Her, His, & Roses

HER - Chapter 6: She A Big Girl, That Ain't a Big Deal (1of2)

Hailee Stein, she’s a patient from California who got transferred to our Korean hospital because she keeps on escaping to go out with her friends and getting into trouble in the end.

Her parents sent her away to save her from bad influences around her and get her treated without delay, practically they’re saving her life.

She’s teenage girl from Tarzana and a wild one for her age because of wrong peers she chose to be with when she started high school.

“Aren’t you going to be late for class?” Hera called my attention when she noticed I’m keeping my eyes on Hailee.

“I think I’ll skip class for today, I can’t let you be alone with this brat.”

“So, college students can skip classes too.” Hailee nodding as she throws herself on Hera’s bed and continue reading Juliette.

“Well I can afford to skip classes because I’m the top of our class and one day missed won’t affect me that much.” I said arrogantly.

“If you’re that perfect of a student, shouldn’t you set a good example for everyone?” Hailee replied. “I don’t think skipping class is good for you. You’re too clingy with Nurse Hera, a guy like you would make girls sick and tired.” smirking at me.

“Pfft!” Hera hold back her laughter.

“Ey, what does that laughter mean??!” getting exasperated.

“Isn’t it obvious? Nurse Hera agrees with me.” Hailee said confidently.

Hera shaking her head but she can’t stop smiling. “Hailee is right.”

“That I’m making you sick and tired??” frowning at her.

“That you shouldn’t skip classes.” Hera replied. “Let us girls have fun on our own and you should head back to school.” pushing me towards the door. “Don’t worry, I can handle her myself, you should go.”

“But Hera, I don’t trust her, she’s a trouble maker and you know that too. How could I leave you alone with her??!” pleading to her.

“She’s only 15, what can she possibly do to me??” closing the door after we both stepped outside. “I can understand her more than anyone because we both got kicked out from home.”

“You’re different from her, that girl inside got a serious problem, even her parents gave up on her. The reason she sent to an unfamiliar place; they’re deserting her.” realized that I said something wrong because of my frustration. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said those words.”

“I think you should leave.” Hera’s face darkened. “Bye, Jun.” she turned her back against me as she goes back inside and closed the door with a bang like she shut me off impliedly.

“What the hell, Jun?! Why did you say that to her??!” angry with myself. “F*ck it!” punched the wall out of irritation.

I went to class that day even if I’m in a bad mood, still obedient to Hera’s every word with or without her knowing.

I know I messed up and I need to make it up for her, so I asked Ryan for an advice how to make Hera forgive me if I wronged her.

I’m not sure if he’s telling the truth or not but I follow his suggestion.

“I’m sorry.” handing Hera a jar of gummy bears. “Please forgive me.”

“What are you apologizing for??” Hera looking at me coldly.

“Sorry for being a jerk, I should’ve been more understanding.” bowing my head to sincerely apologize to her.

“Apology accepted.” taking the jar of gummy bears from my hands. “You may raise your head and stop bowing at me.”

“Are we good now??” looking at her in the eyes.

“Why do you want us to stay in bad terms??” opening the jar.

“No, of course not.” shaking my head. “I felt bad these past 3 days knowing that you’re mad at me.”

“Ryan told you about this?” eating one gummy bear.

“Yes, I doubted him at first but I’m desperate so I gave it a go.”

“It’s very rare for Ryan to tell a lie.” putting a gummy bear in my mouth. “Eat it, you’ll feel better.” pushing the gummy bear inside with her finger touching my lips. “Why are you looking at me like that??”

“You just touched my lips.” covering my mouth with my hand.

“Why, you don’t like being touched??” eating another gummy bear using the same fingers she used to feed me.

“You don’t know how happy I am right now.” smiling like a fool as her touch still lingers on my lips while looking at her lips.

“I better put this jar in my locker first before I head back to the station. Thank you for the gummy bears.” tapping my shoulders as she walks past by me.

“Uh, Hera, can I wait for you until your shift ends? Let’s have breakfast together … please?” using my puppy eyes on her.

“I just started my night shift, are you going to wait for me until tomorrow morning just to have breakfast with me??” glancing at me.

“I’m going to stay at the president’s office, I won’t watch you anymore while you’re working so I’ll just wait there for you.” touching my nape.

“So, you don’t want me to get sick and tired of you?” smiling at me.

“Yes, I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” nodded shyly at her. “Don’t forget that I’m waiting for you, alright? Don’t go home after your shift.”

“Mmm.” nodded at me before she continues walking towards the opposite way as mine.

I went to the VIP ward first to visit Prof. Macklemore as he just got transferred there 2 weeks ago.

Everyone called him Dr. Haggerty in the hospital but he’s Prof. Macklemore in the campus because he always shares his experiences from Macklemore Hospital in Washington on his lectures.

He got transferred from Washington to Seoul last year and he was assigned at the emergency and trauma care for a year before he finally earned the position in the VIP ward.

“That’s Hailee, right?” recognized the girl who just walked past by me when I opened Prof. Macklemore’s door to his office.

“She just gave me this letter and left without saying anything.” he said.

