EDITED

The sun rose from the horizon and emitted streaks of light into the living room through the half opened blinds. Hyoyeon opened her eyes ever so slowly from the sudden brightness that filled the room. She looked up at the ceiling unsure of what the time was. She turned her head left expecting to see the clock on the wall but instead of reading the time, she read Jessica’s face that was centimeters away. Jessica’s head rested right next to Hyoyeon’s with her left arm around Hyoyeon’s rib cage and legs entangled with hers. Hyoyeon looked at her and chuckled. Even though she wasn’t one to sleep through the morning, she didn’t move an inch afraid of interrupting the sleeping princess in her arms.

 She picked up the remote that was within the vicinity of her left hand and turned the TV on. There wasn’t anything to watch since it was 8am so she watched the news. Her left arm fell asleep as she felt a small tingling sensation. Jessica shifted a little from the sound of the TV.

Hyoyeon began to feel her head hurt as she watched the reporter talk about a drunk driver involved in a car crash in the freeway. She lifted her right hand and massaged her temples hoping it would relieve the pain but to her disappointment, it got worse. Her thoughts went blank as images flashed across her mind.

“Ms. Song. I need to go pee.”

“Alright. Be quick. We’re going to see the penguins in five minutes.”

“Yes Ms. Song.”

“Anyone else who needs to use the restroom, go with her. The rest of us will wait here.”

“Ne!” The other kids responded.

“.” Hyoyeon cursed under her breath and shut her eyes. The pain became too much for her to bear.

“Ajusshi, where are you taking me?”

 “Shh, We’ll be there soon.”

“But my class is waiting for me.”

“Don’t worry. I already spoke to your teacher.”

The man grabbed my wrist and pulled me to his car. I tried to run away but he held me really tight. He pushed me into the back seat and slammed the door. I tried to open the door but the handle was broken and he already started driving.

Jessica woke up from Hyoyeon’s heavy breathing. She saw the tears in her eyes and hands holding her head in pain and jumped off the couch.

“Omg. Hyoyeon! Hyoyeon?!” Jessica panicked but she didn’t respond. “Hyoyeonie?!”

“Sica… pill…” Hyoyeon struggled to talk.

I sat in the back seat. I was so scared. Where was he taking me? Why would Ms. Song let him take me away? I looked up and out the window and screamed when I saw a truck coming my way.

I opened my eyes and saw blood on the floor. What happened? Why is the man lying on the floor?

“Hyoyeon. Here. Take this.” Jessica lifted her into a sitting position and popped the pill into and put the glass of water in her hands.

Hyoyeon swallowed and leaned back on the couch. “Thanks Sica.” She said hoarsely.

“Are you okay? What happened?” Jessica sat next to her.

The pain was subsiding but Hyoyeon felt queasy and her head fell on Jessica’s shoulder. “Memories. I was… I was on a fieldtrip to the zoo. It looked like… like I was six?”

“But… that type of memory shouldn’t hurt.” Jessica rubbed Hyoyeon’s shoulders in comfort.

“But then a man threw me into his car and I think we got into a car crash.” Hyoyeon sat back up since the pain was gone but she was utterly confused. “I think it’s because I was watching the news report of a drunk driver.”

“Your memory, did it mean anything?”

“I don’t know. I don’t remember ever going to a field trip. I don’t have any memories of my childhood that didn’t involve Taeyeon. ” Hyoyeon shrugged but inside she felt bothered. What happened?

“Are you okay now?” Jessica looked at her worried.

“Yeah.” Hyoyeon smiled. “I’m fine. I’m just going to go for a walk.” She got up and slowly went upstairs to get cleaned up.

Jessica grabbed their blankets and pillows up to their room and went to change into some comfortable clothes. Hyoyeon limped over to the closet and grabbed a set of clothes.

“Where you going?” Hyoyeon questioned her as she saw her change.

“To the park. You wanted to take a walk right?” she turned around and sat on the bed.

“You don’t have to go with me. I’ll be fine.”

 Hyoyeon faced the closet and took off her shirt. Jessica saw and quickly turned her head with cheeks burning red.

“Oops... Sorry... I forgot.” Hyoyeon quickly changed.

“It—It’s okay. Anyways, I’m coming with you. You’re crippled.”

“I’m not a baby, Sica. I can take care of myself.”

Hyoyeon took her crutches leaning on the wall and went out their bedroom door. Jessica quickly followed. By the time Hyoyeon got out the door, Jessica already had her bag at hand and closed the door.

“Why must you insist on coming with me?” Hyoyeon turned back in annoyance.

“I feel bad okay?! I’m the one who got you all beat up and I’m constantly worried sick about you but I can’t do anything because I don’t know that much about you! I’m sorry that you’re always hurt because of me! You think I enjoy seeing you in this much pain?! Because I don’t!” Jessica yelled.

“I… didn’t know…” Hyoyeon looked at her uncertain of what to say. She was taken aback from the sudden outburst.

“Well now you do. Just let me take care of you okay?” She took Hyoyeon’s arm and shook it lightly almost as if she was whining.

“Okay…”

Jessica smiled victoriously. “Did you want to walk to the park or drive there then take a walk?”

“Let’s walk. It’s not so far away.” Hyoyeon suggested.

They slowly walked to the park three blocks away. Jessica kept her distance a few inches away from her and silently followed. After a few awkward moments of silence, Hyoyeon had a few curiosities but couldn’t bring h