Mirrorless

Chapter 3

Brown, ashy, white,
The body dies, rotting.
Crying, screaming, heart
Lull, slumber, death.

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Lilian bit her lip, nervous. She clutched a slightly worn envelope, the edges crinkling at her tight grip. Her other hand gripped the strap of her bag tightly, her fingers tracing invisible circles on the fabric. She sat staring at the door, her anxiety only increasing as the time passed. She repeatedly checked her watch, and even though she knew time hadn't magically flied, she was still disappointed that hardly a minute had passed since she'd checked it last.

Finally the door opened, and she stood straight, chewing on the inside of her lip as she anxiously watched the people leaving the room. Finally she spotted him - a round, friendly face, his features soft yet prominent. He was hardly a few inches taller than Lilian, his body lean, devoid of any bulky muscles. His chocolate hair swept over his forehead, stopping right before his eyebrows. His honey eyes sparkled excitedly as his eyes landed on Lilian. His lips curved up into a genuine smile and he weaved through the crowd towards her. Lilian unconsciously returned his smile, waiting for him away from the crowd streaming from the door.

"Calix!"

He grinned, finally pulling himself away from the crowd.

"Lilian. How are you?"

Lilian's smile faltered ever so slightly. She paused slightly, hoping he'd continue with something else. To her dismay, however, he stayed silent, waiting for her to respond. She sighed, her head drooping.

"I had another panic attack yesterday. I fell when I was trying to reach for a glass of water and I lost consciousness. For a moment I thought I could smell something, really familiar, like the perfume my mom always used. But then it went away, and..."

She trailed off, shrugging. Calix stopped her, putting his hands on her shoulders. His honey eyes were flooded with concern, and his brow crinkled with worry.

"Are you alright, though? I mean I know its still hard for you, considering that it's your family that we're dealing with here, but you know that we're all gonna be here for you, right? Well at least I will. I'll always stay by your side. Remember that, okay? The people you've lost are the people who don't care about you. People who care won't ever leave."

Lilian nodded meekly, tears pricking at her eyes. She glanced down at the envelope in her hand, her eyes widening slightly. She had almost forgotten why she had come there in the first place.

"Hey, um, Calix? I... I wrote a poem. If.. If you want to read..."

She thrust the envelope forward, almost hitting his face. She cringed at how horribly this was already going, not looking forward to everything else that could possibly go wrong.

"Please just take it and read it before I change my mind."

Calix laughed lightly, lifting his hands off her shoulders and taking the envelope.

"Can I read it out loud?"

Lilian shrugged and then nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Calix chuckled, pulling the piece of paper out of the envelope and unfolding it.

"Just one day,
Just one night.
I want to sleep, 
Peacefully, in your embrace.

Your presence is
Warm, comforting.
Your scent intoxicating.
I feel secure in your embrace.

I appreciate your presence.
I want to know you more.
Around you, I'm happy.
Around you, I can't cry.

Just one day, if
I could be with you.
Just one night, I'd
Be the happiest person.