Distraction

By

MJJLIVESON

February 11th 1984

She woke up early, too early to go working already. So she just sat on the edge of her bed and stared at the window, thinking, trying to remember where she'd left Michael's card.

She remembered one of the subjects she had have studied was psychology.

"People tend to forget what they don't consider important at the moment" She said softly… First she thought she didn't care about talking to him, but she knew she did. Then, why did she forget? Had she accidentally thrown it away?... No, she wasn't that stupid. But that day was really busy, maybe she was just too stressed out to remember.

And it suddenly hit her. "I did think it was important, but Dr. Lewis called me and I considered that as a priority… I hate it!"

She shouted out the last three words. She couldn't stand it anymore. She had a great memory, but she could only focus her mind on one thing at a time… That had always bothered her so much.

She looked away from her window to see the alarm clock on the bedside table. It was now 6:23; she only had a little more than half hour to get to the hospital.

She rushed herself into the bathroom and locked the door behind her.

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He could see as the man in front of him moved his lips, he could even hear his words, but he didn't understand anything. He was lost in his thoughts.

-Michael?

-Hmm! What?...

-I said, do you agree?

Michael turned his head to Frank, he didn't really know if he agreed. Frank spoke for him.

-There are still some details to arrange, but I think it's enough for today. We'll have to make up another meeting.

With that being said, all of the business men went out of the conference room, leaving Frank and Michael alone.

-So, are you going to tell me what's going on with you now?

-I told you, it's nothing Frank.

-Stop it Michael. You know we can't let anything get in your way now. You can be grand, but you have to stay focused on your career.

-I know, and I will

-But it's something you have to do now. See, right now, you could've agreed to something that doesn't work for you.

-I get it Frank, I'm sorry. I was just distracted.

-All right, Michael. Just remember, a distraction can ruin you.

After Frank said that, he left Michael alone there. To think about it, like some kind of warning or something.

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Emma was making her way to the lockers, walking fast. Some of the people in the halls smiled to her but she didn't even look at them. She had started her day with the wrong foot.

As she closed her locker, after putting on her lab coat, she heard a voice saying "Your time of the month?"

-Excuse me? - She said confused as she turned to face the other nurse talking to her.

-Are you in your period? Or why in that wonderful mood?

-What are you talking about?

-Come on! Some even said "hello" to you, and you just kept on walking with that happy face of yours!

-They did?... I'm sorry, I'm just… I have my mind somewhere else, that's it.

-If you say so…

She left the room before Emma could say a word.

Now, she was finally alone to think, she still had to go check in with Dr. Lewis, but she needed this time.

"Come on Emma, think!" She said to herself, "Concentrate…"

Flashback

Emma was sitting on the middle black chair of a three line, legs close together, left arm laying on them, right arm on the chair arm, holding her jaw line with her right hand. She could hear the ticking of the clock on the wall behind, above her head. She was thinking she should have gone to see Michael before he left the hospital, but some footsteps interrupted her reflection. She looked up to see where the sound came from and then she could see the defined silhouette of a tall, thin man who said "I waited for you… But, you never showed up" She was completely taken off guard; it took her a couple seconds to process what was just happening. When she finally did, she stood up slowly and hesitantly said "Michael?" as she could finally recognize his shape. His response was "Emma… I'm a little disappointed you know?" She knew what he meant with this, but she wouldn't show it, "Disappointed?" "Yes, I waited for you the day I left, so you'd answer me… But, you never came back". She looked down, trying to avoid his phrase, because she knew why she did it. She knew she did it on purpose. He started walking close to her. "Don't worry… we're here now" He said, making her lift her sight, a little surprise painted in her eyes. Michael broke the silence he had created himself by saying "So, you want to have lunch later?" "I'm sorry, I'd love to, but I have my turn today", she wasn't lying, "O.K. then w-" Dr. Lewis interrupted Michael's words, telling Emma they needed her right away. "I'm sorry Michael, I have to go" "Would you give me your number?" Dr. Lewis yelled at Emma "It's for today!" and started walking, Emma did with him. She knew he was serious, and she always helped with emergencies so it was not a laughing matter. Michael followed them. "Here's my number" he gave her the card containing his name and phone number, it was silvery colored with white letters and the capitals "MJ" at the end. She took it and said "Then, I'll call you", she didn't know that'd become a lie later. She gave him a little smile before going into the ER with Dr. Lewis. After helping Dr. Lewis with the case, she went to her locker to change her blood-stained coat; some man was vomiting blood and she was way too close, they had stabilized him and now he was sedated.

End of the Flashback

That was it! She had left it on the coat's pocket… And that was a problem now, she had washed it already!

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Please, just let me know what you think of this!