Josie smirked to herself. If this guy was on Aiden’s bad side, she was definitely gonna get to know him better.

She chucked her lunchbox into the trash and headed off to dig up some books on acupuncture.

Kyle caught her ignoring him, and his jaw tightened. “Hey, you hear me? You already ticked Aiden off this morning. Don’t go making it worse.”

Josie almostughed, but it was a cold, bitter one in her head. In her old life, she’d jumped through hoops to keep them happy, always putting their feelings first.

Not anymore. She was done ying nice-she was looking out for herself now.

“Thanks for handling the stuff, Kyle,” she said, voice icy, barely ncing at Kyle before heading upstairs.

Her chilly vibe threw Kyle off.

He’d known Josie forever, and she’d never hit him with that look.

Kyle’s mind spun. ‘Is she still mad about this morning when we pushed her to apologize? I thought Aiden’s feelings were her top priority. I was just trying to help-why’s she acting like I’m the jerk?’

Kyle scoffed and stormed out of the archive room.

When Josie came back down with her book, the empty room didn’t surprise her.

Kyle was selfish to the core. His family name and skills weren’t enough to keep him in the team’s good books, so he stuck to Aiden like glue, always sucking up.

Back when Josie was the team’s favorite, Aiden had a soft spot for her. Kyle milked it, using her to talk him up to Aiden.

Even when ab disaster nearly got him kicked out, Josie had begged Aiden and David to give him another shot.

But when Natalie framed her and the team turned on her, who was the first to stab her in the back? Kyle.

Josie let out a sharp, mocking chuckle. ‘What, I give him the cold shoulder once, and he just bolts?

“Wait till I shove that diploma in his face, every backstab he pulled returned, one by one. What’s he gonna do then?’

She pushed Kyle out of her mind, left the archive room, and headed to her dorm, missing the cold, angry eyes watching her from the shadows.

Kyle figured Josie would blow up his phone, begging him toe back and help.

The archive room was a mess of papers-no way she could sort it alone.

But she didn’t call. Didn’t even stay. She just walked out. That wasn’t the Josie he knew.

Is this who she really is? he wondered, doubt creeping in. Was that sweet, go-along girl just a front all this time?

Kyle’s face lit up like he’d cracked a big secr

Heading to the guys’ dorm, he muttered, “Josic, you’re done. Fin gonna expose you and make things right for Natalie.”

Aiden had pushed for Josie to apologize to Natalie, showing who he really cared about. Kyle thought If he could get on Natalie’s good side, Aiden would be stoked.

19:25 Mon, 25 Aug AA

He’d hoped Josie would suck it up and say sorry to Aiden-then he’d have two people hyping him up to the boss.

‘But nope, Josie’s gotta be stubborn and blow me off, he thought. Well, can’t say I didn’t try!”

Josie bolted back to her dorm, stuffed herptop into her backpack, and headed for the door. Before darting out, she shot her roommate a look. “Hey, if anyonees asking for me, just say I’m sick and dragged myself to the hospital, okay?”

And yeah, she did head to the hospital.

Aloville’s only traditional medicine hospital, linked to their med school, was her spot.

Josie slung her bag over her shoulder and made a beeline for the acupuncture wing.

She’d checked the school’s website and knew Delh Wilcourt, the acupuncture rockstar, was running rounds today.

She hadn’t even hit the department when she spotted Delh down the hall.

“Professor Wilcourt!” Josie called, but before she could say more, Delh cut in.

“You’rete! Hurry up, get changed, and meet me in the treatment room, stat,” she said.

Josie didn’t bother exining. She just followed Delh, who was already charging ahead.

Rumor had it, acupuncture training got real hands-onter on. For local interns, Delh led rounds, teaching while treating patients.

In the changing room, Josie noticed it was way quieter than David’s chaotic sessions, where a herd of students trailed him. Here, it was just Delh and three interns-Josie, one guy, and one other girl. Super chill setup.

“Get the tools ready.” Delh said, pping on a mask and ncing at them.

Josie had no idea what to do, so she stuck close to the other girl, ire-she’d glimpsed her name on her scrubs’ badge while changing.

“First timer?” ire asked, passing Josie some silver needles to sterilize. “Who sent you? Nobody mentioned a new intern. What’s your name?”

Josie flicked her eyes toward Mu, who was distracted. She exhaled softly. “Josie Pearson.”

Josie? ire squinted. “Sounds familiar. We met before?”

Josie’s stomach flipped. “Nah, acupuncture’s my second major. First time here. Came for Professor Wilcourt’s rep. Pretty sure we’re strangers.”

“Huh, I could’ve sworn-” ire started, but Delh’s voice sliced through.

“Quit yapping” Delh grabbed the sterilized needles and headed for the treatment room. “Move it! Today’s patient’s got a tough case, and this’ll take a while. Pay attention?

ire made a face behind Delh’s back, then tugged Josie’s arm and whispered. “Don’t worry, Professor Wilcourt’s all bark. She’s the coolest prof here.

“You picked a good gig-barely anyone does acupuncture, so internships are wide open. Professor Wilcourt basically holds your hand.

“Finish your internship, and you’re set to see patients solo. Graduate, get hired, and bam-full physician status.

“No assistant grunt work like other specialties. Plus, better pay and an easy workload.”

I

19:25 Mon, 25 Aug AAE

“Hmph a snarky scoff interrupted. It was the guy, mask on, face hidden, no hadge

Jovie had no clue who he was.

“No need to oversell it,” he said, eyeing Josic, “School didn’t mention new interns.

“You sure you’re in the right ce? If you’re lost, you can still bail-Professor Wilcourt won’t care

“Sean, you serious?” ire hissed, yanking his arm.

Josie froze. So he’s Sean. No way I am leaving now!

Before she could speak, Delh’s voice rang out. “Sean’s got a point. If you’re in the wrong spot, walk now, and I won’t blink. But if you stay and flunk the assessmentter, don’t expect me to go soft”

B

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