Anatomy of Us

Miranda POV

“Dinggggggggg”

The shrill sound of my alarm tore through the quiet of my bedroom and my eyes flew open.

For a few seconds, I stared blankly at the ceiling, completely disoriented. Then reality hit me..

Crownwell!!

My heart jumped. How could I have forgotten!!

I shot upright and slapped a hand against the alarm clock, silencing it before scrambling out of bed. In my haste, my elbow knocked over the textbook and several notebooks scattered across the floor.

“Ouch!” I yelped when my leg caught the sharp edge of the bed. I rubbed the spot for half a second before glancing back at the clock.

6:30am.

My eyes widened, “oh no.”

Today was my first day at Crownwell University Hospital, and I was already running late.

Not exactly the first impression I had planned. I kicked the fallen books aside and hurried towards the bathroom, stripping off my sleepwear as I went.

Today was supposed to be perfect.

After years of studying, sleepless nights, exams, clinical rotations, endless textbooks and coffee to keep me alive, I was finally going to work at Crownwell.

One of the biggest and most successful hospitals in the city.

The hospital I had dreamt about since I was a teenager. And I was almost going to be late on my first day.

Fantastic.

I jumped into the shower and turned the water on, barely giving myself enough time to enjoy the warmth before getting to work.

I shampooed my hair thoroughly, rinsed it, then washed the rest of my body as quickly as possible.

By the time I stepped out, steam had fogged the mirror, I grabbed my towel, wrapped it around my body and hurried back into my room.

My hair was still dripping when I reached my dressing table, “No..no…no…”

I quickly dried it with another towel before brushing it through, leavening it naturally instead of trying to style it.

I had barely ten minutes.

I pulled on a fitted black long sleeve top beneath my navy blue scrubs, then slip into a pair of comfortable black compression pants under my scrub trousers.

My feet went into a pair of clean, supportive white sneakers. The kind I could survive an enter hospital shift in. But if worse comes to worse, I would change to my crocs ASAP.

I grabbed my ID badge from the table and clipped it onto my scrub top.

Dr. Miranda Hart.

I stared at it for a moment,  a stupid smile slowly spread across my face.

Doctor.

Just like yesterday, it still feels strange seeing it written beside my name.

“Miranda!!” my mother’s voice suddenly echoed from downstairs.

“Breakfast!”

“I’m coming,” I grabbed my bag and hurried out of the bedroom.

“ Miranda!!” She yelled again.

“ I said I am coming!” I yelled back.

“ You’ve been saying that for five minutes.”

“I’ve only been awake for—” I stopped.

I glanced at the clock on the hallway wall, “Okayy, maybe ten.”

I hurried downstairs.

The smell of fried eggs and toasted bread immediately hit me.

My stomach growled.

Apparently, my body had not forgotten breakfast, even if my brain had forgotten the time.

When I entered the dining room, my mother was already seated at the table with a cup of tea in front of her.

My younger brother,  Ethan, was sitting opposite her,  already halfway through his breakfast.

“You’ve got somewhere to go this morning? Seems you’re eating in haste.” I muttered, thinking he wouldn’t hear me, but he did.

“You’ve forgotten I still attend school. Typical you.” He muttered back.

“Oh.” I mouthed as I turned my attention to my mom.

“Good morning mom.” I said, slightly breathless.

My Mother looked up at me and down, “Good morning? You look like he just escaped a fire.”

Ethan snorted, “ That’s because she woke up late.”

I shot him a look, “ thank you Ethan. You are very supportive.”

“And you are highly welcome,” he replied to me and I rolled my eyes, pulling out a chair for myself and dropped into it.

“ What are we having?” I asked.

My Mother raised an eyebrow, “ you are asking what we are having when you can clearly see the food in front of you?”

“ I need confirmation” I shrugged.

“eggs, toast, sausage, sausages, and fruits.”

“Hmm, perfect.”

I immediately reached for a slice of toast, “ slow down.” my mom warned me.

“You are going to choke, and I wouldn’t want that”

I began stuffing the food into my mouth, “ I don’t have time to chew, mom.”

