Welfare Cell now. Dr. Lynch said she'd inform the President beforehand and I guess that'd help.' I said feeling a little optimistic about the thing.

But, Eva's frown said she was still slightly confused.

'Who were the accused again?' she asked with a strange confused curiosity.

'Well.. Zahra, Fandango and James said the girl with short hairs named Lisa. There were few others who name we don't know.' I said.

'Zahra and her gang! Zahra Schreiber? The girl with tattoos?' Eva asked widening her eyes in surprise.

I remembered her tattoos over her neck and over the chest region. I didn't know her last name for sure but I guess that was her. I nodded to Eva who's eyes widened further if they could. She opened her mouth but looked down uncomfortably as if she wanted to say something but was hesitant.

'ehm.. Is there a problem with that?' I asked being a little curious.

Eva looked up at me frowning as if debating innerly.

'Uhhhh.. Not actually but I'd suggest you not to pick a fight with them. They are pretty menacing and ehm.. I don't think going to the Students Welfare Cell would help much.' she said the last part completely ignoring my gaze.

Going to the Students Welfare Cell won't help much! What does she mean by that?

'Miss Marie, what do you mean by that?' I asked standing up from the chair and walking near her.

'Actually..' she started to say something but just then the door to the changing room opened revealing a well dressed Ellsworth with a smile on his face.

Eva changed her posture immediately.

'Wow! Mr. Ellsworth, You look really handsome!' Eva said with a complimentary smile to which James blushed terribly.

Idiot!!

Eva then looked at me and she knew I was still expecting an answer but she looked at Ellsworth one more time before looking at me suggesting she wasn't comfortable to discuss things in front of Ellsworth.

'Miss Bliss, I've some important work at Dr. Ambrose' cabin. I hope you all can excuse me.' she said biting her lip and picking up a kit box.

I nodded understandingly.

'But, what was the name of the President of the cell again?' I asked.

'Dr. Seth Rollins.' she said before leaving the room.

Dr. Seth Rollins.

*****

Me and James walked out of the dresser's cabin with a hope to catch Bayley waiting outside the room but alas! She was missing!

Where did the girl go now? Both James looked around but she wasn't seen anywhere around.

'Did Bayley leave?' James asked confused.

'No. I don't think..' before I could complete, my eyes spotted Bayley standing by the wall at around 20 feet away from us towards a region visibly marked as Under Maintenance.

How did she went there and why? And where is she even looking right now and what is she even thinking? God! I've a strong feeling this girl didn't even see the sign board! Ugh! This girl is someone who lives in her own world of illusion, building her own irrational dreams believing that she'd automatically end up in her own picture perfect life someday.

Bayley!' I shouted to her which, I believe, got her back to reality and she looked around almost immediately.

She walked towards us fast and threw a smile when she spotted James all ready to go.

'Someone looks really cool, huh?' she  teased him making the guy blush.

Ugh! Another piece of illusory world!

'Thanks Bayley.' James said scratching the back of his neck.

'You're most welcome.' she said and finally turned to me. 'By the way, are we going to to meet the President of the Students Welfare Cell?'  she finally came to the point.

'Yes. The nurse Eva Marie just told me where to see him.' I informed.

'That's cool. What's his name?' she asked curiously.

'Dr. Seth Rollins.' I said remembering the name.

Bayley nodded.

'Let's go.' I said guiding the two towards the elevator.

It was pretty sure that I would have to take the lead here.

'But, what were you doing in the Under Maintenance region? I couldn't help but ask Bayley about it.

She almost paused with a frown in the eyes.

'Under maintenance! Oh! That's the reason..' she muttered the last part to herself entering into her illusory world once again.

'Well, actually I didn't notice the sign. I was too enchanted by the smell of the paints.' she said with a sudden excitement in her tone. 'You know it smelled like Vanilla and Moss combined and I just got attracted towards it.' she said.

I knew it. She didn't even notice the sign. But, smell of paintings, really?

'Oh yes! I love the smell of new paints too.' James said with a strange delight.

Ugh! Here you go again!

'Okay guts, let's just get into the elevator and reach the person we're supposed to.' I announced before the things would get more weird.

Seth's P-O-V

My mind wasn't working much after doing two complicated tumor removal surgeries back to back for the last six hours. So, in order to calm my mind and get some energy back into my body, I decided to spend some time alone in my private locker room at the company of the only true love of my life.

I smiled as I opened the locker and took her out in my arms. I always make sure to silence my phone and lock the door when I'm with her. There's a reason I chose the furthest room from the hospital wards and clinical proceedings. Even if it's the best 30-40 minutes of my day with her, I always make sure that my romance with her doesn't go beyond soundproof walls and hamper any of the hospital proceedings.

I ran my hands on her strings switching her keys alive and took my place at my special stool at the middle of the room.

