Chapter 3The Charm

Back then, the day I found out Caleb was in the hospital due to a car accident, I learned what it meant to be scared out of my wits.

Kevin took me to the hospital, but I could only watch him through the glass.

Caleb lay amidst buzzing machines, tubes all over his body.

The doctor was telling the Gu family about his condition.

"The patient's situation is not optimistic. Whether he wakes up depends on today and tomorrow. If he doesn't wake up by tomorrow..."

"The family should prepare for the worst."

I covered my mouth and slowly slid down the wall to the floor.

In that moment, staring at the white wall, I thought about praying to gods for the first time.

For eighteen years, I had been an atheist.

But this time, I wanted to beg the heavens to let me be lucky once and keep him.

I guarded the door of his ward all night. The next day, Kevin took me to a temple.

It was said to be the most efficacious temple in the area, located on a mountain so high you couldn't see the top.

Even though there was a cable car, few people took it.

Because everyone thought climbing up the mountain path showed more sincerity.

That way, the Buddha would grant their wishes.

Kevin silently accompanied me up the mountain.

The mountain path was hard, but Kevin and I didn't dare delay for a second.

By the time we got up there, we were soaked in sweat.

Kneeling before the Buddha, I offered all my piety.

"Please, Buddha, let Caleb wake up."

A monk beside me handed me a safety talisman and smiled.

"Though there are twists and turns, it will end in fulfillment."

I joyfully put the talisman into the charm pouch.

I practically ran down the mountain.

But joy turned to sorrow. I fell, gashing a large cut on my arm.

Right then, the hospital called to say Caleb was awake.

I cried and laughed, ignoring my injured wrist, and rushed to the hospital.

Caleb had just woken from a coma, still wearing a ventilator.

His hand kept waving. I thought he was uncomfortable and went to call the doctor.

But when the doctor came, he just pointed at my wrist.

"Hurts..."

"Worry about yourself first."

Anxiety turned me into a firecracker, unable to speak properly, but he just smiled good-naturedly.

Later, when he was discharged, I gave him the charm with the safety talisman.

He had a scar on his back from the accident. I had a scar on my arm because of him.

"These are couple scars."

Caleb pulled me into his arms, holding the charm.

"Penny, let's be together."

The messy stitches on the charm hid a girl's secret crush.

I agreed, starting a secret campus romance.

Back then, I thought Caleb and I would have a happy ending.

And now, the scar on my wrist was covered by a bracelet engraved with Liam's name.