Code Blue

~ Chapter 12 ~

Chapter 12
Saturday August 26th
Mallory's POV

*For the sake of the book, all medical and legal information is correct besties*

It's Saturday morning, and I was back at the gas station getting ready for the day. My under eyes were tired due to the lack of sleep. Residency was a game of exhaustion, and I was losing. It truly didn't help that when I actually did have time to sleep, I couldn't.

I lay awake staring at the car ceiling for hours.

I applied a little bit of my concealer, groaning when I had to shove the wand in there a bunch of times to get any product. I was practically out, and until I got paid for babysitting, I don't have any funds. Plus, makeup is last on my list of things to buy when I finally get my hands on some money.

I put my hair up, my last hair tie snapping in between my fingers when I tried to tie my hair back. I stared at the broken black fabric and really just wanted to break down into tears. It's only 4 am, and my day already feels like it's ruined. I had no choice but to leave my hair down and pray Isabella is willing to lend me a hair tie.

I changed into my scrubs, throwing my dirty clothes in my backpack for now. I laced my shoes up and grabbed all my things, I couldn't afford to leave anything behind. I pushed open the heavy bathroom door and headed out the gas station, knowing I have some things in my car for breakfast this morning.

My car was parked the next block over, so I started walking towards it. I gripped my bag tightly over my shoulder and kept my eyes up, aware of all my surroundings. New York can be a dangerous place to walk on your own, and especially at this time in the night.

I looked around, people sleeping wherever they can find a spot, taxi cabs still making trips, a group of drunk girls laughing loudly in the middle of the sidewalk.

"Miss. Miss" A raspy voice stopped me. I usually ignore and keep walking, not wanting to get caught in a bad situation, but my head turned back this time for some unknown reason. I saw a little pop up coffee vendor, who also sold donuts, it was a little early to be setting up but maybe he had his reasons. Regardless, an older homeless man with a scruffy face and tethered clothes was the one who called out to me. The worker was holding a donut in his hand, apparently waiting on payment. "Do you have dollars, please? So hungry. I'm sorry"

I frowned. I really didn't have money to spare, but I guess if I'm babysitting tomorrow, then I can afford to pay for the man's donut. I would feel really bad if I just left him there with nothing, because I know the feeling. The poor guy just wants to eat. I dug around in the side pocket of my bag, confirming with the worker that it was 3 dollars, and handed the dollar bills over to the grumpy employee.

The homeless man's eyes lit up when the donut was placed into his hands and he started to thank me profusely. "Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. You're a sweet young lady"

"It's no problem" I somewhat lied, giving him a small smile. I wished him well and went to turn on my way, but stopped when I saw the man walk back over to the sidewalk and hand the donut off to a little girl. She couldn't be more than 6 years old, clothes in slightly better condition than the man's, but her face was dirty and her hair was tangles on the top of her head.

The little girl started to eat the donut with joy and no hesitation, and I saw the look of hunger in the man's eyes as he watched. The sight pulled on my heart strings, and I couldn't stand here and watch. I sighed, knowing I would be left with nothing, but I ordered another donut and handed it to the man.

"Oh my goodness" His voice rasped. "Miss, you're so kind"

"Enjoy it" I handed it over to him, giving a small wave to the little girl. I decided to give him a compliment, hoping that it would make him happy and he could try to have a good day. "You seem like a great grandfather"