A Typical Romance

Chapter 9

The office building loomed in front of the busy intersection with a terrifying beauty. The people seemed to walk faster underneath the shadow of the building than they did in the already rushed New York pace. Crystal was across the street, staring up at the building while anxiety tied her stomach up in knots. She looked back down at her phone just to be sure she was at the right building for the tenth time in a row.

Yup, this is the place. Unfortunately. Well, here goes nothing. I think?

Crystal took a deep breath and looked at the time displayed on her screen. There were only ten minutes left to get there on time.

Shiiit!

She groaned in the back of her throat in utter dread. There was the movement of tiny pebbles across the side walk as her shoes scuffled along the cross walk, only taking actual steps as the countdown on the crosswalk sign warned that there were five seconds left to cross. Since there was no longer the buffer of space between her and the panic inducing building that was now in front of her. There was no longer a reason to delay meeting the person waiting for her arrival from one of those offices.

Get a damn grip woman! You can do this! You can totally do this!

Crystal made her way through the lobby of the building and made her way to the elevator. Her thought replayed on a loop, a motivational chant to keep her legs moving forward before she had the chance to back down. Making it to the now empty elevator that was still open, her fingers stretched out hesitantly and put just enough pressure on the button for it to light up a brilliant white. She fidgeted around slightly as she waited for the doors to close in front of her.

See, that wasn't bad at all. This is so easy, I can do this.

The doors began to close in front of her and she could feel her pulse accelerating.

No, no I can't! I have to get out of here! Now!

The doors shut right in her face as she had begin to step out of the elevator. Crystal walked to the back of the moving box and gripped the railing for dear life just as felt herself starting move upward.

* * *

The doors slid open on the 24th floor, revealing a long beige hallway with mirrors and paintings lining the bland walls. Crystal pulled slightly on her green turtleneck blouse, it was suddenly way too hot. She shuffled her feet until she reached office number 234, the sign next to the door read Dr. Ortéz, PHD, MD.

Yup, this is it. Great.

Her hand moved to turn the door knob that would bring her into the reception area. She hesitated, dreading the possibility of what she would face once she walked into the office. She glanced down at the clock on her phone screen. Two more minutes to go; and a text from her father.

Good luck sweetie! You'll do great! -Papa :)

That doesn't help much but thanks anyway. One, Two, three....

She turned the door open before she could have any second thoughts and pushed past the threshold. The lobby was just as she feared it would be; the walls were white and nearly bare except for one painting along the back wall. The room smelled too clean, almost as if it had been scrubbed down with Clorox this morning. There was one small metal desk off in the corner of the room, an older woman with gray streaks in her chestnut hair was at the desk organizing some files. Her features were clearly hispanic, and somehow reminded Crystal of her grandmother.

The older woman looked up and smiled at her. "Crystal Santos," she asked in her rich and slightly accented voice, "you're here for your 12 o'clock appointment?"

"Yes, and yes I am. Is there any paperwork for me to fill out or...?" Crystal shuffled her feet around nervously. She forced herself to keep from scratching the back of her neck, it was a nervous habit she detested but could never manage to get rid of.

"No. Your father already took care of the paperwork and had your medical records sent over as well. You are all set."

Just then a patient opened the door of the office and stepped out into the waiting room. His eyes were bloodshot from all the crying he must have been doing, his cheeks still coated with the moisture spilling out from his eyes.

"You're up next dear. Just walk on in, Dr. Ortéz is already expecting you." The receptionist said cheerfully.

No! No, no, no ,no ,no! NO! I am not ready for this!

Crystal took the five steps forward and reached out for the knob, every second stretching out for a decade before her. The panic she felt made the bile rise in the back of her throat, she heard the blood rushing through her ears and felt the tremors begin to wrack her body. The door clicked open and she was finally able to see what lie in the room she has been dreading entering into since yesterday.

It's pink! The whole room is pink?

The walls were coated in blush pink walls, the softness of the color helping to ease the building anxiety within her. There was a wind chime in the far corner of the room that had the sterling silver fairies dancing with every clinking chime it made. But what was the most unexpected thing in that room was the large white and pink unicorn that was taking up a chair of it's own, resting by itself in an alcove behind the door.

What the..?

"Crystal! Welcome! Come on in!" The light peppy voice of a woman drew Crystal's attention instantly.

She finally noticed the young woman sitting behind the desk. The doctor's black hair fell to her shoulders and her tan skin made the highlight on her cheeks glow. She realized the the doctor looked like she had to be no more than twenty eight.

Reaching her hand over her desk for a handshake Dr. Ortéz smiled at Crystal and said,"Its nice to meet you! I'm Diana."

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Hey guys! Sorry it took so long to update, theres so much to do and not enough time to do it all. Let me know what you guys think so far.
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