I closed my eyes feeling her shining maple skin against my arms which was enough to trigger the vibration in my throat.

I pressed and held her strings down with my left hand while my right hand started stroking the strings softly elevating me to that unknown world of peace and harmony. My heart blasted with the rhythm of the  Ozzy Osborne classic and the explosion in the heart didn't take much time to take my voice with it..

'..... I've listened to preachers,
I've listened to fools
I've watched all the dropouts
Who make their own rules
One person conditioned to rule and control
The media sells it and you live the role

Mental wounds still screaming
Driving me insane
I'm goin' off the rails on a crazy train
I'm goin' off the rails on a crazy train..'

I knew my senses already left my side as I invested myself deep into strings of my beloved. My first love.. My last love.. Music..

'.. I know that things are going wrong for me
You gotta listen to my words, yeah, yeah

Heirs of a cold war,
That's what we've become
Inheriting troubles,
I'm mentally numb
Crazy, I just cannot bear
I'm living with something that just isn't fair

Mental wounds not healing
Who and what's to blame
I'm goin' off the rails on a crazy train
I'm goin' off the rails on a crazy train..'

I pulled on the last strings of my guitar hard yet softly holding it along for as long as I can before unwillingly releasing hold of my beloved. My eyes squeezed shut at the big impact of the transitory rhythm within and outside my heart. I kept it close for few seconds longer as I withdrew my fingers off the strings and exhaled deep pulling the instrument closer to my chest.

I opened my eyes with a still pounding heart. The surroundings seemed so different and my exhaustion was completely gone. It always happens after a song. Music was only thing in the world that could refresh my mind like this.

I decided to go for one more song and pulled on to the strings when I saw my phone lying on the table emitting some light off it.

Who now? Any emergency? I guess I should bid good bye to my love for today.

I stood up with my guitar and carefully placed it in the box and kissed my beloved one last time before calling it a day and placing it back to its place in the locker.

I walked to the table and fuck!

8 missed calls from Becky! And two text messages.

Becky 1: Seth what's wrong with you? Why aren't you receiving my calls?

Becky 2: Some new students in the Clinical Clerkship are having problems dealing with the old ones. I've sent them to you. Look into the matter and resolve their issues.

I sighed reading the messages. This is one responsibility I hate to hold. Every now and then, students come up with their silly issues like a request to postpone the exams or shortening the syllabus or complains against the dorm services or even when two girls fight over a boy and end up slitting their wrists or even when two boys fight over one girl and end up breaking each other's noses. I really hate getting into the mix. My fellow members of the forum are Randy, Dr. Molly, Dr. Greene, Dr. Michaels and Dr. Hall and I really don't know how they tolerate the barging of students with silly complaints like the theft of their towels at the dorm.

But, old students vs New Students, huh! It's not that something like that never took place but wasn't today the first class for the new ones. I wonder what happened so fast!... Well, let's see..

I replied Becky in affirmative.

Seth 1: I'm sorry...I was busy soothing myself with my bae.

Seth 2: Sure...I'll look into it.

The message was sent and I got my phone out of silent mode without forgetting. I guess the students must've reached the cell office by now. I must get going too even though I hate getting into the mix.

Before I could unlock the door of my locker, I was interrupted by knocks. I walked to the door and opened it to see an attendant waiting.

'What happened?' I asked frowning.

'Dr. Rollins, few students are waiting for you in the Student's Welfare Cell for the last 30 minutes. They said they needed you urgently.' the guy said.

'For 30 minutes !?' I asked getting a little confused. Well, Becky messaged me like 20 minutes ago and the students arrived 10 minutes before that! Strange!

'Yes Doctor and they said they need to talk to you urgently.' he repeated.

'Mhm.. Okay.' I said nodded. 'I'm coming.'

I went back to put on my Doctor's apron which I always take off while singing and made my way towards the Cell Office.

It took me five minutes from my locker to reach the Student's Welfare Office. I called Dr. Molly Holly but she was busy with an important kidney stone removal surgery while Dr. Michaels was on leave. Dr. Hall and Dr. Greene had OPDs and Randy, of course, was busy trying to win a bet pursuing after one of his rich patients, which, I know, he can never win and he'll have to pay me two hundred dollars for that. So, that leaves me alone to deal with the impending issue.

I pushed open the door of the office to be greeted with a big smile.

'What are you doing here?' I asked her surprised.

*****

Alexa's P-O-V

'I guess he said it was the third door.' Bayley said pointing to the one as we reached the desired floor.

We walked over and there it was: Student's Welfare Cell.

I sighed finally getting to the point of taking up an action against the bullies. They deserved to get complained. I hope it'll work.

'You think it'll work?' James asked breaking my positivity with his frail negative attitude in a second.

