liability

callie xavier. 22. 

[authcrities]

“do you wanna go get some food?” ember asked the person sitting across from her. “i really don’t wanna eat a whole pizza alone and i’d pay!” the strawberry blonde proposed, not caring if they declined her offer since she’d probably eat the pizza even if they weren’t there, it was just nice to have some company sometimes.

[calliexavier-blog]

“hm? sure,” callie said, getting up and putting her books into her backpack. “but no pepperoni, deal?” she asked, her nose crinkling at the thought of the ingredient she hated. 

[calliexavier-blog]

“i’ve known him since we were babies, and i can confirm that he only smiles when he’s making someone miserable. namely, me.”

[calliexavier-blog]

“alright,” callie said, mixing her paints to create a new color for the piece, opting for a soft, golden shadein elyse’s hair. “do you know what you’re doing this summer yet?” she asked, making conversation.

[calliexavier-blog]

“hey, stranger things have happened,” callie defended before continuing to sketch, more relaxed when she had permission from her model. “i’m flattered that you’re drawing me, to be honest. you know i’ve always admired your style.”

[calliexavier-blog]

“well, i do like pasta...yeah, i think we could make italy work,” callie said, a little smirk on her face. the gears were turning in her head, already starting to plan the trip. she wanted to make a nice memory with one of her best friends, even though sometimes thinking about zander too much caused confusing emotions. she had been protective of zander since they were children, but as the years wore on and their relationship grew, she found herself wary of anyone who expressed interest in her best friend. of course, she tried to chalk that up to normal, friend feelings whenever possible. she pictured herself and zander as first years, no idea what their years would teach them--like zander’s love for technology and her own knack for knife throwing. “yeah,” she nodded, “it’s crazy. it feels like just yesterday. remember that time i threw that knife into a beanbag chair and it spilled everywhere?” 

[calliexavier-blog]

it always made callie happy when someone liked her work--after all, who didn’t like compliments? “thank you,” she said, “i had a super cute model to work with,” she added, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. overall, she felt satisfied with the little sketch, thinking that it would make a nice watercolor if she ever had the time. “do you want to keep it?” she asked.

[calliexavier-blog]

callie continued to draw, shaking her head when charon asked her if she wanted to talk about it, “no, but thanks. i’m okay. it’s just the same dumb stuff,” she wrote off, changing the subject. “so, i’m trying to drag your brother to europe with me this summer,” she brought up casually, though it was hard for her to hide that she was excited about the trip.

[calliexavier-blog]

“that’s cute, caleb,” callie laughed, sitting across from him. “just put your hand by the candle again. you don’t have to light it again, though.”

[calliexavier-blog]

“the usual dumb stuff, it’s whatever,” callie said, heaving a little sigh. “anyway, thanks for grabbing my phone. where are you headed now?”

[calliexavier-blog]

callie shook her head, giving a little laugh, “yeah, i’m sure. whatever. at least we’ve got each other,” she said, looking at the beginning of the painting. “want to see how it looks so far?”

[calliexavier-blog]

“where in the world would you want to go?” callie asked, looking up at her friend, gentle smile on her face. “i’d sort of like to go to europe, i haven’t been since i was little. i just need to get out of the city--and out of my dad’s reach. i think it’d be fun. we could do one of those trips; a few days in england, france, maybe germany? i could look at art, you could eat good food, find some tech thing to get excited about, take cute pictures by the monuments,” she caught herself slipping up her words. not that zander wouldn’t be cute by the monuments, but--oh god, what was she saying? she quickly brushed over it, “of the monuments, whatever. i don’t know, it’s just a thought. this is our last summer before we’re sixth years, i want to do something fun.”

[calliexavier-blog]

making river back off was enough of a win for callie--after all these years, she was finally starting to have some power. her father would have scolded her for her hubris, not even realizing that she was pushing river beyond his breaking point; a realization which only struck her when her head hit the back of the wall. her hands immediately went to his, trying to pry his hands off of her neck. she gasped, falling to the ground when river let go. hot tears welled in her eyes that she quickly rubbed away, hoping he wouldn’t see. “i fucking hate you, river,” she hissed. why? well, the reason had been long forgotten, though moments like this resonated. people had always attempted to control callie, and to a large extent, succeeded despite her best efforts. the man in front of her, claws bleeding through his hands, was wild, never broken-in by anyone. the girl would never admit it out loud, but a part of her admired that attribute about him, and was even jealous. she wanted to break him down, the way people had broken her down all her life. for a second, the thought entered her head to just take one of the knives on her belt and launch a surprise attack, but--god, did she really want to kill him? she shakily got onto her feet, confidence broken but still determined. even if she couldn’t best him in a fight, she wanted to show that river still couldn’t end her. “someday i’m going to take you down, and it’ll be the best day of my life,” she assured, her voice cracking. rubbing her neck, she sighed, preparing to move on.

[calliexavier-blog]

“it’s got its perks,” callie said, giving a little shrug. “most people like being drawn. although i tried to draw--” she frowned, “river, once, and i ended up just throwing my sketchbook at his head.”

[ourexes]

[calliexavier-blog]

@zanderlebeau

[michaelandjane]

[calliexavier-blog]

@riverhowlett

[calliexavier-blog]

“at least your dad can’t read your mind,” callie said, shaking her head. “what’s new with reed, anyway?” she asked, picking out a new brush.

[calliexavier-blog]

callie gave his hand a little squeeze--she could always count on zander to make her feel better. “thanks, you’re right. and honesty is the best policy, after all,” she said, but quickly changed the subject. “speaking of which--honestly, what are you doing over the summer? i want to go on a trip or do something fun, but i need a buddy.”