Chapter 43 The bathroom, the hallway, the hurt
Chapter 43: The Bathroom, The Hallway, The Hurt
Golden slid into her seat at the Pharmacology lecture hall, her bag barely touching the floor before she pulled out her notebook. She felt… steady today. Not perfect. But steady.
The professor walked in, dropped his files on the table, and without warning barked a question:
“Class, what is the immediate pharmacological response for an infant experiencing a cyanotic spell, specifically in Tetralogy of Fallot?”
Half the class blinked in confusion.
Golden raised her hand.
“Yes, Miss Nixon?”
“Morphine,” she said confidently. “It decreases respiratory drive, reduces infundibular spasm, and thereby improves pulmonary blood flow. It’s the classic first-line in Tet spells.”
A few heads nodded.
Then a soft chuckle floated across the room.
Golden stiffened.
It was Allan.
The lecturer turned. “Mr. Renshaw? Something amusing?”
Allan cleared his throat. “Not amusing, sir. Just incomplete.”
Golden’s brows dipped.
The lecturer leaned forward. “Go on.”
“Well…” Allan sat up straighter. “Recent guidelines show that beta-blockers, especially propranolol, are often more effective than morphine today. They reduce right ventricular outflow tract obstruction more reliably. Morphine works, but it's no longer universally first-line.”
Golden blinked, surprised at the edge of authority in his tone.
She raised her hand again.
“With due respect, sir…morphine still remains a viable and often immediate stabilizer when IV access or beta-blockers aren’t readily available.”
Allan countered instantly.
“But the question wasn’t asking for situational improvisation, it asked for pharmacological response. And propranolol directly targets the mechanism.”
Golden fired back.
“Morphine also targets part of the mechanism. Hyperpnea and agitation worsen Tet spells. If you don’t calm the infant, the spell can escalate before the beta-blocker kicks in.”
“Ermm are we missing something?” someone asked.
“Are they in some kind of battle?” another asked
The lecturer grinned. He was enjoying this more than he should.
“Alright, you two,” he said eventually. “You’re both correct. Recent practice favors beta-blockers, but morphine remains clinically valuable. Excellent arguments, from both sides.”
Golden inhaled deeply, trying not to look at Allan.
He was already looking at her. And for a split second, she saw it…That softness again. That longing again. She looked away.
Girls Bathroom...
Golden had just finished using the restroom room and was washing her hands at the sink when she perceived a very strong perfume.
“Well if it isn't fatty Nixon, where's your sidekick?” Linda stopped beside Golden.
“So what did you think about the video and pictures?
Pretty amazing right?
I bet you wish you were the one Allan was holding and rocking?” Linda taunted trying to get a reaction out of Golden.
Golden finished washing her hands. She brought out a tissue from her bag, wiped her hands and trashed it.
She turned to face Linda.
“You wouldn't get the reaction you want out of me.
Even if you baptize yourself with perfume, it wouldn't hide the stench of your nasty attitude. It only makes you ratchet.”
Golden sidestepped Linda and walked out of the bathroom to see Allan.
Hands in pockets.
Trying to gather courage.
The moment their eyes met, something in him softened.
He opened his mouth, then froze.
Golden didn't have to guess why. She smelled Linda behind her The softness died instantly. And Allan said nothing.
Golden’s expression didn’t crack.
Not even a flicker.
But disappointment poured out of her eyes like ink spreading through water.
She walked right past him. He didn’t stop her. He didn’t say her name. He didn’t even try.
OCU Students Cafeteria...Golden walked into the cafeteria with a blank expression.
The moment she sat down, Alex noticed the change in her aura and before she could ask, she saw Linda walk in then Allan followed.
Linda obviously not satisfied that she didn't get a rise out of Golden in the bathroom approached their table.
“Well if it isn't the Fatty, the Nerd, and the Asian Barbie” referring to Golden, Alex, and Fabulous.
“Just a trip to Africa and you are all over these two now Fabby. It's a little disappointing but what did I expect from a nerd?” Linda said with a registered disapproval.
“Hello to you too Linda” Fabulous responded not in the least offended. “And it's Fabulous, or Fab—definitly not Fabby”
“You didn't have to bathe in perfume. It still doesn't hide your nastiness.” Alex said covering her nose.
“Let's go guys, I think I lost my appetite. Besides the air is polluted and I don't think I can breathe properly here.” Alex stood up and signaled Golden.
“Fab, are you coming?”
“Definately babes, just give me a sec to pack my thing” Fab responded totally ignoring Linda's glare.
The trio left the cafeteria. On the way out, Fab stopped and gave Allan a long, confusing “what are you doing dude?” look
Outside, Fabulous tells the girls that he has made a reservation at Oceanside Restaurant.
The Restaurant was a five star restaurant and reservations were hard to make, but Fabulous managed to make a reservation in a short time.
They drove to the restaurant and where immediately ushered to their table.
“Now spill girl!” Fab said to Golden.
“Hey that's my line” Alex smacks Fab jokingly. “But yeah spill. What happened before you got to the cafeteria.” Alex turned to Golden.
“You guys are not going to drop it are you?”
Together. “Nope!”
Golden proceeds to tell them what happened in the girls bathroom with Linda and the hallway with Allan.
“wow, when I think that dude can't make things any worse, he manages to prove me wrong.” Fab said shaking his head.
“What's the maximum sentence for murder because I think I'm about to commit two” Alex asked enraged.
“In case you need to hide them bodies, I know a guy” Fab said with a sideways look.
Golden couldn't help but smile. She felt warmth in her heart. She knew they will go all out for her in a heartbeat.
Nixon Estate...
They walked into the foyer—and froze.
Varney stood there flipping through a magazine.
“V!!” Golden squealed, rushing into his arms.
He hugged her tight.
“Hi Gigi.”
Then he glanced at Alex.
“No hug for me?”
Alex rolled her eyes.
“In your dreams.”
He smirked.
Golden clung to his arm.
“Fab’s birthday is coming up. Help me pick a gift? Something techy. You know… billionaire-nerd level.”
Varney chuckled.
“I’ve got just the thing.”
That Night…
Allan sat on his bed, staring at his phone.
Every message he sent showed only one tick.
He tried again.
Nothing.
After ten minutes of torturing himself, he called Octavia.
“Tavia… can you reach Golden?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“My messages aren’t delivering.”
Octavia paused.
Then quietly said:
“…Allan, I think you’ve been blocked.”
She didn’t even sugarcoat it.
She hung up and dialed Golden immediately.
“Golden,” she said as soon as the call connected, “did you block my brother?”
Golden froze.
She didn’t know how to answer.
“Gigi! Can you come here for a second?” Varney called out.
Golden seeing an exist said:“Octavia let me call you back later” she hurriedly ended the call.