I opened my eyes, but immediately shut them again, blinded by a bright light shining directly at me. I let out a moan and slowly reached my hand up to my head.
"Oh, good. You're awake."
The feminine voice was vaguely familiar. I peered over at her, shielding my face. She was tall, had brown hair in a ponytail, and wore a t-shirt and shorts. She filled a bag with ice cubes from a small freezer and knotted it shut as she brought it over to me.
"Sit up if you're comfortable. Otherwise, just lay still." She put the bag on my forehead and I promptly winced. "You took a pretty good hit to the head during lunch. Your parents are on the way, so I'm told."
I couldn't help but stare at the woman, trying to place her. Looking around a bit, I saw sports paraphernalia, pictures, and trophies. Everyone was wearing matching uniforms of blue and white. I even recognized a few of them. I looked back at the lady with me and she gave a kindly smile.
"Do you know where you are?"
I swallowed and nodded, holding the bag of ice to my head. "I'm at my high school. You're Ms. Stephanie, our athletics trainer." I rolled myself over to my side. "Why am I in your office? I was in the kitchen and then…" I trailed off, thinking about what I remembered. "Oh…" I sighed, stretching my neck stiffly. "How long was I out?"
"Only maybe twenty minutes. I'll let Sue know you're okay."
I let her leave and I looked around some more. It had been two years since I had been in her office last. That was when I sprained my knee and swore off sports. Looking at all the team photos made me feel bitter and I looked down at the floor. I had never felt like part of the team and the injury was my final straw.
A knock at the door made me look up. It opened slowly and a guy's face peeked in, his green eyes filled with worry beneath a mop of messy black hair. "Uh, hey, seeing visitors yet?"
I managed a smile and sat up slowly with a grunt, gently holding the ice to my head. "Nothing to see here. It's just your neighborhood clutz finding new ways to kill herself."
He grinned as he came in and closed the door gently behind himself. "Please. You aced Biology and you're breezing through Anatomy. You know a thousand ways more efficient than a brownie pan to kill yourself with." He folded his arms and leaned against the wall. "Are those goof-offs you work with in the cafeteria causing that much trouble for you?"
I lightly shook my head, trying not to make the room spin. "No, I just need to look and walk in the same direction." I paused, staring at him. "You know, you were in my dream."
"That's not creepy at all." The cheesy grin on his face let me know he was joking. "I hope it was a fun dream, at least."
"It was One Piece."
"Again? Wow, you're obsessed, even while unconscious. Who was I? Did I take the spot of one of the crew?"
I shook my head again. "No, you were the 'mysterious stranger'." I waved my free hand like imaginary sparkles. "You were there a couple times to help me piece together my swiss cheese memory."
He raised an eyebrow. "So...I was the Al to your Sam Beckett?"
I thought about it and giggled. "Yes. Only I didn't remember you either. Oh, you also had your hair pulled back like when you're performing."
He thought about that for a moment, stroking an imaginary beard. "Hm… I think I could perform 'mysterious stranger'..." A thought struck him and he poked my arm. "Oh, hey, is your dad still going to do that sword choreography lesson tomorrow? My Saturday freed up so I can go."
I smiled up at him and nodded. "Good! Hey, it'll give you the chance to try 'mysterious stranger' since you'll be the new guy." I tried sitting straight, but a sudden tweak in my neck made my head hurt even more. "Ooooo… I think I'll be sitting out tomorrow…"
He patted my back gently. "Just take it easy, Janeen. You'll feel better in no time." He looked up at the clock. "Speaking of time, I've got to go practice. Concertos don't memorize themselves, after all." He gave me one more pat before heading back to the door. "See you tomorrow, okay?"
I nodded again. "Yeah." He was disappearing out the door as I laid back down. "Oh, Jaron?" I saw him pause and I smiled at him. "Thanks."
He smiled widely and let the door swing shut again. I heard him walk down the hall, singing a tune as he went. I instantly recognized it. It was the same song he sang to me as we danced at Coco Village.

Thank you to all my fans as you've come with me during the long journey that was writing this story. I did have plans to continue this, but I believe it's time for me to move on with my writing focus. I'm so glad to have brought smiles to so many faces as you've read this throughout the years and I hope to bring more smiles if you continue to follow me as I create my own works over on Wattpad.

Love and hugs to all of you! ~shdw