LIZ's POV

"Happy birthday, Liz!!" is the first thing I hear from my friends whenever they arrive at the house. My parents allowed me to bring friends over for a small gathering for my special day. 

"Where's Rei?" Ryujin asked. Trust me, she wasn't the first one to ask. 

"I don't know. She texted me about half an hour ago." I told her because I seriously have no idea where she's at now. Everybody else is here but my girlfriend. 

"I think she's planning something special for you." Winter teased and they all looked at me with a smile on their faces. I could only laugh it off while blushing real hard. 

"Ah, look at her face. It's all red." I'm well aware of it. Whenever someone or Rei, to be specific, says something cheesy, my face would get red on the spot. I think it has become her habit to make me blush from time to time. She said she likes seeing me like this and I don't know if I should be happy to hear it or pinch her nose. 

Rei and I have been dating for 3 years now and it all started when we were 17. She was one of the school's best swimmers, reason as to why almost everybody knows her. She was so good to the point that I developed a crush on her. You know, I never really cared about the girls who were into her back then because it was just a small crush after all. 

After some time, it has come to my attention that she's pretty aware of my existence because we've been eyeing each other and it goes on until I found out she's crushing on me, too. Rei's best friends, Yujin, Gaeul, Ryujin and Winter were the ones who pushed her to confess to me and the outcome was great because we've had mutual feelings with each other. If it weren't for them, I think Rei wouldn't have guts to tell me how she really feels. 

Throughout the years, I learned Rei is indeed a good person. She was just this calm yet very attractive type. She's known for her great swimming skills and good personality and not just for some stupid reason. She knows how to handle and treat me right and that is what I love about her the most. Her genuine heart will always get me. 

In the middle of reminiscing about our early years together, our friends start to worry about my girlfriend. 

"Liz, try calling Rei. Should we start without her?" Yujin asked me. "I've tried texting her but.." she shook her head, indicating that she hasn't received any reply from Rei. I've looked around and saw my family getting impatient already. 

"She doesn't usually take this long to arrive. She should be here by now." Gaeul said. 

Seeing how worried they all are, I announced to start my birthday celebration without Rei. 

To be honest, I kind of feel disappointed a bit. She didn't get to sing me a happy birthday with all the people here. However, it is worrisome that it's been more than an hour since we last heard from her. And the fact that her house isn't even that far is causing me so much anxiety. 

"The number you have dialed is out of coverage area." it kept on repeating as I try calling her multiple times. 

"Jagi, come on." I said as I try again and again.

And yet, still nothing. 

I swear, if she's doing this on purpose, it's not funny. I started typing to send her a message. "Rei, this isn't funny anymore. I'm waiting." 

Mom also starts to worry not just for Rei but also for me. She gave me a plate of my favorite pasta as I wait for my girlfriend. "Got any reply from her?" she asked, I shook my head. I know she knows how worried I am because this isn't the first time something like this happened. 

But today, I don't feel so good about it. 

I went back to our friends. "I think there's something wrong. She would've told me already if anything is up." I start to panic. 

"Liz, hey, calm down." Yujin stood up to comfort me. "We just need to wait a little more." 

"Yeah, I'm sure she's fine." the words coming out from their mouths aren't helping at all. I feel uneasy, I can't even think of anything else. 

Just Rei. 

Just her.

Time passed by, one by one they started to leave. And yet, still nothing from Rei. 

"Liz, I'm sorry but we have to go. Tell us when Rei called you." they hugged me. "Happy birthday again."

Now, it's just me, Yujin and Gaeul. It's already 8 PM, the sky is already dark. 

"Still no answer." Yujin shakes her head again. I feel my eyes getting wet as tears slowly fill them up.

"This isn't something Rei would do on purpose. We should do something." Gaeul said and just then, my phone rang. 

I was so quick to answer that I didn't even bother look at the caller. "Jagi?"

"Good evening, this is a call from Seoul Police Station. May I know what is your relation with Ms. Naoi?" my eyes widened a bit and gave my friends a look before responding. 

"I'm Kim Jiwon, her girlfriend." I answered. "Is there any problem?" this weird feeling is starting to eat me up. I know there's something wrong. 

"Ms. Kim, your girlfriend was rushed to the hospital a while ago due to a critical incident. We're sorry it took some time before we get to inform you." 

As of 4:00 PM today November 21, 2023, a two-vehicle crash is causing traffic delays. The police says motorcycle rider named Naoi Rei was speeding along the roadway. People involved in the incident are rushed to the hospital after suffering major injuries.