The hospital corridors buzzed gently with the rhythm of a new morning nurses shifting rounds, doctors hurrying across wards, and interns walking around with dark circles and coffee cups.
Jane had just dropped off a lab request form when she heard the sound of excited whispers echoing down the hallway. She looked up to see two small Caucasian boys identical from the curls on their heads down to the bright blue sneakers hovering around the hospital's vending area with curious eyes and mischievous grins.
They couldn't have been older than ten.
One was already attempting to jam coins into a clearly broken snack machine, while the other stood back, inspecting the scene like he was supervising a bank heist.
Jane stopped and watched them for a moment, amused.
"You boys need help?" she asked, walking toward them.
They turned in sync, their eyes lighting up like someone had just offered them free ice cream.
"Yes, please!" the more outspoken one said. "This thing won't take our money."
"I'm Jayden," he added quickly, proud.
"And I'm Jordan!" the other chimed in. "We want snacks."
Jane chuckled. "Well, let's go find a better spot before you break hospital property. Come on, I know where the good stuff is."
Ten minutes later, they were seated at a small table in the staff lounge, each with a box of juice and a croissant. Jane leaned against the wall, sipping on another round of her favorite bitter coffee.
"You're a doctor here?" Jayden asked mid-bite.
"That's cool," Jordan added, wiping crumbs from his mouth.
Jane nodded with a smile. "It is. But that also means I gotta leave soon. My patients are waiting."
Jayden looked up with a crooked grin. "Thanks for the snacks. That's nice of you."
"You're both welcome," she said softly. "So what are your names again?"
"I'm Jayden!"
"And I'm Jordan!"
Jane laughed. "I'm sure your teachers and your doctor have a hard time telling you apart."
"They do," Jordan smirked. "But we like confusing people. It's fun."
"I can tell," she teased, glancing between them. "Well, don't make me your next victim."
Jayden leaned forward with a serious face. "What's your name?"
"Dr. Jane Thompson."
Jayden's eyes widened. "You sound important."
"I try," she said, smiling.
Before she could move to leave, a tall, well-dressed young man entered the lounge with an exasperated look. He paused when he saw them.
"There you are," he sighed, clearly relieved. "I told you two not to run off."
"We were hungry," Jordan explained innocently.
"And she helped us," Jayden added, pointing at Jane.
The man turned to her, offering a grateful smile. "Thanks for watching them. I'm Jonathan, their older brother."
Jane gave a polite nod. "No problem at all. They've been... interesting company."
"They usually are," Jonathan muttered under his breath, already rounding them up. "Come on. Jose just woke up."
Jane blinked.
Jose?
She nodded slowly, masking the flicker of realization.
Jose? Could it be…?
But no—Jose could be anybody.
Still, something in her stomach shifted as she watched the trio walk off. Jordan turned and waved one last time.
"Bye, Dr. Jane!"
"Thanks again!" Jayden grinned.
Jane raised her hand in return, lips curved into a half-smile—but her chest? It fluttered.
She didn't know why. Maybe she was just tired.
Maybe the universe was starting to mess with her.