Romantacise This

Same Tank Top, Same Blue Jeans

Walking through the dull sepia corridors laughing, bringing a light to them was a regular occurrence from various friend groups of students at the start of the year before the stress was heavily piled on. It's what my friend's and I were doing when we passed the staircase inbetween the Year 12 and 13 dorm rooms, we were joking about a story Harvey was telling about how he tried to get with a girl on holiday. Almost akin to Jay from the inbetweeners talking about his many women he had in his caravan. I laughed at the absurdity.

I remember this specific event quite vividly in my head because it was different. If you didnt know the situation then you'd think it would just be a group of friends laughing as a girl dressed in a pink tracksuit lugged suitcases up the stairs but it was Isla who was lugging suitcases up the stairs. When we passed her I felt as if time almost stood still and she looked as beautiful as ever even though I could tell she had been crying into her jacket sleeves, they were drenched in a mix of sparkling eyeshadow and mascara. Her face wasn't much better, it was red and puffy yet still as darling as the day we met.

"Isla!" I called out running to her. "Let me help you with your bags!" Her eyes lit up when she saw me. "Ellis!" she carefully balenced her bags on the steps and we held a quick warm embrace. She waved at the guys and I grabbed one of her suitcases. The guys looked at each other and I presume were talking quietly about why Isla looked like she was crying. "Why are you climbing the stairs, you know there's a lift?"

"Out of order, just my luck."

"You really aren't having a good day are you?"

"No, i'm not," She grabbed my arm with her free hand stopping me gently as I began to ascend the stairs, "hey, is it okay if we just stay in tonight? I miss you and I know you texted me about the hang out that Emma organised and I promise i'll make it up to her but I just want you," Her eyes glistened almost like they were going to tear up again. "Of course, we don't have to go out tonight and you don't owe Emma attendance. Almost everyone else is going."

"Thankyou Ellis"

"It's no problem, I love you." I waved to get the attention of Harry and Harvey. "Hey! Guys! We're just gonna stay in tonight okay? Enjoy Emma's get together!" They smiled at us "Will do guys! See you at Breakfast!" Harry called down at us before they walked off and turned the corner deciding to go down the back staircase knowing Isla's upset. I waved them off and helped Isla get her bags to the room. Opening the door we pulled her bags inside and shared a gentle embrace. It was clear she needed it as she just immidiately started bawling into my chest. Pulling away slightly I closed the door shut so no one would walk in and we could have a private moment.

"It's okay, it's going to be okay. I'm here, you're safe." I held her closely and just let her cry. She gripped my shirt tightly, I could feel my skin getting redder by the second with how tight she was gripping. "What happened Isla, you sounded fine on the phone?" I gave her a small kiss onto her head. "I was, I promise you I was but - " she paused for a moment, collating her thoughts. "As I was getting off the train there were police and ambulance and they only come if something really really bad happens and then I overheard them talking. They were talking about a body." She seemed to get more upset and panicked recounting the events. "It's okay, let's sit down and we can talk okay?" I held her hand as I guided her to my bed, I climbed on next to her and let her grip my bedsheets and my hand tightly to ground herself. I placed my other hand on her shoulder and gave her the best hug I could muster from the awkward angle. "You're okay, you're safe now"

"Ellis you don't get it, someone was killed on my train. Like that could've been me or anyone of our classmates, it happened in the carriage across from mine - I hadn't been allocated a seat and almost sat in that carriage, Ellis it could've been me,"