Chapter 4
Chapter 4
I woke up to the sound of class end bell.
Shit! My head hurts so bad.
‘I had another dream, didn't I?’
‘Where's Lena?’
I glanced through the cafeteria and saw just two students discussing. The workers looked like they were starting to pack up as well.
Looking at my phone,
11 missed calls and 20 texts from Lena.
1 missed call from Rick?
Why'd he call?
I dialled Lena and she picked on the first ring.
Bracing myself for the questions, I shifted my phone far distance from my ear.
I could still hear her loud and clear. Yeah, that's my best friend. I felt like telling the eyes that kept looking my way.
“Nell? Can you hear me, Nell? Nell….?”
I had to finally respond.
“Yes, Lena.”
“I know god damn well you heard me. Where the hell are you?”
“School.” I replied with a raspy voice.
“You missed Math and yoga class… guess what?”
“You didn’t forget my homework, right?”
“Please, I’ve got your back. But Nell— something happened.”
“What is it?” I replied unbothered.
“Where're you? Come meet me at the coffee shop?”
“Fine. See you in five.”
I grabbed my bag dashing to the bathroom to tidy up myself and apply some makeup so I don't look dead.
I remembered him. How could I forget the man of my dreams? ALEX. His name sent shivers down my spine. How can someone I've never met be causing such an impact on me.
My vision blurred and my gaze shifted- no, more like intensified.
“She's zooming out. Put the next AEV dose. Quick.” I found myself in a theatre room full of people on lab coats and safety glasses.
I let out a loud cry before I zoned out.
“Miss?”
A voice brought me back to reality. More like Miss Morris' voice.
“Are you okay Miss Hayes?”
I let out a little whine, supporting my head with my hands as she called the school nurses.
The golden sunset bathed Alex’s face in warm light, making his soft green eyes look softer. He was walking beside me, his hands tucked into the pockets of his worn-out jacket. The air smelled of rain.
"You’re quiet today," he noted, his voice smooth, laced with something gentle.
I exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of something unspoken pressing on my chest. It was our second date and I knew I wanted this man. "Just… thinking."
Alex smirked, tilting his head slightly. "About me?"
I rolled my eyes, but he caught the flicker of a smile at the corner of my lips. He always did.
"Maybe," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
Alex suddenly stopped walking, turning to face me fully. His eyes searched mine, deep and unwavering. "Then tell me," he said, softer now. "What are you thinking?"
I hesitated. The words were on the tip of my tongue— that I feel safe with you and I love you?
But instead, I just shook my head, a small, almost shy smile playing on my lips. "Nothing," I whispered.
Alex studied me for a long moment before chuckling, the sound low and warm. He took a step closer, closing the space between us. "You’re a terrible liar, Eleanor."
Then, without thinking, without hesitation, he reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingertips brushing against my skin. It was such a simple touch, but it sent a shiver down my spine.
My heart pounded.
The rain poured around us, cold and relentless, but I barely felt it. My pulse hammered in my ears as I stared up at Alex, his face inches from mine, his dark eyes unreadable.
I should have stepped back. Should have said something. But I didn’t. I wanted him as much as he wanted me.
Alex lifted a hand, his fingers brushing against my cheek, warm despite the chill in the air. His touch was careful, almost hesitant, like he was memorizing the feel of my skin.
“You’re shivering,” he murmured.
I wasn’t sure if it was because of the rain or because of him.
I swallowed hard, my lips parting slightly. “I—”
But before I could form a thought, Alex leaned in. Slowly. Deliberately. Giving me enough time to pull away— except I didn’t want to.
His lips brushed against mine, featherlight at first, a mere question.
And then, when I didn’t move away, he deepened the kiss.
His hand slid to the back of my neck, fingers tangling in my damp hair as he pulled me closer. His lips were warm, firm but unhurried, like he wanted to take his time, like he wanted me to feel everything.
I melted into him, my hands gripping his jacket, holding onto him like he was the only thing keeping me grounded. The world around us faded—the rain, the cold, the distant sound of cars passing by. Nothing else mattered.
Just him.
Just this.
When we finally pulled away, my breath was uneven, my heart pounding. Alex rested his forehead against mine, his breathing just as unsteady.
This wasn't our first kiss but Alex always makes it seem like one. I love him. We kissed on our first date incase you were wondering :)
I woke up to the beeping sound of many machines. I had fainted.
“Alex?”
“Where's Alex?”
My vision still blurred as I tried to make out my environment.
My mum sat in a small chair, quite far from my bed. She was asleep.
“Mummy?”
I stressed the call again and that was when she jolted up. Poor mum. She mustn't have slept all night.
“How're you feeling baby?”
“Where's Alex?”
A curious expression crossed her face.
“Alex?”
“A friend of yours?”
That was when I came back to reality.
“What happened, mum?”
“You don't need to worry about that, baby. You need your rest for now.”
I didn't have the strength to argue.
“Where's Lena?”
“She went home this morning to freshen up. She had stayed for a long time. Everyone has.”
Long time?
“How long have I been here?”
“Two weeks. The doctor put you in an emergency coma so you'll be able to recuperate. They said you just had a high blood pressure which almost affected your heart. What happened, honey?”
Two weeks? I didn't even get anything she said.
“Two weeks? I’d been gone that long? Just lying here while life moved on without me?”
“Baby?”
I shifted my gaze back to my mom.
“I'd been here for two weeks?”
“What happened baby? Were you bullied? Well I don't think so because the doctor said the likely cause of your condition is stress or overthinking. So what got you worked up baby?”
“Can I see Lena?” I ignored everything my mum was saying. I have been out of this earth for two weeks, I need to catch up.
“Yeah let me call her mom. Are you fine tho? The doctor said to contact him immediately you wake up if you're feeling some type of way. Should I ring the bell?”
“Bell? How were we able to afford all of these?”
“Oh, a man named Richard Russell offered to help. He said you were a good friend of his and Lena also seemed to know him, so I said why not?”
“Rick?!”
A machine started beeping which showed something was either dropping or increasing. I heard the panic voice of my mum calming me down and the bell ringing before I dozed off.