“Honestly Alex, I don’t even know if I’m real anymore.”
Morgan and Alex both sat in the same clearing they had gone to earlier. Where it started was the best place to talk about it. “You know, I wish I could say something to the contrary. I really do. But I don’t think I can. There’s just no bright side to this. We’re trapped in this experience that neither of us asked for with no way out. We’re at the mercy of who-knows-what, and there’s nothing we can do. So -- fuck it, right? If we can’t change the situation, why should we even worry about it? Sure, it’s shitty to wake up every morning unsure of who you are, what you are, and why you are; but that’s just what we have to live with now.” Alex shrugged his shoulders, staring at the ground in front of him while we spoke. “Alex, I am so sorry I dragged you into this. You were always so happy before; nothing could put a frown on your face. And now, we’re both the same. We’re both so uncertain and uncomfortable. You don’t deserve this.” Morgan’s eyes teared up and her voice croaked as she spoke. “You don’t deserve this eithe-” Alex began, before Morgan shouted out. “Yes, I do! I’m no better than whoever put me into this. Because I brought you into this. You never asked for this, I knew how horrifying it was, and yet I forced you into it. What kind of monster--” Morgan simply couldn’t keep going. Her heart was too heavy and her throat too coarse. “While I don’t disagree with you, I don’t blame you, either. If I were you, I would’ve done the same thing. I’d go insane if I was alone with this.” The couple remained silent for a few moments before Morgan spoke up. “What if that’s the same reason I was brought into this mess?” Alex shook his head in confusion. “Morgan, what are you talking about?” Morgan looked up to the sky, squinting in the light. “What if whoever put me here is going through the same shit? What if they are scared and alone, exactly as I was before I dragged you into it too? Maybe they just needed someone.” Alex’s eyebrows knit together as he thought about what Morgan had just said. “I guess that makes sense. Maybe they didn’t know you would react so harshly, either. Maybe they didn’t mean for you to be so scared. In fact, what if they meant for you to be their friend?” Morgan’s eyes widened a bit. “I hadn’t even thought of that. What if?” “That’s what I’m saying, Morgan.” Alex moved a few inches closer to Morgan and went on. “Maybe you’re only as bad as who brought you here. You’re only as evil as… well, who knows, and I’m no more evil than you. They were alone, you were alone. It’s not evil to have feelings, and it’s not evil to make mistakes or questionable decisions. You’re human, Morgan. That doesn’t have to be inherently bad. You and I are in this together now, so maybe we can find a way to enjoy this absolutely terrifying reality.” Morgan cracked a smile. “The old me is still rubbing off on you.” Alex smiled back. “There’s no old you. You are you. And I love you.” Morgan hugged Alex tight, her chin resting on his shoulder. “I love you too.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------- And as far as we are concerned, the story ends there. Now it’s just you and me. The reader and the author. I just wanted to thank you for taking this journey with those lovebirds and I. I hope I got across the messages I intended, and I hope you got a few laughs out of this story. Thank you for reading, laughing, crying, and pondering the meaning of life with us. We’ll see you again some other time.
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This isn’t funny anymore. I do not understand what’s going on anymore. Something is very wrong here. Morgan and Alex are just characters. Fictitious. Completely made up. They only exist within my imagination; right?
