Published: January 21st 2022, 8:02:08 am
( there may be typos and stupid errors… go easy I'm dumb lol )
Opposites attract
Chapter 1
Isn’t it strange, strange how in a matter of moments your life can change. You’re just going about your day, your week, your month without any inconsistency. Then suddenly right when you thought you’d never get out of that almost nauseating routine, your whole way of being is flipped on its head.
As I walk up the leaf dusted steps of the now bustling ballet studio, the sound of soft classical music finds my ears. They twitch, pinning up as I try to recognize the tune. It lulls and dips, flooding my mind with memories. It is a song I know well. I danced to it
many times as a child.
I take a deep breath of the cool fall air before opening the large heavy door to the main hall. The cold metal of the handle bites into my paw sending a chill down my back. The shiver shakes from me as I slip inside into the familiar warmth and smell of perfume and chalk. I tiptoe down the large hall, past doors leading to rooms full of dancers doing their morning stretches.
I had just about made it to the end of the hall where the lockers stand when a hand takes hold of my shoulder. I freeze; I don’t have to look back to know who the owner of that paw is. I sigh, turning to face my captor. As I expected it is no other than Sophia. By the expression on her pinched little rabbit face I can already guess what it is she will say.
“ your late girl “
I nod smiling sheepishly “ I know I know bu-“
“ no buts Kaia, this is the third time you’ve been late this week”
Sophia raises a scrutinizing brow before sighing through her quivering little nose and releasing my shoulder.
“ you’re so lucky I’m your friend. “ a reluctant smile cuts across her face. Her smile is contagious, I can’t help but grin while adjusting my shoulder bag.
“ I will try and do better, I fussing all morning with my old slippers “
Sophia tilts her head “ what’s the matter with them, they can’t be that bad haven’t you only had the a year or so “
It’s true it has only been a year. Nonetheless the silk is wearing thin and the supports are getting weak.
I drop my bag unzipping it, retrieving said slippers holding them out to her. She takes them in her paws and shakes her head.
“ you always dance so hard. I have never met anyone go through slippers the way you do. They will have to work for now K, we need to get to room 4. The kids are all ready, I had Casey wait with them. “
I look up so suddenly it sends a small pain into my neck. Casey, why of all people.
“ when did Casey get back”
I say, not able to keep the subtle bite out of my words as I take my slippers back. I sit down on the cool bench slipping them on. Sophia leans back against the lockers watching me as I secure the wraps around my ankles.
“ He got back this morning. He seems to be in a good mood. Don’t worry he shouldn’t be around while we dance. “
Last time I saw Casey, a tall clean cut collie who managed the studio, I was shooting him down. He had asked me to come with him to listen to live music at this beautiful little restaurant. I declined and he just smiled and accepted it. I often wonder why I had said no. He was nice, handsome and well off. He could take me to a better life, out of the south side. Maybe that had been the reason, I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to whisked away to the upper level of life where everyone's the same. Where the air is stale and full of expectations.
I stand up and turn to the large mirror on the far wall. Squinting at myself in the dim hall light I fuss with the tie holding back my hair. I had somehow managed to get it all tied back and out of my face but by the straining of the band I am not confident it will last all day. My curls are something most people dream of — not for me. My hair is a pink nightmare. Every morning it’s a battle to fight the frizz monster that is my hair.
Sophia pushes off the lockers and comes to my side “ what happened between you two? “ she raises a brow in question.
“ he- “ I pause trying to find the right words.
“ He is kind Soph, but he is too good for me, that’s all “ she goes to abject but before she can I turn around. “ but enough of that! Let’s get to the kids”
With a big smile plastered on my face I take off to where a room full of young dancers waiting, and one overly kind collie. Sophia is right behind me as I reach the door. Taking hold of the door handle I throw the door open “ hello kiddos! “
A room full of tiny smiling faces turn as Sophia and I enter. Sophia, as graceful as always, bounds into the room sweeping up a little girl with outstretched arms “ good morning Miss K, good morning Miss S “ The room of children say in unison. I look over the room of smiling faces until my eyes find the angular face of Casey. His soft brown eyes meet mine and he smiles sadly. A mild pain radiates through my chest. Casey is truly a kind man. Any girl would be happy to be with him, that girl just isn’t me.
After getting the class settled and focused I find that I can’t focus, not in the slightest. To my dismay Casey decided to stay and observe. Casey and his stupid puppy dog eyes always seem to find me in the mirrors. In a room full of mirrors it is hard to ignore. As Sophia and I twirl, the kids doing just as we do; when I trip. I fall hard but not before twisting my ankle so badly a pained little yelp escapes me. My knees hit the floor with a harsh thump. Casey stands taking a step, but he hesitates to come to me. The look of concern on his face says enough about what it was he had wanted to do. The students gather in close as I sit up sliding till my back is to the large mirror.
“ Kaia! Kids give her room “ Sophia cuts through the small hoard of worried faces until she reaches me. She kneels at my side, placing her paw lightly on my quickly swelling ankle. I inhale sharply at the touch as a sharp pain disperses from where her paw made contact.
