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Chapter 3: Waking up Worry

"She is stable for now. She has several broken ribs, a broken wrist, a concussion, and a twisted ankle, not to mention severe cuts on her sides."

"Will she be alright?" The tall boy in the leather jacket asked getting up to stand next to the black haired boy and putting a hand on his shoulder.

"It's hard to say. There were some serious injuries. If she makes it through tonight, she should be fine. But I'll check on her routinely. If you wish to see her, she's sleeping. Only one or two visitors at a time please."

The group nodded their thanks. As soon as the doctor left, Jan Di raced to open the door to the room Ga Eul had been wheeled into. Glancing at his friends and accepting the nods of approval, Yi Jung followed in haste.

Ga Eul was worse than he'd thought. She was hooked up to a dozen different beeping machines; her ribs were taped tightly, and her face that was usually so bright and cheerful, was contorted in pain. Jan Di immediately went to her friend's side, grasping the girl's bandaged hand in hers and trying desperately not to cry.

"Do you want me to get Jun Pyo?" Yi Jung all but whispered. He didn't want to leave Ga Eul, but Jan Di needed better support than the boy who had basically killed her best friend.

"It's alright." Jan Di had her eyes closed for a minute. Opening them, she examined the different readings on the machines around her friend, she seemed satisfied. "She will make it sunbae. I know she will."

Please let her be ok. I'll do anything! Swallowing the growing lump in his throat the playboy walked over to the other side of Ga Eul's bed. He gently brushed her dark silky hair to the side so he could see her face more clearly. Jan Di stepped out quietly to give them some time alone and to fill in her friends on Ga Eul's condition.

"Ga Eul-yang can you hear me?" The girl gave a faint twitch. "Ga Eul, if you can hear me, open your eyes. Just open them."

"Sunbae?" Her voice was weak. Her eyes were still closed but she could sense that her crush was there beside her.

"You're awake." The relief in his voice was confusing. She wrinkled her brow, one of the few things that didn't cause her pain.

"Yi Jung-sunbae, where am I? Am I dreaming?" He gave a dark chuckle.

"I'm afraid not Ga Eul. You're in the hospital. You were hit by a car…" He trailed off, reluctant to ask the question that was on the tip of his tongue. He looked down at his hands trying to focus. Sensing the conflict, Ga Eul forced her eyes open so she could read his expression.

"Sunbae. It wasn't your fault." She stated, causing the playboy to jump slightly. She had a knack for understanding exactly what he was thinking. "I just didn't see the car coming. That's all there is to it. This isn't your fault. And remember what I said about bearing all your troubles. You needn't handle them alone."

"And what if you are the one worrying me?" He queried. Her brown eyes were wide as a doe's for a minute.

"I'll be fine sunbae. I just need to rest." Rolling his eyes, Yi Jung gave her hand a squeeze.

"Sleep then, you silly girl." She began to protest but the half dangerous-half pleading look in his eyes had her stop. "Sleep."

Hours later Yi Jung was still sitting in the chair opposite the wounded girl's bed. He had only left the room once since his initial visit with Jan Di and that was because Jan Di had brought Jun Pyo with her the second time.

Woo bin and Ji Hoo had been trying to get into contact with Ga Eul's parents as they were out of town, but with little luck.

The night seemed to stretch forever. Yi Jung sat stroking her hair gently as she slept. Removing his hand he stared at her, almost as if he could heal her by shear willpower. Slowly, she cracked open her eyes.

"Yi Jung Sunbae…?" The words were almost a question. Was she dreaming? If it was a dream, why did it hurt so much?

"Easy, don't strain yourself. I'm right here." And I always will be.

"What time is it? Is Jan Di here?" She asked her bright eyes wandered the room searching for her friend and a clock."

"It's 11:00 at night Ga Eul."

"Sunbae! That's so late! You should go home, you should sleep!" As if he could sleep when she was sitting here in the hospital.

"It's alright Ga Eul. Jan Di will be back in a few minutes, and you needn't worry I'm not at all tired." The faint circles under his eyes were enough to prove this a lie. She decided not to call him on it.

"Sunbae…why are you here though? It's not like it's your fault, and you have much more important things to do. Why are you here with me?" Her wide eyes full of curiosity and anxiety focused on his form. Briefly running a hand over his face, Yi Jung sighed. At least the battle of worry seemed over. Now she just needed to leave this damned place and his heart would repair itself completely, as well as his dignity.

"There is a brilliant and complicated reason that I'll tell you when you get out of this place." He said with a smile. All of a sudden, there was a knock on the door. The Doctor walked in, and whispered something in Yi Jung's ear. The playboy glanced at Ga Eul with concern and then nodded at the doctor.

"Yi Jung sunbae? What's going on?" Ga Eul's confusion only increased. What was making his face pinch like that?

What the Doctor had to tell him could only be bad news. Forcing a smile on his face, he turned back to Ga Eul. "Don't worry, he just needs me to step out for a few minutes, we all have to sign some paperwork since we're here for you."

"Oh." Her face pouted for a second. "I'm sorry to cause you all so much trouble." He wanted to shake her.

"It's nothing Ga Eul. Now just relax, Jan Di will be in shortly. I'm told Woo Bin and Ji Hoo are also anxious to see you awake."

"Alright."

As the door shut behind him, Yi Jung heaved a deep breath. Trotting towards the bench where the rest of his friends sat, he felt a sense of horrible foreboding. Something was very wrong.