A change of heart

Miyon’s POV
My ankle throbs as I sit on the disgusting public toilet at the Athletics carnival venue. “Why can’t they have cleaner toilets?” I whisper to myself. The toilets are also so far away from the first aid room, I had to hop all the way here. I flush and am just about to open the door when I hear girls giggling as they enter the bathroom. “Do you think it’ll stop her?” Girl number one asks. “Of course, you saw how she acted when she didn’t drink water, she looked about ready to faint.” Girl number two laughs. “Plus, when she took her shoes off after the long jump I put a few pushpins into her shoe. She can’t possibly win the marathon if she’s being stabbed with every step.” They laugh again. Who are they talking about? These girls are horrible, who are they? “I can’t believe she’s new and already all over Yugyeom. Seriously, who does she think she is?” Girl number one says. My mind clicks, they’re talking about Hyunae! They sabotaged Hyunae! I push the toilet door open and it hits the wall with a bang, the girls shriek with shock, I hop towards one of the girls and grab her wrist violently. “What were you just talking about?” I ask angrily. The girl rolls her eyes. “Tell me now!” I jerk her wrist and she whines. “It’s none of your business.” She says. “It is my business because the girl you hurt is my friend.” I let go of her arm and slap her in the face. She screams and I hobble out of the bathroom before they can pull me back and attack me. “Guess what? I didn’t even wash my hands.” I smirk at them. I know its not something to be proud of, but what they’re doing to Hyunae is unforgiveable. As I leave the bathroom I hear both of them shouting to each other about how disgusting it is or whatever. I don’t really care, I just need to warn Hyunae, but how do I do that? The marathon track goes around the athletics carnival venue, I can’t hobble outside. What to I do? I picture the pushpins inside Hyunae’s shoe and cringe. Please be OK.

Yugyeom’s POV
Dammit Jungkook is participating in the marathon too. How will I come first and impress Hyunae? “This is the grading system. First you will be classed in both boys and girls, next you will be classed in boys and girls separately. For example if you are the second girl to cross the finish line and a boy crossed first, the mixed gender system will count that as boy first and girl second, in the girls grading system that girl will be ranked first.” The teacher says. People give him confused and blank faces. He sighs, “Don’t worry about it, just try to win and earn points for your house.” I see Jungkook in the corner of my eye. I will win, Jungkook. I’ll win to show Hyunae what I’m capable of.

Hyunae’s POV
I feel an itch in my foot, it’s really bugging my but I can’t check it now because the marathon is about to start. My aim is to be first in the girl’s grading system and make a good first impression at this school. Cho is getting ready next to me, she is tying her hair up into a delicate ponytail. She smiles at me, “I want to win.” She says. “Too bad, because I also want to win.” I say. Cho opens her mouth to speak but the buzzer goes off and everyone starts running frantically. Be first, make a good impression. Be first, make a good impression. Be first, what is this stabbing pain in my foot? I look down at my right foot which is stinging in pain. It feels like there’s something in my shoe...a rock? When did that get in my shoe? I remember cleaning my shoe of sand, how did I manage to get a rock in it? Oh well, the marathon has started and it’s just a tiny rock. I can still run and win.