“What’s that a love letter??” chuckles as I sit on the chair across him.

“Well I’m not that bad looking.” opening the envelope to read the letter. “Ooh, it’s in pink paper.” reading the letter with his eyes.

“What does it say?? Is it really a love letter??” making fun of him.

“I’ll be damned.” he uttered as he put the paper down on the table.

“You’re making me curious.” snatched the paper immediately and read. “What the …?! A 15-year-old girl is asking you out??!”

“If only she’s at the same age with Nurse Nevaeh then I’ll gladly accept her invitation but she’s too young for me. She’s not just 5 years younger than me but 13 years. Who’s the doctor attending to her?”

“Dr. Kim, Hailee’s a trouble youth from America and I think you’ve been selected as her target to mess up with.” giving him a warning.

“We both know how American high school girls behave.” he replied. “I’m going to consult Dr. Kim about this first and see how can I be of any help for her psychological therapy.”

“You are indeed a doctor.” complimenting him. “Anyway, I just came here to check on you and I already have my answer.”

“Don’t tell anyone about this letter, alright?” giving me a serious look.

“You don’t have to tell me.” stand up and about to walk off from his office. “By the way, when did you two meet each other??”

“Last week, when I got in at the same elevator with Nurse Nevaeh. I’m pretty sure that was the first time I saw that patient with her.”

“There’s a lot of people here in the hospital, why does it have to be you??” thinking deeply.

“I don’t know, maybe I look like someone dear to her, I need to talk with Dr. Kim for validation.” coming along with me.

Hera probably knows what’s happening with Hailee as she’s been taking care of her since she arrived in Seoul but I couldn’t bring it to her when we’re having breakfast together the next morning.

“Do you want to tell me something??” Hera noticed that I’ve been staring at her for a while.

“How was your tour with Hailee??” beating around the bush.

“You mean the day that you pissed me off?” drinking her orange juice. “We stayed at my place the whole day as she wanted to finish reading Juliette and I’m not in the mood to go anywhere.”

“Sorry.” looking away. “What can I do to make it up for you?”

“You already gave me a jar of gummy bears so we’re good.” looking at me. “Also, we rescheduled our tour next month since she’s not allowed to go for a trip 4 weeks from today. She wasted that day reading a book in my bed and I’m quite guilty for being moody.”

“It’s my fault.” thinking of a solution. “If it’s 4 weeks from today then it’s probably summer break, do you mind if I tag along? I can be the organizer if you want me too.”

“As long as you’ll be nice with Hailee, I don’t think it’s a bad idea.”

“I’ll do my best not to disappoint you again. I don’t want you to be mad at me, it’s so hard for me to go on.”

“I don’t stay mad for long, I forget it eventually, but thank you for apologizing to me. I really appreciate it.” holding my hand.

“What are you thanking me for? I’ve wronged you so it’s only natural to apologize.” holding back her hand.

“Alright that’s enough.” pulling her hand away. “Are you done? Can we go now? I could use some sleep.”

“Let’s go.” stand up after I drink a little more of my espresso.

She must be comfortable around me now that she fell asleep at my back when I drove her home that Sunday morning.

I carried her to her room with our helmets on and took the key from her bag to open the door.

I laid her down to bed before I took the helmet off her head and mine too after to see her clearly.

She really passed out that she didn’t even open her eyes at all.

I tucked her in the blanket after I took off her shoe and watched her sleep for a while before I leave her alone.

Next morning in the campus, I saw Joanna coming out from Ryan’s car with a bright smile on her face.

“Do I have to ask if you slept in the dorm last night?” walking with her.

“He didn’t let me go last night.” untying her hair. “Do I smell bad??”

“You still have the scent from last night.” glancing at her.

“I think I have to rely with my perfume for today.” spraying perfume on her wrists and neck. “By the way, how’s it going with you and Hera?”

“We’re good now. She forgave me, send my regards to Ryan for helping me to coax Hera.” give her my handkerchief and point the corner of her lips. “Next time look at the mirror and not leave any evidence.”

“I thought Ry already wiped it off.” wiping her mouth. “You caught me.”

“You’re too careless.” staring ahead as we walk at the hallway.

“When are we going for our road trip? You’ve been fully recovered for 2 weeks now.” looking herself on the mirror while walking.

“Hera’s on a night shift this month and her day off is on Wednesdays.”

“It doesn’t matter we can go for a ride in daylight and have a picnic instead of a camping. What do you say?” glancing at me.

“Oh alright.” nodding at her. “I’ll ask Hera this Wednesday.”

“We can leave Saturday morning after her shift.” she suggested.

Wednesday morning, I went to Hera’s place and told her about the road trip plan because I have a hunch that she’ll say no, I used my 2nd wish to make her agree with me.

I prepared the food while Ryan was on the other stuffs that we need for a picnic, and he still brought a tent for us to use just in case.

“Thank you for waiting.” Hera hopping in at the backseat of Ryan’s car.

“Let’s grab breakfast first.” Ryan said after I sit beside Hera.

“May I have something sweet for breakfast?” Hera raised her hand.

... To be continued ...