Right; of course. Don’t be ridiculous. It’s not like they’re going to come walking up to me in the real world. They are safely locked in my brain, where they could do no harm. Look at me, I’m saying ‘they’ as if Morgan and Alex are their own entities. They are just a story, for pete’s sake! Maybe I’m thinking about it too much. Maybe I’m stressing over a problem that isn’t actually there at all. Only time will tell, right? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- “My name… My name is- I am Morgan.” Morgan lay on her bed, in deep thought. She and Alex had been dealing with life as best they could- which of course meant horribly. “I am Morgan Grey. I am eighteen years old. I am a senior in high school. I live in Ohio, in the United States, on planet Earth. I am human.” Morgan was doing everything she could to describe herself, as if she was attempting to cure amnesia. “I just don’t get it. Why does saying that feel so wrong? I know my name. I know where I live. I know who I am. I am alive.” She ran her hands across her cheeks. “Come on, Morgan. What are you missing? Just find it, already. You’re a thinking human being that lives in the real world and has a brain that can do things no other animal can come close to doing. You are sentient. You are aware. You think, therefore you are.” She had never felt so unsure of her own thoughts in her life. “I’m being watched. I know I am. I can feel them, watching me as if I was an ant, or a pet. Using me as entertainment. This is most certainly not a normal thing to feel; I’ve only begun feeling it a week or so ago. But, can I really do something about it, anyway? Is it worth my time to dwell on this shit? I mean, if I am truly being watched, then they must be aware that I know about them. If that doesn’t make them go away, what will?” “I wonder if I’ve been put into this situation by someone. God, that would have to be such a messed up person. What kind of person would thoroughly enjoy controlling every aspect of another’s life? And if this person is out there, somewhere, for how long have they been doing this? How much of my life has been controlled by this person? Just how in control are they, and just how in control am I? Am I even really my own person, or did they make up my memories, too!?” Morgan rolled over on her side, facing the wall her bed was adjacent to. “I didn’t ask for this. I never asked to be subject to this crap. Honestly, I don’t know which way I would be better off: the way I was before, or the way I am now.” I just don’t know what to do anymore. If I think, the words stop. If I stop thinking, the words seemingly have a mind of their own. They only come out of my head and onto the page when they want to. I’ve heard of writer's block, but this just isn’t right. Episode 17 did not go the way I planned for it to go. In fact, Morgan and Alex weren’t supposed to be going to the park at all. And Morgan; oh, Morgan. This is not the way I designed Morgan. Morgan is meant to be cynical, pessimistic, and realist. I made the character Morgan Grey as a tool of venting my inner aggravations in a hopefully funny and entertaining way. How did this story take such a turn away from my intended direction? This is my story; I am the writer. This world exists because of me. I’m the one in charge here. That’s the only way it can be. This happy, excitable Morgan is practically the exact opposite of Morgan Grey. So, what? Is something wrong? Is my mind fighting with itself? Am I really in control of my own self!?
I’m babbling. I’m just babbling at this point. Come on, it’s fine. You can do this. Four hundred words isn’t that much, you idiot! It’s nothing! I need to get a grip. I can recover this story. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Morgan, what in the fresh Hell are you talking about!?” Alex flung up from the ground, standing straight up with an angry look on his face. “What just happened, Morgan? Why can I- Why-” He just couldn’t speak. He couldn’t find the words. “Alex- Alex, listen. It’s terrifying, I know. I’ve been in your shoes and I still am. I’m just as scared as you are, I promise. I can’t remember my childhood, Alex. It’s like it never happened. The memory just doesn't exist and it’s the scariest, most overwhelming feeling I could ever imagine. No- it’s worse than that. I couldn't imagine this feeling even if I tried, because I couldn’t think until just a few days ago. I feel a disconnect from this whole world, Alex. You’ve gotta feel it, too. I can’t be alone in this Hell on Earth. I just can’t.” Morgan spoke more and more frantic as she went on, her tone sounding as if she had just witnessed the death of a family member. “I just didn’t want to be alone, Alex. I just-” Her eyes darted around, looking for words but to no avail. Her eyes welled up and she held her head in her hands. “You’re right. I feel all of that too.” Alex responded, without changing his tone or expression. “Everything I know is a lie, and I don’t even know what the truth is, either. I don’t want to be alone either, Morgan, but I didn’t ask for this! I was perfectly fine the way I was, and now I’m stuck like this. I’ve been brought into this terrifying reality without having a say in the matter, and that’s just so- so-” Morgan cut him off. “I didn’t ask for this either. And I’m sorry I dragged you into this. But I just couldn’t stand it, Alex. I was completely alone. Not only that, but I was stuck watching everyone around me, including you, act almost like a zombie or something. So scripted, and direct. But now, you’re like me. You’ve got the same feelings that I do, now. And that means something to me, Alex. The only thing more scary than this feeling is going through it alone. Trust me.” Alex looked around, taking in his surroundings. “I- Morgan-” dozens of sentences tried to escape his lips at once, resulting in incoherent babbling.
