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..."

She sighed, then went back to her heavy breathing, "Yes... What is it?

"Are you, by any chance, pregnant...?"

I felt her hand being brought across my face in a slap, stunning me. She continued by yelling, "WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL, TRAVIS?! That's the worst thing to say at a time like this!!!"

I put a hand on my stinging cheek, wincing slightly, "Sorry, sorry! I was just trying to lighten the mood!"

"WELL YOU DIDN'T, YOU IDIOT!" She closed her eyes and breathed. When she opened her eyes, a smirk planted itself on her face as several giggles left her lips, "Hahaha! Your cheek is red and puffy!"

"Well what do you expect when you get slapped?!" I held my hands up defensively, but laughing along with her nonetheless.

There was a long moment of silence afterwards, interrupted by Katelyn saying, "Well, I don't know... But the more I think about it, I'm glad I had a one night stand with you rather than a complete stranger... At least it wasn't some weird hobo that I would someday see on the side of the road."

I chuckled, moving my hand to the back of my neck and rubbing it nervously, "Well, I am quite jealous of my drunken self for being able to see a woman's butt..."

"My Irene, here we go again!" Katelyn stomped her foot on the floor, then laughed nervously as if to shake it off.

I laughed along with her, then anxiously began, "After this, I would like to actually, get to know you as a real person... S-So—uh—would you like to go out with me? N-NOT AS A DATE UNLESS YOU WANT IT TO BE BUT—"

She smiled reassuringly, an actual beautiful, sincere smile that I loved seeing, "My first priority is Aphmau. But... once she is back and ready for action, I would love to."

"I understand," I grinned crookedly, Well... how is life here in the real world...?"

"Do you want an honest answer or a lie?"

"Depends on which you're most comfortable with sharing."

"I'm doing much better than I was, to be honest... I'm still taking care of my five brothers but I'm glad the oldest two have moved out and are taking care of the younger ones. I've also been stressed about... this situation. Other than that, really, I'm great. What about you?"

"It seems like life is a rocky road... Well, for me," I crossed my arms, scheming of a way to state my life journey, "I received a job after graduation and am renting an apartment now that I'm out of college. The only thing I'm relieved about is leaving my old bitch of a roommate."

She laughed quietly, "Well, that's a plus still, isn't it?"

"I suppose so... He was, in fact, the one who dragged me to the... the party in the first place. I've never liked him."

"Oh... An old friend of mine texted everyone the address, including me, only to make me eventually taste all the fucking vodka flavors on the table there, later abandoning my drunken body. Did you see all the flavors, though?!"

I chuckled, "I sure did. I guess that's what college kids like."

"And me judging the situation," she giggled under her breath.

I grinned, crossing my arms, "You have a nice laugh. I guess I didn't notice that earlier..."

"W-What? Did Travis actually compliment me?"

"Oh, come on! I can be a gentleman when I try!"

"Oh yeah, then? Explain the multiple times you make horrible punch lines when flirting with either myself or Lucinda! But when you think about it, we hadn't seen or heard each other... So that could be a deciding factor..."

"That's because you and Lucinda are the only girls who ever caught my interest," I winked for effect, stifling my laughs.

"Oh Irene... You really need a social life outside of online." She punched my arm whilst laughing.

"Well, hey! College kept me busy!"

"Yeah... I guess. But how many girls did you date in the past year, hm?"

"I was the geek of my year. So none."

"Hmm..." she put a finger on her chin, "With a little confidence, I could see you being a huge flirt. Just act more like yourself online!"

"So what I'm getting from all of this... is that you like it when I flirt with you?"

"W-What?!" I could see her blush wildly, causing me to chuckle, "I/I didn't i-imply that!!" She laughed nervously in an attempt to regain herself, "What I meant was don't flirt about the two b's; focus on characteristics and personalities. Girls... really like that."

"So if I said I thought you were a sweet and insanely thoughtful girl—with the curves of a goddess must I add—that would satisfy you?"

"It... depends..."

"Well," I took a deep breath, "I'll actually try this time. Katelyn, I think that you actually are one of the most considerate and kind people I've ever met. You truly are just an angel on earth..."

She blushed wildly, making me, too, have the redness spread to my face, "T-Thanks, Travis. I think you're pretty cool, too. You're very funny and down to earth, especially when it comes to your friends. I really do admire it... How you're easy going and all... I'm always stressed and angry; two horrible qualities of mine."

"Now," I held a finger up, "I doubt those last two traits are true. Even if they were, all your billions of good traits outshine those two."

"You know... that means a shit ton to me, Travis. I'm glad to have you in my life."

"And thank you, for being the star of my own."

I was shocked with the feeling of Katelyn wrapping her arms around my neck, something I wouldn't have expected her to do to me. It didn't feel like a hug, more like a strong embrace. She stared into my eyes, and I, too, gazed into hers. Slowly, she leaned in, making the move I never would have expected.

Our lips connected, and a feeling I never would have imagined to experience fueled my muscles, filling me with adrenaline. Are those fireworks? But the 4th of July isn't for another month...

We pulled apart, breathing in for air. I broke the silence, grinning, "Thank you." My arms were still wrapped around her waist, hers still around my neck, keeping the two of us close and connected.

"I should be saying the same to you."

I smirked, "Then you owe me another one of those."

She smiled and nodded, leaning in again, "I think I can manage to fulfill your request."

"May I?" With another soft nod and the closure of her eyes, we closed the distance again, and the feeling of sparks danced around us.

Even though this was the first time I ever experienced such an extraordinary feeling, I knew it would be the last. Something about Katelyn made me ecstatic about what the future would hold. It gave me hope; hope for the world to change for the better. She turned my life around from sorrow to sunshine.