29~ Meeting Julia

~King~

My eyes fluttered open, and I sucked in a deep breath almost as if the dream I just had was real, my gaze meeting the harsh glow of the hospital room’s overhead light, nearly blinding me. I squeezed my eyes shut trying to shake off the remnants of the dream where I struggled underwater, fighting to stay afloat and catch my breath.

"Ah, you're awake," Kristopher's voice said beside me.

I turned my head to find him nestled on the only velvet couch in the room. His left hand was still in a cast, but he looked fine. The last thing I remembered was coming back from Avery's place, feeling drained, and then the sudden struggle for air. I had had an asthma attack. It's been ages since I ever had an attack because I was always cautious of my health. I wasn't entirely surprised that this happened because it would have been a miracle if it didn't happen after all that smoking out of frustration.

When I heard Regina's self-confession about setting Avery up five years ago and threateni