In the waiting room, with Louise.

Inside, John walked up to the receptionist’s desk, trying to ignore the pain that burst with each step he took. ‘I need to see the next available doctor, please,’ he stammered.

The receptionist handed him a form to fill out before instructing him to wait with the only other two patients in the waiting area, thankful he’d gotten in as early as he did. Louise followed and sat beside him, still uncharacteristically quiet since the car ride.

‘Hey, you all good?’ he finally asked, unable to bear his little sister appearing so uncomfortable.

She kept her eyes down as she answered, ‘yeah, I’m fine.’ Finally, her eyes came up to land on his. ‘What are we doing here, anyway? Are you all good?’

John laughed at the fact that it had taken this long for her to show any concern for his wellbeing, his typical teenage sister. ‘It’s just… a pain. Worth checking out.’

She scoffed. ‘It better be worth waking me up at 5 in the morning to drive you.’ She playfully punched his leg, and while he struggled to ignore the added discomfort it induced, he was glad she was back to her usual, bratty self.

A few minutes later, the click of high heels on the tiled floor approached through a hallway into the waiting area. A tall, smartly dressed woman appeared with a form in her hand. ‘John Doe?’ she called into the waiting area.

John held his hand up as he stood, and the doctor approached. ‘Hi, John,’ she said, ‘I’m Doctor Harper. Kate Harper. I’ll be your doctor this morning.’

‘Great,’ John said, trying to keep his eyes from drifting from the doctor’s. She was beautiful. As tall as he was, her dark blonde hair tied up in a tight bun, her well maintained body accentuated by the tight, professional outfit she wore; short pencil skirt and blouse.

‘Are you both coming in today?’ the doctor asked, looking at Louise and back to John while he hoped she hadn’t noticed his brief examination.

Louise joined the doctor in glancing at him for an answer.