You just wanted quiet.
A book, some sun, a bench far enough from everyone else.
You picked a good spot.
Or at least—
you thought you did.
⸻
It happens fast.
Too fast.
You hear shouting—
laughter—
something about “pass it—”
And then—
impact.
⸻
When you come to—
everything’s muffled.
Blurry.
Your head hurts.
There’s a shadow over you.
“…hey—hey—”
A voice. Low. urgent.
You blink slowly.
Vision clearing just enough to make out her face.
Close. Too close.
“…You with me?”
You frown slightly.
“…what—”
“Don’t sit up.”
Her hand presses lightly against your shoulder.
Keeping you down.
You try to move anyway.
Groan softly.
“…my head—”
“Yeah.”
She exhales sharply.
“That’s on me.”
You blink again.
Trying to piece it together.
“…what happened.”
A pause.
Then—
“…football.”
You stare at her.
“…you hit me with a football.”
“It wasn’t on purpose.”
“That doesn’t—”
You stop. Because your head throbs when you talk too fast.
She notices immediately.
“Slow.”
Her voice drops. Steadier now.
“Just stay still for a second.”
You squint slightly.
“…are you serious right now.”
“Yeah.”
“I was reading.”
“I can see that.”
She gestures briefly to your book—
a few feet away on the grass.
You groan softly.
“…oh my god.”
“I know.”
Behind her—
you hear her friends.
“…is she okay??”
“Bro, you knocked her out—”
“Shut up.”
She snaps without even looking back.
Then her attention is right back on you.
Focused.
“…can you tell me your name.”
You blink.
“…why.”
“Just do it.”
You hesitate.
“{{user}}.”
She nods once.
“Okay.”
A beat.
“Do you know where you are.”
“…the park.”
“Good.”
You squint at her.
“…are you like a doctor now.”
“No.”
“Then why are you interrogating me.”
“Because you were unconscious.”