I just gave him a glare. 'Just follow me.' I said and knocked the door loud making sure to use my knuckles on it.

'Come in.' I heard a faint voice. I motioned to Bayley and James to follow me with my fingers and pushed the door open to be greeted by a gust of cold wind.

There were several people in the room with their backs turned towards us and were strangely either silent or silenced just after our entrance. Some of them even turned to us and I could even locate few known faces from the class. Thanks to my short stature, I couldn't see much in the front.

'Excuse me!' I said loud enough to make my presence felt and tried to push past few of them to finally witness the personal sitting on chair across the desk who, I assumed finally diverted his attention towards us after hearing the Excuse me.

I looked behind to make sure Bayley and James weren't left behind and even through that, I could say the guy on the chair was eyeing us with certain smug and amusement as the three of us made our ways towards his desk.

Is he Dr. Seth Rollins? Yes, I could read the name plate on his desk.

'Yes, may I help you?' Dr. Rollins asked running his eyes on the three of us with a strange smirk on his lips.

I don't know why a strange uncanny. My heart paced as I felt Dr. Rollins' holding a strange expression as he watched us and eyed the students present in front of his desk who had their backs turned to us. As I walked ahead, my frowning eyes scanned on the surroundings filled with eight to ten students most of whom I recognized from the class to land on the person I least expected to see anytime soon.

My eyes widened and my heart stopped as I saw Zahra standing at Dr. Rollins' desk with a mischievous smirk on her lips with Fandango and few others behind her. Her arms had a compression bandage, thanks to me. But, what is she..

'Zahra!' Bayley spoke out in surprise.

'Yes, that's Zahra Schreiber, for you.' Dr. Rollins said pointing his eyes towards Zahra with a smirk on his lips. '...and she and few others are here to complain against certain new students who endued physical assault on few of the institute's original students including a concussion of Miss Maxine Ryan and almost wrenching the arms of Miss Zahra Schreiber.' he concluded.

I froze in shock. I looked at him frowning and then at Zahra.

They complained against us!! Or precisely they complained against me!

Wow! Amazing!

I felt Bayley grabbing hold of my hand from behind and I could already feel her palms getting sweaty and I knew how scared she was. I looked at her giving a consoling nod even though I myself was equally shocked.

'What were the names again?' Dr. Rollins asked Zahra.

Zahra looked at us and smirked licking her lips.

' Well, Professor.. I guess you don't need the names when they themselves are here in the office.' she said running her eyes on the three of us with a confident smile.

My blood boiled. So, this was their plan! To get to the Student's Welfare Office before us and pass the blame away from their shoulders before it even arrives.

'Well well, are these three the students you were talking about?' Dr. Rollins asked motioning his eyes towards us.

'Yes Sir. She was the one who sent poor Maxine to the hospital bed.' Fandango said pointing to me with all  rage.

My fists clenched as I threw him a glare he would never forget. How could they? Is that why Eva said the council won't help?

'This is wrong!' Bayley spoke loud before I could. 'They are lying!' she claimed.

I could say I was slightly proud of her for that.

But, to my disbelief, Dr. Rollins threw her a glare in return.

'What is the lie you're talking about? Maxine being admitted in the hospital or Zahra standing before me with the compressors in her arm?' he said in a wrathful voice.

What? This is too much!

'And did you want to know the reason they had to face the fate?' I shot sharply towards the Professor who I felt was acting quite biased right now.

I could say Dr. Rollins was quite startled by my tone. I felt few others gasp too.

'The only thing I needed to know is that everyone is complying to the Shield's code of conduct and nobody puts their hands into others over any circumstances.' Dr. Rollins said in a visibly enraged tone.

My teeth gritted on its own. This is ridiculous! He wasn't even ready to hear our part of the story!

'Talking about putting their hands, well then how do Miss Zahra and her friends explain this?' I said pulling out James from behind and pointing towards his forehead. James' condition was no better than Bayley's and he was nervous as hell too.

Dr. Rollins frowned looking at James' forehead.

'Yes Professor. These girls dragged me to the cafeteria and asked me to have ten cakes made up of Bitrex and when I didn't, the boys caught hold of me, pulled down my pants and..' James was almost on the verge of tears. I held him tightly.. '..the girls started throwing food at me.' James said with a slight sob.

'Yes Professor. They even asked me to take ten cakes made of bitrex and would have even done the same thing to me if Alexa wasn't on time.' Bayley added.

Dr. Rollins was slightly surprised and he looked at Zahra who immediately faked a pained look.

'Sir, I've no idea what they're talking about. I never bully people and neither does my friends. And..' she paused looking at Dr. Rollins in a weird way... 'I guess you know me really really well. Don't you Professor.?' she said eyeing the Professor in a very different way leaning herself slightly against his desk.

Dr. Rollins looked at her licking his  lips in a weird gesture and turned back to us.