Ethan snorted, “ you are a doctor and you do not know how to eat?”

“ oh please! Ethan I know how to eat. I just don’t have time to eat.” I groaned.

“ You are the one who woke up late.” He replied and I grabbed another toast, pointing it at him.

“ do you want to survive until graduation??”

He understood my question and raised both hands, “okay fine, I’ll be quiet”

My Mother shook her head, laughing under her breath. I took another bite while pulling my phone from my pocket.

There was a notification waiting for.

Crownwell University Hospital- New staff orientation.

I opened it immediately, I had already read the email at least 20 times,  probably more.

Crownwell University Hospital had been on my list long before I was even old enough to understand what working there actually meant.

When I was 17, I had watched a documentary about one of the cardiac surgery teams. I still remember sitting on the living room floor completely fascinated as the surgeon explained the procedure and the precision required to operate on a human heart.

That’s when I knew I didn’t just want to be a doctor. I wanted to become a surgeon and eventually I wanted to specialize in cardiothoracic surgery.

Heart surgery had always fascinated me. There was something almost terrifying about the responsibility of holding someone’s life in your hands.

One mistake. One second. One decision and everything could change. So I studied, hard.

There were nights when my friends were sleeping and I was buried beneath anatomy textbooks. Nights when I questioned whether I had chosen a career that demanded too much from me.

But I kept going.

I graduated with grades I was proud of, I completed my clinical training, and spent years working towards the opportunity sitting in front of me now.

Crownwell.

The hospital I’d once only seen in documentaries and academic articles. The hospital I had imagined myself walking through countless times.

And today I was actually going there, not as a patient, but as a doctor.

I took another bite of toast while scrolling through the orientation information, my mother noticed.

“ are you seriously reading about work while eating??” She asked me with a confused expression all over her face.

“I’m preparing mom.”

“For what? A test?”

“No, my first day.”

“ You’ve been preparing for your first day since you got a job.”

“ exactly.”

Ethan reached across the table and stole a piece of sausage from my plate. I immediately slapped his hand.

“Hey!”

“ Occupational hazard”

“ give it back!” I demanded.

“ You can’t have it anymore.”

“Ethan!” I called sternly but he was still looking at me with a smile.

And before I could say or do anything, he popped it into his mouth and my mouth fell open.

My mom burst out laughing, “ let him have it Miranda there are more I could make for you.”

“He just stole my food!”

“You have plenty, you heard mom.” He managed to say.

“That’s not the point.”

Ethan grinned.

“ you are going to be fine, Doctor Miranda.”

I rolled my eyes but I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. My gaze fell back to my phone. For all the teasing, the excitement in my chest hadn’t disappeared.

If anything, it had grown stronger.

Today wasn’t just another day.

It was the beginning of everything I’d worked for.

I finished my breakfast, grabbed my bag and stood.

“ I really have to go.” My Mother stood up too, and straighten the collar of my scrub top.

“Call me when you get there.”

“I will.”

“And make sure you eat lunch.” She added

“I will, mom.”

“And do not let anyone intimidate you.”

I smiled, “I won’t mom. You know me.” I replied.

Ethan looked up from his plate, “ unless they are scary.” I glared at him, “ thanks for the confidence.” he laughed..

I headed towards the door, then stopped for one last glance at my reflection in the hallway mirror.

Navy scrub.

ID badge

Hair neatly pulled away from my face.

Heart pounding, I took a deep breath.

Crownwell University Hospital, finally.

I opened the door and stepped out. Stepping into the first day of my career.

I didn’t take a long walk outside my house and I found a cab.

I immediately flagged it down and told my address to the driver.

~~

In less than 45 minutes, I arrived at the hospital. And  the moment I stepped out of the car, I realized something.

Crownwell was even more beautiful than I had imagined. The massive glass building stood before me. Its slick architecture reflecting the morning sunlight. People moved in and out through the main entrance.

Doctors, nurses, patients,  visitors, each seeming to know exactly where they were going.

For a second , I simple stood there, taking it all in.

I’m really here. After paying the driver, I grabbed my bag and made my way inside.

