Time stood still

"Kate!". My Aunt's voice made me lose my concentration. For a minute I was tempted to ignore her and go run towards Kyle. But in those few seconds I felt my hands being seized in a tight grip and was being shaken gently.

"Katherine! Are you okay?". Aunt Hilda's hands were all over my face all of a sudden and I tried to focus on what she was saying. I risked tearing my gaze away in order to face my aunt, quickly making the effort to look back as fast as I can.

But he was gone.

"Kate". I gave my full attention towards Aunt Hilda, worry had creased in between her forehead.

"Sorry, I thought I saw someone familiar. I guess I was hallucinating". I bit my lower lip. I just sounded pathetic and had my Aunt's crease burrow even further.

"I'm fine, just tired". It wasn't a one hundred percent lie but I can't tell her the whole truth either or she would tell my parents about it and it wouldn't be good.

I get that they didn't want to talk about Kyle so letting them know that I just saw him a few minutes ago would be insane. Unless I'd like to have some psychologist's visit or something then I'd rather shield the truth even from my Aunt than have them worried over me for nothing.

"Okay, okay. Let's just go home. Oh and here". Aunt Hilda said, tossing me a white box. I caught it mid flight and almost gaped at it.

"Thanks Aunt". I said, still staring at the phone in my hand.

"Oh, it was nothing. Come along now". She started walking for the exit carrying a handful of shopping bags in her hands. I grabbed my carriage and trotted right after her.

---

I lie in my bed, wide awake and still unable to get over seeing Kyle. I was one hundred percent sure that it was him and not someone else. He was staring at me with his beautiful hazel eyes, daring me to come closer towards him and he was smiling like he was glad to see me.

His jet black hair and familiarity was driving me crazy.

"Who are you Kyle, who are you in my life?".

The silence of the room hummed in response. But the sudden sound of a phone ringing made me jump. I instantly bounded off the bed and rushed towards the study table where I left it lying seeing no point in bringing it with me.

It resembled the one I have back home but it was useless, I had no friends to call or text so I didn't bother. My social media was hacked by my sister. I had no means of retrieving them.

Its incessant ringing right now gave me the creeps though.

My Aunt was already fast asleep and I'm pretty sure my cousin could just barge in here if he needed to talk to me or if he needed anything in general.

So who else had my number?

I grabbed the phone upon reaching it and instantly pressed the answer button seeing the unknown number flashing on the screen.

"Katie". I sucked in some air and tried to remember how to breathe.

This can't be happening.

This isn't happening.

My chest tightened and my throat went dry. The world around me had stopped moving, it made me feel like time had stood still hearing his voice, hearing him say my name with that familiar and endearing softness.

I released my grip on the phone a little and reminded myself that I have a mouth that should say something. But I can't think of anything to say so I blurted whatever I could.

"Kyle".