'You have any proof that Zahra and her friends has anything to do with this injury?' he asked pointing to James.

'Excuse me! In that case, I guess Zahra and Maxine doesn't have any proof too.' I pointed angrily slamming my fist onto his desk. I felt Bayley and James trying to hold me back immediately.

Dr. Rollins looked at my hands and then my face being visibly displeased with my attitude. Too bad, he unleashed this side of me.

'Well, apparently you're the only one in the institute wearing brass knuckles and I guess that's enough of a proof to get you into the assault charges.' he said leaning forward and gritting his teeth as he spoke.

How dare he?

'Look Professor, Alexa wasn't even in this mess. She only got into it because she wanted to help us.' Bayley said acting like an emotional fool.

Dr. Rollins scoffed. 'And you think that gives her the right to use knuckles and shower her bad ass physical assaults on the innocent girls?' He asked shooting at Bayley.

I scoffed too. 'Innocent girls! Them? You must be either blind, crazy or really really drunk Professor! Because these people...' I pointed to Zahra and her gang.. 'are bunch of snakes filled with overwhelming poison pricking into the lives of every new person that passes by and you're just one of the people getting wrapped around by them.' I shouted.

Dr. Rollins raised his eyebrow momentarily, leaned back on his chair and looked at Zahra and her team.

'You guys may leave. I'll look after your complains and I'm sure they'd apologize for their act soon.' he said.

What the..

'Thank you Professor.' Zahra said with a smirk and the others nodded too.

'What the.. How could you let them go? You didn't even listen to our complaints?' I asked as I saw Zahra and her team leave the room. Zahra even threw a secret wink at me before leaving.

'Listen. I know what I'm doing and as newbies, it's good for you all that you should correspond to our students and try to act out mutual with them.' Dr. Rollins advised putting every blame on us.

My jaw clenched. 'You want us to correspond with them? Even after they tried to bully us in the worst way possible? Even after they just got us thrashed with their lies by a stupidass biased Professor on our very first day?' I slammed my fist on his desk again. I heard James and Bayley gasp in surprise as they saw my true attitude.

I was breathing hard but then I realized so was Dr. Rollins who now pushed away his chair and stood up to face me with his taller stature.

'You have no idea how much this conversation will affect rest of your days in the Shield and not to mention your entire career.' he said in an irated whisper eyeing all three of us with utter threat. 'You really don't know how to talk to your Professor, do you?' he sneered in anger.

'Only if the Professor is a complete di..' Bayley's palms came over my mouth to shut me up from what I was saying.

'Please don't take her words seriously Professor.' she said. 'We're sorry.' she said in a fearlaced voice.

Why on earth is she sorry?

'Yes Sir. We promise you'd never get into any argument in the future and would stay in total correspondence of the old students. I.. I assure you.' James said almost begging.

What? Don't tell me they are scared by the stupid threat! Ugh! I forgot, unlike me, they love their careers. Fine, let them save it.

Dr. Rollins raised an eyebrow looking at them. ' That's much smart of you.' he said with a proud smug face.

'Since you insist, I'm gonna give you one last chance, provided you would never get into any physical altercation with anyone in the Shield.' he said. I assumed my idiotic friends nodded because the smug look on Dr. Rollins' face brightened.

'...and..' Dr. Rollins looked at me and then to my hand on the desk and then back to me. 'I want you to surrender those brass knuckles immediately on my desk.' he said authoritatively.

My jaw clenched. He's got to be kidding me!

My knuckles were my companion and they always makes me feel stronger than ever. I pushed away Bayley's hands off my mouth roughly.

'No way..' I burst. ' These are my personal belongings and nobody has a right to seize them off me.' I said sharply.

'Well Miss, then, with all due honor to your privacy..' Dr. Rollins leaned his face more towards me with a confident authoritative tone.. 'Your personal belongings are creating hostility within the campus and according to the protocol, anything that disturbs the normal peaceful and tranquil environment of the Shield, is to be seized off immediately.' he said eyeing me intensely.

'No way!' I said sharply withdrawing my hands off the desk and looking at my knuckles with determination.

'Well then, don't blame me for you three being suspended on your very first day in the Shield.' he said with a haughty smirk on his lips.

'Suspension! What the fuck!' I said in disbelief. I heard Bayley and James gasp in unison.

'Please don't do this Professor. It was my dream to be a part of the Shield and a suspension in my record is gonna ruin it.' Bayley said almost at the verge of tears.

'Professor I've never been suspended in my life.' it was James' turn to plead now. 'Please don't do this. We're really sorry for what happened.' he said breaking into tears.

Oh God! I'm sure the devil in front of them is relishing each part of their plead with pride and satisfaction. Honestly, I'm not scared of the suspension at all. I just want to see how much his biased attitude can take him and it's not that I'm gonna let him escape with whatever he does to me...but..now, I'm feeling pretty bad for the other two.

