209-Dizzy

This Little Piggy

Alice's Pov:

"Deep breath in for me, please." Calum said, as he placed the end of the stethoscope on my chest. I obeyed, and slowly inhaled and exhaled, allowing him to listen to the innerworkings of my heart and lungs.

"Sounds good, heart rates still a little fast though." He said, turning and typing something into the laptop that sat on the counter in front of me.

"Residual from the panic attack?" Luke questioned, grabbing a pulse ox reader from one of the drawers to his left.

"Possibly. I'm more concerned that it's from malnutrition and dehydration though."

"What's her weight?" Luke asked, his brows were furrowed in concentration.

"ummmm" Calum was scrolling on the computer, looking slightly frustrated. "It doesn't look like anyone ever took it."

"Seriously?" Luke walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a portable scale, before setting it on the ground and zeroing it out.

"I forgot, she didn't go through triage, she was an automatic pull."

"It's alright mate, let's just grab it now." Luke said, walking over to me and offering his hand out to help me down. "Do you feel dizzy or anything right now?"

I shook my head no and took his hand as I hopped down off the table.

I heard sharp intakes of breath from both Calum and Luke as the number on the scale stopped increasing.

"Check it again," Calum said, shaking his head.

"Hop off for me hun," I watched as Luke turned the scale off and back on again before setting it down and leveling it out once more.

I stepped back on it and watched Lukes face twist as he saw the same number appear on the screen.

"Well, that answers that question." I glanced over to Calum as he spoke, concern raising in my body.

"Is it bad?" He looked back at me and thought a moment before speaking.

"It's not good..." he began as he shut the lid to his computer. "But, it's not unfixable."

I nodded in response and kept my gaze on my hands, as they talked amongst themselves about the next course of action.

They both agreed that they wanted a more detailed blood panel, and wanted me to meet with a dietitian immediately.

"Does this mean I'm stuck here longer?" I asked, slightly hoping that it would prolong me going into foster care.

"I'm afraid so sweet girl." Calum said, walking over to me with another lab drawing kit making me groan aloud.

Luke lightly chuckled and shook his head, "it's not that bad."

"It's not that good either." I argued, pulling my arm closer to me and crossing them. "I really don't want to do this again."

"I understand that," Luke said, as he pulled over a rolling chair and sat in front of me, "but it's the only way for us to gage how well you're bodies functioning without its proper nutrients."

I still shook my head, holding my ground.

"It didn't seem to bother you this much earlier." Calum acknowledged, as he finished prepping everything, "what changed?"

"I don't like the memories it brings up." I spoke out, barely above a whisper.

I felt someone sit beside me on the table, who I soon recognized to be Luke, based on the painted nails.

"I'm sorry, we didn't know that." He said, as he put a hand on my back. "Is it the spot in particular that bothers you?" He asked, referring to the bend of my arm.

I shrugged, honestly not sure.

"Would you be willing to try it in a different spot to see if that helps keep the thought you have associated away?"

I slowly nodded, still apprehensive to doing the process all over again.

"Ankle?" Calum questioned, to which Luke nodded and looked to me.

"If that's okay with you."

"I'm willing to try it." I said, earning a grin from both of them.

Calum instructed me to put both legs onto the table and to lay back, to which I obliged happily. I was honestly exhausted and wanted nothing more than to lay down and crash out.

I felt Calum tie the band around my ankle and press around the area, until he finally wiped a spot with alcohol.

Luke took one of my hands into his and tried to distract me.

Tried.

"This little finger went to the market.... this little finger went home... this little-"

"Luke-" I heard Calum state from the bottom of the table "what the hell are you singing?"

"It's the little piggy roast beef so-"

"Let me rephrase that... why?" Calum cut him off again.

I couldn't help but laugh at the two, as Luke defended his song choice and Calum wouldn't let him off the hook.

"Out of all the choices you had.."

"I'm not good at this!" Luke said, slightly raising his voice. "Last time I checked I don't work in PEDS."

"Peds?" I asked, confused.

"Pediatrics." I nodded my head at Luke, while he rolled his eyes at his co-worker.

"I was enjoying it." I said, trying to defend him.

"SEEE!" Luke emphasized "At least someone here has good taste."

"That someone is me, you weirdo's." Calum spoke as he walked away from the table. I gave him a puzzled look, and he smiled. "I'm finished." He said, walking over to the table, "you did great."

I was surprised to say the least, I slowly sat up and thanked him as he left the room before turning my attention toward Luke.

"Thanks for the distraction." I said, smiling at him.

"Anytime ma'lady." he said, with a fake bow causing me to roll my eyes.

"And just like, you lost your cool points."