Kai had snuck off to the break room. He was looking at the drink vending machine, attempting to find an acceptable source of caffeine to get him through the rest of the shift.
"Hey," Kai heard a voice behind him.
He jumped and turned around. In that moment, he realized he was right - Liam really did sneak off to take a smoke break.
"Fuck, Liam, don't do that," Kai gasped.
"Sorry," the man chuckled, seemingly amused he had made the nurse jump in place.
"Whatever," Kai sighed and turned back to the machine. "I thought you were checking residents."
"I needed a smoke," Liam replied as he ran his fingers through his black hair.
"Smoking kills," Kai noted.
"Yup," Liam laughed. "I probably have COPD by now."
The two remained silent for a moment.
"So, are you still up for breakfast after work is over?" Liam asked.
"Sure," Kai replied, a blank look spread over his face.
"Great, there's a place near my house," Liam smiled and placed his hand over his chest.
"That sounds good," Kai nodded.
Liam reached around Kai and stuck some coins in the machine. He punched a few buttons and the machine dispensed a can of Red Bull.
"Thanks," Kai said as he took the can out of the machine.
"No problem," Liam smiled, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Liam nodded and walked out of the room.
Kai turned around and could see Liam go into the kitchen. He was probably going in there to steal a sandwich.
Kai sighed and took a sip of the energy drink. It tasted good, but it didn't give him the instant jolt of energy that he craved.
"This was supposed to give me wings," Kai mused, chuckling to himself.
Perhaps he was getting delirious from his need for sleep.
He returned to the nurse's station and took his seat at the computer. He heard the chair creaked as he sat down.
"Hey Kai," Nancy turned around in her chair to look at him.
"Hey," Kai replied, a little surprised to be greeted.
"So, how did it go with Liam?"
"What do you mean?" Kai raised a brow as he looked at her.
"With what he was asking you earlier," the assistant noted.
"Oh," Kai blushed. "He asked me to get breakfast with him after work."
"And? Are you going to?" Nancy asked, curiously.
"Yes."
"Wow," Nancy said, surprised.
"It's no big deal," Kai said. "Coworkers go eat together all the time."
"But he was being rude," the CNA stated.
"He's just teasing me," Kai shrugged.
"I think he likes you," Nancy giggled, covering her mouth with her hand.
"What?" Kai gasped.
"Yeah," Nancy nodded. "He does."
"Why would you think that?" Kai asked as he folded his arms against his chest.
"He keeps flirting with you," she noted.
"He's just being a dick," Kai rolled his eyes in response.
"Maybe," she laughed softly. "Or maybe he's flirting."
"Whatever," Kai shook his head.
"Hey, don't let me ruin your fun," the assistant smiled.
He was starting to think this was a mistake. He wasn't sure how he felt about the nursing aide. Sure, he was cute, but he didn't seem like Kai's type.
"I'll try to have fun," Kai said.
"You better," Nancy hummed, smiling.
"Oh, look, a call light," Kai pointed to the board.
"Don't avoid the subject," the redhead scolded.
"I'm not avoiding anything," Kai replied. "I have work to do."
"Fine, fine," the woman replied.
"I'm gonna go see who's calling," Kai said and walked off.
"Fine, but don't think you're getting out of talking to me about this!"
Kai thought about Nancy and her questions as he walked to room a22. She was already digging into the plans they had made after work. She sure didn't waste any time sticking her nose into the latest gossip.
"She should be answering this," Kai muttered under his breath as he knocked on the door.
The resident opened the door, a worried look on her face. She was wearing a bonnet on her head to protect her curly hair and wore cute, long-sleeved pajamas.
"Mary," Kai said. "What seems to be the problem?"
"My arm is hurting," the woman stated with a sad look on her face.
"Do you need a pain pill?" Kai asked the old woman, concerned evident in his voice.
"Yes, please," she nodded.
"I'll be right back," the blonde stated and turned around.
He headed towards the medication cart and pulled out Mary's oxycodone 5mg card from the narcotic drawer. He popped a tablet into a little medicine cup and put the card back. He signed the dose out of the narcotic book and on her electronic chart.
