The Axis My World Turns On

Cross My Heart

Carmilla banged on the door as hard as she could until it flew open and one Sherman Hollis stood tall and stark before realizing who was there and letting himself take a much-needed breath. She could only imagine what she must look like to him- face beading with sweat, hair tousled, and clothes in disarray. Her shirt was half-tucked with the tops unbuttoned, her tie loose around her neck. Her face was flush from the wind whipping past her mercilessly. She looked unlike herself, she knew it. And she knew he knew why. He could see it in the smudged mascara and red tint in her eyes.

"Where is she?" Carmilla breathed in haste.

Sherman's eyes were sorrowful, angry, a range of emotions nobody but a parent could possibly properly explain. Like his emotional timer went out and every emotion he could feel in that moment collided. In all his pain for his daughter, there was pain for Carmilla as well. If he knew anything about Laura or Carmilla, he knew neither would let the other go through anything alone. One would always show up for the other, regardless of if it were wanted. He need not worry about loneliness. However, never had both girls been in such troubling situations at the same time; so, of course it was a shock to him to see Carmilla at his door. Though, this was the same girl who walked to his house with a sprained ankle at 10 years old with soup for a flu-ridden Laura. He really shouldn't be surprised.

So, in Sherman Hollis fashion, he let the conversation of emotion remain between the girls and stepped aside so Carmilla could enter. "She's in her room. I tried consoling her, but she just keeps crying. Should warn you, she may not talk."

"She'll talk for me. Thank you, sir." Carmilla went rushing up the stairs, taking them two at a time. Taking a deep breath, she turned the knob to Laura's bedroom door and stepped inside.

Laura was still in her dress, corsage and all, lying on the floor staring up at the ceiling. When they were 14, Carmilla spent weeks drawing constellations on the ceiling, a full night's sky with he stars most prominent, so that when Laura was in a sad mood and Carmilla wasn't there, they could look up at the same sky and Carmilla could teach Laura about a new star or constellation. It was a nice distraction away from the world past that door. Tonight, though, Laura was peering through to the bare color that was covered those two years ago. She paused to acknowledge Carmilla's presence after it was clear that it wouldn't be disappearing anytime soon with a simple glance before returning to her gazing.

"Why are you here?" Laura huffed.

"My best friend needed me." Carmilla stepped further into the room. "You're still in your dress."

"You're still in your suit."

Carmilla offered a quick smirk. "I thought snark was my thing..."

"Yeah, well, things change." Laura's voice broke on the final word. She whispered an insult to herself, covering her face in her hands. A shuddering sob broke through. "Why did she do this to me?"

Carmilla sat on the floor next to her best friend with her hands in her lap. It broke her heart to see Laura like this. She was usually so strong, resilient; but she resembled a broken woman. She was a broken woman. And she wasn't the only one.

"Some people just aren't mature enough to take care of their business face to face. Danny Lawrence is one of those people. She was too scared, or self-centered, to tell you to your face that she chose someone else and allowed you to go to junior prom alone while she waked in two hours later with somebody else. She stood you up. It's cowardly and selfish and I am so sorry, Laura; but it could be worse."

"Like being verbally degraded in front of the entire school in the middle of prom?" Laura spoke through her fingers.

Carmilla cleared her throat, emotions returning. She had come over with nothing on her mind but Laura's well-being. She'd chosen not to bring her own pain into the mix. Lucky for her, Laura could never leave Carmilla's pain behind.