Leaning forward she whispers “ we need to get you to the hospital Kai this looks pretty bad”
I nod breathing through the throbbing pain now through my whole foot. Without another word Sophia hooks an arm around me. As we stand I bite the inside of my cheek hard as I try to suppress a whimper. The last thing we need is a room full of crying scared children.
In a calm, clear voice Sophia speaks out to the room. “ Alright kiddos, class is canceled for today. I need to take Miss K to the doctors. Be good for Mr Caliway. He will be sure you all get home safely “ Sophia looks to Casey across the room and without words he understands. Keep the kids calm, this could be serious. As she half carries me to the large double doors I ignore Casey’s gaze. His eyes burn into me, and it takes all my effort to not burst into tears.
Sophia manages to get me outside and into her car before a little repressed sob shakes from me. Embarrassed and frustrated I let the tears fall.
“ Don't cry, I'm sure it will be ok. Let's just be sure it’s not broken. “
I lean back in the seat taking a deep breath pulling my sleeve down wiping my eyes “ its so stupid Soph if Casey hadn’t been in the room I wouldn’t have fallen. He just kept staring at me. He always makes me feel so stripped bare. “
“ Wait… that's why you fell?”
From her expression I can tell she is going to laugh. I shut my mouth tightly, crossing my arms. I don’t need her making me feel even more pathetic than I already do. Sophia shakes her head slightly as she turns the key in the ignition causing the car to purr to life.
As we drive along I feel her silent question “ I know you want to ask about what’s going on with him and I Sophia but… I’m just trying to sort it all out. Plus now my ankle could be broken, which is just the icing on the crummy cake that is today. “
I huff a sigh as we pull into a small parking lot, in front of an even smaller hospital.
The south side of New York has never been the best place to go seeking medical attention.
I remember coming here once when I was little with my mother after my big brother broke his arm. It healed wrong and he used to whine about it whenever it rained. Big baby.
With Sophia’s help I make it to the door. As we enter, a tall slender silver furred fox woman greets us. Her too white fangs flash as she smiles broadly; gracefully coming to the front desk”
“ hello there how can I help you ladies “
Sophia looks the fox up and down before saying in a tone that makes even me cower “ isn’t it obvious, she hurt her ankle dancing. Or do you always have pink poodle girls coming in here in nothing but a leotard and ballet slippers?. “
A laugh threatens to burst from me as I see the poor girls face go from a broad smile to an embarrassed grimace.
I love Sophia but her bluntness is brutal. I clear my throat and take hold of the edge of the front desk leaving Sophia’s side.
“ Here Soph, why don't you go back to the studio, I can handle it from here “ Sophia looks at me then the fox, then back at me. She runs her paw over her face grumbling disapprovingly. “ it will be fine, I promise. I’m a big girl remember“
“ Kaia don't you dare try and take the train home. I will pick you up.” She points a threatening little nail at me before looking to the now timid looking girl behind the desk “ can she call from the office phone, in the rush getting here we didn’t get her stuff “
The girl nods “ of course, it's just over here whenever you need it. If I’m not at the front desk just tell whoever is available that Silvia said you could use the phone “
I smile giving a nod of thanks.
After Sophia finally leaves Silvia calls a nurse to get me a wheelchair; she must have noticed my growing discomfort. Once seated the nurse gives me a clipboard with the largest stack of paperwork I have ever seen. I look at them then back at the young man, probably not much older than me if I were to guess. He gives me a sympathetic look before ducking back into the room he’d emerged from.
“ Sorry about all the papers, it is just routine. “ Silvia says over the front desk computer.
“ routine huh” I mumble to myself as I flip through the papers.
I am nearly finished with the stack when I look up and find that a whole thirty minutes has passed! By now the pain from my ankle had begun to dull and feel less worrying. Great, I swear if I did all this for nothing I’m going to kick my own butt!
I'm finishing up my last paper when I hear a small commotion down the hall. Two doctors; wolves in crisp white coats come strutting up talking loudly. Both males come to a stop at the front desk continuing their loud chatter. From the few words I can make out it seems that they are talking about a patient.
“ He is a mess, I’ll be surprised if he wakes up and doesn’t have brain damage.“
One wolf, grey and clearly older than the other elbows his younger coworker. The grey wolf shakes his head as he picks up a clipboard “ that’s messed up. Don't say stuff like that. I’ve been here a long time and seen people come back from worse. '' the younger male shrugs; his auburn fur shifting in the light. “ maybe it's better this way, besides we may get lucky and he just croke and we wont have to deal with him.“
What a pig, I think to myself looking back to my papers. As I do I hear Silvias voice chime in.
“ don't go around talking like that where people can hear you. He doesn’t have anyone. Have a little respect. Just like any other patient we hope for nothing but their speedy recovery.”
The older of the two doctors sighs softly nodding as he looks down to his clipboard.
