13.Shifts, Awkwardness and Tense
The monitors beeped in irregular rhythms. The hallway smelled of antiseptic and stress. Nurses shuffled by with charts, the hum of activity constant. Yet, standing next to Dr. Neil Morris, everything felt... still.
Eva walked beside him, holding a tablet, her fingers hovering over the screen. She had read the patient's report three times already. Her mind wasn't on it.
It was on him.
Neil hadn't been the same since a week now.whatever storm had entered his mind and refused to leave.
His coat was pressed. His steps still confident. But something behind his eyes... wasn't there anymore.
Each shift with him had become a quiet, cold shadow of what it once was.
Today, while checking on an elderly patient post-surgery, Neil's hand clenched the file too tightly. His attention seemed miles away.
Kids from the adjacent waiting area in the cardio ward laughed and ran around, their voices echoing through the hall. Something about the noise made Neil visibly tense.
Eva, hesitant but concerned, stepped closer and lowered her voice.
EVA
"Dr. Morris, I know you probably don't want to talk but... if something's weighing on you, maybe-"
Neil snapped, louder than he realized.
NEIL
"It's none of your business."
The words bounced off the walls like a defibrillator shock.
The corridor went still. A nurse flinched. One of the kids stopped mid-giggle.
Eva froze, her chest tightening. A second passed. Then another.
She gave a stiff nod, her face carefully unreadable, though her heart dropped to her stomach.
EVA (in her mind)
Rudeass. It's my fault for asking anyway.
She turned back to the patient, finished checking vitals in silence, and didn't look at Neil again for the rest of the round.
DOCTORS' LOUNGE - LATER THAT DAY
The rotation list had been updated.
Eva scanned through the chart until her name popped up.
Dr. Eva Walter - Assigned: Dr. Rachel Adams (Neuro Ward)
Duration: 1 month
She blinked at it. Swallowed hard. It wasn't shocking-they had hinted at it last week. Still... it felt like a shift she hadn't expected so soon.
She reached for her phone and quietly made a note.
Behind her, Neil entered the lounge, flipping through his own files.
They didn't say a word.
Eva walked out first, calm on the outside, but her chest heavy.
EVA (in her mind)
A new ward. A new start. I'll manage.
But deep down, she wished he had said anything-anything-other than what he did.
NEURO WARD - MORNING
The corridor looked different today.
Calmer.
Not in pace-but in energy.
A different world.
Monitors beeped with a steadier rhythm. The patients here were more delicate, every detail mattered. She loved this. Neuro had always fascinated her-the complexity, the mystery. If Cardio was the heart, Neuro was the soul.
Her heart thudded with a mix of nerves and thrill.
Then came a familiar voice behind her.
LEXI
"Oof. Did you just fall in love with this ward, or is it just me?"
Eva turned with a wide grin. "LEXI!"
They hugged quickly, clipboard almost falling between them.
EVA
"You too? You're assigned here?"
LEXI
"Yup. We're ward sisters now." (grinning) "I was praying I don't get stuck with Dr. Rudeface in cardio again. I needed peace, and look at the universe delivering."
Eva laughed. "This is the best news. I needed this switch too. My brain needed some serotonin."
Lexi rolled her eyes. "Girl, your brain needed CPR. Neil Morris had you walking around like you were afraid to breathe near him."
EVA (mocking)
"'It's none of your business.'" (mimics Neil's tone with dramatic flair)
EVA
"Well... now we're in Neuro. Fresh start. Clean vibes. And I heard Dr. Rachel Adams is brilliant but not scary. So yay."
Lexi bumped her shoulder playfully. "Let's prove we're more than pretty charts and patient smiles. Let's own this ward."
Eva's smile lingered. "I missed this. Us."
Lexi nodded. "Same. We're gonna crush this month. And hey-new ward, new energy... maybe the drama with Mr. Cold-Heart will stay behind in Cardio."
EVA (quietly)
"I hope so."
They linked arms and walked off toward the patients' bays, ready to face anything-scans, surgeries, seizures...
A few residents stood in line outside the Neuro station, waiting to be briefed.
Eva adjusted her coat, clutched her tablet, and tried to calm her heartbeat. Her excitement was obvious-and a little contagious.
That's when she walked in.
Dr. Rachel Adams.
Wearing a crisp white coat, heels that somehow didn't make a sound, and confidence that belonged on the cover of every medical journal.
Long, dark waves tied back in a sleek ponytail. A striking face with minimal makeup-just mascara and self-respect. Her smile? Warm enough to calm a seizure patient. Her vibe? Untouchable.
She scanned the room, poised and commanding, but gentle. Every intern suddenly stood straighter.
"Morning," she greeted. Voice smooth, low, but clear as a chime. "Let's begin the day. Cases are up and it's going to be a hands-on week, so keep your minds sharp and gloves ready."
Eva nearly forgot to blink.
