"It's going to take more than painkillers to numb yourself out" is what my mother said in reply to "I should be completely numb and complaint-less if you would just listen to me and dump the entire bottle of ibuprofen down my throat" when I was 12 and started experiencing severe dysmenorrhea. In other words, my period cramps hurt like hell.

(I know and I'm sorry, TMI.) 

All because of the darn anemia my mother passed down to me. 

"It runs in the family! Don't blame me!" This was followed by a seemingly genuine, angry scoff but a playful grin as well to let my mother know I was just teasing her.

"I gave birth to you after 9 months of pure suffering and you're complaining?" she retorted while grinning. All I did in return was raise my hands in defeat.

It was November 8th of 2008. 

I was getting two check-ups--one for dysmenorrhea and one to see how severe my anemia was. My previous doctor had told me that it wasn't getting any worse but he also told me it'd be safer to get monthly check-ups rather than take his word for it. Sadly, Dr. Cho was transferred to a different branch so a new doctor would be meeting me on that day. And for some odd reason, I felt scared. Nervous. Palms sweating and lips being chewed. I didn't know why.

"Looks like it's bring-your-child-to-work day here at the hospital. Maybe you'll meet a new friend," Eomma said after talking with the lady at the desk.

I scoffed. I'll be meeting my new doctor and that's the only new friend I plan on making today.

"Hey Mom, I need to go to the bathroom. Just text me when they call for me, okay?"

"Sure, sweetie. Just be back in 15 minutes or so."

Truth was all I wanted to do was lock myself in a bathroom stall and scribble more in my sketchpad. There I was, not even bothering to hurry up. I was dragging my feet along their polished, wooden floors with my head down. My arms were wrapped securely around my sketchpad, which was pressed firmly into my chest and I also silently prayed no one would talk to me. Even this shocked me; I'm normally someone easy to approach but today was probably just not my day. I blamed it all on--yup you guessed it--my period.

"Watch out!"

Next thing I knew, I was pushed pretty hard and I lifted my head up only to see black. I was certain I did not faint. Certain. My nose was sunken into what felt like a soft, knit sweater of some sort and my nostrils had picked up on lavender laundry detergent and a hint of coumarin and oak moss. The classic scent of deodorant for males. Rather than looking up at the person whose body was leaning against mine, I had turned my head left and right to check my surroundings first. I was no longer in the hallways and in what looked like a playroom for younger kids with building blocks and puzzles scattered. And judging by the fact that the lights were off (only the small gaps of the window blinds provided light) and there were no screams or laughs of glee, it was empty.

Although I was extremely curious as to who this person was, I couldn't bring myself to look up. Again, I didn't know why.

"Sorry for that. You were in my way and I sorta had to...y'know..."

Panting. A short swallow of saliva. He had been running away from something or someone before he pulled me in here.

"So uh..." he trailed on before chuckling. "The name's Taehyung. Kim Taehyung. You?"

I took a few seconds before responding to the husky, pubescent voice. << (This told me we were around the same age.)

"I'm Jiyoung." Even after extending an arm out to introduce himself more formally, I still refused to look up and do the same to his hand.

"You must be in love with the ground. You can't stop staring at it." He chuckled at his own joke before saying, "Hey, are you okay?"

He sounded concerned this time and I could feel the temperature of my face rising. I gave a slight nod.

Next thing I knew, he was suddenly down on the floor with one leg folded and leaning on his heel and the other with his arm perched comfortably on it. I suddenly felt my breath freeze and the words I wanted to say jumble and jump around in my throat in a frenzy. 

He was looking at me. 

"Now is this better for ya?" He smiled.

And I couldn't hear the next words leaving his lips but what I did know was that I was able to meet possibly the most beautiful pair of brown eyes anyone has ever seen.