There was the constant and distant sound of a phone ringing, the smell of cheap bleach and carpet cleaner, and people coughing every now and then, so if it weren't for the warning posters for STIs and flu injections you'd know you were in a doctors lounge.
We were seated along a wall, Mason's hoody pulled over his head and his hands shoved in the front pockets with his head leaning against the wall and his eyes shut against the bright light.
"How are you feeling?" I asked, touching his arm gently only to be rewarded with a grunt.
The whole ride here Mason had been arguing that he didn't want to go. I told him I would cover the cost but that just made him even angrier.
I huffed and sat back in my chair, side-eyeing him for a few minutes before retorting.
"I'm only trying to help okay. So stop being such a sourpuss." I poured and pulled my jacket around me and crossing my arms.
Stupid boyfriends and their stupid need to say they're fine when they're obviously not.
I felt his hand rest on my thigh and when he didn't pull away, I couldn't help the smile that grew on my face. It was as if the rest of my body was stone cold and his hand was on fire, his touch sent tingles all through my body.
"You're lucky I love you," I mumbled and he chuckled, squeezing my thigh a little making me jump.
"Mason and Ashley Murphy." I felt my eyes widen as the doctor called out our names and instantly looked to Mason who now had his eyes open and his brows furrowed in confusion.
"Umm, come on then," I said, pulling Mason to stand and dragging him to follow the doctor down the hall.
"I'm doctor Ross, a pleasure to meet you, Mr and Mrs Murphy." He was quite young, almost too young to be a doctor. He was tall and relatively pale, and his hair was a mess of blonde that made his blue eyes shine.
I couldn't help but notice his eyes trail down my legs and if I saw it I don't doubt that Mason did as well.
"Oh, we're not married." I stuttered as Mason and I sat in the chairs next to his desk. I felt Masons warning glare at the side of my head which clarified my suspicions that he'd seen doctor Ross's study of me.
"Oh, my apologies." He nodded, shooting me a warm smile.
"Well, not yet anyway." Croaked Mason, giving an awkward chuckle at the end.
"Right.." the doctor held back a smile laced with humour and I hit Mason in the leg.
"So how long have you been going out for?" Doc directed at me as he gestured for Mason to take off his hoodie.
I felt a little uncomfortable with the situation but just brushed it off as sociable, I mean come on, how many times do you have to get your nails done to be interrogated in the same area am I right? Mason grunted as he pulled his hood over his head and shot me a look.
"Well, it's a long story." I laughed and grabbed Mason's hand, giving it a squeeze and him a smile of 'shut up, or I'll kill you.'
Doctor Ross lifted Masons shirt and began to press the stethoscope to Mason's chest. Mason jumped at how cold it was.
"A few deep breaths for me buddy." Ooft. Condescending. Masons lips were pressed into a thin line as he took three deep breaths in and exhaled causing his perfect abs to tighten. I held my breath too, I hoped Mason wouldn't do anything to get us kicked out, insulting a doctor was the last thing I needed.
"Alright," he said politely and a little too excitedly, as he took the stethoscope from his ears and placed it on his desk. "What symptoms have you been feeling?"
"Sore, blocked nose, a terrible cough and blinding headaches." Mumbled Mason. I noticed Doctor Ross's eyebrow twitch as Mason's blunt tone and I squinted my eyes as if I could read what he was saying in his head about my man.
Yes, he's a rude asshole, but he's my rude asshole. I thought.
"Sounds like flu, it's been going around." He'd twisted his chair so he was interacting with me now.
Cool, flu. That's what I said. I should be a doctor.
"Although it might but be  a chest infection. Some antibiotics for the infection should clear you up, along with some painkillers and just to keep his temperature down." He nodded to me, typing something into his computer.
"Are you able to swallow tablets or would you like the pink strawberry flavoured syrup?" Mason watched him incredulously, his mouth slightly open and his eyes furious.
"Do you think I'm twelve or something?" He sneered and I bit my lip from saying anything.
"Well, from the way you treat your girl, perhaps."
Woh. What was going on? I half expected them to both pee circles around me.
Masons nostrils flared and I could swear I could hear his heart pick up a few beats.
"I'm sorry, but I've known you not even five minutes," I said, taken aback at how this conversation had change direction so quickly.
"Yes, I'm aware of that but from what I've seen you're not being treated the way you should be." He had the nerve to let his lips curve into a small smile at me.
"Just give us the damn prescription." Masons voice was full of venom and I felt my blood run cold from his tone.
Ross held his gaze with Masons for a few moment longer before hitting a button that caused the printer to rev.
Both Mason and I stood up and I discreetly moved my hand to his only to have him flinch away.
Ross walked us to the door and stopped me before I left as Mason was already making his way to the chemist in a rage with his prescription.
"Hey, if you ever need anything... here's my card." I pulled out a white card with his details on it, his crisp white smile beaming down at me.
I read it before glaring at him and lifting the card between my two fingers and throwing it back in his room, turning on my heel and enjoying the image of his smile falling miserably in my head.
Mason had collected his medication by the time I'd walked over to him. He was avoiding my gaze, and when we'd gotten into the car he'd tucked one of his legs up and rested his head against the window - a telltale sign that he was pissed.
"You shouldn't let that sort of stuff get to you," I said, turning my key in the ignition and letting the car warm up.
"Let what stuff?"
"You know what I mean." I watched as his hot breath made fog patched on the window and could slightly see his reflection against the dark outside.
"I'm not sure I do." He mumbled, losing his eyes and shutting me out.
I sighed and turned out of the car park. The drive home was slow, traffic built up due to the snow and I clicked my tongue at how foolish people were for going out in this weather when it isn't necessary.
It was eleven before we made our way back into the garage and Mason was sound asleep.
I clicked the key in the ignition so it was off and I was sitting in silence other than Mason's soft snores.
How was I going to get Mason the money to pay for his sister?
Yes he has a job, but it could take him years to pay for her surgery, meanwhile, she's missing out on her life.
I stared at his sleeping face, torn between his stubbornness and pride. He had let his hair grow longer, making it curl slightly at the ends, it wasn't long enough to tie up but certainly longer than the usual cropped he kept it.
I love him so much and I don't tell him enough, tonight was certainly an example of that.
"Mason, we're home." I gripped his knee to wake him and he fluttered his eyes and looked around, grunting before climbing out leaving me biting my lip and mid-eye roll.
I love him, but he does have his moments...
He got to the door before me and was waiting with his head resting against the wall. I shoved my keys into the lock and cocked my head for him to go in.
"Just go to bed, I'll bring you some water and your meds," I mumbled, dumping my bag on the counter and rubbing my temples, feeling the oncoming of a headache.