Mindspace

Chapter 1: Blackout

The sun luminated a decorated sky of puffy, opaque clouds against a burning bright blue canvas. Katelyn shielded her eyes as she looked over the resort from the balcony of their suite. "Travis, let's go out today. It's gorgeous!"

Travis was laid across the width of the couch. He absentmindedly looked away from the resort pamphlet to Katelyn. He was met with bright eyes and a brighter grin. Did she always shine like that or was it the sun? As much as he would like, no, LOVE to stay inside today, Katelyn's boisterous demeanor always managed to have him bend to meet her wishes. But that didn't stop him from challenging her.

"Kaaatelyn! Do we have to go out today? Can't we stay in and cuddle?" Travis sat upright and hugged a throw pillow to his chest. The icing on the cake was his over-the-top act of puppy dog eyes and a pouty lip. Katelyn scoffed at his little show and laughed. "Come on! We can do that back home. We're on vacation. We can check out the beaches and the boardwalk. They've got volleyball on the beach and..." Katelyn paused, doing her own theatrics of jazz hands. "There's a taco stand right next to the live band!~" she said in a singsong voice.

If the excitement in her voice or her overall energy didn't already have Travis's attention, she sure did now. Tacos and good music go a long way, but being able to spend that little moment with Katelyn meant the world to Travis. He smiled wide at the girl who stole his heart and nodded. "Of course I'll go with you."

Katelyn pumped her fist with a quiet cheer. "Alright, let's go! We have a whole day ahead of us. I'll grab my bag. I'm packing us some waters, snacks, towels..." Katelyn listed everything as she packed it while Travis pocketed his pamphlet and grabbed some sunglasses. They left their suite hand-in-hand prepared to take the day.

"Where to first, love?" Travis pulled out the map in his pocket and tried to hand it to Katelyn. She waved the map away with confidence. "I don't need it."

Travis retracted the map while raising a brow at her with a smile. He loved Katelyn's confidence and all, but he did have some doubts about her directional skills. "You sure about that? Which way to the concert stage?"

A moment passed. Then two moments of Katelyn thinking. Finally, she gave in. "Okay, fine. May I..." she muttered.

"Sorry, what was that?"

"May I please have the map?"

"Why, OF COURSE you can! Here you go." Travis grinned and Katelyn almost laughed. They both held opposite ends of the map and looked around to figure out where they were. Eventually, they found their way after a few distractions and too many left turns. Travis stood in line at the taco stand and Katelyn set up a blanket by the outside stage where a band was almost ready to play.

"A chicken taco for me and a beef one for my lady because I know it's your favorite." Travis handed off the taco to Katelyn and she gave him bottled water. "Thank you, my good sir! Hurry and sit. They're about to start playing."

Like he thought, being able to enjoy his time with Katelyn was better than imaginable. The food, music, and seeing Katelyn do a little bop were an appreciated bonus. Afterwards, the couple wandered around and let their food digest.

"Are you ready to play volleyball?" Katelyn asked with a hint of impatience. Travis gave her a look that told her exactly what she wanted. Sand flew as they broke into a race to the nets on the beach. Good news, it was a draw! Bad news, all the nets were full. They both stood looking like lost puppies as they scanned the beach.

"Kylo, look! I think they wanna play a game." Travis and Katelyn both snapped their lost gazes to a couple playing a game right ahead of them. One of the boys had tanned skin coupled with brown hair tied into a ponytail and big blue eyes. He was way more energetic than the other boy, Kylo. He had deep brown skin with steady brown eyes, dreads and an undercut. He was reserved and collected. The first boy waved them over zealously. "You two can come play with us!"

"You sure?" Travis asked. "My girlfriend over here's been head of her volleyball team for five years!" Katelyn rolled her eyes as she gently nudged Travis. The lot laughed and the same boy called back. "We're up for a challenge!"

Katelyn and Travis shared a look and nodded. "It's on, now!" They introduced themselves on the same side of the net. "I'm Hayden and this here is my boyfriend, Kylo." Hayden stated, and Kylo nodded.

"Well, I'm Katelyn and this is my boyfriend, Travis."

Kylo finally spoke as everyone shook hands. "Hello, it's nice to meet you both."

"Alright, let's do this then."

After forty five minutes of playing, they were tied at 27 points. Both teams huddled. "Alright, Kate, this is gamepoint, right?" Katelyn agreed and picked up where he left off. "On the second volley, set the ball backwards and I'll hit it over. Ready?"

"Ready!" They broke and team Halo, as the author elected them, served the ball to them. Katelyn bumped the ball to the back of the opposing team which Kylo sent flying. Travis shuffled right and set the ball back as planned. Instinctively, he turned around just in time to watch Katelyn hit the ball back overhand. "That's my girl!" Too bad he spoke too soon.

"HEADS!"

"Huh?" Right behind him, Hayden spiked the ball. It nailed Travis square in the head. Katelyn and Hayden gasped as Travis groaned from impact. "Oww!"

"Oh crap! I'm sorry!" Hayden ran towards them, Kylo following behind. Katelyn was already aiding Travis. "Are you okay?"

Travis laughed halfheartedly. "It's okay! I have a pretty tough noggin."

But before he could say anything else

everything looked vignette to black.

He felt like he was retreating to the back of his mind

and he was watching the scene from a third point of view.