The lights are too bright for my eyes. I can't believe I landed myself here–the hospital of all places–all for saving a stray dog. My standards for life are lowering, but at least I made a new furry friend. I've already decided to name the little guy Rocky.

Sterile white walls surround me and the scratchy material of hospital get up is getting on my nerves. I really should've thought before I made that move. I can't help but have a soft spot for anything with four legs and soft fluffy fur. It was totally worth it.

I definitely broke a couple bones along with my pride. That car really did come out of nowhere, though it was a relief the driver remained on scene till it was all over and I was well on my way being sent here, the dreary old hospital. Well, it isn't that old, but it's been years since I've been within these walls, never thought I'd find myself here again.

"I see you're awake, how are you feeling?" The doctor asked as he entered the room, staring down at his clipboard without glancing at me. Of course he'd care more about taking notes rather than actually caring about his patients. Not surprising behaviour of a professional, but it would be appreciated to be treated with more care.

Swallowing a couple times before speaking since my throat felt like the Sahara desert. "I'm doing great, let's skip the small talk, what is wrong with me?" I really know how to stir the pot because now he is looking at me and well, his expression is one of a lack of amusement at my clear sarcasm and perhaps a side of attitude. I'd much rather get straight to the point than beat around the bush.

He began speaking, without skipping a beat. "Miss Briosia, you have a broken humerus and a couple fractured ribs. You are far from being in good condition, it is not a joking matter." I do remember landing hard on my left arm, guess the adrenaline rush blocked all or at least most pain receptors.

With the realization of everything that happened setting in, I knew that this would be a long recovery time. Considering how extensive the damage was. I decided to look up and as I did, our eyes met. I know this doctor.

I went to college with him, though we were of similar age, I think we both recognized each other, in some way shape or form. This is awkward. The fact that the guy I had a crush on–Jacen McDavis–is my doctor. He doesn't seem phased in the slightest to see me again, or maybe he doesn’t recognize me. That wouldn’t be a surprise either, it’s not like we were close back then.

Only three years have passed since graduation and well, I think it did more for him than it did for me. His frame shows that this man definitely has a fantastic relationship with the gym, his dark brown hair is cut short and styled to look professional, the glasses he wears compliment his light green eyes, it’s like they’re the center of attention of his facial features.

I never intended to land myself here, but in a morbid way, I'm glad I ended up here. It may be a blessing in disguise. Am I crazy to think there might be more only from our eyes locking? Most likely. Do I care? Absolutely not. Who am I to say it’s not possible.

“Hailey, is that you?” He does a double-take after our prolonged eye contact. “Hailey Briosia, what were you thinking?” I wish I could give him that answer, but other than saving Rocky, I had absolutely no plan afterwards. I most certainly did not think about the possibility of getting hit. But here we are.

Smiling awkwardly I meet his gaze again, there’s something different, maybe he feels something more than I initially thought. “Well, I wasn’t exactly thinking when I jumped in to save a stray dog from getting hit, but yeah, it’s me, Hailey.”

He sighs heavily. “You were always one to risk yourself for others, and in this case a dog. Did this dog have a collar perchance?” Wait, how did he know the dog had a collar?

I nod slowly. “It did, but I guess I considered it a stray because it got loose. Why?”

“I only ask because my dog sitter for the day mentioned a certain young female running into the middle of a busy street to save said dog.” Oh. Ohhh, I saved his dog. That was in fact not a stray after all, well that complicates the name change.

“You wouldn’t have, you know, named your dog Rocky by chance did you?” I ask hesitantly, hoping I didn’t make it even more awkward.

“Now why would I name my dog Rocky?” Then I see it click in his mind. “You renamed my dog, didn’t you? Thinking it was a stray.” He sighs. “Out of all the names you could’ve picked you chose Rocky?” Well, that confirms it, the dog's name is definitely not Rocky.

“Okay, well you obviously gave him a different name, so what is it?” I asked, more enthusiastically than necessary.

“His name is Hugo, but Rocky fits him nicely, I must say.” He smiles, Jacen actually smiled for once.

We spent the next couple days of my temporary stay at the hospital catching up, discussing the weather, and all the mundane things in life. But to us, we made them sound exciting.

“I was wondering…when you are fully recovered, would you perhaps like to go to dinner with me?” Three days of catching up and his mind was definitely thinking more ahead than I was. Dinner sounds like a great way to continue discovering whatever is beginning to grow between us.

Too stunned to speak, I nod. After a few moments of the shock wearing off I found my voice. “I would love to have dinner with you.” Whenever that may be, I'm still working on recovering and will probably be out of commission for the next several months. But at least I had something to look forward to.

Maybe this is why I ended up in the hospital all those years ago. I was meant to find Jacen. And he was meant to find me. After that first date things changed and well, now we’re on our way to having our first child. I can’t believe that a doctor and an unknown artist like me, ended up together. But it happened and I couldn’t be happier.