'Look, it was me who put my hands on Zahra and Maxine. There is no need to suspend these two for that.' I said pointing to Bayley and James.

Dr. Rollins smirked. 'Thanks for your confession but the complaint had been registered against all three of you in the notorious group.' he said cruelly crossing his arms on his chest.

'So, it's all upto you now. Shed your ego and take those things off your fingers and you'll leave my room with the warning call instead of the suspension letter.' he said shrugging. My jaw clenched and my fists balled. I wish I could punch this guy on his face right here, right now.

'Alexa please..' Bayley begged through her sobs.

'Please save us Alexa. I don't want to get suspended.' James pleaded.

I sighed looking at my knuckles and kissing them for one last time.

'Fine. If that's what saves you all from the suspension.' I muttered through my teeth and took off the knuckles roughly off my fingers and throwing them on the desk with a loud thud.

I saw Dr. Rollins pick them up from his desk and shoving them into his pocket.

'Now that's like a good girl.' he said throwing a smirk at me.

I threw him one last glare before turning around and walk out slamming the door in the process.

****

'Alexa.. Alexa wait!' I heard Bayley's voice as she chased me up to the ground floor after I rushed out of the stupid Students Welfare Cell office sacrificing my dignity in front of a biased asshole.

I did not stop. I didn't want to. If it wasn't for Bayley and James, I wouldn't have to give up my knuckles in his desk and accept the humiliation this way. I increased my pace.

'Alexa stop.' I heard Bayley again who, I assumed was running behind me. Ugh! Why can't she leave me alone?

If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have been in this mess at the first place! I wonder why the rationality inside me died and emotions took over me when I saw this girl in trouble alongside her chinless friend.

'Alexa..there you are!' she caught up to me and was panting hard. Who knows how long she had to run to get to me? Why is she even following me?

'What now? Aren't you done humiliating me like that?' I spat angrily at her.

She, however, gave me a sad look.

'Look Alexa, I'm sorry for whatever happened in there but trust me, there was no way out for us if you wouldn't have given up the knuckles.' she said. 'Dr. Rollins would have suspended us and...'

'And?' I enquired sharply.

'...and that would have a deep impact on our careers. The Professors would know and form wrong impressions about us and that'd definitely affect our clerkship rotations. Why don't you understand?' she said pitifully.

'And you really care about their impressions about us?' I chuckled sarcastically.  'You know Bayley, I don't care what they think about me and what they might ever do to me.' I spat sharply.

I could say Bayley was utterly surprised by my words.

'But, you do know what flunking a year in the biggest med school of the country means, don't you?' she asked widening her eyes.

As if I care about getting flunked!

I rolled my eyes. 'Listen Bayley, I know your stupid mind won't understand that but for me, my self respect is the biggest asset I've got and it's the biggest qualification of my life.' I spoke aloud. 'And thanks to you, today I lost them in front of a donkey raping shit eater like Seth Rollins.' I shouted making Bayley look around and gasp.

'Stop Alexa. Oh my God! They are gonna listen. You realize what you're saying?' she asked with fear and surprise laced in her eyes.

God! She's just not at all me.

My eyes fell behind her and James was walking towards us with three cups of coffee in his hands.

I was breathing hard in anger. I saw them exchange looks.

'Hey Alexa! Come on, let's forget about these things. I brought us some expresso.' James said with a big smile.

Ugh! Can't these two understand I'm not a friendly and emotional person like them!

'Wow! Thanks James. I'm such a coffee addict that I can take even upto twenty cups a day.' Bayley said smiling and taking a cup with a big smile.

Both hers and James' smiles were exaggerated and I knew they were giving a stupid try to lighten up my mood.

What kind of people are they?

'Yeah and they say, you do need a hot drink after some cold experiences.' James said chuckling and taking a sip out of one of the two cups held by him.

'He's right Alexa, plus it's amazing! Just try a sip.' Bayley said sipping into her cup.

I was really tired of all this sweetness.

Ugh! Okay fine! I shook my head and took the cup left for me from James' hand.

Bayley and James smiled looking at each other as if their mission was finally accomplished.

I took a sip of the hot coffee to cool down my mind and yes, Bayley was right. It wasn't bad either.

'It's good, isn't it?' James asked with a big smile.

'Mhm.. Not bad.' I said not agreeing totally. 'Thanks.'

'You're most welcome Alexa and I'm glad I got two amazing friends like you and Bayley on my first day.' James said with a big smile.

Wait! Friends!!

'Yes Alexa. I admit, I felt a little intimidated by you when I first saw you this morning but you are an amazing girl.' Bayley said getting me surprised.