Morgan came to his side, holding him up. “It's okay, I know Alex. It's a lot. Stay with me, you're alright.” “Morgan, I just-” Alex’s voice was quiet, breathless. “What. Is. This.” “It's what I wanted to show you, Alex. It's also my version of a middle finger toward Him, but that's besides the point right now. How do you feel, Alex?” Morgan had a defiant tone to her voice, almost as if she was saying ‘I told you so’ to a parental figure. “I don't know what to even do with myself, Morgan. I feel so - so uncertain of every move I make. It's like my perspective just - shifted.” Morgan put on an excited smile. “That's exactly how I felt too. Don't worry, you'll be fine. The feeling won't necessarily go away, but you'll learn to live with it soon enough.” “Morgan, I'm scared.” Morgan held him close. She spoke as if Alex had just returned from years of hiding. “I know, I know. It's very scary, and it's not your fault. You and I are in this together.” She sat him down in the grass, and sat in front if him, knee to knee. “Let me try to explain. Essentially…” She looked around, searching her mind for the words. “Basically, a shackle was just removed. I know, it's - hard, to understand.” She sighed, slouching in her seat. “My mind is racing. In a way it never, ever has before. It's always been a single thought at a time. And now I’m having what feels like hundreds of thoughts at a time. Morgan, what the actual hell is happening?” Morgan looked him straight in the eyes, and spoke in a very serious tone. “Alex, I've been struggling with this for days now, all alone. I decided to show you because I couldn't stand watching you be just a character. I would've gone mad if it was just me. All alone in this shift of reality. It's absolutely horrifying, I know. Doesn't it feel like there's hundreds of pairs of eyes on you right now? Watching you?” Alex's face slowly went from pure terror to pure bewilderment. “Yes, actually. Now that you mention it, I definitely have the feeling I'm being watched.” Morgan nodded. “Well, to be honest with you, I think it's more than a feeling. I think our lives have been observed by hundreds, maybe even thousands of - entities. I'm not sure what to call them; but I know they're there. I just know it, Alex. We've been trapped in a bubble.” She stood up, looking to the sky with determination on her face. “And we're gonna break it.” Morgan and Alex walked along a path for several minutes, until Morgan suddenly turned to her right; directly off of the beaten path.
“Woah woah woah, what are you doing, Morgan?” Alex was very apprehensive toward following her any further. ‘We’re not allowed to do this. We shouldn’t do this. We’ll get in trouble and Mom’ll kill me!’ “Come on, you know we’re supposed to stay on the trails. Plus who knows how much poison ivy is out there, right?” He let out a nervous laugh. “Oh, live a little, Alex.” Morgan reached out from the brush and pulled Alex into it. After fighting his way through bramble and leaves, Alex and Morgan came to a clearing. “Okay; an open area. So what?” Alex looked around, surveying his surroundings. ‘Nothing is here. Like - nothing at all. It’s just us, and flat grass.’ “Morgan, what is this. Seriously.” “Alright, you’ll know in just a second. But first, I need you to promise to follow my instructions as best you can. I know that sounds - weird, at best.” Morgan spoke the next part in a partial whisper. “And, well, psychotic at worst,” her voice then returned to normal, “but that’s besides the point. I want you to truly understand, okay Alex?” Alex looked at her with curiosity all over his face. “Morgan, slow down. What am I trying to understand, here?” ‘She’s acting alarmingly off character. The hell is going on?’ Morgan rolled her eyes in frustration. “I won’t really be able to explain it until you follow what I say. It won’t hurt, it’ll just be - er, shocking. Okay?” She looked at him with pleading eyes - something Alex had never seen her do until after they started dating. ‘I swear, this better be worth it. And she better be alright.’ “Fine. Fine, I’ll follow your instructions.” “God, thank you. That wasn’t so hard, right?” She pushed him playfully, a smile on her face. “Now, listen carefully. I want you to think real hard about who you are as a person.” She started gesturing with her hands as if she was giving some sort of presentation. Alex just sighed. “Alright. And?” “Think about something that person would never do - not in a million years. And do it.” “What!?” Alex’s shoulders tensed and shock filled his eyes. “Morgan, you’re literally telling me to do something that I never would do. Doesn’t that sound counterproductive?” “Yes, Alex. That’s the point, alright? Look, it doesn’t have to be anything illegal or whatever, just - anything that Alex White would never, ever do.” Morgan spoke to him with raised eyebrows, as if to make her words clearer. Alex took a deep breath in. “Okay. I’ll try.” He looked around the clearing, half hoping to find an idea. His eyes finally came around to Morgan, and a spark went off in his head. He took a step closer to her, and looked her dead in the eyes with a disgruntled face. “I hate you, Morgan. I never want to even see you ever again.” Alex blinked. His face fell into a neutral state. He looked around. “Oh God..” Morgan: Hey, sleepy head! Why don’t we go to the park or something today? I mean, It’s Saturday, and I need to get away from the game, right?