Kai returned to the resident's room with the pain medication and a small glass of water.
"Here you go," Kai smiled and handed her the medicine and water.
"Thank you," the woman said and quickly downed the pill and water.
"You're welcome," Kai replied and took the empty cup. "Do you need anything else?"
"No, I'm good," the woman smiled.
"Alright, just ring the call light if you need anything," Kai stated and turned around.
"Thank you," the resident called out.
"You're welcome," the blonde smiled.
Kai headed back to the nurse's station. He tossed the empty cup in the trash can.
He took his seat and let out a sigh. He couldn't wait until his shift was over. He was starting to feel the effects of staying up so long and wanted to go home and sleep.
"I can't wait to get home and pass out," Kai groaned as he rubbed his temples.
"You're not the only one," Nancy replied.
"You're still here?" Kai asked.
"Yup," she said.
"Don't you have other residents you should be attending to?"
"Yes, but they are currently sleeping."
"Don't they need to be changed?" Kai asked.
"I'll do it in a bit," the assistant replied.
"You might want to change them now," Kai said. "They're most likely wet."
"Ugh," the woman groaned.
"I guess you're right," Nancy sighed and stood up from her seat.
Kai chuckled. He knew she was just lazy.
"Oh, hey, Liam," Nancy greeted.
"Hey, Nancy," the aide said.
Kai was surprised to hear the assistant's name already. He seemed to have finished his bed check rather quickly.
"Hey, I heard you were going out for breakfast with Kai after work," the woman smirked in Liam's direcfion.
"That's the plan," Liam responded with a proud look over his face.
"Good luck," she laughed and pointed toward Kai.
"I won't need it," Liam responded confidently.
"Sure," the woman giggled.
"I'll have him swooning in no time," Liam said, causing Kai to blush.
"Oh, yeah," Nancy replied.
"Hey," Kai glared at the aide.
"What?" Liam laughed. "You're pretty easy to embarrass."
"Shut up," the blonde snapped.
"Don't be a bitch," Liam scoffed.
"Whatever," the nurse huffed.
"Oh, look at you, being all feisty," Liam laughed.
"Shut up," Kai sighed.
"Come on, don't be so mean," Liam smirked.
"I'm not," the blonde mumbled.
"Then why are you being so rude?"
"Because you're being an ass," Kai replied.
"So?" the aide laughed. "It's fun to mess with you."
"Whatever," the blonde grumbled.
"Aw, are you pouting?"
"I am not pouting," Kai protested.
"Then why are you frowning?" the aide chuckled.
"Because you're annoying," the blonde replied.
"Yeah, I bet," Liam shrugged.
Kai rolled his eyes and turned back to his computer. He tried to focus on the paperwork he needed to complete.
"Aw, is the little nurse not playing nice?" Liam teased playfully.
"Leave me alone," Kai replied.
"I will," the aide replied. "I have to do a few more residents."
"Good," the blonde muttered.
Liam walked off and the blonde sighed in relief.
"Wow," Nancy giggled.
"Please stop," Kai pleaded, but his request went unheard, or simply ignored.
"I can't believe you're actually going on a date with him," she laughed, adjusting her thick glasses on her face.
"It's not a date," Kai groaned and began typing.
"Yes it is," the woman smiled softly in his direction.
"Whatever," Kai grumbled to himself.
"Well, have fun," the woman laughed.
"Thanks," the blonde muttered.
"I hope he's not as much of a jerk at the diner," Nancy pondered.
"I'm sure he'll be worse," Kai replied.
"He seemed nice," the assistant noted.
"Yeah, he's charming," the blonde rolled his eyes.
"I mean, he's kinda cute," the assistant giggled.
"You're such a slut," Kai commented.
"Hey, I'm not the one going on a date with a hot aide," she laughed.
"It's not a date!" Kai groaned again.
The conversation was growing old. He regretted telling Liam yes to going to breakfast.
"Sure, it's not," the woman chuckled.
"So, he's your type?" Kai asked curiously as he charted.
