DUNCAN
Morning arrived unexpectedly, and the buzzing of my phone on the nightstand jolted me into the daylight. As I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was June's blonde hair, a sight that filled me with relief as I unwound my arms from around her.
My emotions were a mix of good and bad. It felt good because being with June was what I desired, but it was bad because I knew this situation was far from ideal.
The phone continued to ring persistently, and the only way to stop it was to answer. It was my father, at this early hour, barely a quarter past seven.
With care, I dragged myself from beneath June, the pain in my stomach now more pronounced as the effects of the pain reliever, the doctor had given me, had worn off.
Gritting my teeth and taking a deep breath after fully standing
