Chapter 3 (b)

I don't know how long I cried. When I woke up, Lucy was gone. There was a piece of paper under my head, and I thought she might have left me a note. But the paper was blank. The space on the couch beside me was still warm, and I realised she must have only just left. I ran to the street in the hope she might still be within sight. But I saw nobody.

I went back inside slowly. I caught a glimpse of myself in a window, and was surprised anew by my flaming red hair. I didn't recognise myself. It somehow seemed that more than just my hair had changed overnight. Yesterday I knew who I was - I wasn't particularly happy with it, but I knew. Today, I rejoiced in no longer knowing. My perception of self had been tipped on its head. I had been kissed by a girl. And I had liked it.

Lucy had taken me by storm. She had appeared in my life, forced her way into my little world, and taken over before I knew what was happening. Yesterday I had wanted to avoid her. Today I wanted to find her. I could not explain it to myself. She scared and fascinated me.