Lexi leaned in and whispered, "Why do I suddenly want to switch careers and become her PA?"
Eva chuckled under her breath. "Shhh. She'll hear you."
"She can hear my soul if she wants."
Dr. Rachel continued, "Lexi and Eva-you're with me today. There are three pediatric cases, one post-surgery monitoring, and a new admission we'll go through together. Stay alert, and don't be afraid to speak your mind."
Lexi mouthed I'm gonna cry while Eva whispered back same brain cell.
They trailed behind her, entering the first bay.
The way Rachel spoke to the patient, adjusted the boy's blanket, and reassured the worried mother-she made it all look so effortless. Knowledge and empathy poured from her in equal measure.
Eva whispered , "She's like the love child of Florence Nightingale and Beyoncé. Cool"
Lexi: "And I've never been this inspired or this attracted to a supervisor in my entire life."
Rachel glanced back briefly, catching their fangirl eyes. She gave the tiniest smirk like she knew.
Lexi muttered, "She heard that, didn't she?"
Eva, grinning, "We'll find out when she assigns us a brain dissection as punishment."
The two stifled laughter, their awe only growing with every patient Rachel handled. This month was already proving to be very different-and maybe even... healing.
Eva and Lexi had just wrapped up their second neuro case and were walking toward the elevator, both looking a little exhausted but very satisfied.
Eva suddenly paused.
"Wait-Trent?" She checked her phone. "Where is that idiot?"
Lexi peeked over her shoulder. "Did he skip today?"
Eva's phone buzzed.
Trent: "Cafeteria. Our table. Now. I'm starving and dramatic."
Lexi laughed. "There he is."
Trent was already halfway through his chocolate muffin, arms spread like he owned the table. His coat was lazily slung over the chair, his ID barely hanging on, and his expression-full drama.
Lexi plopped down beside him. "Someone's had a day."
Eva took the seat opposite. "Where've you been?"
Trent sipped his coffee like it was whiskey. "Assigned under Dr. Neil Morris in Cardiology."
Eva's brows rose. Lexi leaned in with mock suspense.
Trent put his muffin down dramatically. "And let me just say: I now understand why people fake fainting to avoid rounds."
Eva crossed her arms, trying not to laugh. "Welcome to the club."
Lexi added, "We told you. Man's got a scalpel for a personality."
Trent groaned. "He made me do patient histories three times. THREE. The same ones. Just because I didn't say 'mitral regurgitation' with enough authority."
Eva chuckled. "Sounds like him."
Trent slumped. "Also, I think he hates the sound of human breathing."
Lexi: "He hates everything. Including air. Don't take it personally."
Trent widened his eyes. "I miss neuro already. Your Dr. Adams is literally a goddess. She walked by my hallway once and I swear my arrhythmia got cured."
Eva smirked. "I know right !."
Trent: "I'm traumatized."
They laughed together, the trio finally reunited and decompressing in their usual rhythm. The pressure of the wards, patients, and Neil's soul-slicing stares faded-at least for a lunch break.
The hospital was the same.
Same echoing hallways. Same smell of sterile floors, overworked air-conditioning, and burnt coffee from the interns' lounge. Same stack of unread charts waiting on his desk like little reminders of a life that left no room for distractions.
Yet, something had changed.
The corner by the nursing station-her usual spot.
Eva.
He'd gotten far too used to seeing that annoyingly soft expression on her face as she reviewed cases, her nose scrunched when she was thinking too hard, the slight bounce in her walk when she got excited about a new case. Always focused. Always there.
But not today.
Not yesterday either.
Now it was someone else-a bunch of new residents assigned to other departments. No quiet glances. No awkward bumping into her in the elevator. No sunshine-blinded chaos orbiting his structured world.
He hated the void more than he cared to admit.
He shook his head.
Ridiculous.
He turned the corner and-there it was. The chaos itself. Standing right outside the cardiology ward like he never belonged here.
Trent.
Trent spotted him and waved like they were best friends.
Neil blinked, fake smiled.
Not only was Eva gone, but she was replaced by a talking disaster in sneakers and pop culture references. And the worst part?
He missed her. More than he should.
Eva's shoes clicked fast on the marble floor as she dodged carts and nurses down the corridor.
"In my office in five minutes."
Dr. Adams' message flashed again on her phone.
She exhaled, adjusting the file in her hand. Why now? She had just wrapped up a neuro case, barely caught her breath, and now her boss-the flawless goddess of the hospital-wanted her immediately. Of course.
She pressed the elevator button. It opened instantly.
She stepped in, eyes down, focused on pulling up her patient summary on her phone.
And then the door began to close-
Right as a hand slid between the panels.
Ding. The door opened again.
Her heart skipped.
He stepped in.
Dr. Neil Morris.
Of course.
Eva immediately looked away, pretending to be immersed in her phone. Great. One awkward elevator ride to hell, please.
