Palindrome

Sixteen

Chapter 16

I'm fairly convinced this is some ploy to get rid of me. Paxton's been navigating me through unfamiliar streets for the past half an hour. We're finally here at this random peak that's deserted and surrounded by trees.

Nature.

Kill me now.

"Is this where my organs end up in a body bag," I say getting out of the car.

"No it's where the two of us make out," he says seriously.

Glaring his way, I flip him off walking away on some random trail.

"C'mon Rohi, I was joking," Paxton shouts following me.

Ignoring him I quicken my pace. All around me bare branches drip over to encase me in a wooden prison. Lots of branches lay scattered on the ground from yesterday's storm. Remnants of flora crunch at my feet as I walk through it.

Great.

Nature.

Woo.

The natural world's alright when I'm watching national geographic or the Lion King. Put me up for a hike though and I'd rather stab myself with a knife several times.

"Aarohi," Paxton says.

Nothing.

"Aarohi."

He's not getting anywhere with this.

"Aarohi."

Groaning loudly he falls in step with me his hair blowing wildly in the frigid wind around us. Beneath our feet, the leaves crunch loudly while a musky scent hangs in the air. After a few more minutes, the path clears as sunlight filters through the branches.

My breath hitches as I take a step forward into the open space. Overhead, a sudden zooming line of black silhouettes passes us- birds chirping loudly in a swirling sky. From up here the city looks untouched with the usual hustle of Friday mornings. To one side there's a random boulder perched up against the side. Sunlight floods the area, when Paxton takes a step forward it bounces off his bright eyes and rogue curls.

Everything's so beautiful.

And I can't enjoy it. Instead, my mind wanders to the huge distance between the ground and this cliff. How one simple step could end it all.

Paxton throws his arms out, inhaling loudly before spinning on his heels and grinning wildly, "So?"

I nod, clearing my throat so my words don't sound as slurred as they sound to me, "Am I meant to be impressed?"

He rolls his eyes, grabbing my hand and dragging me to where the boulder is. Climbing up, he holds out a hand for me to take. I look at it for a few seconds, considering how safe it is for me to be up there. I'm scared, I'm scared of how quickly my own brain could turn against me. At least that's what it feels like.

"You'll be fine," Paxton assures me. 

When I look at his eyes, that voice is blocked out for a second.

"I'm with you buddy, I'll never be fine," I tell him slipping his hand into mine.

He hoists me up so that we're both sitting on the stone's surface with an outlook onto the distance. My arm presses against his with his fingers intertwined with mine as if they're meant to be like that. Letting go of his hand, I look away feeling the hairs on the back of my neck shoot up.

None of us say anything. The wind blows my hair forward, strays falling in my face. From the corner of my eye, I look at Paxton. He's leaning forward, his expression thoughtful and bright eyes glittering with his messed-up hair. My fingers tingle, they're itching to capture the scene.