INK, INTRODUCTIONS AND DANGEROUS ATTENTION
647 Words
Ella Morgan sat stiffly in the lecture hall, still recovering from the emotional damage of her entrance earlier that morning.
Every time she remembered it, she physically cringed.
“Running into class like a criminal…” she whispered. “First impression ruined.”
She adjusted her notebook on the desk, trying to look normal.
Keyword: trying.
A girl beside her leaned over slightly.
“You’re new, yeah?” she whispered with a small smile.
Ella nodded quickly.
“Yes. First day.”
The girl chuckled. “Don’t worry. Everyone embarrasses themselves in this place. Some just do it professionally.”
Ella sighed.
“That doesn’t make me feel better.”
“It should,” the girl replied.
The lecture room door opened.
A man walked in calmly, holding a file and tablet. No rush. No hesitation. Just quiet authority.
The room slowly settled.
Even the noise reduced.
Ella noticed the shift immediately.
“Why did it suddenly feel serious?” she muttered.
The lecturer stood beside him.
“Class, this is Mr. Daniel Scott, your clinical instructor for practical nursing guidance.”
Ella looked up.
Clinical instructor?
He looked young… too young for the level of authority in his presence.
Daniel Scott scanned the room briefly.
Then stopped.
Just for a moment.
His eyes landed on Ella.
She didn’t notice immediately.
Then she did.
And quickly looked away like she had committed a crime.
Daniel began speaking.
“Good morning. Nursing is not just a course. It is responsibility.”
His voice was calm but firm.
“You are going to deal with human lives. There is no room for carelessness.”
Ella sat up slightly without realizing why.
Something about his tone made the room quieter inside her head.
She focused.
For once.
Ella picked up her pen.
Click.
Nothing.
Click again.
Nothing.
She frowned.
Click harder—
POP!
Ink exploded slightly onto her fingers.
Ella froze instantly.
“…No,” she whispered.
The girl beside her bit her lip hard.
Daniel paused mid-sentence.
His eyes shifted slightly toward the sound.
And landed on Ella again.
Ink-stained fingers.
Confused expression.
Internal panic clearly visible.
A brief silence.
Then Daniel said calmly:
“If your pen is fighting you, please resolve it before continuing.”
The class erupted into soft laughter.
Ella slowly sank into her seat.
“I hate it here,” she whispered.
👀 DANIEL NOTICES HER… AGAIN
Lecture continued.
But Ella could feel it.
That strange awareness.
Every few minutes, when she looked up slightly—
his eyes briefly passed her direction.
Not staring.
Not obvious.
Just… noticing.
She shook her head quickly.
“No Ella. Focus. You came here for nursing, not distractions.”
The class began to clear out.
Ella hurried to pack her things, still embarrassed about the ink incident.
She stood up quickly—
And almost dropped her notebook.
“Perfect,” she muttered. “Just perfect.”
“Miss Morgan.”
She froze.
Slowly turned.
Daniel Scott stood a few steps away.
Close enough now that she could see him properly.
Calm expression. Neat appearance. Controlled presence.
No unnecessary words.
Ella swallowed.
“Yes sir?”
He glanced at her hand.
“You might want to clean that before your next session.”
She quickly hid her ink-stained fingers.
“Yes sir… sorry sir.”
A pause.
Then—
“And try not to lose the battle with stationery next time.”
Ella blinked.
That sounded like… humor?
She wasn’t sure.
“…Yes sir.”
He nodded slightly and turned away.
Ella stood still for a second longer than necessary.
Watching him leave.
Then she shook her head quickly.
“No. Focus. You are here to study. Not to overthink professors.”
She grabbed her bag.
And walked out.
Completely unaware that Daniel Scott had paused briefly at the corridor—
just once—
before continuing on his way.
- Writer
