Out of Reach

Chapter Seven

***A/N: the italic paragraphs that start and end with [  ] are flashbacks***

One would think that by now we would be used to running into each other, but instead we stood there, frozen.

By the look on his face I could tell that he was not happy to see me. I don't blame him. His eyes bounced back and forth, as if he was trying to read my mind. Then they found my badge. He studied it intensely, making me more uncomfortable as his eyes narrowed even more, causing my palms to sweat.

"Are you from psych?" The patient transporter interrupted.

"Yeah," My voice was hesitant and my eyes remained fixated on Cassidy's which remained on my badge.

After another moment of silence, I forced myself to peel my eyes from his. I gulped, forcing the lump in my throat downward as I started to make my way back to the elevator. The sound of their footsteps following close behind.

The journey to the elevator was silent. I got in first, and they filed in after me. The humming of the elevator broke the silence.

My mind was racing, fixated on what Cassidy was thinking that I didn't realize the elevator had stopped on the way up to the floor. It's doors swung opened and revealed a two doctors who joined us.

"So are you new here?" The patient transporter asked me, "I haven't seen you around here before."

"Oh," I shook my head slightly, attempting to clear my mind, "yeah, I started a few weeks ago."

It took everything in me not to turn and look over at Cassidy. However, through my peripheral vision I could see that his head was down the entire time.

The elevator dinged, reaching our floor. I barely let the doors open before making my way out of the elevator.

"So do you go to school around here?" The patient transport caught up to me.

I scanned my badge to unlock the door and turned to the patient transporter, "I got it from here, thanks." Completely disregarding his attempt to flirt.

Once we enter the psych ward I looked back at Cassidy, whose gaze still was glued to the floor.

"Follow me." I guided us down the hallway and into his assigned room, room 6B.

"This is your room," I said, walking over towards the basin on the bed.

Cassidy shuffled over to the other side of the bed, his eyes now traveled from the floor to the basin.

The silence in the air was suffocating.

"Okay, so, here you have all of your basics," I began, desperately trying to relieve the awkwardness, "toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, extra socks..."

The sound of wheels rolling on the linoleum floor caused both of us to look over at the door.

"Good evening Mr. Cade," The need nurse said while rolling in her computer on wheels into the room.

"Amber, can you go switch the movie in the lounge while I get Mr. Cade started and then come back?"

I looked over to Cassidy, but he is looking down at the tiny mouthwash in his hands, rocking it back and forth.

"Yeah, no problem."

As I walked out of the room, I overheard the nurse say, "Nice to see you again Cassidy, but I wish it wasn't under these circumstances..."

How does the nurse know Cassidy?

I latched the door and closed it behind me, not wanting to eavesdrop.