Chapter 83: When Words and Actions Don’t Add Up

~“You and me, we’re bumper cars. The more I try to get to you, the more we crash apart.” —Alex & Sierra.~

Chapter Theme Song: “Bumper Cars” by Alex & Sierra.

HARMONY

Blaze and I are sitting in silence. It’s been a while and neither of us has said a word. I don’t want to risk annoying him and end up alone here.

I’d forgotten another reason I hate clinics and hospitals: the endless waiting, the outdated magazines, and the free coffee that’s never quite good enough.

I want to feel bad for Kite and his broken rib, but it’s hard when he’s the reason I’m here in the first place.

The clinic doors swing open and a pregnant woman walks in, clutching her handbag. All the seats are taken, and she clearly needs one more than I do.

I start to stand up, but Blaze beats me to it.

“You can have my seat,” he tells her.

She smiles, thanks him, and sinks into the chair he just vacated with a sigh of relief.

I watch him as he moves to lean against the wall, staring down at his shoes, seemingly unaware of my puzzled gaze.

I thought he didn’t care about anyone, but he just gave up his seat for a stranger? Most people would see that as a normal act of courtesy, but Blaze’s sociopathy doesn’t usually allow for empathy.

Maybe it’s just logic. He’s in a room full of people, so he did what he thought would keep him from standing out.

Or maybe, just maybe, there’s a hint of humanity resurfacing in him.

But I’ve learned from past experiences with Blaze that getting my hopes up usually leads to disappointment. It’s better to just let things be.

I need to stop hoping and wishing and let him figure out his own feelings.

“Harmony Skye?”

My name pulls my attention away from Blaze, who, I realize, had noticed me staring at him like some lovesick teenager.

“Yes, I am Harmony Skye.” I stand up, and the doctor with the wavy black hair and bright smile reaches out to shake my hand. He looks like he’s in his mid-twenties, but that’s just a guess.

“Dr. Francis, I will be taking care of you.”

“Hell no, you’re not.” Blaze’s voice cuts in before our hands can meet. I turn to see him glaring at Dr. Francis, his hands shoved in his pockets.

Dr. Francis tilts his head and gives a professional smile. “Excuse me?”

“I said hell no, you’re not,” Blaze repeats, as if his interruption is perfectly normal.

Dr. Francis laughs. “And who might you be?”

“It doesn’t matter who I am. You’re not going to be looking between her legs.”

I gasp, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. Why does Blaze have to make this so much more awkward and difficult?

“I never understand why young guys like you become gynecologists,” Blaze continues, and I just want to disappear. “Is it because you love the job, or because you love looking between women’s legs?

“Either way, it’s pretty messed up. If you love the job, that means you love looking at vaginas. So what does that make you?”

Dr. Francis is still smiling, his arms crossed as he looks at Blaze.

“Don’t know? Well, let me tell you, that makes you a per—”

“Um, Dr. Francis,” I interrupt before Blaze can finish his rude comment. “I’m really sorry...about his behavior.”

Dr. Francis laughs and waves it off. “Nah, it’s okay. I can see your boyfriend really loves you.”

My cheeks turn even redder as I glance at Blaze. His icy stare hasn’t wavered, and he doesn’t seem bothered by Dr. Francis’s comment. Does that mean he does love me?

Ugh! I’m doing it again. I’m getting ahead of myself.

“Just give me a minute. I’ll see if Dr. Kar is available. If she is, I’ll have her take care of you instead.” Dr. Francis smiles. “I’m sure your boyfriend would prefer a female doctor?”

I purse my lips, my face still hot with embarrassment, and Dr. Francis chuckles softly before walking away.

I turn to Blaze, who’s watching Dr. Francis disappear behind a door.

“That was really inappropriate, Blaze.”

“If he hadn’t been looking at you like that, I wouldn’t have said anything.”

“Looking at me like what?”

He frowns. “It’s a guy thing. I could see it in his eyes when he looked at you. He was imagining what you’d look like naked.”

“Really?” I make a face. “That’s...disturbing.”

“Hi, dear. Are you Harmony Skye?” A pretty woman with black hair approaches us. She looks about the same age as Dr. Francis, maybe a little older.

I smile politely. “Yes, I’m Harmony Skye.”

“I’m Dr. Kar. Dr. Francis asked me to take care of you instead.”

“Okay.”

“Come with me.” Her eyes shift to Blaze, who’s about to go back to the waiting area. “If you’re with her, you can come too.”

Thank God. Having him nearby will make this whole thing a little less nerve-wracking. We follow Dr. Kar to a room at the back.

***

“Okay, we’re done here.” Dr. Kar announces, pulling the green gown back down over me.

Blaze is in the room, but the curtain is drawn, blocking his view. I'm sure he can hear us, though.

“Alright, I don’t see any evidence of penetration. Your hymen is still intact.

“It doesn’t appear to be stretched or torn, which would suggest an attempted sexual assault or intercourse,” she explains, scribbling something on her notepad.

“Um...” I sit up straighter. “So, does that mean I’m still a virgin?”

“Well, yes, although the virginity test isn’t always one hundred percent accurate.

“Medical professionals have questioned the reliability of this test because not all females are born with a hymen, and there are many other factors that could cause a hymen to tear or break, like participating in sports such as horseback riding or gymnastics.

“Even something as simple as riding a bike can damage your hymen. But in your case, your hymen appears to be intact, and I don’t see any signs of tearing or stretching. Everything seems normal.”

I nod. “Okay, thank you.”

“No problem. I always remind my patients that if you ever suspect you’ve been sexually assaulted, you should see a doctor immediately, okay?”

I smile. “Okay.”

“Good,” she says, starting to pack up her tools. “Your boyfriend must be worried. Let’s finish up.”

I let out a soft chuckle, and she grins at me. “What’s so funny? He’s not?”

I shrug, feeling a bit shy. “I don’t know...”

“Well, I can tell he likes you,” she whispers, mindful that he’s in the room. “Why else would a guy sit in a gynecologist’s office for hours, staring at charts about female health?

“And considering you’re still a virgin...maybe he’s not just after sex.”

I smile but look down at my hands to avoid her gaze. Right now, my eyes would give away just how much I love Blaze Xander.

I slip my summer dress back on, and we get ready to leave. Blaze is sitting casually in one of the chairs when we pull back the curtain, and Dr. Kar gives me a knowing smile before walking ahead.

She’s raising my hopes. She doesn’t realize that Blaze is mad at me because of my deception, even though his actions suggest otherwise.

***

“Thanks for fitting me in,” I tell the receptionist as Blaze and I prepare to leave the office.

She smiles brightly. “It was a pleasure, Skye.”

She’s not like the unfriendly receptionists you usually find in offices. She seems to genuinely enjoy her job, not just doing it because she has to.

I return her smile gratefully, and Blaze and I turn to leave when someone calls out to us.

“Harmony? Wait a moment, dear.”

I turn to see Dr. Kar hurrying towards us.

“Did I forget something?”

“No, dear. We give these away to teenagers and young adults who come in.” She hands me a small box, and I tilt my head, unsure of what it is.

“Uh, what is—”

“They’re condoms, sweetheart.”

My cheeks flush, and Blaze looks away, clearly uncomfortable.

Why is this lady…?

“Thank you.” I manage a smile, even though I’m sure I won’t be needing these anytime soon.

“Okay, safe travels.” She smiles and gives me a subtle wink before walking away.