Finding Calypso

Chapter One ~Calypso~ The trees pass by us in a blur as we plow through the brush. I can hear the branches cracking as we break through them. The leaves of the trees are clashing in the wind, and it makes it sound almost like rain. We begin to slow as I see the clearing to my home. I should feel relief, but instead I feel scared, abandoned, and confused. I gasp awake from the dream to my same old room. I slowly pick myself up off the bed, not phased by the dream. It seems to be a reoccurring dream. One that just feels vaguely familiar. I look at myself in the mirror, at my messy brown hair, and baggy eyes. I walk a little closer wiping away my makeup from the night before. When I notice my eyes looking a little greener today. I stretch and yawn a bit as I shake off the sleep. My body is used to waking up like this every morning. Even though there is no need to now that the semester has ended. It's barely sunrise, so I decided to throw on some clothes and go for a run. As I walk outside I can smell the earth, it must have rained through the night. The rain always brings out the smell of the forest. In our town it is known never to go into the woods alone, it is so dense that it is easy to get lost. But I have lived my whole life backed up against this forest and never worry when I enter them. If anything I feel free. Away from others and eyes on me. I've traveled deep into this earthy fortress, and I have never gotten lost. Somehow I knew my way home. As I run, I ponder all the moments I've spent here under the trees. While trying to push away all the stress of life. I get to the small creek about a mile in and I begin to slow to a walk as I reach the bank. I lean down and splash some of the fresh spring water on my face to cool down. Normally being in the woods relaxes me, but something pulls at my belly. I feel like I'm on the edge of a cliff about to plunge into the sea. But I'm scared. I'm scared to jump. Even though for some reason I know that I must. I shake my head at the thoughts, and stand back up. I wonder why I'm having so much anxiety today. I try to search my mind for why I'm feeling so stressed. When I picture my two best friends, Gretchen and Anora. I love them so much, but they can definitely stress me out. But I know it's not them. This time… I picture my ex and quickly shake his image out of my head. We had been together all through high school and into college. And then things ended. I haven't allowed my self to relive any of those moments. "I'm just going to move on." I tell myself before I let my emotions dive. I can't pin point the cause of my anxiety. So I try my best to run it off. When I got home I quickly showered, and put on a pair of black ripped jeans, a simple black T, and my worn quarter sleeve Leather Jacket. I have told Gretchen and Anora that I would meet them in town for breakfast at the diner. I arrived late at the Diner. I stroll in and sit down with the girls. They had already finished their food and were just sipping their coffee. As I sit down, they both say "hey" in sync in the same awkward tone. Which makes me think they must have been talking about me before I came in. The waitress walks up and I say "Just a coffee, to go, for me" and then she scurries away. "Soooooo" I say, looking back and forth between them as they hide behind their mugs. Gretchen was the first to say something, and it was just a whisper as if she didn't want anyone else to hear "Ok Caly don't freak out, but James is here." I feel my body tense since I haven't seen him since we broke up a few months ago. He left town almost immediately after it all happened. I whipped my head around in the booth to see him sitting at the bar, and he was not alone. I look back to the girls and mouth "What the f**k" and we all break out laughing. As quickly as the laugh broke out it stopped. By the swift movements of their eyes I could tell he had turned around to look at us. Just then our waitress comes back with my coffee. I hand her a five. I look at the girls and ask "Are y'all ready to get out of here?" I quickly stand up now that I know James sees that I'm here, I want to leave asap. I tell the girls I'll wait for them in my truck knowing they still need to pay their bill. I walk out of the door hearing the familiar jingle of the old bell that had been on the diner door since I was young. As soon as I walk out, the hair on the back of my neck stands up. I stop in my tracks and look around as the feeling of being on the edge of a cliff dawns on me again. I see nothing but the tree line to the woods and the half filled parking lot. I shake it off as best as I can and walk toward the truck. I hear the bells jingle, and I turn around with a smile expecting to see Anora and Gretchen. Only to be met with the familiar face that still makes my heart ache deep down even if I won't admit it to myself. It was James. I immediately twirl myself back around as I try to make my way back to my truck before we enter into an awkward encounter. I make it a few steps before a possessive grip locks around my wrist. I turn to look him dead in the eye for the first time since we split. I say nothing as we stare at each other for a moment. "We need to talk" he says in his irritated deep voice that still makes me quiver. I just continue to stare into his blue eyes as they look at me like daggers. I look away for a moment to break eye contact because I could feel my emotions begin to boil. It's hard to see him. To smell his cologne, see his perfectly done black hair, and his strong features. I look back up at him to not appear weak even though that is exactly how he makes me feel. His eyes soften when I do, and I almost feel like we could just let everything that happen go. When I hear the bell jingle again. I peer behind his tall shoulder. To see a beautiful woman walk through and say "Hey James? Who are you talking to?" Her beauty puts me to shame. She is obviously a few years older than me, thin, tall, and has striking red hair that reminded me of leaves turning orange in Autumn. Her eyes bared the same color as her hair, which made her seem completely unreal. Could there literally be a more beautiful woman? "An old friend" he responds so casually as if he hadn't just spoken in such a rough tone to me. His back was still to her as he let go of my wrist. He turns around and walks up to her. That's when Gretchen and Anora finally come out. Their eyes were wide as they had obviously been watching the whole thing from inside. They quickly walk past the beautiful woman before me. As James wraps his arm around her waist and leads her inside. Gretchen and Anora walk right up to me both with question in their eyes that say "Tell me everything!" I look back at them with an over exaggerated glare. And say "Where were you guys? You could of come save me. Let's go somewhere and get a drink. Oh my god, this is too much." They both look at me bewildered knowing I'm the last one to say or do something like that. "Guys, I'm joking, but seriously let's get out of here!" I unlock my old black truck and the girls jump in. I make my way around to the driver's side door when I get an overwhelming feeling again, but this time I feel weak. My heart at this point is thumping so hard in my chest from everything that just happened. I can visibly see my chest pumping. "Woah," I say out loud before getting really dizzy. I look back through the driver's window at Gretchen who is now in the middle seat. She is looking at me with concern. She must have seen me get flushed. I open the door and say "Can one of y'all drive? I think I'm going to be sick."