Tangled In Blue

Elastic Heart

CORBYN’S POV

While Blue was in the shower, I sat by her bureau and grabbed a piece of paper and a pen to draft a study timetable. My phone pinged with a message notification and I slid my fingers over the screen to unlock it.

Somehow Justin had got the dreaded ‘Blue Movie’ as students at our school had coded it. I stared at the message, debating whether I should open or delete it.

Obviously curiosity got the best of me-come on I’m human...

I turned down the volume as I feasted my eyes and was almost caught.

“I’m ready when you are,” Blue said as she threw herself on the bed. At least she was fully clothed in an oversized t-shirt and sweatpants.

I quickly closed the message and locked my phone again. “Why did you lead everyone to believe that you had s*x with Tyler, when you didn’t?”

“Will you stop with the twenty questions Corbyn?” She shook her head, displeased with me, as she grabbed her pillow and threw it at me.

“I watched the video-”

“You want brownie points? A gold star?” she jeered at me in an insolent manner.

“Maybe we should just study so I can get out of your hair,” I muttered incoherently as I took out books from my bag.

“Best thing you’ve said all day,” she mumbled as she slid off the bed and assumed the seat beside me.

“Why should I care anyway? It’s not like we’re friends or anything right?” I ranted while she sat in silence.

“I’d like to start with Chemistry if you don’t mind?” she pulled a drawer open and produced her workbook.

“Let me go through it first so I can see your week areas. Then we can work from there.” My tone was formal and put her ten thousand leagues away from me.

“You know what’s best.” She shifted, suddenly stiff in her chair. Thus our conversation ran; decorous and harmless enough.

We continued our study session cordially and the time seemed to whiz by. She asked questions and I answered as best as I could. I’m sure she had learned something useful by the end of the night.

“Can we take a break?” she stood up and stretched her limbs.

“I think we’re done for today. I’m going to head out.” I started to stuff my books in my bag again.

“Let me put on something decent. Then I will take you home,” she shuffled back to her wardrobe and her phone began to ring. It had been ringing most of the time actually. She was a busy-body but then again she was also really popular.

“Can you get that for me?!” she called out.

“Are you sure?”

“I wouldn’t have asked-duh!”

“Blue’s phone, hello?”

“You have received a pay-forward call from the San Fransisco Maximum Prison. Press one to accept or the hash key to reject.”

I pressed one. Obvious choice. If I was a cat I would have died by now.

“Hey Cookie-” A female voice sounded through the earpiece.

“Hello. Just hold on for Blue.”

“Who is it?” She asked as she emerged from the dressing room in a black t-shirt and skinny jeans.

“Not sure...Cookie” I smirked as I handed over the phone.

She eyed me suspiciously before walking out of the room to take the call.

I sank back in the chair and my mind went wild. Who was in prison and why? How were they connected to Blue? Why did she look shocked when I gave her the phone? Actually she looked kinda cagey...

After half-an-hour passed she sauntered back into the room and I could immediately tell that her walls were up. Her body language was warning me to back off and not ask her anything. So I read between the lines and pretended like I wasn’t really bothered that she just received a call from friggin’ County Maxim Prison. Whatever that person did was huge. But then again-it was none of my friggin’ business.

“I’m ready to go. My Mom is blowing up my phone,” I told her as I slung my bag over my shoulder. My smile was friendly and it confused her.

“Uhm-okay...let’s get you home then Mommy’s baby,” she teased as she ruffled my hair as I walked past her.

“Not all of us have flexible parents,” I said as we descended the stairs.

“Appreciate them while you have them Corbyn,” she replied, her voice laced with simplicity and innocence.

“You would know I guess,” I held the door open for her and we stepped out into the cool, dark night.

“I’ve been through a lot Corbyn. My past is dirty and messy and it’s made me a confused, mishmash, salacious and muddled up human-being,” she let on. “You hit the nail on the head when you said I’m trouble. Because that’s exactly who I am. I am Trouble.”

“Blue I didn’t-”

“Get in the car innocent,” she jerked her as she unlocked the car.

We drove in silence. None of us was eager to strike up a conversation or voice our thoughts. Unable to stand the silence any longer she turned on the radio and started to sing along to Sia’s Elastic Heart. It kind of described her to the T.

And another one bites the dust

But why can I not conquer love?

And I might’ve got to be with one

Why not fight this war without weapons?

And I want it and I wanted it bad

But there were so many red flags

Now another one bites the dust

And let’s be clear, I trust no one

You did not break me

I’m still fighting for peace

Well I’ve got thick skin and an elastic heart

But your blade it might be too sharp

I’m like a rubber band until you pull too hard

But I may snap when I move close

But you won’t see me fall apart

’Cause I’ve got an elastic heart

I’ve got an elastic heart

Yeah, I’ve got an elastic heart