•Disconnectedᵐᶜᵈ

Chapter 6 - Travis's POV

It was a different, strange feeling. Sitting there in a waiting room full of whiny toddlers and adults scolding their teenage children. The most awkward of all was sitting across from her.

I didn't know why she was here, and I wished I could leave. But I couldn't bail out on Aphmau. She needed me. She needed us.

I kept glancing at her, and I could have sworn I saw her cast looks at me as well, but I was shocked when I looked up and made direct eye contact with her. Dammit.

We continued to just stare at each other, until I finally mustered up the courage to stand up. Halfway across the room, she too stood up, her arms crossed. She looked at the ground, her blue hair falling over her face slightly.

I started stuttering, trying to bring myself to the right words, "I-I know you don't know me, but can I talk to you? S-Somewhere private, I mean..."

She nodded, continuing to shield her face with her hair, "Y-Yeah. I think that would be good. Let's head down this way... I guess." She started out of the waiting room and down a hallway to a random clinic.

After several minutes of walking, we stopped in an empty, secluded hallway that appeared to be used in a minimum.

I started a real conversation, wanting to make up for the night when I messed up, screwing myself over. "Listen, I didn't expect you here... And I know we agreed not to talk about this but—"

She interrupted me, "I think that since we are both waiting in a grubby old waiting room... It's an okay time to address the problem."

I lowered my eyes, trying to avoid the tension, "I-I was drunk that night... Way too drunk..." I trailed off, speaking again a moment later, "And this is hard for me to say, but there is a good friend of mine who told me to speak up and have confidence..."

"I must agree... I did have one too many, too... The vodkas kept coming and the alcohol didn't kick in yet. And I got carried away... I guess what I'm trying to say is," she sighed inaudibly, "I'm sorry. Really."

I sighed as well, "I'm sorry, also. But could I at least get your name?"

"Sure I guess... I'm Katelyn Fyre. Nice to meet you." She offered her hand for me to shake, which I took.

"The name's Travis Valkrum."

"Hmm... Just a question, but who exactly were you waiting to see? Like a relative, teacher, parent...?" The amount of curiosity in her voice kept me suspicious, but I answered regardless.

"A-A friend of mine was in a really bad car accident. What about yourself?"

Her eyes widened, and she covered her mouth slightly with her hand in shock. With a trembling voice, she said, "I-It's A-Aphmau Lorde... Isn't it?

My own eyes widened, startled. "Y-Yes... Fire-Punch?"

"Chick-Magnet, Travis?!"

My jaw hung open with shock, shaping itself into an 'O' formation, "T-This can't be happening!"

"No... no no no NO NO NO!!! NOT PERVERTED TRAVIS!!! What the actual fuck... How...?"

"I-I'm so sorry, Katelyn! I d-didn't expect this!"

"Me neither you dingus! How could I not put the dots together...? When we texted... Where you lived... When you went... Ah! I'm so dumb!" She yelled in frustration, her face growing red.

I clenched my fists tightly, taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm myself down from the overwhelming feeling that flooded me.

"Katelyn... I-I... I really am sorry. But, I do have a question for you..."