After I left

I

The wind blew by her, sending her already untamable hair into a frenzy. Her hands instantly shot up to wrestle it down. The long blonde hair tangled around her fingers, her mind racing with thoughts. Her blue eyes searched the crowd, looking for anyone who could rescue her from her own mind. Her head turned as her name was called.

She turned around, coming face to face with a piece of her past that she would rather not talk to.

"I can't stay. I won't stay. Colton, I don't need you anymore," She mumbled, pulling her hand from the angry ex-boyfriend in front of her.

As his face grew more and more red with anger, his hand gripped hers tighter. His anger wasn't anything new for her, but surely he wouldn't lose his temper in public.

"Please Callie. Don't make me angry. You know I love you. Just come home, come back with me," Colton pleaded.

She willed herself to turn around, her back now facing Colton. She couldn't see him reach for her yet again.

"I won't let you leave me, we're meant to be," He yelled, grabbing her arm harshly.

The pain in her arm took her mind off of the fact that she was being pulled away from her train.

"Hey, get your hands off me. I am not yours, I told you, Colton, it's over between us. You've hurt me too many times," She yelled, yanking herself backward.

As his hand released hers she toppled over. As she braced herself for the harsh impact of the ground, two strong arms wrapped around her.

"Easy there."

The distinct southern accent was clear in the strangers voice.

"You okay, Honey?" The stranger asked, his eyes quickly glancing over her.

He could see no physical injuries, but he could tell that she was uneasy.

"I'm fine, thank you."

He watched her brush her long blonde hair behind her ear, her face flushed.

"You don't seem fine," He mumbled, hoping to ignore the red-faced boy behind her.

"She said she was fine," Colton interrupted, grabbing her hand again.

Callie's body physically stiffened and Nate knew she was uncomfortable. Anyone could see it, but no one did anything about it.

As Colton began dragging Callie away, it became clear to Nate that she didn't belong with him. She glanced over her shoulder at the tan faced boy, her eyes clearly pleading for help.

"Are you here for the train?" Nate asked, stepping toward Callie.

"Yes. I actually need to be boarding now. Good bye, Colton," Callie said, thankful for the out.

As she forcefully pulled her wrist from Colton's tight clutch, Nate stepped closer. He knew she didn't feel safe, that she wasn't comfortable with this boy.

"Maybe we should go then, because I am boarding now as well," He said, holding his hand out to shake hers.

"I'm Nate, by the way," He said, flashing his white smile.

Her eyes caught it for a little too long as she shook his hand.

"My name is Callie. The angry ape is Colton. Thank you for that, by the way," She said, walking beside Nate.

"For what?" He asked.

"Saving me from him. You might not think you did much, but you did. It meant a lot that some stranger would help me," She said, brushing her loose hairs back.

His mind wandered to the boy.

Did he hurt her?

"I think everyone should help those in need.  You were obviously uncomfortable. I don't know what he did to you, but I already don't like him," He said, glaring at the boy behind them.

One glare from Nate had Colton nervous, he was bigger in size and it wasn't because he's fat.  

The fact that Colton was a shrimp compared to Nate had Callie smirking. Not many people ever stood up for her, especially not people who could protect her from Colton.

Her smirk quickly faded when Colton charged at her, pushing passed Nate.

"Don't touch me," She yelled, turning to leave him. 

He turned her around to face him, his hands so tight on her wrist she thought they would break. 

"When will you learn, you can't leave me," He yelled. 

She turned her face, trying to hide from his fists. She knew he would do it, because it isn't anything new for him. 

Right as he raised his hand, Nate caught it. Nate's angry glare meeting Colton's. Nate quickly twisted Colton's wrist around his back. 

"I believe she said don't touch her, now leave before I break you," Nate said through gritted teeth. 

Nate pushed Colton forward, watching him stumble a few times before finding his footing. 

"Fine, I hope you're happy with her. I wasn't," He said. 

As Colton turned around, Callie took advantage of the fact he couldn't see her. She flipped him off, listening to Nate's laughter grow louder as he walked towards her. 

It's not the first time he's flew off the handle like this, it's just the first time that someone stood up for her. It's the first time that his anger hasn't resulted in her aching for days. It's the very first time that he has gotten angry, yet not caused her pain. 

A smile made its way to her lips, a truly happy smile. As she boarded the train with Nate, she glanced back over her shoulder. As thankful as she was to not see Colton, she was truly scared of what the future may hold.

As the train pulled away from the old town that held her past, she sat with a stranger. A whole new world is waiting just around the corner. Callie has never been alone before, and the leather train seats were cold and uninviting. Even if Nate's body heat beside her distracted her from the loneliness she felt, she knew it wouldn't last. Soon enough he would go his way and she would go hers. 

But for now, she could sit with him. She could let the lull of the train cars pull her further away from her past, further away from Dallas.

So she did.