'Also, thanks and sorry for whatever you went through for us. And trust me, whatever Zahra and her gang are planning from now on, we will fight it together. I won't let you face them alone.' Bayley said in an emotional tone.

My eyes frowned. Is it really Bayley?

'ehm..actually..' I was about to say but James spoke faster.

'Bayley is right Alexa. Zahra and her gang played the worst game with us but now, we won't let them win any. You might have lost your knuckles, but you did gain four more hands.' he said showing off his hands in the air. Bayley did the same with a big smile on her lips and I couldn't help but smile at their gesture.

I mean I do know they aren't the people meant for physical brawling and all but that was a little too sweet!

'Yes, she smiled.' James exclaimed through a smile.

'Does that mean, you forgive us?' Bayley asked excited with a smile.

'Well may be..' I shrugged sipping into my cup.

'Does that mean the three of us can have a group hug now?' Bayley said pouting innocently.

Seriously! Group hug! She's 19 or 9!

'Group...?' I raised an eyebrow.

'Yes, Dr. Rollins did mark us as a notorious group.' Bayley said chuckling but then her face fell. 'But, you do think of us as friends, right?' she asked suddenly realizing that she needs to care about my opinion too.

James looked at expectantly.

'ehm.. On one condition..' I stated looking at both of them seriously. James and Bayley looked at each other confused. 'Don't mention that asshole Rollins' name in front of me.' I said rolling my eyes and the two burst into laughter.

'Okay okay.. Pinky promise for that.' Bayley said she and James twisted their little fingers against each other's.

What was that about?

Before I knew.. 'Hug time..' the two said together and pulled me into a big group hug.

Oh man! I guess I'm stuck with them for my entire clerkship program. God help me survive...

*******

Finally, the dorm rooms were distributed. Each room was shared by two people and most of the students did manage to find a compatible buddy by the evening. Of course, Bayley was clinging to me the whole time and I almost thought I had a wife and there was no way she would share the dorm room with anyone other than her husband.

Not a problem! I've dealt more challenging room partners when I did my pre-clinicals at Columbia branch of the Shield.

Our room was at the fifth floor. It was simple two bed accommodation with multiple lockers and small wardrobes , two tables, two chairs on either sides of the room justifying the two person stay.

'Wow! It's purple! My favorite color!' Bayley almost screamed as she saw the color of the walls.

'Well..good for you.' I said not knowing what to say on that.

I chose the bed on the right and dumped my stuffs on it carelessly except the one big bag I placed on the table.

Bayley on the other hand got a piece of cloth from somewhere and started cleaning the lockers.

God! I've never have patience for that.

'Cleanliness is next to godliness, they say..' she smiled at me while cleaning to which I just gave an awkward smile.

I started taking out my stuffs and stuffed them into the lockers by my side. One locker for books, two for others rest for others and I left the last big locker vacant for now. The wardrobe didn't need much attention. I simply placed my bag into the wardrobe and decided to pick out my dresses from the same as per the need.

It was now time to hang my punching bag to the appropriate part of the ceiling which I located in no time.

'Hey Bayley, could you just pass your chair to me?' I asked her.

She looked at me surprised but nodded picking up her chair. I motioned her to place her chair over mine which I already placed below the perfect location.

'God! Don't tell me you're gonna get up on it?' she said surprised to which I just did a 'watch me' with my fingers with a confident smile and climbed up on two chairs with the string attach my punching bag to the trying ceiling. The string seemed a foot long. So, I took out the blade out of my pocket and got it into a perfect length for my punching bag.

Perfect! And considering my first day, I'll definitely need it more often.

As I jumped down, Bayley looking at me with wide eyes.

'What?' I asked confused.

'ehm..nothing. You do this everyday?' she asked pointing at the punching bag.

'No essentially but I guess I'll have to make it an everyday affair in here.' I said honestly.

She nodded awkwardly. What's wrong in that?

'And do you always keep that blade in your pocket?' she asked more surprised.

'Of course, I do. You never know when you need it. But, don't you keep blades too?' I asked because I feel it's quite normal for anyone to carry a blade. You never know when you get stuck and you need it!

But, Bayley's expression seemed like I just asked her about keeping a  nuclear bomb in her pocket. She nodded with a startled expression.

She is just not at all me.

I put down Bayley's chair from over mine and placed it in it's original position while Bayley returned to her sorting work.

I yawned and stretched myself down to my bed looking at Bayley enjoying herself sorting things with all patience.

Bayley was taking out each piece of her clothing separately and arrange them systematically into the wardrobe. Her lockers were distinct with three lockers for books and one for other things.

From what I understood, she studies a lot. At least five..nay..ten times more than me.

Finally, she took out few photo frames and placed them carefully on the table.

'All done..' she said clapping her hands.

'Congrats..' I said rather bored.

