Staying away from the house was easy on those days that I am practicing or even when we have games. But I was finding it hard to come up with reasons that I needed to stay away from the house on days that I did not have any games or practices.
When I turned 14, however, I was presented with the opportunity to help out as a volunteer at the local medical clinic. It started off as a means to get extra community hour time for school. But it quickly turned into something that I really loved, and found joy in helping others out.
So, on the days that I do not have practice I would spend most of my time at Dark Triad Medical facility, the local medical clinic. Dark Triad Medical Facility is an extension of the hospital. Really there is only one medical facility for the entire territory, so it is all joined together. Separate but together.
The part or area that I work at is considered to be the emergency room area and what would be like a primary care provider. So we treat patients with medical emergencies and then those with normal doctor visits.
It is not a hard job, in fact most of the time it is really laid back and easy. Because the majority of our community is made up of mostly supernatural beings, there is not much need for the clinic, except for the few humans that live in the territory. So with a limited amount of humans, it means a limited amount of work.
The humans come in for regular check-ups and minor injuries or illnesses that do not require a major hospital stay. We also handle all pregnancies and pediatrics.
Most supernaturals heal quicker than humans, so they are able to get over illnesses and injuries a lot faster and do not really need to use the clinic often. They mainly come in to use equipment that is not available to them anywhere but the clinic. And then the few cases where their injury is a little more severe and may be life threatening before their super healing is able to heal them.
In our pediatric portion of the clinic we set up appointments for almost all the children from every species, or at least I believe that we do. Sometimes it is hard to tell if someone is of a different species or if they are human. So there may be species of supernaturals that we do not provide check-ups for.
Most of the different species do not mature into their healing powers until a certain age. With each species that age is different. So up until that time when their supernatural healing activates, they come in for checkups.
But again the clinic helps me to stay away from home.
Especially on those days that I do not have practice.
I really enjoy working at the clinic, I can help out those that are hurt, sick, or just needing regular checkups. I especially love it when I get to work with or help out the little ones.
There is just something special about working with littles, they have such an abstract view on the world. Life has not yet destroyed it for them. They are overflowing with joy, and sometimes I like to think that just a little bit of that joy can be passed to me, if only temporary.
It also doesn't hurt that I am able to work with my best friend.
NiKki!
Nikkiand I have been friends for as long as I can remember.
We met in kindergarten. She was this little shy girl that refused to talk to anyone. We accidentally ran into each other while at recess. And I mean literally ran into each other. She headbutted me right in the chin.
We both collided and rolled around tangled up with each other before we were able to decipher whose arm was who's. Which leg was mine and which one was hers. And ever since then we have been inseparable.
We know everything about each other.
And I mean everything.
I know that she is a werecat that is still waiting to finally shift and she knows about the abuse at home.
She has become my outlet when I need someone to cry to. She is always there for me. She is my co-captain on the cheer squad and one of the best spikers on the volleyball team.
She has also become my official chauffeur, despite my objections.
"Are you sure you are going to be ok getting home this late?" Nikki asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.
We are almost to my house. I can see the driveway up ahead.
As she pulled up into our driveway in front of my house, I was brought back to reality.
I glanced at the house, everything looked still and quiet inside. From the outside one could almost pretend that it was a loving home, man how wrong that image is.
"Yeah, I will be fine. I'll just sneak in the back and go straight to my room before anyone knows that I am home yet. Besides, it's not like anyone cares enough to worry about me being later than normal"
I got home later than usual today.
I was an hour later than I would usually be. Our team is in a good position to make it to state this year. We have worked so hard to get where we were. Next week we should be leaving for our preliminary games leading up to state competition. And I don't mind the late practices, they help to keep me away from home longer.
I get out of Nikki's car and tell her bye and to be careful, slamming her door shut.
Before she pulls out she rolls down her window and wishes me a happy birthday.
"Happy birthday babe. We are still doing something after practice tomorrow right?" She asked me before I could get too far.
"Yes, ma'am! Of course!" I turned back to her and told her that I still planned on it and then turned back around and headed towards the back of the house.