I headed straight for he auditorium where the newly employed staff had been asked to gather for orientation. And as expected, most of them were already there.

I found an empty seat somewhere in the middle and settled down,  pulling out my phone to check the time.

A few minutes later, the door closed, and a woman in a navy blazer stepped onto the stage.

“Good morning everyone welcome to Crownwell university Hospital.”

A round of polite applause filled the auditorium. She introduced herself as Mrs. Evelyn Carter, part of the hospitals administration and briefly explained what the orientation would cover.

Thankfully, it wasn’t the kind of endless speech I had been dreading.

Our hospital identification cards were issued first,  along with the access credentials. We were told which areas required additional clearance and reminded that certain sections of the hospital, including restricted wards, call rooms, and lounges weren’t accessible to everyone.

Oh well.

When they handed me my ID card, I stared at it for a second.

Dr. Miranda Hart.

I had just a normal ID card, but this one was the hospital ID card. Seeing my name printed beneath the Crownwell logo made my stomach flutter.

I was also asked about parking access, “ I do not have a car yet.” I admitted.

The administrator simply nodded and I moved on.

One thing at a time. Next came in a short welcome from the chief medical officer followed by introductions from a few members of the hospital’s leadership team.

they spoke briefly about Crownwell standards, it’s commitment to patient care, confidentiality, safety, and teamwork. Nothing to complicated.

Just the things we needed to know before stepping onto the hospital floor.

We were given a quick overview of patient’s privacy and workplace policies, including confidentiality, infection control, occupational safety, and professional conduct. A few mandatory compliance models were assigned to our staff account.

After that came emergency protocols,

Code red

Code blue

Code black

Different emergencies and different responses.

We were shown where the crash carts were located, and reminded that knowing the nearest emergency equipment wasn’t optional.

I made a mental note to memorize every location.

Then came a brief explanation of how the departments worked together. How doctors requested consultations, how patient were transferred between units,  how laboratory and imaging request were handled and how discharge procedure worked.

It was practical straight, to the point… exactly how I liked it.

The final part of the orientation was the facility walkthrough.

We were shown the central laboratory,  imaging suite, staff cafeteria, doctors lounge, call rooms, and several major clinical areas.

Eventually, we were divided into our departments.

And that was when I noticed the excitement around me change.

I was assigned to the cardiothoracic surgery department.

As we waited for the departmental representatives, two girls standing a few seats away from me, started whispering.

“ do you know who the head of the department is?” One of them asked excitedly.

The girl practically bounced on her toes, “of course I do.”

“Apparently he is ridiculously handsome.” She giggled.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

“Seriously.” The first girl continued “I’ve heard much about him.”

“Same, I can’t wait to meet him.”

Another girl beside them leaned closer, “what if he falls for one of us?”

They all burst into quiet giggles. I stared at them.

Are we here to work or audition for a romance novel?

I almost laughed, the woman leading our group cleared her throat.

“ Unfortunately Dr. Brooks, the head of the cardiothoracic surgery department isn’t available to meet you today”

My attention shifted towards her, “ you all will be introduced to him tomorrow.”

A few disappointed sighs came from the girls behind me, I pressed my lips together to keep me from smiling.

Apparently, tomorrow can’t come soon enough for some people.

We were instead introduced to several members of the department, including  senior doctors, nurses, administrative staff and other surgical member team.

By the time the department introductions ended, orientation was finally over and it was time to work.

I adjusted the strap of my bag and followed the other doctors out of the auditorium, for the first time since I arrived, the excitement in my chest was replaced by anticipation as

This was it.

My first day as a doctor here in Crownwell

I had barely taken a few steps down the corridor when—

“CODE BLUE! CODE BLUE!!”

The announcement echo through the hospital,  everything changed instantly, nurses rushed past us, doctors moved quickly in the opposite direction. Someone shouted for a crash

Another voice called for a stretcher.

The calm atmosphere from some minutes ago disappeared as people sprinted towards the emergency.

I  froze for half a second.

Then instinct took over, I tightened the grip on my bag and ran after them.

My first day at Crownwell had officially begun