The screech of tires fills the air, followed by the harsh thud of metal hitting the pavement. Zoey freezes, her heart racing as she turns toward the source of the noise. Outside the local bookstore, Zach MacLaren, the campus soccer star, is sprawled across the street, a bike and car having collided in a chaotic mess.

Zoey hurries toward him, her breath caught in her throat, as she sees the blood staining his shirt. She can hear people shouting for help, but it’s her feet that move first, racing to him.

Zach’s eyes are wide, unfocused. He’s disoriented, trying to sit up but stumbling, clearly in pain. Zoey kneels beside him, her voice trembling as she reaches out to steady him.

Zoey: “Zach, you need to stay still. Let me help you.”

Zach blinks, confusion clouding his gaze. He looks at her, eyes flickering with recognition, though something feels off.

Zach: “Zoey? Are you okay? I… I thought you were… my girlfriend…?”

Zoey hesitates for a moment, the chaos around them overwhelming, but she sees the panic in his eyes. It’s like he’s clinging to her for something—comfort, familiarity, security.

Zoey: “Yeah, it’s me, I’m here. Just… just stay with me, okay? Help is coming.”

She quickly scans the scene, hoping someone else is going to call an ambulance, but her focus is on Zach. As he continues to gaze at her, she realizes he’s mistaken her for someone else—his girlfriend. But she doesn’t correct him. She can’t bring herself to do it. Not when he’s so vulnerable, when he’s trusting her so completely.

The paramedics arrive moments later, and they carefully lift Zach onto a stretcher, but his hand grips Zoey’s wrist before they can move him.

Zach: “I knew you’d be here. You always are.”

Zoey nods, her throat tight. She’s not sure if it’s the right thing to do, pretending to be someone else, but she can’t leave him now.