handling the work.

-Davis, you're ten minutes late; this will be noted in the report. I hope you know that I spoke with the director, and constant tardiness will be recorded in your files, - said Professor Fuller.

Alicia clenched her fists; Alice's anger issues had been escalating for a few days.

-Yes, sir, - said Alice. Thick circles were under her eyes, but they didn't hide her beauty.

-Move, - the professor replied. Leaving the waiting room with a certain air of anger. But it was just bluster, something he did to hurry the students.

Alice adjusted the special suit worn for the hospital. Her slender body and thin abdomen required her to adjust the uniform with a rubber thread, which only caused trouble the first time she was seen with the tight uniform held by a black band. Her hips were wide, but beyond that, there was nothing to tighten, and the strict diet she followed served its purpose, adding a bit more protein.

Alice left the room and entered what they called the "desert of despair." A place with strict teachers watching over the interns for anything. The next day, many times they would wake up early or dedicate time to study, but sleep was a constant in these hallways.

-Girl, you've finally arrived, - said Nurse Chanler.

-Jenny, good to see you, - said Alice, embracing Nurse Chanler. An official worker who was cordial and didn't overstep, even though the medical students themselves were disdainful of the nurses.

-Come, we have to do some checks, and we need personnel. Professor Fuller seems to have reviewed your lack of work in recent weeks, something I underestimated, but the man is insufferable, - said the woman.

-You said it. He just delegates his work while traveling from here to there, as if he owns the place. I have an aversion to the way he looks at me and the other students, - said Alice.

They took some samples for blood tests from at least thirty patients. Alice had to perform some consultations and see some patients who came frequently. Patients came and went, and she was surprised by the number of emergencies.

-Alice, you have the training reports; I need to check them. There are some problems I still don't understand, - said Jazmin.

-I think Javier has some copies; I saw him doing reports in the secretary's office not long ago. But in my locker, I have another report that I have to submit at the end of the month; I can give it to you later. Now, I have to check some exams and make some rounds, - said Alice.

-You're the best. I'll go to Javi; I'll submit them by the end of the week, - said Jazmín.

-Good luck, - said Alice, tasting her food, a tuna sandwich, fruit, and salads.

The day was long and tiring; she just wanted to go to bed, wait for the next day, wipe, and wash, a routine she had been doing since last year. She hated not sleeping well; her skin was pale and wrinkled from the way she slept.

-Summer is almost here, - said Alice, to cheer herself up, to brighten up and encourage herself. She would be with Billy, sleep in, and have time to make some masks to hydrate her skin.

She picked up the phone and called Billy, but there was no answer. She dialed four times, and there was no response; something made her feel inferior. She had many insecurities, and her heart was plagued with many uncertainties. The flashback began to sound; she began to blame herself in her mind.

Flashback:

Alicia ascended the stairs with a silly smile on her face; the night had been perfect. She just wanted to embrace Billy with love and tell him everything she had done during the time they were apart.

It was a profound affection. She entered the projector room to choose a movie, but there was the small woman she hadn't seen in three years. "Claudia," Alice murmured, totally petrified.

-Look who we have here. Our dear official fox, - said Claudia.

-Wait... I don't think... - Alice said, nervously.

-The only thing that's entirely annoying is that you dare to call yourself my friend. But rest assured, in Europe, I met many women like you, and let me tell you, there will be consequences, - Claudia said.

-It's better if I leave, - Alice said, walking out the door. There was Billy, with his father, the strong and heavy gaze falling on the two. Did Billy already realize what could have happened? A family issue is one of those that divide families.

-I'm rambling, - thought Alice. She descended the stairs slowly and greeted Billy, who was about to say something but began to control himself with force.

-Tomorrow morning, we'll talk about this, - Billy said, walking towards Alice, grabbing her hand, and leading her to his room.

End of the flashback.

Claudia now lives with Billy, and when the two are alone, they're ex-lovers who travel together. How is it that Billy is such a good kisser, and how does he exhibit such good behavior? - Alice pondered.

She slept with thoughts of Billy betraying her with Claudia.

She woke up abruptly in the room. It was 11:40 pm. She checked her phone and had two missed calls from two hours ago; the problem was it was too late.

She got up from her chair and decided to study a bit for her exam next month. She had quite a lot on her plate.

-Are you going to study until dawn? - her roommate asked.

-Yes, I will, - said Alice. -- I'll study until 3:30. -

-Wake me up when you go to bed, - said her roommate.

-Yes, no problem, - said Alice, picking up her books and turning on her small lamp with a little princess motif. Upon turning it on, she smiled like a fool because it was a gift from Billy. It had a special light to prevent her eyes from getting tired when she read, a special yellow light.

She studied diligently, but her dream of becoming a doctor was there.

-Laura, you have to wake up; it's 3:30 in the morning, and you have something to do, - Alice said.

-Hmmm, -mumbled Laura, programmed, and was awake in five minutes.

-What do you have to do for tomorrow? -Alice asked, handing her a coffee pot.

-Thanks, and... - Laura began, taking the coffee.

-Wake me up at 6:00, can you? - Alice said.

-Sure, the library opens at 7:00; I'll be here until 6:30 to go to McDonald's for breakfast, - said Laura.

-Sounds good, - said Alice, who fell asleep in a second.

The next days are the same, wipe and wash.

This career was consuming her, Alice thought.

Damn, the American dream.

...