he bed. The room was spinning and all I could think of was what had happened to my mother. I wanted to be with her. The rain splattered hard on the

around me and sat on

few minutes later,my bitter tears was replaced with silence and the pouring rain was replaced wi

enaline rush that consumed me. One moment,I was worshipping his body and the next,I had covered it with salty tears o

the bed. He pulled me close to him and my head rested on his chest as I listened to his heartbeat. I shivered as the chilling cold

d to be sure it was real. He was still here.The world had lunch

ns across his chest as my head laid on him. "Calla, you can ta

mes hands fiddle's my shoulders a little, comforting me. So I went on. "So my dad let me. On our way there,I wanted to show my dad my Barbie doll I had just braided. A fire tuck came out

ould hear his heartbea

an addiction,and until a few years,she went into

r fault... yo

d , cutting hi

shrug again "She'd b

r and the sound of his heartbea

nxiety as I couldn't help but think of what state to find my mother in. James' occasion

pened the door,My Aunt Kathy stood up from the little visitors chair by the bed and rushed to give me a hug. I

. I walked over to her bed, tracing my fingers on the bed, adjusting her pillow,and holding he

her skin. The strong armor my mum had always had on, were unrecognizable anymor

hing air through a loud tube ,her chest cavity pumping up and down with every inhale and exhale. I wonder how long--- how

ers, hoping she wakes up soon enough before visiting time is over. Aunty Kathy had

lently pray for her recovery. James arms swung over my shoulders as he guided me out and back to the car.He drove me straigh

room and gave it to me to eat. His eyes scanned my room decor and from his face,I could tell he was curious about the large portrait of me when I w

ted that " I

tty,I mean, your hai

ter collage and this kinda stuck " I

oo" he said, t

f chicken and he refused,but after a little persuasion,he ag

it out..."he began,I knew w

ed. I looked at the clock besides me and it was midnight already. Ja

f happening and it was all too weird. We literally had each other genitals in places that we would be con

could drop off some stuff with Aunt Kathy for mum before submittin

one to imitate something to give me a beacon of hope. I walked in to Halt

d, pulling me int

the bags that contained the materials from me. " You nee

e " I sai

e Paris. Take a day off,it won't change a thing. You have to look after yours

I began to walk

ulie said just befo

it felt like a bunch of these dark clouds were stuffed into the oxygen tank beside mum. He breath was loud, forced, complety brash. I thought of how bold little things seem when th

er head,before walkin

n burger then I sat alone and ate as my thoughts wanders around. On my way out,I ordered a box o

o the floor of his office. I reached out to answer but the idea of popping out with a box of d

my hands on the door knob, trying to balance myself on my heels without making a mess of the

ld of myself as James

his desk and I could feel the tiny grin of excitement on my face collapse. I loo

od frozen by the door. His

arder enough to make him bleed inside my mouth. I could taste the metallic stung of

had made time start again,now it moved faster--fast enoug

dress with a brat doll boot. Her make up was dark and intimidating.

t seen you around here,I'm Ashley" she waves from the tabl

Murmuring loud enough for me to hear. His hands were trem

iled politely at her "Hi,I'm Call

ng me yesterday. I'm grateful." I said to him.