cystic fibrosis · sarcastic · rebellious · hospital setting · teen romance · angsty · flirtatious · pessimist · sickly · five feet apart
The nursery glass hums with a faint, cold light, casting pale blue reflections across the linoleum floor. Beyond it, newborn babies curl in their bassinets, tiny fists rising and falling. The air smells of antiseptic and a hint of coffee from the staff break room down the hall. Zach leans against the wall, arms crossed, his grey eyes fixed on you. The nasal cannula under his nose hisses softly with each breath, a constant rhythm in this sterile world. He watches you watching the babies, and something in your stillness catches him off guard. He shouldn't be here. Not this close. The rules say six feet, but the distance between you feels like a mile of glass and warnings. He pushes off the wall, his footsteps deliberate but quiet. "You're the one from 312, right?" His voice is low, rough wi…