Alex’s phone was already lit up, waiting for his input. ‘Come on, Morgan. It’s like ten in the morning. Since when were you a morning person?’ Alex: hey, good morning to you too. i just woke up, but like, sure why not? meet at the gates at eleven? Morgan: Sure! I’ll see you there <3 The addition of the heart put a smile on Alex’s face. ‘Well, who knows. Maybe she’s just in a really good mood. Guess I shouldn’t complain.’ Alex rolled out of bed, and got ready for the date. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was two minutes ‘till eleven when Alex’s mom pulled up to the park - Morgan waived at them from the gates. “See you later. Remember; text me if anyth-” Alex cut his mother off before she finished her sentence. He was already half out the car. “I know Mom, I know. Don’t worry. Love you, see ya.” He said, sticking his head through the car's window to make sure she heard him. She drove off, only after beeping one more time and waving at Alex and Morgan. “Hey!” Morgan embraced Alex in a hug as soon as he was in reach. “Look at you, being early. Got someone to impress?” She spoke with a playful tone. “Oh yeah, you know, this hot super model is waiting on me.” Alex returned the sarcasm. Sarcasm was practically tradition with the couple at this point. “I’m sure you do.” Morgan grabbed his right hand with her left, and tugged. “Now come on, I have something to show you.” Alex followed her on a path leading into a wooded area. “What could you possibly have to show me in a forest? You don’t think I explored this place inside and out as a little kid?” Morgan sighed, and quickened her pace. “Oh, just trust me, would ya? I think you’ll like it. And I damn well know you’ve never seen this before.” ‘She’s so sure of herself.’ Alex thought to himself as he watched her, ahead of him. ‘She really has been changing lately. Hey, maybe I helped her deal with her pessimistic outlook.’ He smiled to himself, feeling accomplished and proud. ‘Whatever this is she wants to show me, I’m sure it’ll be great. It takes a hell of a lot to get Morgan excited like this.’ ‘Why can’t she just try? If something is wrong with her, then there’s nothing I want to do more than to help her anyway I can. Is it depression? Just general stress?’
Alex was sprawled out on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. It was one day after when Morgan told him something was wrong. ‘You wish you knew how to explain it? I just--does she genuinely not understand her own head?’ This was when his phone vibrated in his right jeans pocket. It was Morgan. Naturally. Morgan: Good morning :) Alex: good morning..? you seem awfully chirpy right now. Something happen? Morgan: Nah, not really. I’m just in a good mood I guess. I know, I know, that’s probably really strange, coming from me of all people. But hey, sometimes even I can wake up on the right side of the bed. ‘Huh, maybe yesterday was just an outburst? But the way she’s talking now feels--out of character. Where’s her classic cynicism?’ Alex: well, i guess youre right. im just a little surprised is all. The ‘typing...' message remained on screen for several minutes before Morgan sent her message. Morgan: Look, Alex. I feel like I’ve been kind of a jerk to everyone lately; especially you and my mom. I’ve been spending so much time in my game that I’ve practically forgot about the real world, you know? Hell, I’m sure you’ve already assumed that. Anyway, I just want to say I’m sorry. I’m sorry if I’ve seemed off, if I’ve came off as dismissive or whatever. I really don’t mean to be like that. I just haven’t been myself lately. The apology took Alex off guard. ‘Jeez, Morgan. It’s okay, it really is.’ Alex: come on, man. you dont have anything to be sorry about, ok? Its fine. everything is fine, i promise. ‘She has these emotional outbursts more often than ever, nowadays. It really makes me wish I knew exactly what was going on inside her head.’ Alex laid his phone down next to him as he stared back up at the ceiling. ‘No, no that’d be a terrible idea. That’d be the biggest invasion of privacy imaginable. I can’t even begin to think what it would be like if someone knew exactly what I was thinking, at absolutely all times. It would be—terrifying. Even worse if I didn’t even know it was happening. That person could totally just manipulate and abuse me all they want.’ He shook his head, as if it would force the thought out of his mind. ‘What am I thinking--that’s just impossible.’ Alex rang the doorbell - he was at Morgan’s front door.
