THE UNEXPECTED TEAM
848 Words
Ella Morgan had a new problem.
She was starting to feel comfortable.
And that was dangerous.
Because every time she started believing she had finally figured things out, life found a way to surprise her.
London had already tested her with cold weather, confusing trains, and embarrassing moments.
Now nursing school had joined the competition.
“Ella, you’re smiling.”
Sophie’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts.
Ella looked up.
“I am?”
“Yes.”
Sophie looked suspicious.
“That’s unusual.”
Ella rolled her eyes.
“I smile.”
“Not when you’re stressed.”
“I’m always stressed.”
“Exactly.”
Ella laughed softly.
“Maybe I’m just having a good day.”
Sophie leaned closer.
“Or maybe someone made your day better.”
Ella immediately knew where this was going.
“No.”
Sophie smiled.
“I didn’t even say anything.”
“You were thinking it.”
Before Sophie could tease her more, their lecturer entered the room.
Everyone quickly settled.
“Today, you’ll be working on a group assignment,” the lecturer announced.
A collective sigh filled the room.
Nobody liked group assignments.
Someone always disappeared.
Someone always did too much.
And someone always pretended they helped.
“You’ll be preparing a patient-care presentation,” the lecturer continued.
“Your groups have already been assigned.”
Ella looked at Sophie.
“Please tell me we’re together.”
Sophie checked the list.
Her eyes widened.
“Oh.”
Ella became nervous.
“Oh what?”
Sophie slowly turned the paper.
Ella looked.
Her name was there.
And beside it…
Daniel Scott – Supervisor
Her eyes widened.
“Wait.”
Sophie smiled.
“Oh, this is interesting.”
Ella shook her head.
“No. Absolutely not.”
Daniel walked into the room a few minutes later.
He looked at the list.
Then at the students.
“You’ll be working in teams. I expect professionalism.”
His eyes moved across the room.
Then stopped briefly on Ella.
Just briefly.
But she noticed.
Of course she noticed.
“Miss Morgan,” Daniel said.
Ella sat up.
“Yes sir?”
“You’ll coordinate your group.”
Her eyes widened.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“But why?”
Daniel looked at her calmly.
“Because you communicate well with patients.”
Ella blinked.
Was that a compliment?
From Daniel Scott?
She wasn’t prepared.
“I mean… okay,” she replied.
Daniel nodded.
“Good.”
Then he walked away.
Ella stared after him.
Sophie leaned over.
“He just complimented you.”
“No, he didn’t.”
“Yes, he did.”
“He gave me responsibility.”
“Exactly.”
Ella looked confused.
“How is that romantic?”
Sophie laughed.
“Who said anything about romantic?”
Ella opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
She had no answer.
Later, the group met in the library.
Ella tried to organize everything.
“Okay, we divide the tasks. Everyone picks a section.”
A student named Mark raised his hand.
“So… what exactly are we doing?”
Ella stared.
“You were here when we discussed it.”
“Yes, but I was mentally preparing.”
“For what?”
“Listening.”
Ella sighed.
“This is going to be difficult.”
Meanwhile, Daniel was observing from a distance.
Not interfering.
Just watching.
He noticed something.
Ella wasn’t the nervous student from her first day anymore.
She was confident.
She was patient.
She was helping others.
After everyone left, Ella stayed behind to organize the notes.
She didn’t notice Daniel walking closer.
“You’re still here?”
She looked up.
“Oh. Yes.”
“You should go home.”
Ella glanced at the papers.
“I wanted to finish this.”
Daniel looked at the work.
“You’re taking on too much.”
She smiled slightly.
“I have experience.”
“With what?”
“Being responsible.”
That answer made him pause.
Something about the way she said it sounded deeper than a joke.
“You don’t always have to handle everything alone,” he said.
Ella looked at him.
For a moment, she didn’t know what to say.
Because somehow…
he understood something she never explained.
“I’m okay,” she said softly.
Daniel nodded.
“I know.”
A pause.
“I just wanted you to know.”
The silence between them felt different.
Not awkward.
Not uncomfortable.
Just quiet.
Then Ella’s stomach made a loud sound.
Very loud.
She froze.
Daniel looked at her.
She looked away.
“That did not happen.”
A small smile appeared on his face.
“I think it did.”
“I’m blaming London.”
“Of course you are.”
And there it was again.
That almost-smile.
The one she was beginning to notice too much.
As Ella packed her things, she realized something.
Daniel Scott was not just the strict instructor she met on her first day.
He was someone who noticed.
Someone who cared.
And that was becoming a problem.
A very confusing problem.
- Writer
