Chapter Text
It was dark the first time Kellin saw him. The breeze is strong and sharp. The kind of breeze that stung your eyes, forcing them to leak from the sheer power of wind. It was 2:30 am. Pretty late. Though Kellin wasn't tired. He's used to staying up this late. Whether it's for hanging out with a friend, finishing up schoolwork, or stressing over something his mind suddenly decided was important. None of that mattered, not tonight. Tonight was something different. More critical than the average passing worry.
Kellin was walking, head down, thin black hoodie zipped up to his chin. His hands shook slightly from the cold, even through his pockets. Yet, he wasn't thinking about that right now. His thoughts were completely on what he was doing walking through the streets this late, signing up for a job. A job at the hospital, more specifically. A CNA nurse. Kellin doesn't have all the stuff he needed to be a real one yet; he's still working on it, but his teacher had suggested he should sign up. Since Kellin is one of the tops in his class.
So he took the opportunity, a glimpse into what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Kellin pushed the glass doors of the hospital open, the whipping of wind instantly becoming softer behind the barrier. Much better. The newly found peace made Kellin remember how nervous he was. Big steps like this always made him nervous. How does he even ask? What if he stutters? What if the front desk sees how nervous Kellin is and decides he's already not good enough?
No, no, calm down. It'll only take five minutes. Not even, shorter than that. Kellin stepped through the second set of doors to the main room this time. The smell of the hospital filled the air, the blinding white paint of the walls chipping a bit on the edges, a kid in the waiting area complaining as their caretaker attempts to put a mask on them. And finally the sweet voice of the front desk lady. Kindly asking a middle-aged man to sign a paper.
Normal hospital setting stuff. Kellin took a deep breath; okay, he's ready. Kellin made his way to the front desk, stopping at the end of the small line there. He picked at his finger nails nervously, then stopped himself. No, he can't show that he's nervous right now. So to do something with his hands, Kellin takes out his phone and opens the camera. He lifts it to his face to start fixing his hair. The wind had thrown Kellin's bangs everywhere. The light hair spray he had applied this morning didn't stand a chance against the furious wind. Pale hands worked carefully, brushing the strands back into place. It didn't stay the greatest, but it would work.
Finally, Kellin was up. He watched the lady, waiting a few moments for her to finish typing up something. She then looked up with a sweet smile. A smile that didn't reach her eyes. Kellin couldn't blame her; it's pretty late. “Hello, sir. How may I help you tonight?” Kellin paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before speaking with a slight anxious edge. “Hey, uh, I'd like an application for the CNA nurse position.” The lady nodded, already taking out a folder that held applications. After a few seconds of silence she spoke, eyes still on the folder she was flipping through.
“My cousin works that position here.” Kellin nodded politely. At least he wouldn't be completely alone if he needed to ask a question. Not that Kellin wouldn't have any idea what he was doing, yet it was still comforting to have that extra backup if he needed it. The women reached her arm over the desk to hand Kellin the application. He stared for a moment. Woah, he really did it. He might get a job as a nurse, even if not completely registered; this was good for now. Kellin looked back at the lady and smiled. "Thanks," she nodded, already focused on the next person in line. Kellin scanned over the paper. Woah, it's definitely a lot. And that was okay. This was one step into who Kellin truly wanted to be and what he wanted to do since the first time his father—
A loud voice forced Kellin out of his mind. “MOVE!” His body moved before he could fully register what was happening. A quick jolt to the side. Blue eyes darted around in the waiting area; a kid sitting backwards in a chair's eyes widen. Their mother quickly lifts them into her lap, her eyes tentative as she glances back to the commotion. The lady at the front desk only glimpsed at the situation before continuing to speak to the patient, who wasn't fully listening, eyes glued to the scene.
Kellin flipped his head around to see a stretcher. Two paramedics on either side were pulling it; along with them was a physician, as Kellin could tell by the badge she wore. And finally, the person being pushed. He looked young. The guy could have been 18? In his 20s maybe? His hair, a rich brown, a little frayed at the end. His bangs sticking messily to his forehead, sweating. And finally, his face, a soft expression. Peaceful almost. Someone who didn't look like they were being rushed in the hospital by a stretcher. He didn't belong here.
And just like that, he was gone, already halfway down the hall that led to the rooms. Kellin never even looked to see why the guy was there. Why he was being rushed through the hospital like his life depended on it. And maybe it did. That thought made Kellin sick. He took a few steps towards the hall, staring down it for a long moment before stepping back. He hopes that guy's okay. Too pretty for tragedy. Kellin caught his thoughts, quickly ignoring them and walking towards the front doors. I really hope he's okay.