Callie

• Prioshka Bari-Das, Grade 7
• Short Story
• 2021

I kicked at my feet.
Watching: as the waves crash and leave dark stains against the stone barrier below me. Separating the tranquil and serene liquid and I apart. I pressed my fingers at my temples, closing my eyes which were etched with stress and self hatred, yet they were blank. Emotionless.
Lonely.
My lips curved downwards. I shook my head, I did not have time for such nonsense and pitiful regret.
'Callie..?' A voice called.
I turned, to see Trent watching me in confusion. I masked my lips with a smile, which more represented a scowl. I lifted my head. 'Yes?'
'You've been standing here for two hours, the last time I saw you today I was going to get groceries. You already know how long it takes me.' He nodded. 'And honestly, I think you need help.' He spat, intertwining his words with a careless shrug.
'Maybe,' I answered to Trent's sudden surprise. I smiled, walking closer to him and pressing my hands against his neck. His breathing tensed and accelerated, his cheeks spun into a bright crimson. Peppered with perspiration. 'What?' He stole a step backwards, but I only enhanced our proximity of intimacy. 'I might be crazy.' I smiled. 'But sometimes, being ordinary makes me feel...' I trailed off into my thoughts. 'Boring.' Trent chewed on his lips as if his nervousness was burning through his rosy cheeks. Maybe it was, but I didn't care. It didn't matter. Nothing did.
'Callie,' Trent placed his head closer to mine, reversing our positions. I gasped. I didn't know how it felt to be this close to someone I loved so dearly, although I teased some of my friends. This was new. I released my hands from his throat, then captured a step away from Trent. I stood above the very edge of the warm, hard stones. What lay below would certainly kill me if it came to such situations. I did not know how to swim.

'I care about you, Cal'.' Trent's patience was running out. 'I'm not trying to hurt you or anything like that. I just need a way to prove it to you.' He announced. My hand slapped against my mouth; Trent's eyes falling in line with mine.
'I love you,' I was so taken aback, and so I took another step away, realizing that nothing but crystal aqua was beneath me. My heart pounced out of my throat as I suddenly found myself huddled in Trent's warmth, his arms pressed against my back.
'You didn't have to do that,' I brushed him aside. 'I would be better off if you didn't save me.'

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Wincing bluntly,
Blood blinding her eyes,
She ran faster, rapidly,
Denying her will to die.