A Lovestruck Haze

chapter 3

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After quite an eventful morning I find myself sitting beneath a tree next to my girlfriend, Kylie.
"Where were you? I've been waiting here for a whole like," she pauses for dramatic affect and looks at her bare wrist, "five minutes!"

I shake my head while pulling a slightly squished sandwich from my backpack.
"Im pretty sure you don't even own a watch." I reply, taking a bite.

She takes a bite of her own sandwich and I lean back against the tree, "My teacher made me stay back 'cause I was on my phone." I finally answer and she giggles,
"That's when you were messaging me, right?" She tilts her head in question and I roll my eyes.

"Yeah, it was." She laughs and places a hand on my thigh, resting her head against my shoulder.

We sit in silence and I glance over at the benches across the field. A girl throws an apple to her friend, who fails to catch it and ends up almost falling off her seat. They erupt into laughter so loud I could hear it even from all the way over here.

I smile at the sight, but pause as I find my mind recalling memories of Cate.

A fog seems to shroud my vision and I exhale sharply, causing Kylie to stir from beside me.
"You alright Morg?" I glance in her direction and concern is riddled across her face, the hand on my thigh gripping slightly.

I smile perhaps a little too quickly, "Yep, just need to go... find my class." She clearly doesn't believe me and follows suit when I stand.

"Morgan you need to talk to me, that's why Im here." She crosses her arms and I run my fingers through my hair,
"I know, I know, I just don't have anything to talk about." I say, turning away to take a breath.

"You're lying. I know this is about Cate," And although I was already still, the way the way her demeanour was cooling makes my body freeze, "ever since she died you've been acting so distant. I get that it hurt and all but that's not an excuse to shut me out." She finishes, grabbing my hand from behind. I flinch.

"Sorry." Is all I could say before rushing away. Anywhere, anywhere but here.

Cate. Cate. Cate.

My eyes stung with tears that threatened to spill while I ran. I barely registered the turning heads and stares.

Cate. Cate. Cate.

My body was running on autopilot as I shoved through the hallways.

Cate. Cate. Cate.

Someone might've said 'are you alright' but perhaps they didn't, perhaps I'm hearing things, perhaps it's just-

"Morgan what are you doing-," the voice was cut of as I ran straight into its source.

The impact wasn't as hard as I expected, yet still found myself shocked out of the panic. And sent straight into another as I found myself standing in front of a very disgruntled Ms Dean.

"What on earth are you doing?" She demands, brushing off invisible dirt from her front.

"Sorry, I... I wasn't paying attention, it won't happen again."

I could've sworn her features softened slightly, but it was probably a trick of the light.

"Don't let it happen again Morgan," She replied with a sigh, "you almost sent me toppling backwards."

I suddenly realized I was breathing heavily and willed myself to stop, "Right, yes. Sorry."

She brushes her hand against my arm and the haze returns like a slap to the face,

Her fingers were gentle as they tip-toed up to my shoulder, nails digging in slightly as she brought her lips closer to mine. Her breath was warm and I felt my cheeks heating as it tickled my lips. She pulls in closer, our lips now but a hair breadth away-

"Morgan? Hello?" I jump back, panting hard, my gaze clearing to see Ms Dean frowning. My eyes widen in realisation, just before darkness takes over.

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