“ The patients friend who was in the car with him didn’t make it. If he wakes he’s going to be dealing with more than just his physical injuries” Silvia says as her gaze scans over the room. Her golden eyes find mine. I quickly look down and try to look completely enthralled with my last signature. I finally finish and roll toward the desk to return the clipboard. As I approach, the wolf with the golden fur and a foul view of his patients leaves. He snatches the clipboard from his coworker and storms off. I slide the clipboard; heavy with papers onto the smooth office desk. Silvia turns to me giving me an apologetic look. She picks up the papers and after a moment inspecting them she looks up with a smile.
“ Now that those are all done you will be going with Dr Brennon “ she gestures to the well dressed doctor standing at the far edge of the desk. Thankfully the one with a continence.
“ Nice to meet you, I’m Kaia Cortez. “ I smile politely as he approaches, extending his hand in greeting. I shake it and for a fleeting moment I become hyper aware of how small I am. Standing at only five feet this man feels like a giant. His large clawed paws swallow my significantly smaller ones. He releases my paw stepping behind me. “ If I may, let's have a look at that twisted ankle.”
Before I can say a word he is carefully pushing me down the hall; the wheels to the chair squeaking softy. I look back over my shoulder just in time to see Silvia give a little wave before turning back to her work. As we go we pass a room with a large window. I only have a moment to look in but I for a split second see him; the wolf from before. He is standing at the end of a bed looking at someone with that clipboard in his hands.
Is it the guy they were talking about? I think to myself, straining my neck to look into the room. A soft chuckle finds my ears causing me to freeze. “ Sorry, I don't mean to laugh. '' I twist in the chair to look at Brennon “ Who is that man in the room that the other doctor went into? “ Dr Brennons face goes grim. We come to a stop in front of an examination room while he takes a moment to open the door. He gets it open and pushes me in carefully. “I'm sorry I know it's none of my business “ I say feeling suddenly embarrassed for my nosiness. I look up to find the doctor looking down at me with a soft sadness in his big dark eyes. His ears droop slightly as he leans on the door. “ don’t apologize, it's ok. “ I put my paws on the edge of the exam table and pull myself up, wincing slightly. I manage to get onto the edge before I feel large hands supporting me.
“ here let me “
To my shock and slight horror he lifts me like nothing up onto the table. When he steps back I feel a flush of heat find my ears. I have never felt more tiny, I think to myself as Dr Brennon pulls up a stool and has a seat. “ he’s a car accident survivor “
I look up from where I'd been watching him unwrap my slipper.
“ You wanted to know about that patient. He's just some guy who decided to drink and drive with one of his buddies. That what other people say “
He ever so gently removes my slipper freeing my bruised, aching foot.
“ and- and what do you say? “ I ask; stuttering as I try to hold back a little pained noise. He looks up at me for a moment. “ If i'm speaking freely, I’d say he's a man who fell in with the wrong people” a question threatens to escape but I force it back. Do you know him?
After much poking and prodding at my foot, it is pretty clear it thankfully isn’t broken. It to my immense relief is only a bad sprain. Sadly that doesn’t change the fact that I won't be able to dance. I sigh as I hobble out to the waiting room leaning into crutches. Silvia is nowhere to be seen but like she said I am able to use the phone. I call Sophia but she managed to get stuck in bumper to bumper traffic. Sighing again I lean on the edge of the desk looking across the room to a clock on the wall. 5:30pm. Great. The light of the fall evening had begun to stream in through windows of the hospital casting everything in a warm glow. I hear the door down the hall open then shut. Dr Brennon steps out of the large windowed room. He stops in the hall for a moment looking down at a clipboard with a worried expression. I push off the desk and half walk half limp to him.
“ Is everything ok? “ I ask, looking to the room next to us; the shades now blocking any unwanted eyes from looking in. He looks up from his board running a hand over his furred face. “ Fine, fine, just trying to stabilize him. His heart rate keeps spiking. “ I look back over my shoulder to the door leading out to the parking lot for a moment before looking back to Brennon. ``Can, can I sit with him? “ Knowing Sophia and her driving skills she wont be here for a little bit, I might as well.
His eyes show a sign of slight shock at my request. I look to the door past him
“ Are you sure? “
“ Of course, it's not like I’m doing anything. Beside it would be nice to have company “
Dr Brennon looks at me; a dark brow raised.
“ he isn’t going to be the best company, you know him being in a coma and all “
I smile, shaking my head. “ I didn’t mean company for me. If you were in a coma, wouldn’t you want someone to sit with you? “
His breath catches slightly as he stares down at me. I think he has something to say but he says nothing. He just turns to the door of the room
“ I'll warn you now, miss he's in bad shape” with that he opens the door. He steps in holding the door open for me. With a nod of thanks I limp inside. The door clicks shut behind us with a soft sound that makes me shiver. The room is so empty; aside from a large bed. In the bed lies an unnervingly still man. I can’t help but find myself in shock; frozen In place.
Brennon hadn’t been lying, the sight of this man in front of me, is something I won't ever forget.