Unpredicted

"There's been an accident."

No words have ever been so terrifying.

It was a bright summer's day. He was on his way to first period. School had only just begun. Jimin had been in the middle of telling a joke when the principal found him. Pulled him aside and spoke those four, dreadful words.

There's been an accident.

An hour later he was sitting in a waiting room. It seemed awfully busy for a Tuesday morning. There were too many people around. More than the waiting room could hold. He couldn't find a seat, so he squeezed his slender frame into a corner between a vending machine and a wall. From there he was able to observe his surroundings.

People crowded the tiny waiting room, listening to the muffled yells of both patients and doctors alike. None were smiling. Most stared off into space while others spoke in hushed voices. There was a couple across the room. The woman kept opening and closing her handbag. Her eyes were red and puffy, and when she noticed Jimin's stare she let out a painful sob and quickly covered her face with trembling hands. Her husband sat beside her, unmoving. He was gripping a torn pink blanket.

Jimin looked down at his black school shoes. He didn't want to see anymore.

Another car drove through a red light and hit her. Side collision. She's at the hospital. We'll take you there.

It was sunny outside. Bright and blistering. The warm light filtered through the Hospital windows, warming Jimin's upper body. He absently considered removing his school jersey but that was too casual. Too normal. How could he think of being too warm? How selfish was he?

Eventually a doctor called his name.

"They're taking her into surgery," the doctor told him. "There's nothing you can do but wait. It would be best if you go home and get some rest. You're still in shock."

Shock? Is that what this was?

"Will she be OK?"

"We're doing the best we can"

Not an answer. That wasn't a good sign.