| march 31, 2018 | 6:15 pm est | 7:15 am kst |
L e a h.
I watched as Harin left the room, startled a bit. She's right though... I need to eat something. I unwrap the small granola bar and force myself to take a bite. Instead of finishing it there, I take it with me back to the front of the restaurant.
"I'm back," I tell Rena, the cranky manager. She rolls her eyes at me and mumbles a 'thank god,' before walking away. I huff a sarcastic laugh and return to my job.
"Good evening," I say with a smile to the family that comes in every other weekend. "Just three tonight?"
"Oh yes, it's just us tonight," Lizzy said as a greeting.
"Follow me." I lead them to an open table place the menus in front of each person. "Your server will be with you soon, enjoy!" They smile at me and I turn on my heel in the direction of the hostess section.
That motion brought back a wave of dizziness, causing me to pause my steps for a moment. I take a few breaths in hopes it will settle the uneasiness.
Though, my hesitation was noticed by many in the area. Worried eyes followed my shaky figure as I began to walk slowly. I give them a small smile. Showing that I'm grateful for their concern while also begging them to disregard me completely.
I slow down my steps, even more, when I almost trip. Just breathe and you'll make it there...
Thankfully, Harin shows up by my side. Offering me her arm, once again, for stability.
"Thank you," I mumble to her as we make the short distance. She nods in response.
"Leah, I thought you said you were okay..." She says as I sit down near the front.
"I am... I just need a minute," I rest my head against the wall, eyes closed.
"When did you eat...?" She was stern, but I understood her concern. To an extent of course.
I hesitate a bit, genuinely thinking about the answer. Last night...
Last night was the last time I ate an actual meal. Omitting the two bites of a granola bar I had a few minutes ago, as well as the uneaten apple I brought with me to work.
"Um, I don't remember... I-I can't think right now." My eyes remained closed, while my arm reached up to run through my curly hair that laid perfectly upon my shoulders.
"Okay..." Her voice softened a bit. "Is Oli coming in tonight?"
I open an eye to look at her, "Huh?"
"You can barely stand... You can't work right now." She was right, yet I felt some type of way.
"I can't not work. I'm the only one working today, I can't just leave mid-shift." I was trying to be logical, but she just shook her head.
"How are you going to finish?"
"I'll figure it out..." I stand up, too quickly, but try to show no signs of struggle. I smile to her, "Thank you, again... I'll be okay though."
She looks sympathetically at me, before nodding and returning to her job.
Just push through this...
| 7:02 pm |
Lee Harin's Pov*
Leah Min. She sure is crazy. I can tell she is unwell, yet she won't let herself rest. I just don't understand her...
Because of this, I can't seem to focus on my job. I've been forgetting orders and which-table-ordered-what.
An uneasy feeling makes it's way into the pit of my stomach, another reason for my inability to work efficiently.
Finally fed up with the sickening feeling, I make my way to the restroom. I turn on one of the sinks, splashing my face with the cool water. I reach for a paper towel when a loud thud rings out from the largest stall.
"Are you alright...?" I call out only to hear silence in return. "Hello? Ma'am?"
I hesitantly peek under the stall door and see a body laying on the ground. Leah's body...
"Oh my god," I hurriedly try to pry the door open, with no luck.
Instead, I crawl through the gap beneath the door and reach her passed out form. Dropping on my knees, I first make sure she has a pulse.
"Please, please..." I pray.
I can't feel anything with how much my hands are shaking, so I gently rotate her body and hover my ear over her chest.
Faint... Too faint.
I hurriedly reach for my phone to call an ambulance. I know for sure I won't be able to do anything to help without them.
"Hello—yes I need an ambulance... Yes, my friend, she's passed out. I think she hit her head on something... No there's no blood that I can see."
The conversation is short between the operator and I. Now all I can do is hope and pray the ambulance gets here fast.