chapter 2
The nursing school hallway was absolute chaos, as usual.
Students rushing in every direction, heavy backpacks swinging, voices overlapping into one giant, panic-induced wall of noise that I had learned to tune out years ago. The smell of cheap coffee and sterile floor cleaner hung in the air.
I ducked under a stressed-out student's elbow and made it to my locker, spinning the combination with practiced ease.
"Grace!"
I didn't even need to turn around.
"Morning, Mia."
Mia Chen appeared beside me like she had been teleported there. Her dark hair was bouncing in a high ponytail, her scrubs were somehow perfectly unwrinkled, and her eyes were wide with the kind of chaotic energy that should have been illegal before 8:00 AM.
"You will not believe what happened last night," Mia announced, leaning against the locker next to mine with her arms crossed and a wicked smirk on her face.
I pulled out my massive, back-breaking Pediatric Nursing textbook, already dreading the morning lecture.
"Did you finally finish that true-crime Netflix series?" I asked.
She loves Netflix series.
"Better."
"Worse?"
"Much worse. I got a text from Jason."
I paused, halfway through shoving my notes into my bag.
Damn.
"Jason who ghosted you for three weeks because he said his thumb was 'sprained' and he couldn't type?"
"The very same." Mia’s grin widened triumphantly. "He sent me a massive paragraph at two in the morning. He apologized, told me he missed me, and asked if we could 'talk things over.'"
I closed my locker with a soft thud, turning to her. "And you said?"
"What do you think I said?" Mia flipped her ponytail over her shoulder. "I left him on read."
I couldn't help but laugh, the stressful weight of the morning lifting just a little. "Queen behavior."
"Thank you, thank you," she bowed dramatically, as if accepting an Oscar. "But enough about my dating disasters. Let's talk about you. How was your weekend?"
The question hit me like a bucket of ice water.
I had successfully managed to push the conversation with my dad to the very back of my mind during my entire walk to campus. But now, all the panic came rushing back, crashing into my chest.
I slumped against the cold metal of my locker. "My dad wants me to go on a date."
Mia's eyes went comically wide. Her jaw actually dropped. "You? A date? With who?!"
"Some military guy's son." I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Remember my dad's friend? The retired officer he met during that government contracting program years ago?"
"The one he talks about all the time?"
"That's the one. His son is apparently back in town, and my dad practically begged me to meet him."
Mia’s eyebrows shot so high they almost disappeared into her hairline. She grabbed my arm, her manicured nails digging into my sleeve.
"Wait. Wait, wait, wait. You mean *the* son? The one who's... a General or something?"
I nodded miserably, burying my face in my hands. "The very same."
"Grace!" Mia grabbed both of my shoulders, shaking me slightly. "Are you insane?! That's not just some random military guy. That's General Alexander Reeves!"
"Please stop saying his name like that," I groaned. "You're making my stomach hurt."
"But he's like... crazy famous! And terrifyingly hot! Have you seen him in uniform on the news?!"
"That's exactly what terrifies me!" I sliding down against the lockers until I was sitting on the cold linoleum floor, hugging my textbook to my chest.
"Mia, the man doesn't look like a human being. He looks like a weapon. He looks like he could order someone's execution and then go have a casual lunch!"
Mia sat down beside me on the floor, crossing her legs, entirely unbothered by the students stepping over us.
"Okay, but have you considered that maybe the media just exaggerates? Maybe he's actually nice?"
"Nice?!" I raised an incredulous eyebrow at her. "Mia, last month he gave a press conference. A reporter asked him a stupid question, and Alexander Reeves stared at him. Just stared. He didn't even speak, and the journalist literally apologized for breathing too loudly and sat back down!"
"That was about national security!" Mia defended, suppressing a laugh.
"And I'm worried about my *personal* security!"
I groaned, resting my head against the locker.
"Dad is being ridiculous. I have nursing finals coming up. I have clinical rotations. I can barely keep my own plants alive, and he wants me to go sit across a dinner table from a dominant, uncompromising military commander?"
Mia nudged my shoulder gently. "Come on, Gracie. It might be fun. When's the last time you actually went on a date? And no, studying anatomy in the library with Daniel does not count."
I opened my mouth to protest, then closed it again.
The truth was, it had been... a while. Between nursing school and taking care of my dad, dating hadn't exactly been a priority. My life was textbooks and blood pressure monitors.
"That's what I thought," Mia said triumphantly. "Besides, your dad's not going to send you on a date with a monster. He loves you too much. He wouldn't do this without a good reason."
The bell rang overhead, a harsh buzzing sound signaling we had two minutes until our morning lecture began.
We scrambled to our feet, gathering our heavy bags.
"Think about it," Mia said as we hurried down the crowded hallway, weaving through the rush of students. "What's the absolute worst that could happen?"
"I could die of embarrassment? Or he could leave me there in the middle for being too awkward?"
"You won't die." She rolled her eyes. "And if you do, I'll make sure your eulogy mentions how incredibly brave you were for going on a blind date with a literal General."
I shoved her shoulder gently. "You're the worst best friend ever."
"The worst best friend who's going to help you pick out a killer outfit?" she countered with a wink.
I paused mid-step, the bustling hallway blurring around me.
"You're serious "
"You really think I should go?"
Mia stopped walking. The teasing glint completely vanished from her eyes, replaced by a soft, knowing seriousness.
"Grace," she said quietly. "I think your dad is really worried about his blood pressure. His health hasn't been great lately. Maybe... maybe he just wants to know you'll have someone strong looking out for you if..."
She didn't finish the sentence.
She didn't need to.
The busy hallway suddenly felt too bright, too loud. Students pushed past us, completely unaware of the sudden, suffocating weight settling directly onto my chest.
My dad was scared. He was trying to secure my future before his heart gave out.
The realization stung, bringing a sudden prickle of tears to my eyes.
"Yeah," I whispered, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Yeah, I'll go."
*Ding.*
My phone chimed from inside my pocket. I pulled it out, swiping open the notification on the screen.
It was a text from my dad.
**SATURDAY**
**LUCIOUS RESTAURANT**
**6 PM**
**DON'T BE LATE.**
**- DAD**
I stared at the glowing screen, my pulse immediately kicking into a frantic, terrified rhythm.
I groaned, dropping my forehead against Mia's shoulder.
This is going to be the longest weekend of my life.
So help me God.
Yah!
So what do you guys think of Mia?
I love Mia! Who is with me? Or am I alone? Tears! ????
Love you guys! Always! ??
Don't forget to vote and comment! Let me know if you are ready for Grace to meet the terrifying General!