The Degrees of Obsession

Chapter7

Marilyn and Koko dragged their feet tiredly as they walked out of the hospital after their clinical rounds. It was past 11pm, the atmosphere was humid and the moon shone overhead, casting a silvery glow across the asphalt, acting as its own source of illumination aside the flickering streetlights.

"Lyn, where the hell did you park the car?" Koko asked, squinting across the nearly empty lot.

"Over there," Marilyn pointed toward a far corner where her black Sedan sat under a dim light.

Koko groaned, "You might have to carry me there because my legs are about to fall off."

"Let's crawl, I can't really move either," Marilyn joked.

This made them both laugh as they walked to the car.

They finally reached the Sedan, both plopped down on the seats with matching sighs of relief.

Marilyn started the car and pulled out onto the streets that were usually bubbling with life and other human activities, now nearly devoid of any human, save for the few cars zooming past.

Koko rolled down the passenger window, using her notebook to fan herself.

"Why is it so freaking hot tonight?" She used her other hand to wipe the beads of sweat forming on her forehead, her pink scrubs damp and sticking to her skin.

Marilyn reached forward, flipping the air conditioning to max before rolling the windows back up.

They were both quiet, the only sound was the occasional hum of the car's engine as she took a turn with her headlights showing the way.

Koko looked down at the hem of her scrub, "I think I got a splash of amniotic fluid on me during that last delivery triage."

Marilyn glanced briefly at her before returning her eyes back on the road. "Lucky you, I got stuck with that new physician, bro spent almost two hours drilling us on the 8 Bs."

Koko grimaced, "Oh yeah. lucky me actually."

Twenty minutes later, they arrived back at their dorm. Both grabbed their bags and stepped out into the quiet night.

"I can't wait to jump right into bed."

Said Koko, as they both walked down the dimly lit hallway.

"You're definitely not jumping into any bed without taking a shower first," Marilyn countered. "You've been sweating all day, not only that, you have amniotic fluid all over your scrubs." Marilyn pushed open the door to their room quietly, mindful that Alyssa must be fast asleep. Sure enough, she was fast asleep, snoring softly with her sleeping mask on and the lights switched off.

"Okay, mom, I'll take a shower before bed," Koko whispered, fumbling along the wall for the switch to the lights.

"Wait, were you actually going to do that? Go straight to sleep like that, I know you are exhausted, but were you really going to bed like that?" Marilyn whispered back just as Koko found the switch and flipped it on. Alyssa stirred a little at the sudden brightness, but didn't wake up.

"Oh my God, Lyn, that was a joke. Let me breathe please." She retorted with a playful glare at Marilyn as she stripped out of her stained scrubs and threw her curly hair up into a messy bun.

Marilyn yawned and motioned to her to go to the bathroom.

"You can have yours first. I want to rest my back for a while."

She sank onto the floor and pulled out her phone to check her notifications. Koko padded past her, completely naked to grab her toothbrush from the dresser. Marilyn was already used to Koko being totally unclad before hopping into the shower, so she was unfazed as she continued scrolling through her phone.

She gave a quick glance at Koko's retreating form just as she was about to open the door and said, "Don't stay too long in there."

"Yeah yeah, I won't." With that, she shut the door quietly.

By the time they both finished their night routines, the clock read past one, they eventually drifted into a deep sleep when the exhaustion finally won against their bodies.

But what they didn't know was that their entire drive back from their clinical rounds had been watched. A washed-out grey vintage 1970s Mercedes-Benz had been trailing behind them, following their every turn until they finally got to their dorm.

******

"Look, he's about to leave. Follow him!" Koko shoved Marilyn in the direction Dr. Dean was heading to. They had just finished their last practical of the day. Marilyn was about to head towards her car when Koko turned her around.

"What?! No! There's no need for that, Koko." Marilyn tried to move around her, but Koko stepped in front of her to block her path.

"That's not really nice. You spilled hot coffee on him yesterday, on his chest! The least you can do is to know he didn't get a second-degree burn."

Marilyn pursed her lips before finally replying. "You're right."

"I know! Now go before he leaves."

Koko gave her one final push toward the lot and stepped back to watch.

Nervously tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, Marilyn walked toward Dr. Dean who was standing next to his white Camry and had his back to her while on a call.

She stopped a few feet away, fiddling with her fingers and quietly clearing her throat while waiting for him to finish with his call.

When he was done, he turned around to open his car door, stopping in surprise when he noticed Marilyn standing there awkwardly.

"Marilyn! How are you? Do you need something?" he asked.

"No sir, I just wanted to check on you after what happened yesterday," she said.

Out of her peripheral vision, she could see Koko standing by a nearby tree, picking at her chipped polished nail and pretending to be absent-minded.

Dr. Dean smiled reassuringly. "I'm totally fine. It burned a bit at first, but nothing a quick pack of ice couldn't fix."

Marilyn winced, "Sir, I'm sorry again. I know you said there's no need to apologize, but there really is need."

Dr. Dean shook his head with a chuckle, sliding a pair of black sunglasses.

"If you apologize again, you probably won't be allowed in my class anymore," he joked.

Marilyn let out a small, relieved laugh.

She heard Koko clear her throat obnoxiously loud from the distance.

"I should get going now," Marilyn said, taking the cue. "Have a good evening sir."

"Thank you. You too."

With that, they both went their separate ways.

"That man is so fine, Lyn! He kinda looks like *Kellan Lutz*. That damn black T-shirt and jacket on him? Yum!" Koko gushed as Marilyn approached her.

"He said he just got a little burn, he's okay," replied Marilyn, completely ignoring Koko's statement.

They began walking to where Marilyn parked her car, with Koko rambling non-stop about how good-looking Dr. Dean was while Marilyn just shook her head at her boy-crazy best friend. No surprise none of her previous relationships last. Every man is attractive to her.