“Yes, your lip is getting numb now.”
“How did that happen?”
“I gave you a shot. I told you, you wouldn’t feel it.”
“No way! It’s over? You already did it?”
“Elyssa told me to be especially gentle with you.”
“Don’t tell her I was afraid, okay?”
“I promise… it’s our little secret.”
“I don’t want her to know… She’s the bravest girl I’ve ever met.”
“Yes, she is. Okay, Jaxon. You just keep breathing through your nose while we get this tooth fixed.”
Jaxon jumped when a loud vacuum sounded near his ear. But as the noises droned on, he found himself nodding off. Occasionally, he heard Dr. Evans speak, asking him to open wider. Then she stuck something in his mouth to hold it open, and he drifted into a relaxed sleep.
*****
“You’re all done now, Jaxon. I’m just going to leave you here breathing a hundred percent oxygen for a bit while I check another patient. How do you feel?”
“Great! You were awesome, and you didn’t hurt me at all. And my tooth feels like it did before it broke. Thanks, Dr. Evans.”
Jaxon closed his eyes and relaxed, grateful the procedure was over. He’d almost faded back asleep when he heard a quiet voice.
“Oh, you’re asleep? Jaxon? Can you hear me?” Elyssa's tentative words registered in Jaxon’s mind, but he kept his eyes closed. He’d hoped Elyssa wouldn’t find out he’d needed laughing gas to have his tooth fixed, and he certainly wasn’t ready to face her since she’d caught him with the mask on.
“Jaxon? Hello? Jaxon?”
He kept his breathing slow and even, feigning sleep. The stool beside him squeaked as she perched there. He could sense her face close to his, but he didn’t flinch.
“I wanted to talk to you… Jaxon? Elyssa gave a heavy sigh. “Why didn’t you call me this week? I don’t get it. Do you like me or not?”
*****
Elyssa wanted to scream with frustration. I finally manage to escape Sadie and corner Jaxon alone, and he’s unconscious. Maybe I can shake him awake.
“Jaxon? Hey, Jaxon?” She shook his arm, but he only groaned and shifted, still unconscious in the dental chair with the mask on his nose. Her aunt must’ve turned the gas up really high.
“Arghh!! I can’t get a break. I finally had the courage to talk to you, and you’re asleep. I’m so confused. I was just beginning to think you actually cared about me, but you totally disappeared. I know I told you to leave me alone, but of course I didn’t mean it. I always spout off like that when somebody tells me what I can and can’t do.”
She reached out and used her fingers to pry one eyelid open, but he still didn’t respond. “Jaxon? Are you in there?” She fell against the backrest, exasperated. “How can you still look so good even when you’re unconscious?”
Elyssa stood and walked to the door, peeking into the hallway. No sign of her aunt or the dental assistant. She returned to her stool beside Jaxon. “I have the worst luck. I don’t trust guys, you know, but I was starting to think you were different. I mean, you were pretty great with the whole coming-to-my-rescue thing. But I like to feel independent, so it kind of made me mad at the same time. You know what I’m saying? I wasn’t mad at you, but I just didn’t want to admit I needed you. It was like admitting weakness.” She turned as her aunt entered the room.
“Oh, there you are, Elyssa. Are you keeping Jaxon company? Doesn’t his tooth look good?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen it yet. He’s still asleep.”
“Asleep?” Aunt Lauren frowned. “He shouldn’t be sleeping.”
“Isn’t he still on laughing gas?”
“No, of course I wouldn’t leave him alone on nitrous. He’s breathing oxygen.” Aunt Lauren’s face creased with concern as she checked the meters and picked up his hand, slapping it gently with her own. “Jaxon? Jaxon, are you okay?”
*****