Starting Off Wrong [𝐠𝐱𝐠]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟎: 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬

TW: A character experiences a panic attack.

"This is beginning to feel like a day with extra hours," I express in exhaust as we have safety retreated to our bedroom. Aurelia nods and says, "Even though we woke up late this morning too." She checks twice, making sure the door is locked before taking a seat on her bed.

Her eyes are glued onto the taunting cardboard box in highlighted green letters. Goodbye Bloat Pills, Goodbye Peace, it seems to mock.

I pull my hair up into a loose bun, feeling the hot room start to give me a headache. It makes all the difference as I let out a soft exhale.

"I can barely look at that dreaded box," Aurelia breaks the silence with a tired sigh. I nod in shared deterrent.

"What do you want to do?" Aurelia asks, sitting up more straight. I repeat the question to myself silently. What do I want to do? I want to go to back to Pastery Haven, get myself and Aurelia some more Eccles cakes and just simply eat it while discussing my project. All I ask for is a simple day like yesterday, minus the fire alarm going off. I want a simple day.

I look at Aurelia wondering if she can notice my frustrated eyes. "I want to forget about all this, but I cannot," I mutter quickly. I pull out my phone from my pocket, rising off my spot on the bed and walking across the room to her.

I open the text message that was my only concern a few hours ago and show Aurelia. It seems silly now, thinking that I was so much less worried about the text messages. Now, the danger feels close. Too close. I guess I was sort of thinking it was more of an Odette problem than a mine, but now it's here and judging by the events Odette has told me so far, all she's receiving are text messages and not deliberate actions.

"I know your secret."

Aurelia looks up to me immediately after she has read the message. "When did you get this?" "Towards the end of lunch, when I went out to get something from the vending machines." I sigh, taking a seat next to Aurelia. "I actually didn't want a snack. I was feeling nervous with Larissa's statement, so I went out to get some fresh air."

"Calista," Aurelia whispers, her voice consoling me. It feels so good to have someone say my real name. I cannot believe I waited this long to tell someone. I cannot believe I waited until last night. Woah, it has been a long day.

Aurelia puts her hand on my back, warming me to her core. It's soft, loving, making me grateful I have her. This isn't fair to her, or to anyone else. Now everyone is worried and it's all my fault.

"I have to call Odette," I say, looking at Aurelia. She hands me my phone, resting it on my thigh. She stands up, but looks at me when she says, "And I have to call Elyria."

"We can do it together," she smiles, offering me her hand to hold now. "Yes," I agree, clasping her warm hand in mind, finally realizing how sweaty mine is. I grimace and apologize, taking my hand away to wipe it on the leg of my pants before taking her hand again. "That's okay, Calista," Aurelia says.