Chapter 1 - Nina
“Nina, how many times do I have to tell you that this isn't where you put the paperwork?” Geneva tapped her foot at me as she pointed toward the edge of the front desk. “I told you that it goes into that filing cabinet. Top shelf.”
I glanced across the desk toward a small filing cabinet next to her. I glanced at the paperwork, knowing I hadn't even placed it there. I had been trying to be careful where I put everything, considering she'd yelled at me about this yesterday. She pointed out any mistakes I made, so I had been trying hard to make sure I made none. But it seemed no matter what I did, it was always wrong.
I read the name, knowing I hadn't helped this patient, which meant this wasn't my fault. “I don't think that's mine.”
Geneva glared at me, crossing her arms. Her lips formed a thin line, and her hazel eyes narrowed on me. “Are you saying I put it there?”
I quickly shook my head. “No, no. I'm just saying that I know I didn't put it there…maybe one of the doctors did? We have been busy this morning.”
Geneva's nostrils flared. “Are you trying to say that the doctors don't know where to put the finished paperwork?”
I stammered. “No, of course not. I'm just—”
“Stop talking.” Geneva rolled her eyes, waving her hand at me. “Just put it where it belongs. I'm tired of having to pick up after you.”
The door behind us opened, and Doctor Johnson stepped out of the room. He walked towards the front and looked between us. “How's it going out here, ladies?”
I swallowed, biting hard onto my cheek. I knew better than to say anything. I was the new one around here.
“Fine,” Genova said, grabbing the paperwork and offering Johnson a smile. “Just reminding Nina that the finished paperwork goes over here and not on the desk.”
I felt my face grow hot. This wasn't the first time she'd pointed out my mistakes when one of the doctors came out. I tried to put on a smile, but I felt the hit. She did it on purpose.
I started working at the clinic only a few months ago, but everyone here seemed to enjoy making my life harder. The only ones I had gotten along with were the doctors, but there was nothing they could really do about what happened out here.
Doctor Johnson offered me a smile. “It takes time to remember everything. It's a lot.” He placed a hand on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “You'll get there.”
He turned, heading back down the hallway, leaving the area silent, but the moment was short-lived. I glanced back at Geneva, who scowled at me.
“Jesus, why don't you just get on your knees and suck his cock, for god's sake.”
My face felt hot, and she walked closer. She crossed her arms, getting into my space. “That's probably how you got the job to begin with, anyway. That's probably how you get everything you want.” She shoved past me, knocking me a step back into a chair. I caught myself before I fell and gripped the chair.
I sat there frozen for a moment as Geneva walked down the hallway, an extra pep in her step. I turned away, trying to take a few deep breaths, not wanting to cry. Geneva was just a mean person, and I had tried telling myself this, but it got harderevery day not to act like it didn't bother me. She knew how to use her words to get under my skin, and she did it well.
It wasn't just her who made my life hard, but everyone around me. I was constantly being told I was doing something wrong, that I wasn’t pretty enough to be asked to join fun events, that no one would want me around.
I had grown used to it, and most of the hits didn't hurt at this point. Or at least I told myself they didn't. People were jealous of how far I had gotten, and while I did have people who were fine with me, there would always be someone to make my life hard.
I grabbed the paper and placed it into the filing cabinet. I turned back and found Geneva standing at the edge of the front desk. I swallowed, trying to hold my head high. She was getting ready to say something, but the elevator dinged, and her eyes snapped towards it. I felt a sigh of relief as a patient came to the front desk. I took the save and turned, heading over to my desk to work.
I kept my head down for the rest of the shift, trying to force a smile when patients came. I ignored any comments from Geneva the best I could.
When the shift ended, I headed out quickly. I made my way out of the clinic. I was shutting the door when my phone started to vibrate in my pocket. I yanked it out, and I couldn't help but smile because it was Sam.
I answered it, pulling the phone up to my ear. “Hey.”
“Hey, girl! How's the new job going? Aren't you just loving it?”
I bit my lower lip as I started across the street. “So much.” It wasn't an entire lie. I did love my job, minus the few people who wanted to make my life harder.
I didn't want to complain because I knew how hard Jay and Sam had worked to create a more inviting space in their pack. They worked hard to get shifters to welcome humans, but it wasn't that simple. It wouldn't change overnight. With the breeding program going and Katie working hard to get more women pregnant, I knew that both would worry if they knew the truth about what was going on at work.
It was a blessing when I met the girls and became good friends with them. They changed my life and gave me something to look forward to.
I headed to my car and started the AC since I was sweating from the short walk to my car. I leaned over into the air and sighed. “How is everything with you guys? Did your little one finally break the fever she'd had?”
