I opened my eyes and felt a terrible pain in my head as if it was being cracked open. The pain was too great that my eyes were getting watery and made my vision double.

I was then wondering why I was looking at the skies which looked like a dreary grey only to realize that I was actually lying on my back on the ground. I tried to move the rest of my body to get up only to feel a shooting pain on my shoulders and back as well. I slumped back to the ground, hoping that at least someone would find me.

I remained lying down, gathering my thoughts of what happened that brought me here. My mind remained blank and the pain in my head only intensified as I tried to think.

It was several minutes after when I heard footsteps approaching and the voice of a boy.

“Dara, you’re awake! I’m glad. I was worried. I didn’t know what to think. I saw you here lying down. You must have slipped; such carelessness. It’s all because of the stupid rain.  Don’t move! I already called the ambulance.” He said in a rush of words that hurt my head as I strain to understand what he said.

So it rained and I slipped. No wonder I feel wet on my back. Feeling wet must mean good right? Instinct told me to wiggle my hands and feet. They seem to be working. Thank God I don’t seem to have spinal injury! How will I run for track?

And then I thought about the boy kneeling beside me, why his voice was so familiar. I turned my head to look at him. And in my hazy eyesight, I saw the most familiar face, the boy who keeps me up at night.

“Ji...”I said, managing a faint smile.

I don’t know whether I was lucky or not. I’ve known him since we were 12 when we both joined the track team, and even up to highschool. But we hardly ever talked at school and the most interaction I have with him was during practice. Except for summer when we would attend track camp.

He held my hand in his as if it was the most natural thing in the world, as if he had been doing this for along time. The feeling of his hand was familiar in mine and I do not know why.

“Mianhe, Dara. I’m not letting you out of my sight again. Okay?” he said, holding my hand tighter.

I was glad to hear him say that even if he sounded possessive and overprotective. Here is a side of Kwon Jiyong I haven’t known. But I am bothered why he is doing this for me.

Just then the paramedics came. They took my vital signs and shone a light in my eyes saying my pupils had good reflexes. A cervical collar was secured around my neck and I was as painlessly as possible (still painful though) moved carefully onto the stretcher and onto the ambulance.

And since family members are the only ones allowed in the ambulance, they asked who Ji was.

“I am her boyfriend” he said.