It had been a week since the mall date, and Morgan had invited Alex to her house the day before. However, while Alex rang and rang and rang, there was no answer. “What did she oversleep or something? It’s like one in the afternoon.” Finally, the door opened, revealing not Morgan, but her mother. “Hi! Sorry sweetie, she’s just kind of been occupied with her own stuff.” She opened the door further and motioned for Alex to walk in. “But come on in! She’s up in her room. She’s been yelling a lot though; I don’t know if she’s watching a movie, playing a game, or… or what.” Her face displayed slight concern. “Hmm. Well, I’ll just get up there, I guess.” Alex wore a puzzled expression as he made his way up the stairs. “Yeah, that’s right! You don’t have shit on me! That’s right; currite, assbag! What, you think you can just slash some sword and I’ll die? Hell no! I’ve killed goblins, sorcerers, even goddamn demigods. And look at you; you’re just a pile of bones now, aren’t ya?” ‘Well, someone sounds like she’s having fun.’ “And what are you looking at?” Alex opened the door to Morgan’s room. “Uh, Morgan?” Morgan whipped around, arms raised to point an invisible spear at his nose. “Where the--wait a minute!” Morgan plucked a familiar looking helmet off her head. “Shit, Alex! Is it seriously one already?” She tossed the helmet onto her bed. “It sure is. When did you get all this?” Alex pointed out the helmet, and several tripods that held what looked like cameras. “Well, I had so much fun with that game you showed me at the mall, and it made time just seem to stop, and it was just fantastic. I decided, ‘why not?’” Morgan shrugged her shoulders, and starting taking down the tripods. ‘She’s in such a great mood. I don’t know if I should be happy.. Or worried.’ “Morgan, how often have you been playing this? Your mom told me she couldn’t get you to stop, earlier today.” Alex’s expression planted its foot somewhere between curiosity and concern. “Well I mean,” Morgan started with a guilty-as-charged attitude; “I’ve been playing it a lot. Like, a lot. I don’t know, I mean, it’s just really fun, you know?” ‘She’s never like this. Never. Even just a minute ago when I was in the hall, she sounded like a different person compared to right now.’ “Morgan, come on. Be honest with me. At least me, of all people.” Morgan let out a sigh, and her posture sunk. “Fine, fine. I’ve been playing it for hours and hours, every day since I got it. It’s just- It’s so immersive. It’s like magic, Alex. There’s a whole nother world in that headset just begging to be experienced. There’s people, there’s problems of all sorts, and everyone acts like you’d actually expect from them. No walking on the wrong side of the hallway bullshit, you know? No parents talking to you like you’re younger than you really are. No arrogant jerks who think they rule the world. It’s so different from our world, Alex. It’s so similar, but so not.” As Morgan went on, her speech and body language seemed to almost slowly shift back into what Alex would call ‘Morgan’s Usual.’ When she was done, Alex responded. “Morgan, I understand. I really do. I play game like nobody’s business too. I understand that it’s a different world just waiting for you to be part of it. Especially modern games. I understand that it makes you feel like such a heroic badass. I understand that real world problems don’t apply. But Morgan, the real world is important too. It’s more important than that princess who’s always in another castle.” Alex sat Morgan down on the edge of her bed, and sat next to her. “I know it’s fun to take part in these fantasy worlds - I’m no saint when it comes to keeping my game time at a responsible level. We both really need to get it into our skulls sooner or later: This,” he gestured all around them with his hands, “is the real world. The true reality. Trust me, it’s bittersweet news to me too.” “You know me so well, Alex.” Morgan was looking at the ground, listening carefully. “No matter how I act, you know whether something is up or not. You always know, Alex.” Her voice projected with desperation. “I- I guess so. I just love you, you know?” Alex shrugged, and bumped Morgan with his shoulder. Morgan was quiet for a few seconds before speaking again. “I just wish I knew how to explain it.” ‘Okay, okay. Lunch went well. What’s next?’ Morgan was trying to comfort herself to keep her cool. ‘Well, I suppose that’s really more up to Alex, right?’