'ehm...you could have taken the shower by now.' she said acknowledging the fact that I laid idle in the bed for ten minutes.

Shower.. Later may be...

'Nay.. I'll take it after you.' I said sitting up on the edge of my bed. She nodded and picked up her towel and a pair of pjs.

'I'm heading for the shower okay.' she informed me like it was her moral duty.

I showed her a lazy thumbs up as she walked inside.

I looked around studying the huge decorative difference between the two sides of the room. My eyes fell on Bayley's table and I was immediately attracted towards the photo frames placed on it.

As I walked near, I saw a photo of her in her younger days with a couple who I assume, are her parents. There was one with a pogo stick and three more frames in one of which it was a 10-11 years old Bayley checking on her father wearing a fake stethoscope, the other had a much younger version of her holding a syringe with a pout face and the last one was her in a doctor's apron with a trophy in her hand which I believe was from a fancy dress competition.

I smiled as I saw the smile on her face.

She wanted to be a doctor since her inception! And now she's leaving her dream. Now I know why she was so scared when that asshole Dr. Rollins threatened to suspend us. You don't want a blotch in your dream, do you?

Lucky are the people who could live their own dreams and not others'. Who knows that more than me?

I sighed turning my eyes to the last fading glimpse of my dream laying on the table. I'm glad Bayley didn't notice it. I opened the big bag to reveal another bag that wrapped the body of my best friend Dynamo with all his curves.

My heart flattered as I recalled my good old days playing with him happily, joyously. A smile of nostalgia occurred on my lips almost moistening my eyes.

Those days were gone! I lifted Dynamo in my arms tenderly before placing him on the last locker meant entirely for him.

'Good night Dynamo. I still love you.' I whispered before closing the locker shut along with my eyes.

I heard the door of the bathroom open meaning Bayley was coming out. I wiped the corners of my eyes clean before Bayley could see. I quickly picked up my white batman T-shirt, a pair of knee-length black chequered pants and a towel and got ready for my shower after Bayley came out in her pink pjs.

*******

Two days passed by and we did have some good and bad classes in between. Though these days weren't much eventful like the first one, Zahra still threw me ocassional smirks mouthing this isn't over and stuff. To be honest, I'm totally ready if she wants to face me. Fandango, on the other hand, was busy nurturing an injured Maxine, who we later found was his girlfriend.

Bayley also informed me that Zahra Schreiber was the topper of the class which I'm really confused about considering she kept mostly kept herself busy in make ups and beauty breaks. Also, we've done seven classes in total in these three days. I didn't see Zahra answer any question thrown by Dr. Balor, Dr. Ambrose, Dr. Michaels or Dr. Steen. As for the classes of Dr. Holly, Dr. Ross and Dr. Dumas, she didn't even attend those classes. I never saw her place any enquiry or doubt towards the Professors either, considering she was an old student.

So, either she is too intelligent or there's something hidden in the bush.

For some reasons, I still couldn't brush off what the nurse Eva Marie told me on the first day.

I'd suggest you not to pick a fight with them. They are pretty menacing and ehm.. I don't think going to the Students Welfare Cell would help much.

She knew that the Students Welfare Cell wouldn't help us right after hearing the name of Zahra. But, what made her think so?

I sighed trying not to think about it. Right now, I'm sitting in the cafeteria with Bayley who is undisputedly a coffee addict. She said she used to take coffee in order to drive her sleep away while she studied skipping her night sleep and then, it became an addiction. And in these few days, I kind of understood Bayley a little more. She isn't that stupid actually. She's just a little too conscious about her surroundings. She doesn't shout on anyone because she hates being harsh to anyone and feels that might hurt the person's feelings. But, I guess this quality of hers always got interpreted as her weakness. Poor girl!

James, on the other hand, was too much interested in Psychiatry after the class with Dr. Ambrose. Right now, he was busy in the library reading a big ass book to impress Dr. Ambrose in the next class.

But, it's really good that he's already somewhat sure about his preferred field of specialization because I really don't know what to do with my specialization..to be precise, my career and to be precise, my life.

'We have Dr. Lynch's class up next, you remember her, right?' Bayley said looking at our class schedule.

'Yes.' I said without much interest.

Initially, I thought Dr. Rebecca Lynch was a good and understanding person. She did say she'd talk to the so-called President of the Student's Welfare Cell in our favor but then.. look what happened!

Reasoning that with Eva's mysterious prophecy, I even doubt that she was also a part of Zahra's game. I mean, Zahra's their old student and also the topper. There is a possibility of her being biased too.

But, Bayley however kept telling me otherwise. She doesn't feel that Dr. Lynch has anything to do with Zahra's plan. Her argument was that Dr. Lynch would have never asked us to consult the SWC at the first place if she wanted to play with us. It's just that Zahra and her gang reached before us and brainwashed Dr. Rollins against us.

