I stand there in shock of Callum’s words. So many possible answers jumble around in my mind. I thought that the mass confusion of yesterday could not be topped, but, here it is. My best and only friend in the world offering his hand in marriage. My breakfast seems to be following the same command as my brain because I can feel it hitting the walls of my stomach. I finally gain awareness of my surroundings again.
“What?” I mummer.
“Marry me.” Callum repeats.
“Why?” I shout breaking free from his hold.
“Why not?” He retorts.
“Why not?” I mimic his question now yelling again. “Because we’re cousins.” I continue.
“Not by blood.” He argues.
“So? We’ve known each other our whole lives. You’re my best friend!”
“Exactly! Wouldn’t you rather marry a friend than a stranger?”
“Yes- no- I don’t know.” I pause and take a seat on my bed. “What makes you think my parents would choose you over all of the other men who might offer their hands?” He stares at me.
“So, what are you saying? That I’m not good enough for you?” He asks frustratedly.
“No. Callum, that’s not what I meant-”
Callum interrupts “-Then what did you mean?” Aralyn bursts in the room before I can say anything else.
“What is going on in here?” She asks in a panicked tone. Callum replies.
“Nothing. I was just going to pick some apples. Lyn, would you like some?”
“I’m fine, thanks.” She replies looking a little distorted at the situation. Callum turns and leaves the room.
“Livy, what was that about? I heard yelling.”
“It was nothing.” I say continuing to pack my bags.
“Olivia, that definitely wasn’t nothing. I’ve never seen Callum like that before.”
“Callum’s fine. Like I said, it was nothing.”
Aralyn sighs. “Fine. Have it your way.” She turns and goes back to her own packing. I finish preparing then pick up my bags and bring them out to Uncle Berke’s vehicle. Aralyn is already out there with Callum, who is carrying a bag of apples. They were obviously talking about me because, as soon as I step outside they stop their conversation and begin talking about the weather. The back drawer of the car is already open and I place my black cases next to Lyn’s red ones. Thankfully, my Uncle comes outside before there is even a chance for awkward silence. We then proceeded to climb into the car. I am not surprised when my parents don’t come outside to say goodbye. Why would they? I’m sure they’re hoping to marry me off as far away as possible so they never have to see me again. I was surprised, however, when Dahlia didn’t come to see us off. Once we were all in the car, the automated voice of the driver comes over the speakers of the vehicle.
“Welcome passengers Berke Nortington, Callum Cortallo, Aralyn Netherly, and Olivia Netherly. Sit tight and enjoy our journey to Wendra. The car is made up of one square, room with seats lined on every wall. Except for the corners which have little side tables on each of them. On the ceiling are silver drawers that drop down at the press of a button, each one containing all sorts of refreshments. Circular lights dot the ceiling and walls, lighting up every accent and detail of the black room.
“Alright then. I’m going to take a nap. You girls can help yourselves to any refreshments from the ceiling drawers. Callum, make sure driver keeps us on course.” Says Uncle Berke, leaning back into his seat and pulling his hat over his face. The ride continues on with a great deal of awkwardness. Aralyn falls asleep, leaving Callum and I as the only ones awake. Every once and a while I’ll catch him staring at me with eyes of frustration and disappointment. The silence is broken for a brief moment when Uncle Berke lets out a loud snort. Then the automated voice comes over the speakers again.
“We are now riding through the Upper-Flat-Lands of Elatus.” Says the driver.
“Driver, can you open the windows?” Callum asks.
“Of course, passenger Callum Cortallo.” It replies.
A panel begins to move upward from each side of the walls. Both Aralyn and Uncle Berke begin to open their eyes as natural light begins to flood in the cabin. I move closer to the window to look outside. I don’t see any trees. Just large, metal buildings. They all look like giant boxes with huge blackened windows. Lining every street there are paths made of stone leading up to every building. Everything varies in color. Some buildings are bright, lime green and some are a deep shade of purple. I look around the room for Aralyn, expecting her to be just as exited as I am, however, I am surprised to find her sitting in her seat in a very serious state. Seeing the city must bring back some of the emotion from these past couple of years. I decide to leave her be. I have been through the city once before, when we visited the Wall of the Passed to mourn my aunt. But, I was so little I don’t remember much other than when I first met Callum.
The excitement passes, we all return to our seats, the windows close, and the cabin is once again filled with silence. Aralyn still appears to be deep in thought, Callum is now avoiding eye contact with me by staring at a nearby lamp, and Uncle Berke has returned to his, rather loud, state of sleep. I look over at the bag of apples next to Callum. In attempt to break the awkwardness I politely ask him to hand me one. Though, it obviously doesn’t help because Callum picks up an apple, examines it and replies.
“Hmm. I don’t know. Aralyn, what do you think? Do you think this apple is worthy of Olivia? What would your parents think if Olivia ate this very apple?” Aralyn snorts in attempt to hide a laugh at Callum’s question. I sit, staring at him in amusement of his words.
“Well, I don’t know about Aralyn, but, I think the apple is acting like a child.” I retort.
“The apple wasn’t asking you it was asking Aralyn.” Callum snaps back.
“I don’t think the apple realized what it was saying!” I say raising my voice again.
“The apple knew perfectly well what it was saying!” Callum replies, also raising his voice. I begin to retort, but am interrupted when Aralyn lets out a loud burst of laughter which, surprisingly, doesn’t wake Uncle Berke. Callum and I stare at Aralyn, a little startled and offended. To me, our argument was completely serious, unreasonable, but serious. Aralyn stands up, walks over to Callum and takes the apple from his hand.
“Come on you guys, this is ridiculous.” She says, still laughing, then tosses the apple to me. However, I miss the catch and the apple gets stuck in the light fixture behind me. This does wake Uncle Berke. He sits up and cautiously looks around, a little disoriented and entirely confused.
“What going on?” he asks, continues to look around but stops when his eyes meet the wall behind me. “Olivia, why is there an apple in the light fixture?”
“I’m an apple bomb, remember?” I laugh. Aralyn returns to her seat looking a little embarrassed at her throw. Uncle Berke still looks quite distorted. I look over at Callum apologetically. He smiles and nods, communicating that our argument was, indeed, ridiculous.
Very good! We are enjoying the interesting read and wondering...what's next? We're looking forward to Chapter V!!
ReplyDelete