Autumn's POV :
I was dazed as I sat there in complete embarrassment and shock until Scarlet finally broke the ice.
"I've been watching," Scarlet muttered. "And I noticed something."
"What did you notice all of a sudden?" I asked.
"Um... the guy beside you? He's been staring at you. I think he wants to say something," she whispered.
"Ohhh... but where?? I totally forgot there was someone else who fell with me. I should check on him," I said as I turned around to look at the guy.
I saw a handsome face with a scar on his forehead. He raised his hand and waved at me.
"Oh—hi. I'm Ryan," he said with a grin. "The guy who fell for you."
"Oh!! He's good at flirting with girls, huh?" Scarlet whispered.
"Scarlet, don't. It was my fault," I replied quietly.
Then I turned back to Ryan.
"Hi. I'm Autumn—a freshman here. Are you okay? I'm really sorry... I'm clumsy."
Ryan chuckled.
"Nice to meet you, Autumn."
"By the way, are you alright? I'm so sorry—I'm just really clumsy. The scar on your forehead doesn't look too good," I said, concerned.
"It's okay. Just be careful next time—others might really fall for you," he replied.
"Oh? You're good at flirting with girls... huh?" I teased.
"...And you're good at teasing. Anyway, how long was I out?" he asked.
"Not long. A few hours—it's four now," Scarlet replied.
"Oh!! Shit... I was out for that long? My basketball match starts at 4:30 p.m.! I guess I should get going before my team criticizes me. BYEEEEE, MY LADIESSSS!!" he exclaimed.
He quickly got out of the clinic bed, grabbed his belongings, and sprinted down the hallway as fast as he could.
"YOOO!! That was fast. I guess he really was in a rush. However... I sensed something weird about him," Scarlet whispered.
"Ah—not again. You've been suspicious of him for a while now," I said. "Scarlet, please... don't make it sound worse than it is. He was kind. Even after he fell because of me, he didn't blame me at all."
Scarlet sighed.
"Hey, calm down. I don't mean it like that. I'm just worried. He hit his head, passed out... and now he's flirting like nothing happened."
"I know," I said more quietly. "But he knew I didn't do it on purpose. He was just being a gentleman. Can we please go now? Even the staff are starting to leave."
"Oh!! Alright. Let's go," Scarlet said helplessly.
"Okay, let's goooooo! I am full of energy now. This is amazing!" I exclaimed.
I jumped up from the bed.
"Ouch... okay, yeah. That still hurts," I groaned.
Scarlet sighed.
"You're not fully recovered yet. Please don't test your luck on day one."
She disappeared briefly and returned with a wheelchair.
"Come on. Home."
Scarlet took the wheelchair from the corner of the clinic and helped me into it. Then we left the clinic after informing the nurse.
We headed straight to the parking area where Scarlet's car was parked.
It was a bright red car, polished so well that one could practically use it as a mirror. Hehe.
"Hey!! So you have a car too? That's amazing!" I exclaimed.
"Yeah!! I saved up the prize money I won from contests, and I was finally able to buy this car," she replied.
"Oh!! I see. You're a genius... HUH!!" I said.
Scarlet helped me into the car, and we drove off.
"Hey, Scarlet... do you mind if we buy some food on the way? We don't even have to get out of the car. A McDonald's drive-thru works just fine for me," I said.
"You're injured and still hungry?" she joked.
"Falling down the stairs builds an appetite," I replied seriously.
Scarlet shook her head.
"You're unbelievable."
"Hehe!! I'll order a Diet Coke. It's healthy," I replied.
Luckily, there was a McDonald's nearby, and there weren't many cars. Our turn came much faster than expected. I guess people prefer takeout these days. So boring.
We got our order and continued driving toward my house.
So... I had two burgers and two Diet Cokes. I mean, I am on a diet, you know. One should always maintain a healthy lifestyle, but—
"Wait... why are you eating my fries and drinking my Coke?" I said as I snatched them back.
"Why didn't you order something for yourself?" I asked firmly.
"Well... I wasn't that hungry, so I didn't order anything. I thought I'd just help you finish all of this," she said excitedly.
"No. That's mine. You should've ordered something for yourself. May the God of Food forgive you. Also... I don't share food," I blabbered.
"Hey!! But sharing is caring. I was the one who bought all this for you. You should share your food with your sweet friend, right?" Scarlet said as she snatched the fries and Coke back from my hands and started eating.
"Hey!! You can't do that!"
"Yes, I can."
"No, you can't!"
In the end, she won and I lost.
Scarlet really is strong.
But whatever. I actually enjoyed the bickering after everything I had gone through on my first day. I guess my life here is going to be chaotic.
For the rest of the ride, we remained silent.
I looked out the window, lost in thought. The cold breeze was soothing and calm. I lost track of time, and before I knew it, we were at the gate of my house.
Home sweet home, in the end.
I was just about to get out of the car when reality hit me.
I remembered that I couldn't walk properly. The impact of the fall had been pretty hard.
Scarlet had already taken the wheelchair out of the trunk.
She helped me into it.
"Hey, Autumn... I know it's only our first day, but it feels like we've known each other forever," she said softly. "I think it's going to be an amazing year."
She hesitated for a moment before smiling.
"By the way, I never got your number. Can I have it?"
I quickly entered my number into her phone and handed it back.
She then helped me into the house, which was empty, of course, since my parents were still at work.
We quickly bid each other farewell.
"I'll pick you up tomorrow since you can't walk," she said before leaving.
Of course, I asked her to stay. I am a good friend, after all. But she said she was busy with something else today and left.
As I struggled to move my wheelchair, a maid came over and helped me to my room.
As the maid wheeled me toward my room, a sharp crash echoed from downstairs—the unmistakable sound of shattering glass.
My heart dropped.
There was no one at home except the maids.
Then... what just broke?