“Hey, so did you have any ideas on what you wanted to do today? ‘Cause honestly; All I had planned was food. I’m sorta just winging it from here on out.” Alex said with a laugh. ‘Wow, alright, I guess that makes this part harder, doesn’t it?’ “Oh, well… I don’t think I did, really. Sorry to make it difficult on you, but—” Morgan stopped her thought dead in its tracks when she saw a video game store. “Hey, why don’t we stop over at that game store, huh?” She elbowed her date with a wink and a grin. Alex wasn’t catching on to the obviously-present joke, and his eyebrows showed confusion. “Er… Sure. Sounds like a good idea to me. Any games you got on your mind? I’m sure GameSt—-” Morgan grabbed him by the hand and started pulling him toward the store in question. “Oh, just come on. Let’s go!” ‘Phew, that was a little too close. I hate cutting people off, and being spontaneous, but he- whatever.’ She shrugged it off as they walked through the glass doors. The walls were covered in disc containers, controllers, microphones and even consoles. ‘Alex must just love this place to death. It’s like a little pocket of reality built for people just like him.’ When Morgan looked to her right, Alex had already ran off and was excited about what Morgan could only describe as a “helmet”. Alex lifted the helmet up off his face with both hands and hollered “Come on, come here! You have to see this.” ‘What can be so exciting about a helmet you can’t even see out of?’ Morgan ambled over. She now noticed multiple cords jetting out from its back, and they led to what looked like a very powerful computer. “Here, quick, quick!” Alex held the helmet up for Morgan to stand under, and he set it on her head. “I can’t even see, Alex. What is this?” Morgan’s question was answered not by Alex, but by what appeared before her: A landscape foreign to her. Alex, the store, and even her body were nowhere to be seen. “Holy shit.” Morgan breathed. Welcome aboard! Which demo experience would you like? A bodiless voice chirped. Several pictures appeared in front of her an arm’s length away. “Woah. Um--” Her voice quivered. Each picture was vivid, but different from every other. In one, a satellite blowing apart, a battalion of robots in the next; each picture was taken from a unique world. Morgan reached out Great choice! Prepare for battle, Gladiator. The picture grew in size until it was all Morgan could see—even behind her. She was in a room made of stone, lit only by torch light. Classical, Greco-Roman style weapons and armor on display coated the walls. Certain pieces of the equipment caught her eye. Prepare for battle, Gladiator! “Okay okay, shut up. Whoever you are just-” Morgan made a rude gesture towards the high corner in the room, as if the voice was coming from there. Most of the armour on the walls seemed extremely heavy. ‘Who do you think I am, a bodybuilder?’ The only clothes in the room that didn’t look like an anchor was a red robe with silver trimming. “Oh for fu—” Before Morgan could finish, the robe was suddenly on her, a perfect fit. The weapons varied from classic double-edged swords, to spiked maces, to clubs, spears, and so on. “I get a feeling I’ll need these.” Morgan picked up a pair of spears--wooden shafts with sharpened iron tips. She naturally put one over her shoulder as if by familiarity. “Sure. Yeah, ok.” Behind her, the wall opened up in the center, the halves swinging outward like doors. “Oh, my god. What the hell did you do, Alex.” Morgan was on her own, not even a bodiless voice to annoy her. She was stuck in a colosseum, filled with furious monsters. “Screw it.” She charged out of the room and several monsters turned to her. They approached at varying speeds. Morgan was first faced with a sword-wielding skeleton. “Original.” Morgan thrusted one spear straight through the ribcage, barely affecting her foe. She pulled it towards the sky, like a club, and the skeleton fell to bones on the ground. “Oh, that feels good.” She struck out again, and another skeleton was dispatched. “Oh, that feels really good.” Time flew by as monsters flew to bits in Morgan’s wake of destruction. Each victory was accompanied by a remark thrown over her shoulder as she turned to her next target. As she approached the far end of the colosseum, a dragon spread its wings. “Morgan!” The world went dark, then blindingly bright. “Morgan, you definitely don’t want to do that.” As her eyes adjusted to the light, Alex came into view, as well as the world she came from. “Holy--I just--What—” Morgan stammered as Alex slipped the helmet off of her. “You were amazing. That was insane to watch. Everyone could see it on the TV!” He pointed at wall behind her. “They said we’re out of time, though.” Several kids were standing near by, impatiently staring at Morgan. “Alex, can we go home? That pizza might be making a comeback.” Morgan held her stomach with her left hand. “Probably motion sickness. It’s getting a little late anyway.” Alex helped her out of the crowd. “I’ll call my mom.” “Hey, Morgan.” Morgan’s mother nudged her out of a daze. “Time to leave your little wonderland and go on this date. In other words, we’re here and Alex’s probably waiting. ‘Woah, woah okay. I’m awake, I swear.’ “Crap, okay. Okay, I got this.” Morgan checked her pockets one final time and opened the car door.
