The next day started off with a minor downpour; Morgan's phone received an abrupt warning text to watch out for possible flooding in the nearby area. The warnings never had any significance to her, so when she received it at 3 in the morning, she rolled over and went back to bed.
By the time it reached 7 am, she was awakened by her phone alarm, forcing her to get up. From there, she went about her regular morning schedule; a quick shower, changing her clothes, brushing out her hair, grabbing a bite to eat, brushing her teeth, and then checked herself out in the mirror. She possessed brown hair that extended down to her upper stomach which was typically worn down along with a pair of stunning blue eyes. She was certainly the looker, most would say. After adding a few touch ups and feeling confident enough, she heads out of her home. Because she had not bothered to enroll in Drivers Ed, she couldn't drive to her destination. It meant she would have to walk to school, as per usual.
Everything proceeded normally; she even arrived at the same time as she would every other school day. However, as she entered upon the property, she could feel the leering directed to her by the other students. Whispers echoed around her, but she easily ignored them, used to whatever others had to say about her. The opinion of strangers no longer bothered her.
One thing she was caught off guard for was being pounced on by a blonde haired girl, the one she had been trying to ignore these past days. Before she could help it, a small groan escapes her lips. "What is it, Nadia?"
The shorter girl clings onto her left arm, seeming to have no interest in letting her go any time soon. While she was tiny for her age, standing at 5'4", Morgan was much taller than her, reaching a height of about 5'8". "I saw the news this morning! I'm so sorry about what happened. I wish you had talked to me about it..."
The brief memory of someone saying to her that her father's death would be revealed to the public today returns to her, but Morgan only dismisses it. "There was nothing anyone can do. Sorry to worry you." She continues to walk forward, the other girl remaining attached to her arm.
Nadia seemed nervous from the amount of people around that were all looking and talking about them, but she seemed even more concerned about her somber friend. "I know, it's just... I'm here, okay?" They come to a stop once they reached Morgan's locker, and so Nadia's left with no choice but to release her arm. "Morgan, you'll talk to me, right?"
She pulls out the certain binders and books she'll need for the day, shutting her locker afterwards. "Of course." A forced smile forms on her lips, one that was hidden behind a wonderful facade. "Thank you, Nadia. Let's talk later." The dark haired girl quickly turns away and heads towards the direction of her first class, leaving the other girl behind.
"Ah...! Let's have lunch together, okay?!" Nadia calls out desperately, wanting to make plans with her dear friend.
"Sure thing. I'll see you then."
Needless to say, she skipped out on her lunch date with Nadia. A simple text with the excuse of, 'Sorry, I have to make up school work' sufficed. Morgan was aware it would most likely disappoint her, but she really didn't want to be bothered by Nadia. The girl was an honestly sweet person, but she had a bad habit of sticking her nose in other peoples businesses, even when it came to more personal things.
When school was out, the rain which had lightened throughout the day began to pour just as aggressively as it did in the early morning. Most students took up offers from friends or parents to take them home by car, but Morgan being the loner she was, headed home on her own.
The rain was a rather large pain to have to travel through, but she eventually made it to the front of her property, much to her relief. After fumbling with her keys and opening the door, she was just about to step in when she heard the sound of loud, obnoxious barking coming from the woods in the back. "Huh?" She found herself curious, unsure of why there would be a dog nearby since none of the neighbors owned such a pet.
The barking only got louder, meaning the dog was getting closer to her home. Curiosity overtook her and she threw her backpack into the house before heading off into the woods. "Doggy?" Having a soft spot for animals, she calls out for the animal, slowly beginning to approach the barking. When she spotted the dog, she was confused to see it barking up towards a tree—until she saw just what was in the tree. "Oh...!"
She recognized the beautiful creature creature from the other day, the same peculiar fox she had wanted to snap a picture of. It was a species she had never seen before, something she had wanted to look up, but forgot to. The pieces began to fit together once she noticed that the fox was shaking from its spot within the tree, all while the dog continued to yap at it.
"Hey, hey, stop it!" She steps in between the two creatures, shooting the dog away. "Go. Go home!" She points away, hoping the dog will get the idea. Although it seems to be disappointed, it quickly turns and runs off into the woods. Hopefully, it would be heading back in the direction of its home.
Slowly, Morgan turns to face the dark colored creature in the tree, giving it a small sigh. "Hey, you okay? You can come down now. He's gone." Softly, she tries to usher him out. For a moment, the fox only stares her down with wary eyes, but then climbs out of the tree. Contrary to what she expected, it stays in one spot on the ground, as if waiting for what she was going to say next. "Do you want some foo—?"
The smaller creature lets out a loud sneeze, rapidly shaking its head before pawing at its own nose uncomfortably. Morgan recalled it doing the same action yesterday before taking off yesterday. "Hey, are you sick?" Of course, the fox doesn't answer, and only stares up at her with its own blue eyes.
"If you're hungry and want someplace to wait out the rain... You can come over to my place." Morgan knew she had to be insane since she was talking to the fox like an actual person, even inviting it over to her place. But when she started walking towards her home, the fox slowly trailed behind her, almost as if it had understood every word she said.