And the aftermath of the accidental kiss Meena gave Morrison...cue the jaw-drops and OMG's...
Chapter 38: The First Kiss
Morrison quickly ran out of the auditorium and searched the hallways looking for Meena after what may have been the most awkward, but most surprising moment that actually occurred after hearing the verdict against Trevor on the flat screen earlier today. He had searched the entire hallways, walked up and down many stairs and even in the gymnasium where he had thought she might be in and as he kept on looking for her, the last thing he expected was to hear a faint singing voice coming from somewhere. He knew that it was vaguely familiar, so he followed the sound and as the sound got closer and closer, it ended up somewhere on the stairs as he went up a few flights and it grew even louder and it led him to the garden terrace on the school's rooftop and who's there?
Much to his surprise...or not so surprise was Meena's singing voice and he heard her sing her heart out as she got her headphones on and giving the fact that what had occurred not so long ago and he slowly walked over and just heard her beautiful voice belt out so loud and just took it all in.
And hold me
Wrap me in love, fill up my cup
Empty
Cuz only your love can fill up my cup
So hold me
Wrap me in love, fill up my cup
Empty
And only your love can fill up my cup
Cuz I'm hollow
Yeah, I'm hollow
Cuz I'm hollow
Yeah, I'm hollow...
Cuz I'm hollow
Yeah, I'm hollow
Cuz I'm hollow
Yeah, I'm hollow-o-o-o-ohh...
When she opened her eyes, she turned around and saw that Morrison was standing there the entire time, in which she lets out a surprised gasp as she didn't expect him there as she removed her headphones and both of them stared at each other for a while, with Morrison pondering as to why she ran out like that and he asked, "You okay?"
"Yeah, how did...how did you know where I was?" asked Meena, still taken aback.
"Used to come here for free period for most days to gather my thoughts, escape, think...or even do what you just did there without anyone bothering you. At least until the bell rings." Morrison answered.
Meena chuckled nervously at this and replied, "That makes two of us."
Both of them shared a chuckle or two and then he looked at Meena in the eye and asked, "So...why did you kiss me?"
Then, Meena felt a huge pang of embarrassment over that and she just replied, "I'm so sorry, Morrison. I didn't know what came over me. I was just so relieved that Trevor's getting what he deserved that...I don't know. I'm really sorry, Mo. I hope I didn't make you upset."
Morrison could tell that Meena was embarrassed by the whole thing, but the last thing he ever felt was anger towards her and he came to her side as they sat down and said, "Me, mad? No way. I'm not mad at you at all. I was just shocked that you kissed me."
"You were shocked?" asked Meena.
"Yeah, took me by complete surprise. I didn't expect that to come from you. But...maybe there was a reason for it." Morrison added.
"What was that?" asked Meena.
Morrison sighed at this and knew that this was gonna be a now-or-never moment as he's able to look deeply into his neighbor's eyes and tells her the secret adoration that has been hidden in a long time and he said, "I have a crush on you, Meena. Like...from the moment since my family moved here. After everything you've been through with Trevor, I just couldn't stop thinking about you and that if I was your boyfriend, I'd treat you like a queen. I've had feelings for you, but I didn't want to tell you because I was a little afraid to lose our friendship that we have. Nothing's more important to me than that. But...I really do have feelings for you, Meena. I...I always have."
When Meena heard those flowing out of Morrison's mouth and from his heart, she could tell that he genuinely meant every single word and it did it her that her true admirer was there the whole time...right in front of her. Her next door neighbor is falling for her and all she could do is just look at him in awe and she answered, "Really?"
"Really really." Morrison answered.
Then that accidental kiss she planted on him at the auditorium became a catalyst of her true feelings for Morrison and she said, "I do feel the same way about you, Mo."
That was another surprising news that Morrison heard from Meena that she had feelings for him, but never knew about it...until now. He asked, "You do?"
"I always have. I had always thought of you as my little brother and my neighbor and nothing else. But just being around you made me feel like I can still be myself and lift me up when I'm down." Meena replied.
"You do the same for me." Morrison said, with a chuckle.
Both of them were just revealing things about what they like about each other and how they admire each other a lot to the point where they looked at each other and came a little closer and kissed each other on the lips. After the first tender kiss, they looked at each other and Morrison looked at her close-up and saw that beauty that he had always been enamored by from the first day and it was in clear view that is still present. Meena giggled in response and they resumed kissing for a little while and it was like their feelings for each other literally came together for the first time and they wished that this moment would last forever.
Well, until...
RIIIINNNNNGGGGG
They broke off the kiss and as they heard the school bell ring that school was about to start and Meena said, "We gotta get to class!"
"Right behind you!" Morrison agreed.
They bolted from the bench and ran all the way downstairs from the terrace and to the hallway to get to class on time, but that moment they had...it was like a never-ending moment and it meant a lot for both of them and their admiration for each other came in full view and maybe...just maybe, the start of something very meaningful.
And FINALLY! Morrison kisses Meena! There was a reason why extended the story! But the story is still not over yet! Stay tuned! BTW, the song was 'Hollow' from Tori Kelly, which is kinda fitting because she plays Meena, so it's kinda clever that her character can sing her own hit song.