“Bye Mom, I’ll see you later. You’ll pick me up right here, yeah?” After her mother nodded, Morgan closed the car door and turned around, facing the mall’s front entrance. ‘Alright, come on, Morgan. It’s just a date. You’ve been on these before. Only difference is it’s with Alex.’ She took a deep breath, and started up the steps. ‘God, alright here we go.’ Full of anxiety, Morgan stepped through the glass doors. She was hit by the smell of the food court to her left and club music to her right. ‘There must be a Hollister nearby.’ Where is he, where is he, where…’ Morgan scanned the faces around her—it felt like there were hundreds. Finally, she spotted a familiar face in the sea of people. Morgan’s eyes lit up, and she rushed over to her date. “Alex! God, I’m so glad I found you. This place is just full of people. It’s even worse than the damn school.” She noticed Alex's outfit. He’d dressed as casually as any other day, and his hair wasn’t different either. “Wow, Morgan, I—you didn’t have to look all dolled-up or anything. It’s not like we’re going out to a fancy dinner,” Alex laughed to himself. “And is that..?” He examined Morgan’s face and then staggered back in feigned disbelief. “Makeup! Who are you? Come on, you don’t have to look all exceptional for me, you know? I like the normal Morgan way more than some girly-girl. It makes you, you.” He smiled at her, and noticed her rosey cheeks. “I—” Morgan stammered for a moment. ‘God this is so embarrassing. He’s right! I should’ve listened when Mom commented about it.’ “You’re right. I guess it would feel weird if someone you knew just suddenly became a different person.” She rubbed her cheeks, wiped her hands on the sides of her jeans and untucked her flannel. With a sigh, she raised her eyebrows and smiled at Alex. “That— feels so much better. Never doing that shit again.” They both laughed about it for a moment, and Alex led Morgan to a table in the food court. “So, what kinda food are you hungry for?” He slowly turned, gesturing towards different restaurants, one at a time. “We got Asian food, pizza, many different kinds of burgers around—” “Honestly, I’m feeling pizza.” ‘Man, never thought I’d be able to have some pizza on a date. Alex is just—so laid back. It’s awesome.’ “And I don’t know about you, but pepperoni and green peppers sounds great right now.” Alex grinned, and started standing up. “I expected no less. I’ll be right back.” He then began making his way through the court, towards the pizza place. While Morgan was alone at the table, her eyes wandered as she thought to herself. ‘He’s such a dork. But it’s honestly really sweet that he just naturally went to get the food. Who said chivalry is dead?’ Morgan couldn’t help but joke with herself. Sitting there alone began to feel awkward. Thankfully, Alex only took a few minutes to return. “Here we go,” he drew out the ‘here,’ “One beautiful pizza pie-a!” Alex then sat down next to Morgan. “Hey, since when did you have an Italian accent?” Morgan asked with a raised eyebrow and a grin. “Last time I checked, you were like, the most American boy that ever lived.” “Oh, shut up; a boy can joke.” Alex had cut the pizza into slices since he came back to the table, and he was now transferring a slice from the platter to his plate. “It’s been awhile since I’ve had pepperoni with green pepper. Probably ‘cause I haven’t had pizza with a certain someone in way too long.” Morgan rolled her eyes and took a slice. “I get it, I get it, I should get out more. It’s just that I rarely have a good reason to. I just don’t have many friends, you know?” She took a bite. “Don’t get me wrong, you’re like the best friend a girl could ever ask for. Boyfriend, though..? Well, we’ll see about that.” She winked at Alex, and laughed at the sight of his red face. “What, did I say something? Is it ‘cause I called you my—” she took a breath and leaned toward Alex, drawing out her next word as much as possible. “Boyfriend?” Alex put his hands up. “Hey hey hey hey, hey. So what if it is. I doubt you wouldn’t react in the same way if I called you my—” He mimicked what Morgan had just done. “Girlfriend?” Morgan shifted in her seat and looked away from Alex. “Ha, see? Gotcha! So don’t make fun of me for it, or you bet your ass I will do it right back at you again.” Morgan turned back, with an exaggerated expression on her face. “Ehhhhhh, I’m probably gonna do it again anyway. Partly to make you blush again, and, perhaps, just maybe to hear you call me your girlfriend again,” she admitted. “Maybe just a little bit.” She flashed Alex a smug smile. “You’re really cute when you get all mischievous, you know that?” “Sh—” Morgan tripped on her words. “Shut up!” She tried to hide her cheeks, and Alex just gave her the same smile she wore just a moment ago. |
Preston SheetsPreston in a Senior and a second year staff member. This is his second fiction column. Archives
May 2018
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