Chapter 2: Building Tension
I sat up in the chair, chewing on the dental guard, and winced at the taste of rubber and mint toothpaste. The lab-coated figure in front of me, Dr. Jane, handed me a mirror, her eyes bright with an excited intensity I had never seen from her before. Even under intense tubes of light, I could distinguish her dental-whitened teeth in contrast to her tanned skin.
I obediently took it and stared at the surprise waiting for me to claim.
My eyes went wide, jaw dropping in astonishment. I had the instantaneous thought, "Did I go to a rave while I was passed out?"
Metal braces adorned my grin, just alignment wires and bands at the moment, but still. I forced myself to speak, asking, "What is this, Dr. Jane? My mouth feels like it's auditioning for a 90's hip-hop video." I had intended for my words to be levelheaded, but the surprise in my voice leaked through just the same.
Dr. Jane grinned, looking like the Grinch who had snuck metal bands onto my teeth instead of a dental orthodontist who just upended years of my foliage-centered diet.
She savored the moment before explaining, responding with some warmth in her voice.
"Precious, you and I are going to have so much fun with these. You wanted a bright smile, and a straight one.
I may have been a little over-zealous, but at least you'll be the belle of the ball with this radiant grin. We will be able to bring so much more confidence into your daily life, Olivia." She smiled warmly, her teeth sparkling beneath the unforgiving light.
The fluorescent lamps glinted off the metal brackets cemented to my teeth, and I could imagine just how much attention it would bring to me while I smiled nervously at new faces. New romantic partners.
Old friends at a high school reunion. Job interviews. Anxiety tinged with anticipation flooded me even at the thought of these events, and now, my smile would garner attention too. The notion made my pulse quicken inside my chest, and I found myself overcome with a mixture of excitement, self-consciousness, and nervous energy.
Dr. Jane took my hand sympathetically while maintaining her reassuring smile. She was a dentist after all, or, I guess, a sort of orthodontic life coach.