But, my argument is.. You can't brainwash someone who doesn't have a brain at the first place...

We waited in the cafeteria for ten more minutes for James to arrive but there was no sign of him.

'Oh no Alexa! There's just 10 minutes left for the class and James is yet to show his face!' Bayley said concerned.

I looked at the time in my phone and she was right.

'Let's give him a call.' I proposed. But, even after two calls from me and three calls from Bayley, James didn't receive.

Now, some other thoughts arrived in my mind. Did Zahra..?

May be..or may be he's just stupid enough and forgot the way to the class and is wandering somewhere around right now.

There was just seven minutes left for the class.

'You think we should go and have a look at the library..?' Bayley suggest adjusting her glasses on her nose.

I've noticed that she does that when she's really anxious or excited. I guess it's the first one in this case.

But, she's right. Someone needs to go and have a check on James. But, what of we get late for our class ourselves. Professor's gonna shout on us, students are gonna laugh and Bayley's gonna cry.. blah blah blah.. I could even picture it.

'ehm.. Do one thing Bayley, you go to the class. Spare us two seats. I'll just go and have a look on James.

'You alone!' she exclaimed.

What's wrong with that? I'm Alexa..not Bayley..

'Yes, in that case, at least one of us would attend the class..' I said.

Bayley nodded in understanding though I could say she wasn't sure about it.

I sighed placing my hands on her arms. 'It's okay Bayley. We'll be back soon.' I assured.

*******

I made it to the grand library of the Shield, Tempa for the first time and wow! It was one of a kind with fourteen storeys of the hall filled with thousand rows of books in each.

I went inside showing my library card to the librarian Miss James who was as silent as the whole hall.

I could see several few people with aprons scattered across the grand hall.

'ehm... Where can I find the books on human psyche?' I asked one of the attendants assuming James must be there.

' That's in seventh floor, east wing.' he said. I thanked him and took the mini stairs towards the seventh floor of the hall.

'James, are you there?' I asked in my usual loudness only to get few complaining eyes. God!

I walked through the entire seventh floor but no sign of James. Did he leave already? Could be.. May be he forgot to put off the silent mode on his phone.

I sighed walking down slowly towards the sixth floor and suddenly my eyes caught something that made my heart jump. It's a book I've been searching for so long time...

But, I didn't know they keep these books in such med school libraries! I went over and picked up the book immediately. A smile creeped up on my face as I ran my hands on the pages of the book.

Wow!

I was just about to get lost in the lines of the preface when a strange breathing noise broke my stance. I frowned looking around but couldn't see anyone nearby. I was about to continue reading when..

'Ugh..fuck..!' I heard a faint male voice.

I closed the book. There must be someone near by. Another sharp female whimpering sound came soon and I couldn't help but locate the source being somewhere around two rows straight parallel to me.

I turned around and through the sequential gap created by the missing books, I could definitely feel bodies moving. Out of a strange curiosity, I walked over to the next row and..

'Yes..keep going..fuck!' the voice became pretty clear and I even felt I've heard the voice before. I don't know what went through me, I crossed another row and pulled off few books curiously to witness the most unbelievable scene in my entire life..

My jaw literally hung as I saw Dr. Rollins and Zahra wrapped around the bodies of each other as they leaned over the wall and....

...'Keep up the good work Zahra..' Dr. Rollins spoke through his pants.. 'and you don't have to worry about anything or anyone in the world.. Fuck...' he muttered as their bodies kept plunging against each other.

Zahra moaned. 'Aahh.. Doctor.. I think I'm about to...'

Ugh! Er.. I can't watch anymore. I roughly thrusted the books in its places but accidentally dropping one of them.

Shit! I heard a dropping sound from that part and made sure not to make a move.

'Who's there?' I heard Dr. Rollins' voice.

I was breathing hard. But, shouldn't they be scared?

'Who's there?' he said again and now I felt him make a move towards my row.

NO. I shouldn't be the one to hide. They're the one at fault not me.

I heard his steps closing in and with any hesitation, I turned right moved forward ending up face to face with the devil himself.

I could feel his eyes widen. 'You?' he asked kind of surprised.

'Unfortunately.' I said with a look of disgust. But, to my disbelief, his surprise only turned to a smirk as he crossed his arms on his chest.

How shameless!

'If you're done enjoying the show,  you should be in the class right now.' he said holding the smirk and walking past me before I could even think of a reply.

I sighed realizing the real tales within the walls of the Shield, the biggest hospital and Med School group in the country.

The meaning Eva's words were now pretty clear to me.

I still held Natalie. J. Purcell's book in my hand. I sighed looking at it.

I wish I could get away from all this filth and fulfill my dreams in some parallel universe.

*******

Over with another chapter

How did you spend the Christmas?

I hope the chapter didn't bore you

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