If someone had told me during high school that my future would include rubbing elbows with renowned doctors, balancing spreadsheets for medical research funding, and learning the politics of hospital dynamics, I would've probably laughed in disbelief. But here I was—juggling it all while still holding on to who I was becoming.
I was in the hospital's research lounge when I first met Elijah Grey.
Elijah was the kind of intern who had a reputation that preceded him—charming, brilliant, opinionated, and extremely competitive. He was also striking in that effortless way, with dark curls and a slightly cocky smile that made everyone either admire or loathe him instantly.
He walked in mid-discussion between Dr. Carter and me and didn't wait for an invitation to speak.
"Not to interrupt," he said, "but that data on Trial Group B has already been flagged for inconsistencies. Your numbers may not hold up under peer review."
I blinked at him. "Excuse me?"
"Elijah Grey," he extended a hand with an arrogant grin. "Second-year resident. You must be Dr. Carter's intern."
I shook his hand firmly, refusing to shrink. "Charlotte Samson. And my data's accurate."
He chuckled. "We'll see."
After he walked away, Dr. Carter raised a brow. "He's obnoxious but usually right. Don't let him intimidate you."
I didn't intend to. But as the week went on, Elijah and I clashed—often and publicly. During rounds, research meetings, even cafeteria line debates. Every time I stated a theory, he countered it with a smirk and a challenge. It was infuriating. And… oddly motivating.
James, on the other hand, noticed immediately.
"So, new rivalry?" he asked one afternoon as we sat in the courtyard.
"More like an intellectual migraine," I muttered, sipping my iced coffee.
He laughed. "You sure you don't secretly enjoy it?"
"No," I snapped too quickly. "Well… maybe a little."
James leaned back. "Careful. I've seen this story before. Academic rivals, long nights at the lab, sudden romantic tension…"
"Don't even joke about that," I said, swatting his arm. "He's the human version of a pop quiz."
But privately, I was annoyed by how often Elijah's words lingered in my head—how he challenged me to double-check my work, to defend my opinions more confidently. It wasn't admiration, exactly. It was something more complicated.
Meanwhile, Sophie's new long-distance relationship with a guy named Marco was growing more serious. She called me every other night, her voice glowing through the speaker as she described romantic weekend getaways and shared playlists.
"I wish you could meet him in person," she said one night.
"I will," I promised. "Soon."
"I just don't want things to change between us," she said gently. "We're both growing in different directions."
I paused. "Change isn't bad. Just… new. And no matter what direction we grow, I'm not letting go of you."
There was a long pause, then a soft "I love you, Char."
"I love you too."
Back at the hospital, Elijah and I were assigned to co-present a case study together—a fact that nearly made me scream into a pillow. But there was no way out of it.
We had to spend several evenings together in the research lab—alone, under fluorescent lights, with medical charts and arguments flying like paper planes. And somewhere, between snide remarks and begrudging respect, something shifted.
"You're not bad, Samson," he said after one heated debate.
"You're tolerable," I shot back, and for the first time… we both smiled.
Just when I thought things couldn't get more tangled, Dr. Carter called me in for a private chat.
"You've caught the attention of several senior doctors," she said. "Including mine. I'd like to recommend you for a short-term advanced research fellowship—abroad."
My breath caught. "Abroad?"
"Three months. London. You'd be working with a groundbreaking neuro team."
It was everything I'd worked toward… and yet, my mind spun.
London? Away from James. Away from Sophie. From everything familiar.
Could I really leave?
I didn't have the answer yet, but I knew this: my world was expanding faster than I imagined, and somehow, I had to find the courage to keep up.