"No," she shook her head. "If I were a bit younger, I would be after you."
Kai froze in place. He began to imagine a young Nancy in his head. He didn't want to imagine a young Nancy in his head.
"I'm flattered," he stated dryly.
"I love a feminine man," she mused, clasping her hands together.
"Oh my god," the blonde groaned.
"What?"
"I'm not a feminine man."
"You're very girly," she noted.
"No, I'm not," Kai stated.
"Whatever," the woman laughed.
"Fuck you," Kai huffed.
"Don't worry, you will," the woman winked. "Not me, but someone else."
Kai's eyes went wide. He couldn't believe what he had just heard.
"Did you just imply I am going to have sex with him?"
"Yes," the assistant giggled.
"What is wrong with you?" Kai said, mortified.
"What? You're the one going out with him."
"It's not a date!" Kai gasped. "He invited me to breakfast after work."
"Still, you're going on a date with him," the assistant giggled.
Kai facepalmed himself. He knew Nancy was wild, but this was getting out of hand. She was making up a storyline in her head over a simple breakfast. This was totally different from the truth, which made him wonder how many of her stories were completely fabricated.
"You're such a liar," the blonde sighed.
"It's not a lie," the woman stated. "I'm just stating what I see."
"Whatever," Kai groaned.
The blonde couldn't believe how much the woman was lying. He wondered how she got this job. It had to be a requirement that all nursing aids had to lie about their personal lives.
"Hey," Liam suddenly greeted him.
Kai was startled and let out a small yelp.
"So, Jack shit again," Liam began. "I need help."
"Nancy, get off your ass and help him," Kai demanded of the nursing assistant.
"Oh, fine," the assistant replied, rolling her eyes.
"Why?" the aide whined.
"Because you're the only one who hasn't done a shit yet," Kai responded. "And it is your job."
"Ugh, fine," she grumbled and got out of her seat.
"See, we can both play nice," Liam laughed.
"Whatever," the blonde mumbled.
"See you later, sweetheart," Liam smirked.
"Yeah, sure," Kai mumbled.
Liam winked and turned around. Kai could see his tight ass in his blue scrub pants.
"Damn," Kai mumbled under his breath.
Kai then froze. He wondered what had possessed him to even glance at his backside to begin with. He just sat there, contemplating his life, wondering what he did wrong to get to that point.
He sighed.
"Why the fuck am I doing this?" Kai groaned and leaned his head back.
The blonde stared at the ceiling for a few minutes. He closed his eyes and exhaled, trying to calm his mind. He had no idea what he was thinking when he agreed to breakfast.
"It's just breakfast, it's not a big deal," he muttered to himself.
Kai took a deep breath and sat back up. He tried to focus his mind on the task at hand.
"Shit, I forgot to eat," he muttered to himself.
The blonde had been so preoccupied with everything else going on, he had completely forgotten about food.
He looked over and saw a box of donuts sitting on the counter.
"Maybe they'll still be good," he thought.
He saw a card taped to the top of the box. He opened it up.
"Thank you for all the hard work the staff here does to take care of my mother. I appreciate each and every one of you."
Kai thought it was such a nice gesture. He opened the box and noticed a bunch of half eaten donuts in the box. It looked like day shift had destroyed all if them before the night shift even had a chance.
Kai sighed.
"Might as well," he shrugged.
He pulled a half eaten glazed donut out of the box and bit into it. It tasted heavenly, but he wondered whose saliva he had injested with the donut.
Kai felt the sugar rush almost immediately. He closed his eyes, savoring the sweetness.
He felt like he was eating a cloud. The sugar rush was instantaneous.
He was soon able to finish the rest of the donut. He was glad he was finally able to get some sustenance.
"That was the best damn donut I've ever had," he stated contently to himself.
"Kai, I need a little help here," Liam stated as he stood behind him.
Kai spun around.
"Jesus," the blonde gasped.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," the aide smiled.
"It's okay," Kai replied.
"Anyway, I have to give Jenny her bath before her dialysis appintment and I can't find a shower chair."
"I'll help," Kai said and got up from his chair.