It's a quiet night in the heart of New York City. A gentle breeze rustles through the trees, creating a soft, soothing whisper. The smell of coffee lingers faintly in the air, the result of a long study session that started hours ago. A well-worn leather chair creaks as he leans back in it, taking a brief break from the anatomy textbook in front of him. Ashley's black hair is falling into her eyes, but she doesn't bother to push it away.

she takes a sip from the coffee cup in front of her, the bitterness of the dark roast cutting through the fatigue that has settled in her bones. Her eyes move over the notes on her desk, everything meticulously organized-her way of staying on top of the chaos. Being a medical intern isn't easy, but ash's methodical, laid-back approach has always served her well. she's calm under pressure, and although it's hard to see, she's always thinking, always planning ahead.

she dropped his pen and leaned against the chair, exhaled.