She felt it-his presence-cool, heavy, and utterly unreadable. He stood beside her, silent, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the panel above. The silence was louder than the humming lights.
Eva's mind:
Perfect. Of all people, it had to be him. Cool. Just ignore. It's not like he yelled at me in the middle of a ward or anything.
Neil's mind:
Say something. She's still mad. You were an ass. Fix it-no, you'll just make it worse. Damn it.
The elevator kept moving. Each second dragged.
Finally-
"You're not in cardio anymore."
Eva glanced at him, eyes cautious. "Wow. He speaks."
Neil blinked. "I just noticed."
Eva gave a half-smile. "Didn't think my presence mattered that much."
Her voice was calm, almost playful-but behind it, the sarcasm pricked.
Neil looked at her now, jaw slightly tense.
"I didn't mean to snap at you that day."
She nodded slowly. "It's fine. You were right."
Beat.
"It wasn't my business."
Another silence.
"But you didn't deserve that," he said, softer now. Almost hesitant.
Eva looked at him, brows raised. "Apology accepted... Dr. Morris."
He met her eyes-somewhere between regret and resistance.
The elevator dinged.
As she stepped out, Eva turned slightly over her shoulder and added lightly, "Try not to bite your next intern's head off. Some of us are just trying to survive the day."
And then she walked away.
Neil didn't move.
He stared at the space she left behind, jaw still locked.
"Okay."
Ria's phone buzzed against the bedsheet. She glanced at the screen.
"Labels - Seattle HQ"
Her blood boiled instantly.
She picked up.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Miss Walter. This is Daniel, manager at Labels. I'm calling about the incident earlier today."
Ria stood up, pacing. "You mean the one where I got uninvited from my own slot? Yeah, I remember it pretty well."
A pause. He sounded composed, too composed. "I understand your frustration. Let me clarify-it was a management reshuffle, not a decision based on the merit of your designs."
"Oh really?" she snapped. "So you just forgot to look at the portfolio I killed myself putting together for over a month? You let someone else walk in, and you call that a reshuffle?"
"There was a last-minute collaboration with a luxury partner who requested a new face. Politics, unfortunately."
She scoffed. "Right. Of course. 'Luxury partner.' And let me guess-Lara's family just happens to know them?"
He didn't respond to that.
"But," he continued, "we do recognize your talent. That's why I'm calling. We'd like to offer you an internship under our core design team. You'll work closely with our top stylists-starting tomorrow."
Her voice hardened. "You threw me out, and now you want me to intern for you?"
"It's not a consolation prize, Ria. You're good. We saw that from your initial application. You just got caught in the mess. This internship might not be the spotlight, but it will lead you there."
She was quiet.
"Give us a month. Prove them wrong. You in?"
Ria swallowed her ego and exhaled. This was still Labels-a foot in the door was better than nothing. And she wasn't going to let anyone say she walked away.
"...What time tomorrow?"
He smiled through the call. "10 a.m. Welcome back."
The door creaked.
Ryle barged in, holding a bag of chips and a takeout box. "Hope you didn't eat. I brought dinner. And by dinner, I mean carbs and attitude."
Neil hates seafood.
Neil didn't look up. "Keep your food away from me."
"And you knock?"
"Why? I've seen your grumpy face too many times to be afraid of it now." Ryle dumped himself onto the couch. "So. Three days. Any luck finding someone?"
Neil raised a brow. "Finding?"
"Don't play dumb. You were literally crawling through your contacts last week like you were shopping for brides." Ryle popped a chip into his mouth. "And then you suddenly stopped. Gave up already?"
Neil didn't answer. Just took a slow sip of his herbal tea.
Ryle tilted his head dramatically. "Ohhh wait... did you already find someone? You've been unusually... weird."
Neil stayed quiet, but his jaw twitched-just a little.
Ryle narrowed his eyes. "You have, haven't you? Spill. Name. Job. Height. Zodiac. Instagram handle. Blood group."
Neil muttered, turning toward the hallway, "It's not important."
"Ah-ha!" Ryle leaped to his feet like a detective. "That's a yes!"
Neil shot him a dry look. " yes for what ?."
"To any girl!"
Ryle followed him into the kitchen like a loyal shadow. "Is she hot? Wait. Oh my God. Are you in love?"
Neil turned slowly. "You done?"
"No. Because this is serious! You literally said you didn't believe in relationships and now you're acting like a whole walking contradiction." Ryle grabbed a glass from the shelf. "Wait a sec... was this part of the will thing or you wanted this personally too?"
Neil paused.
And that pause was enough.
Ryle's eyes widened. "Holy crap. It is, isn't it?"
Neil finally sighed. "You came here for updates or to write a Netflix rom-com?"
"Both," Ryle said, smug. "And right now, I'm 99% sure the plot's getting juicy."
Neil didn't reply.
He moved into his room saying "Clean the mess before you leave,Ryle!"