I woke up with a dull ache in my head, the kind that felt like my skull had been split in two. I squinted, the sharp light from the overhead lamp blinding me as it flickered above. The sterile smell of antiseptic was thick in the air, and I instinctively tried to sit up, but something—no, someone—was resting on my lap.

Confused, I looked down. A head of blonde hair was slumped against me, and I froze for a moment. I wasn't alone. The last thing I remembered was walking home from the café, feeling lightheaded from not eating all day, and then... nothing. I must have passed out. But who was this person sitting beside me?

I gently shook their shoulder, and they stirred, lifting them head groggily. Their sleepy blue eyes blinked up at me, soft strands of their hair falling into their face.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" They asked in a hushed voice, their tone filled with concern. I was still trying to process everything. Their voice was familiar, yet I didn't recognize their face. I blinked several times, my mind racing in confusion.

When I realized who it was I didn't know whether to feel happy, confused, or embarrassed. They had been sitting next to me the whole time, probably while I was unconscious.

My mind started to fire off a series of questions, but I couldn't find the words to ask any of them. I felt my face scrunch in confusion. What was happening? How did she know where I was? Was she someone from the café? Did she follow me, or was this just some kind of weird coincidence?

Seeing the confusion in my face, she smiled softly, her lips curling up in a gentle, reassuring way. "Oh, sorry. I should've introduced myself sooner," she said with a slight laugh. "My name's Gabriella. I found you passed out on the sidewalk when I was walking by. You were out cold, so I just... carried you here." She gestured to the hospital room around us. "Got you to the ER and everything. You've been out for a few hours now."

I stared at her, unable to process the words. She carried me? My mind refused to believe it. I was no small person—there was no way a stranger had just picked me up and taken me here without a second thought. Why would she do that?

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. I wasn't sure if I was overwhelmed by the situation, embarrassed by her kindness, or just plain speechless. I felt like I should say something profound, something that matched the enormity of her act, but I couldn't form the words. My lips moved, but they felt disconnected from my thoughts, as if the whole world was out of focus.

"Are you okay?" Gabriella asked, her brow furrowing slightly as she studied me, her eyes still full of that same concern.
I opened my mouth again, but only stammered. "I-I... I don't-" I shook my head, feeling both embarrassed and helpless. Why was I so flustered?

She smiled, clearly trying to ease my discomfort. "It's okay, really. You just need to rest. I'll go ahead and—"

Before she could finish, I blurted out without thinking, "WAIT!" I watched as her shoulders froze, her entire body going still. She turned slowly, her eyes widening just slightly as she looked back at me. She was even more beautiful up close, and my heart skipped a beat.

I felt my face flush, and I could practically hear the thudding of my pulse in my ears. Why did I just shout that? What am I doing?

She tilted her head to the side, her eyes soft but curious. "Is something wrong?" Her voice was gentle, almost teasing, like she already knew I was struggling to keep it together.

I opened my mouth again, but this time, the words came out in a rush, unfiltered. "Hi! I mean, um, my name's Mia," I said, trying to keep it together but failing miserably. I felt like an idiot. "Uh, I don't know what to say. You were... really kind to help me, and I don't even know why I'm so... uh... speechless, but I—"

Gabriella's smile widened, and she held up her hand to stop me. "Mia, it's okay. You don't have to explain anything. I just helped you because I could, that's all."

I opened my mouth, wanting to respond but unsure how to. Gabriella seemed so relaxed, like she was completely at ease in this strange situation. Meanwhile, I felt like a deer caught in headlights, unsure of whether I was having some weird dream or if this was actually real.

"Listen," she said, breaking my spiral of thoughts, "I should probably head out now, let you get some rest. I have a lot of things to do, but I just wanted to make sure you were okay." She stood up and adjusted the strap of her bag, her smile still warm.

I stared at her as she turned toward the door. My mind was still reeling, trying to catch up to the fact that this incredibly kind person had just saved me from who-knows-what after I'd passed out. I felt so stupid, sitting there doing nothing but staring at her, unable to speak, unable to process the situation properly.

But then, before she reached the door, my voice finally returned. "C-can I get your number?" The words came out faster than I intended, but I didn't care. I wanted to talk to her again. I wanted to thank her properly, to... I don't even know what, but I just needed to.

Gabriella stopped in her tracks and turned around, her eyebrow raised slightly. She studied me for a long moment, and for a brief second, I felt like I had just asked her the weirdest thing in the world. But then her lips curled into another genuine smile.

"Yeah, sure," she said with an enthusiasm that took me by surprise. She handed me her phone, and I fumbled with it, typing in my number as quickly as I could. When I handed it back, she looked at her screen, and her smile grew even wider.

"Thanks," she said softly, her eyes sparkling. "I'll see you tomorrow, Mia."

With that, she turned and walked out of the room, leaving me sitting there in complete awe. I was shaking slightly, still trying to process everything that had just happened.

Tomorrow? She was going to see me again? My heart leapt in my chest, and before I could stop myself, I kicked my feet up into the air like some lovesick teenager.

She was going to come to the café tomorrow. Gabriella was going to come back. And maybe—just maybe—I'd find the courage to talk to her properly this time.

*****

END OF CHAPTER 2!

Q: What is your favorite movie?

A: My first summer - Tangled - White chicks