Sunflowers In Her Hair

Chapter Three - Max

I waited for the bus, my earbuds in as I listened to my favorite music. I stared down at my phone screen as it glowed angrily with the time "5:15" The bus wouldn't be here for another fifteen minutes. I can't believe I was already late for dinner with Kate. I looked up from my phone to find a boy with brown hair that brushed just under his ears, he wore a science pun shirt and old jeans. His shoes looked like they've been on his feet for three years. He looked at me for a while before I cleared my throat "Um-- hi?" I said, trying to get him to actually talk to me instead of stare at me. 

His face turned a shade of pink as he snapped out of whatever trance he was in, "H-hi! I'm Warren, Warren Graham!" He stuttered out as his hand shot out. I shook his hand cautiously- man, this kid was weird- I smiled, nonetheless "I'm Max Caulfield." I introduced myself. "Max! I've heard of you- Kate talked about you in English class." He smiled unusually bright. "oh?" My attention was pulled somewhere else when I spotted drea- Nathan- he was talking to a girl with long blond hair, she nodded occasionally as he talked. I sighed as a hand waved in front of my face "um- Max? You kinda spaced out." Warren chuckled. 

"huh- oh yeah, sorry about that-" I rubbed my arm as I brought my attention back to Warren "- it happens a lot." before I knew it, the bus pulled up. The doors opened and let kids out, I climbed on with Warren. I decided to sit away from most of the people on the bus, but Warren insisted on sitting with me. Maybe if I put my earbuds in, he'll ignore me? boy was I wrong. 

Warren talked about science and movies the entire time I was on the bus. I finally bid him farewell as the bus pulled up to the diner. He seemed disappointed but said goodbye anyway. I stepped off the bus, once it pulled away, I crossed the street and entered the diner. Kate was seated in a booth, patiently waiting for me. I walked over with an apologetic look on my face "oh my god- I'm so so sorry Kate- I didn't realize the time and I missed the bus, then I had to wait until the five-" Kate cut me off with a gentle smile "don't worry about it, we all make mistakes." She gave my hand a soft pat before taking a sip of her tea "I hope you don't mind, but I got you some tea as well." she nodded over to the mug in front of me. I didn't really enjoy tea but out of kindness, I was going to drink it anyway. 

I picked up the mug and took a sip of it, it was surprisingly really good. A young waitress greeted us "ready to order?" she asked, looking down at her pad, then to us. Kate nodded and ordered herself a garden salad, I just ordered some waffles and eggs. The young waitress nodded and jotted down our orders before walking away. Kate leaned her back against the booth seat "so, did you like your first day?" She asked, I replied right away "it was fine, nothing crazy happened so I guess that's good." She smiled once more "yeah, nothing crazy usually happens around here anyway, just a little town with little people- like beauty and the beast!" She laughed. "yeah, just like that." I relaxed in the booth seat. 

Time passed, the waitress brought over our food together. I felt bad for making Kate wait for my food to be done, but she didn't seem to mind at all, which I guess I appreciated. I took a bite out of my food before the bell on top of the door frame rang out, I looked up to see the blond girl with a girl with crazy blue and short hair, their hands intertwined. the blue haired girl looked familiar but I just shook my head and kept eating. 

Kate paid for our meals, no matter how many times I tried to sneak money in, she would decline. Her kindness was too much but I guess I liked that about her. We waited for the bus together, the blond and blue haired girls left the diner around the same time as us. But they took a truck to get there. 

Once I was finally back in my dorm I got into my pajamas and laid on my bed, reading any messages I had gotten while I was out with Kate. Just my parents asking how things were going- and one unknown number message. I decided to save that for when I woke up.. I felt my eyelids get heavy, then, I was out like a light. 

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My eyes opened, but they didn't feel opened. Just like that, a light flashed on. It felt like the football field lights were burning against my whole body, but I wasn't in my body? I was staring at my body from about ten feet away, vines were growing up my legs, keeping me anchored to the ground. I wore a white sundress that was torn and red with what looked like blood, the sunflower crown on my head was dripping with red liquid as well. My eyes looked empty, nothing in them- not even the brown iris'. I turned my head to look at what my body was looking at- Nathan. His all red outfit was shifted into hues of red, yellow, an white. Rose stems anchored him to the ground, the thorns clearly digging into his pale skin. His hair was clinging to his face, almost as if it were wet. 

This was hella fucking weird.

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