Returning Red

#22: Castles & Queens.

built a castle, watched it fall

Isabella

It feels like a new world, it's a new hood. Like a different shade of orange to the sunset, a different blush to the dawn. A different theory to the black hole, an unbound spell for gravity. Today seemed like the birds changed colors, as rain could fly and like tears could turn into glitter and sparkle all the trails they earlier left. Maybe the fairies threw up their pixie specks of dust, maybe Godfathers and Godmothers woke up on the other side, and maybe, just maybe, we could all reverse time.

A scene in the parallel world of the upside-down would be witnessing all of this right about now. And yet, this parallel upside-down world inside my head, having been so surreal, feels like reality.  

Birds changing colors and wishing rain could fly? Boy, that was some perks for being sarcastically isolated and forsaken all these years. 

I was wearing a simple white tank top paired up with ripped denim shorts. My hair is hinting at the original red shade as the black is beginning to fade away in the setting sun. I lick my lips, wetting the already pink chapstick layer. 

"Is the sandcastle too plain?" Shay asked me when she finished keeping a red flag on what looked like a tower. 

I glance at the castle we've made in the last two hours. It looks pretty decent. A fort, a door, polka dot designs from a stick, and sturdy mud. I think I did a splendid job but Shay's tower looks more creative. 

"No, I think it looks spectacular," I said, thrilled. "Where did you learn to make sandcastles?" 

"Coop taught me," her instant answer sealed my words and my thoughts together. I didn't respond as my fingers instantly went to draw a road from the sandcastle's door. "He told me you both don't talk anymore but you both were BFFs before."

A small smile appeared on my face, uncontrolled and unbridled. "Yes, he was my best friend." 

"Not anymore?" Her blue eyes were wide and curious as they turned to me. 

I chuckled. "We are friends, who said we're not?" 

We're just not best friends anymore. 

"Daddy." She started to draw flowers with her stick on either side of the pathway from the sandcastle's door. "Daddy said you both are enemies now." 

"Aiden is mad," I brushed my hand in the air, and then my eyes widened. I just called a four-year-old girl's dad mad in front of her. She covered her mouth with her hands as she began giggling. "No-No, I didn't mean that. I meant Aiden doesn't know anything."

"Daddy is mad," She giggled more. 

"No, Shay, no, he's not mad. I said, man." 

"You said mad." She started to giggle more, covering her mouth with both her hands. 

I breathed in defeat when she wouldn't give that up. Her cheeks were as pink as the cute frock she wore. I watched her crease her eyes and giggle so loud that her dimples on either side of her cheek were prominently showing. I pursed my lips and bit my lower lip when I realized I'd messed up. 

"Okay, you know what? I said mad. Because Aiden is wrong." I huffed admitting it to her. "We are very good friends, and we will always be friends no matter what. Okay?" I looked at her for assurance. 

She watched me with a straight face only for two more seconds before bursting into laughter again. I groaned, rolling my eyes when her giggles became so loud and addicting. 

"You won't stop laughing, right?" I cocked my eyebrow at her and she shook her head. "Okay then, let me help," I pulled her close to me as I tickled her sides.