An Artist in Love

Chapter 5: Competition Day II

Lexi's POV:

The big doll house made of wood suddenly fell and Dan was beneath it. I don't know how it could've fallen when the base was strong. He was sent to the college hospital and I came along. The rest of the members stayed behind. His parents came soon after and we all stayed inside his hospital room. "Mr. and Mrs. Wu, I would like to apologize," I started. "It should've been me instead of him. He just took my place, I am so sorry." I bowed and his mom spoke. "It's not your fault that the props fell, dear. Besides, you shouldn't apologize too much since it's normal that you froze in place the moment it happened." Woah, they're so nice!

"I just wish I could've done more." "Calling us and informing us was really responsible of you, young lady. That was enough," his dad told me. "Thank you," I said with a shy smile and a bow. "Lexi..." Dan muttered. We all immediately rushed to the side of his bed and anticipated for him to open his eyes. His father called a doctor, so the mom and I were left in the room to watch Dan. The moment the doctor came in, he opened his eyes. Just like in the movies, the doctor did another check-up on him and stuff.

The doctor said that everything was alright and talked to the parents in private. While the parents talked in the doctor's office, I was left with Dan. "Dan! I am so sorry! I should've moved earlier and --" "Lex, calm down. It's fine." "WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT'S FINE?! YOU --" "Is there ever a moment when you don't talk much?" he chuckled and closed his eyes. "Sorry," I muttered. "Does your body still hurt?" I asked. "Sort of." Suddenly, my phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hi. Is Dan alright? I'm on my way there" ~Chan Min

"Yep! His body still hurts a little though, according to him. But the doctor said he'll be fine."

"Ahh, good then. Hey, wait for me, okay?" ~Chan Min

"Mhm. Bye! Drive safely!"

I sat on the couch and leaned back my head. I closed my eyes and thought of how the doll house could've fallen. It was blocking the entrance to the stage. The auditorium had closed doors, so it couldn't have been the wind... it was made of wood, so it couldn't be that someone accidentally tripped over it or something... Someone must've pushed it over. BUT WHY?! And the only ones at the backstage were the people from the second year. "What's up with the furrowed eyebrows?" Dan asked. I opened my eyes and stared up at the ceiling, not saying a word.

"Hey, tell me. I didn't mean what I said earlier." I sat up. "Why would anyone from the second year do it?" "Do what?" "Push the doll house?" We both fell silent. "Forget about it," Dan said. "What? Why?! You wouldn't be here if it didn't happen and if it weren't for me..." "Fine, then at least stop blaming yourself." I looked down on the floor. "Lex..."

"Dan, the doctor said you can be released later. Just rest for a while then we can leave," Mr. Wu said. "Dad, you and mom can go ahead. I can manage from here," Dan said and smiled. "How will you get home?" Mrs. Wu asked. "Uhhh... Lex, is Chan Min coming?" "Mhm." "THERE! I'll go with Chan Min. We're in the same dorm anyway." "Sure?" Mrs. Wu asked again and Dan nodded. His parents left and it was just the two of us. I sat on the couch again.

Not soon after, someone knocked at the door. I opened it to find all four of my guards. "Uuhh... hi!" I greeted. "Ms. Huang, are you okay?" "Mhm. I'm fine. Zi, is he home?" "We heard you nearly got... uhh..." "Squished by a wooden prop? Yep. But, he kinda... took my place," I said, looking back at Dan who was now reading a book. "As for Mr. Huang, he's waiting in the car." "Ah, okay. Please get him home safely." "Of course. Do we wait for you?" "No need, no need. Please, go home and relax. Thank you Mr. Choi." He nodded and the four of them started to leave.

Apparently, Chan Min was standing behind, and when he entered the room, he looked at me with disbelief. "What?" I chuckled. "Guards?!" "Yup." "YOU HAVE GUARDS?!" "Pretty much." "Why?" "My uncle. He's kind of over protective. I couldn't blame him though." "Ahh... but you aren't an only child, right?" "Nope. Younger brother." "Oookkkaaay." "Chan Min, can I ride home with you?" Dan spoke up. "HEY BRO! How are you?!" "I'm fine." "I know the guy who pushed the props." "WHO?!" I exclaimed. "Apparently, one of the girls from second year had her skirt stuck under the doll house, so the guys tried lifting just a portion of the doll house and ended up flipping the whole thing over." "Ahhh... they could've waited for the program to end though," I said. "Agree. Then again, they could've been panicking and all." "Hm."

We spent at least an hour before deciding to leave. Dan sat up and put his arms on my shoulders and Chan Min's. As we stood up, he leaned all the way to my side and I lost balance. I fell to the ground and basically served as his mat. He too fell on me. My face met the floor and no kidding did my cheek hurt. I felt all the air had been knocked out of me. "Lexi, Dan!" Chan Min exclaimed then helped Dan up first. "Lex, I'm so sorry!" "Nah, it' fine! We're fair now, haha!" I cheered, although honestly, I was sort of in pain. I fixed my laying position first and stared up at the white ceiling. My one leg was folded up and the other not, my hand was resting on my stomach while the other was simply on the floor.

"You okay?" Chan Min asked, looking down on me. "Yep. One moment. Just gotta catch my breath. HOOH! GAME!" I stood up and we went back to our position earlier before I fell to the ground. This time, we were able to stand Dan up. We managed to carry him till the elevator and after that, he said he could already walk.

"Guys, I'll just walk going to the dorm, okay?' I said. "What?! Why? Is this okay with your guards?" Chan Min asked. "Uhh... yeah! Psh!" I said. "Yeah, right. Just ride the car, Lexi." "I feel like walking. It's fine. You guys will see me around tomorrow, haha!" "Lex, get in," Dan suddenly said with his deep, authoritarian voice. "It's fine, really. Bye guys!" I said then ran away as fast as I could. "LEX!" Dan yelled. I rode the elevator again all the way to the ground floor of the hospital. It was just a thirty-minute walk anyway. Besides, I feel like drinking milk tea.

If in case you guys are wondering why I preferred to walk, it's because I had a long day and I still feel bad about Dan having been the one put in danger because of me. I have to clear up my mind first and just be alone and maybe sketch a little.

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