Poppy's PoV

I'd been prodded and poked and examined and stitched, taped and probed, interrogated and fixed. I never realised quite how exhausting it was to be a patient, the door constantly going because a member of staff needs something from you. I wasn't sure if I even had any blood left after they'd sent everything off for testing but I knew it was needed, I had been bitten by a guy who'd not long come out of prison. He could have anything. I watched as the people went by their shifts, some I recognised and others I didn't, all rushing around making sure their checks were done and notes were written up before the end of the shift. Now I knew how Calum had felt - well, except for the fact he had his friends with him. I was, as always, alone.
I remembered when I'd first met him and just how difficult he was, but I could see a soft side there and slowly it began to seep out. He would do small things like ask me if I was going somewhere with him or make me stay in the room so he wasn't lonely. I'll never forget the day he called me in to ask how I was after having a death on the ward. He really did care about me and how I felt after that...

So why didn't he care that I was being beaten to a pulp? Sure, I get it I gave him that look that said he'd better get out of there but the idea was that he'd return with MORE people who would help me fend off the animal. Instead I was left to fend for myself and look how that ended up. I had to kiss him. I had to run for my life. I got bitten! If I didn't clear these tests they weren't going to let me back to work and I'd be screwed. It'd depend on what it was and if any antibiotics would even get rid of it. Agh. I was so mad right now. I ran my fingers through my hair as I sighed in frustration. Stupid useless people. Fucking paps. I hated the lot of them. Every. Single. Pap stood there and took photos instead of helping me. I couldn't believe it. Was a story really worth more to them than my damned life?! I was furious!
The monitors around me began to bleep, signalling my suddenly high pulse and blood pressure.
There were at least ten of them, one of them could have thrown their camera at him. One of them could have pulled at him. They could have done SOMETHING.
This is the exact reason I joined nursing. I wanted to help people after encountering something I couldn't handle. I pray that they have the same thought process and feel guilty.

"Poppy?" Mavis ran in, covered in protective gear. She took one look at me and sighed, silencing the machines.

"Sorry Mavis. I thought about what happened and I got mad." I let out an embarrassed laugh. She adjusted the machines and the blood pressure cuff before perching on the end of the bed, giving me the look that meant she had information for me.

"I spoke to Calum." I perked up at the mere mention of his name, hissing in pain as I relaxed back into the bed, clutching my bruised ribs.

"Is he okay?" I questioned, receiving a glare from Mavis.

"The man who was not involved in anything is fine. It was you we were more worried about!" She let out a laugh, knowing I always cared about others first. "Calum is worried about you, angry at the man who did this to you and frustrated that he can't see you. He thinks it's his fault somehow." She said, her true agony aunt side coming out for the first time since she helped us when Calum was in here with his ankle.

"Well it is." I snapped to her surprise, causing her to jump slightly.

"Excuse me?" She retorted, knowing she could talk to me like this because we were really good friends. If she was anyone else, I'd have kicked their ass out the room a long time ago.

"He knew what I was dealing with. He knew who I was dealing with. He was there with his security guard. I told them to go because Kyle told me to. I was expecting them to come back with a gang of people or police or something. They never came back!" I pushed my hands up to my face to catch the sobs. "He laid into me so badly, Mavis. I thought I was going to die." I could see her eyes welling up with tears as I broke down in front of her. "He kept saying things, hitting me, threatening me... he even-" I stopped myself as I bit my lips together, tears still streaming down my face. "He tried to kiss me. I head butted him... but then he restrained me and I knew I wasn't going to get out of it alive unless I..." The sentence faded out for a second but I knew I could trust Mavis. "I had to kiss him to distract him while he was beating me. When he relaxed into it, I kicked him in the balls." I shrugged, my gaze just staring into the white wall in front of me. The tears had dried instantly, like I was suddenly numb to all the feelings I had a minute ago.

"Poppy, as your friend, do you not think you're more mad at Calum because you had to do something you regret despite that being the only way you saved yourself?" Mavis threw a new perspective on things as she always did. I let out a sigh, knowing she was right. "Poppy, you did what you did to save your life. It was only a kiss, you hated it. There's nothing for you to feel guilty for." My gaze finally fell back on Mavis's face.

"What if he doesn't want to kiss me ever again? What if he hates me for it? What if he thinks I'm disgusting?" Mavis waved my questions away like they were a pesky fly.

"I can't talk for the boy, but I'm sure he'll be fine with it. Only issue is I'm now going to have to take a saliva test from you too."