Chapter 1 Rite Of Passage

“Irene Nagel? Were you bullied in school and called Bagel Girl?”

Andy Fisker eyed her from where he sat in the nurse’s station before finally rising to his feet to shake her hand. He was well-over six foot, without the need to lie about his height on dating apps, and muscles that strained against his scrubs. He had a boyish smile on his face, taking away from how intimidating he was. But Irene was sure Andy rose to the occasion when particularly difficult patients needed to be handled.

“No, they didn’t. Because its pronounced Nagel… like the company.”

Andy nodded in understanding, unperturbed. “Well, I will be your guardian angel and fountain of knowledge from now on,” he introduced himself with his hands pressed over his chest. “Welcome to the hellhole. For the next couple of weeks, I will train you to survive alone, and occasionally send your treats when you cry.”

Irene hoped and begged that he was joking. She was almost sure he was but hospitals with their glaring whites and rushed words always resembled a hellhole, especially during shift change. There were no seats left and the buzz of activity made it difficult to hear anything.

“Sounds fun,” she said nervously.

Irene always found it difficult to embrace change. Staring a new job meant meeting an army of new people and understanding how to interact with them. With patients, it was easy. But she was always scared of meeting people she would work with.

She rubbed her hands together, wondering if she had social anxiety in general.

“Follow me,” Andy called smoothly. “I’ll give you a tour of the floor quickly.”

Irene had to pick up her pace to keep up with him. The tour was quick and she was introduced to several coworkers. Andy’s voice was low as he commented on each person whom they passed, listing those she needed to avoid like the plague and others who were less of a menace. He rattled off about the best places to eat and where the wifi connection was the best for breaks.

Irene had to admit Andy lived up to his self-introduction.

“That is Gavin,” Andy paused to point at another male nurse but didn’t introduce Irene to him. “Call him Opo, but he has no clue why.”

Andy didn’t tell her either, so Irene didn’t know what to make of the name, either. Intrigued, she asked him, “Why do you call him that?”

“Because he is like an opossum, sleeping for long hours and playing dead when there is any work that needs to be done,” Andy shrugged.

Irene stifled her laughter behind her hand. “Fitting name. He looks a bit like an opossum as well!”

Andy squinted before nodding. “Now that you mention it… he does.”

He pointed to a petite nurse with flowing brown hair and a bright smile. “That is Talia, better known as Tinkerbell. I don’t need to explain why, right?”

Irene shook her head. She had been introduced to Talia before she joined the hospital and applauded how fast and strong the woman was despite being shy of five feet in height. Talia had floated towards them with an ease that Irene envied. And she could tell why Talia was on the approved list of people to hang out and make friends with.

Andy eyed Irene. “All we need to do is give you a new name,” he announced with a hint of concentration.

“I’ll decline that offer,” Irene refused. She tried to be polite but the last thing she wanted was to be named after the first mortifying situation she fell into. She didn’t need the embarrassment following her around for the rest of her employment. “Irene is fine.”

“Don’t be shy. I know you’ll like it.” He patted her on the back. She rubbed her shoulder with a grimace, wondering just how strong Andy was.

“But I like my name,” she grumbled.

“Well, it doesn’t matter if you like your name, Irene. It is a rite of passage around here.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully before dragging her along. “I’ll take my time on this one,” he concluded.

Irene stifled her groan.

She followed him around as they assessed their patients. That day, she was simply shadowing him, learning the regulations. From the next day, she would be taking the whole team while he sat and let her do all the world. Irene expected Andy to be lazy for the next couple of weeks, because anyone who said otherwise was lying. Orientation was used to pass the buck.

They were passing by the admin office when Andy stiffened. A leggy blonde, who looked like she had walked right out of a fashion magazine, passed them. It happened so quickly, Irene didn’t register what the name on her badge was.

The gorgeous doctor glanced in their direction, her eyes stopping at Andy. Their gaze was at best hostile and murderous at worst.

“Andy,” her tone was clipped as she nodded at him, her glare stony.

Andy bristled at her dismissive tone, his lips tightly closed despite his usual mouthy behavior. But he had a few insults at the tip of his tongues, waiting to come out.

He didn’t relax until she was out of sight. But then he turned to Irene and spoke with a burst of irritation, “That is the plague of a doctor you must avoid. She is cold, self-absorbed and rarely treats others are humans. I’d prefer not to tell you her name.”

This only made her more curious. “Why? What did she do?” she asked eagerly. What was life without a little gossip?

“She thinks she is God because she has a fancy degree that added a title to her name. She should find God in her spare time instead.” From the look of pure hate, it was evident he didn’t mean it.

“What is her name? You know, for when I have to call her…”

He groaned. “Don’t talk to her unless absolutely necessary. It’s Selena Stone,” he said.

“Dr. Stone?”

“Yeah, it’s fitting. Because her heart is made of it.”

Irene knew doctors… Irene knew a lot of doctors who were assholes because she worked alongside them for years. Maybe they started out their career as nice, modest people, but after saving a few lives, they instantly believed they were above everyone else.

Some of them were good at their job, others not so much. And usually, they were annoying. Especially when they thought they were better than nurses. Like Irene’s job was less important than theirs.

Like the nurses weren’t working the same insane shifts and saving lives just like them.

Even more annoying was their self-confidence. There is nothing more lethal than a mediocre man who thinks he is attractive. Actually, there is one: a mediocre doctor who thinks he is attractive.

And God forbid if they looked remotely attractive. Their enormous egos wouldn’t fit inside the hospital.

Hence, Irene swore to never date a doctor. Yes, in theory they were great partners—but in reality, their personalities made them unattractive.

But that was before she joined Glenn’s College Hospital. Before she was to be trained by one Nurse Andy Fisker. And to be introduced to the arrogant but ridiculously attractive Dr. Brenden Warren.