The day I met you

I'm Jessie, a senior high school student.

At first, I wasn't an active student. I preferred keeping to myself rather than joining clubs or participating in school activities.

One day, the coach of the track and field team approached me.

"Are you interested in joining our team?" he asked.

I didn't understand why he wanted me. I wasn't athletic, I wasn't popular, and I never volunteered for anything.

I politely refused.

The coach simply smiled.

"It's okay. No one's forcing you. Just run out there on the field, give it your best, and most importantly... enjoy it."

Those words stayed with me.

For the first time in my life, I felt free.

My parents had always been strict, controlling almost every part of my life. But when I ran... it felt like all of those expectations disappeared.

"Runners!"

"On your marks..."

"Set..."

Bang!

"Go!"

The race had begun.

...Or at least, it should have.

For some reason, I was the only one left standing on the starting line.

Something felt wrong.

Yes, the race always started with a gunshot...

But this one sounded different.

It sounded like a real gun.

A few moments later, one of the officials shouted,

"We're restarting the race! Everyone back to the starting line!"

I snapped out of my thoughts.

How embarrassing...

I had completely frozen for no reason.

Thankfully, the second start went smoothly, and I managed to finish in second place.

Coach congratulated me after the competition and treated the whole team to a meal.

Just as we were about to enter the restaurant, several luxurious black cars pulled up and blocked the entrance.

Tall bodyguards wearing black suits stepped out.

"Move aside. Don't block the way."

It wasn't fair.

We had arrived first.

But what could we do?

They were rich.

We couldn't even see the person they were protecting.

Who knows... maybe it's just some fragile little rich kid, I thought.

I was about to argue with them when my coach grabbed my arm.

"Jessie, don't."

But I ignored him.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" I shouted. "Blocking the entrance just because you're some rich jerks?"

The bodyguards glared at me with terrifying expressions.

For a moment, I thought they were actually going to attack me.

Then, a tall, handsome man stepped out of one of the cars.

He casually placed a hand on one of the bodyguards' shoulders.

"Don't mind them," he said calmly.

"It's a waste of time."

"Let's go."

The moment our eyes met...

I couldn't move.

His presence alone was overwhelming.

Just looking at how large his hands were made me think he could snap my neck without any effort.

I was lucky I didn't faint right there.

That would've been even more embarrassing.

Coach quickly pulled me away before I could make things worse.

He scolded me all the way to the restaurant.

Only then did I finally come back to my senses.

After what happened, I couldn't bring myself to eat.

"Coach," I said quietly, "I don't think I'll be joining everyone. My stomach doesn't feel well."

He looked worried, but he nodded and let me leave.

Back at my dorm, I collapsed onto my bed.

My mind was completely blank.

I didn't know what to think anymore.

Before I realized it...

I had already fallen asleep.

I wonder what tomorrow has in store for me after today's mess.

I just hope...

I never run into that man again.

...Or so I thought.

€§[zephyr]§€

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