Approximately halfway through the marathon, I notice that Jungkook is first, Yugyeom is second, Luhan is third, Chanyeol is fourth, some girl is fifth, Cho is sixth and I am seventh with Yoongi running right next to me. “Hey, Hyunae.” He pants. “You. Remembered. My. Name.” I pant with a smile. “I can’t forget the name of the girl Yugyeom gives special attention to.” He laughs. “Special attention?” I ask, but Yoongi is sprinting off and surpasses Cho. Pain ripples up my right leg with each step. I’m starting to think this isn’t just a rock. I also feel like my foot is wet...or is it just my imagination? Not only is my leg in pain, but my brain is losing focus. I haven’t had water since my 200 metre race and my body is shutting down on me. My vision goes black for a second and I stumble, fall and hit my chin on the ground. “Ow...” I moan, not bothering to get up. “Are you OK?” A familiar voice asks. “Get up.” Sehun urges. I moan in response. “Everyone else is far behind us, if you get up now you can still be in top 3 girls.” Everything goes fuzzy and I fail to comprehend what he’s saying. “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you getting up?” Sehun asks almost irritated. He looks around nervously and goes red before pulling me up to my feet. “Thank you.” I say sloppily. My head still hurts and it feels like I’ve been hit in the head with a brick. “Are you alright? Your chin is bleeding really bad.” Sehun says. “I’m...I’m fine.” I lie. “Why don’t you sit out on this one?” He asks. I start jogging. He makes a surprised face and jogs beside me. “I don’t need to sit out.” I lie. “I want to win.” I say. “How is winning more important than health?” He asks. I ignore him and sprint off, it feels like I’m running on broken glass every time my right foot thuds on the ground. It’s painful, but at least I still have a shot at winning.

I finally catch up to Cho, the other girl and Yoongi far behind us, panting and sweating like crazy. My foot feels really wet now and my vision sometimes goes white or black. “Your, Your chin is bleeding!” Cho exclaims worriedly. “I. Know.” I pant. “What happened?” She asks. “Nothing serious.” I reply. I feel Cho lagging behind, I take this opportunity to sprint again. “Bye bye, Cho, see you at the finish line.” I joke. I see myself getting closer to Jungkook, Yugyeom Luhan, and Chanyeol. Yes! I have a chance of being first in the girl’s and fifth in the mixed. My vision goes fuzzy and I trip over my own feet, but soon regain my footing and keep running through the stabbing pain in my foot and the agonising pain in my head. I’m not sure what’s worse, the pain in my foot or head. Through blurry vision, I see Jungkook fall and roll. Yugyeom exclaims and starts sprinting. Jungkook ties his shoelaces and re-enters the race next to me. “Your chin is bleeding!” He says. This is the first time I get to talk to Jungkook and he asks me about my bleeding chin? I ignore him and change the topic. “Jeon Jungkook coming in fourth because he didn’t tie his shoelaces properly? That must be a big hit to your ego.” I laugh. He chuckles too. “It does hurt my ego, but I’ll soon catch up. See ya!” He starts sprinting off too.

We make it back to the athletic carnival venue. The school crowd screaming and shouting encouragement. Yugyeom first, Luhan second, CHanyeol third, Jungkook fourth, and me fifth with Cho only inches behind me. Just 200 metres until the finish line. Just...200... finally the pain is too unbearable for me. My head spins, everything goes black and my legs give way. I hear the crowd gasp. “Hyunae? Hyunae!” Cho screams. I feel her hands on my shoulders, shaking me violently. “Hyunae!” I can’t open my eyes, Cho. I have no energy to do anything. “Hey what’s wrong?” I hear Yoongi ask, but his voice becomes distant as he continues running towards the finish line. “Dammit, I told her to sit this one out.” Sehun’s voice suddenly appears. The crowd gasps again and I’m not sure why. Next thing I know I feel like I’m floating and then I black out.

Yugyeom’s POV
Yes. Yes. Yes! I am going to be first! Only 200 metres to go! The crowd stops screaming to gasp. Heh heh, are they gasping because their precious Jungkook isn’t coming in first? Well look who the marathon winner is now! Me! This way I’ll definitely impress Hyunae. The crowd gasps again as I cross the finish line. I pump my fists in the air, but, no one is cheering. I look at the rest of the runners to see Hyunae on the floor and Jungkook running towards her. What’s happening...? Hyunae, on the floor? Jungkook throwing the race to run to her? I can’t think, my legs just start. I sprint as hard as I can towards Hyunae who has some people crowding around her. But I’m too late, Jungkook hauls Hyunae onto his back and takes her off the field. My heart droops. I try to impress her but she ends up getting a piggyback ride from my rival. Can this day get any worse?

Notes