it was the search for nostalgia more than anything, the search for any kind of feeling to distract from the heavy pit in her stomach. calliope tugged her jacket tighter around her, the rain feeling like it was soaking into her bones. the chill of the video store’s air conditioning provoking a sharp shiver as her eyes wandered over the shelves. everything felt unsettling — it’d been two weeks since she moved back into town. if there was anything cal needed to avoid, it was being noticed by some old high school friends who would surely ask about her marriage. she’d neglected to change her relationship status on facebook, too embarrassed to let anyone know that she was divorced before the ripe age of 30.
now to avoid him. everywhere calliope went her eyes always noted the cars in the parking lots, ears perked for familiar voices or laughs. it had been about a year since the divorce and two since her childhood best friend had confessed his love, begging her to ditch the wedding and leave with him instead. cal ignored every gut feeling and declined, regretting it every moment she could. the woman blinked harshly, bringing herself out of her thoughts and back onto her sole purpose of entering the shop. pride and prejudice. it was the sound of a laugh that made that anxious pit about twenty pounds heavier. it was his laugh and when she lifted her eyes from the dvd case to confirm, cal wished the floor would open and swallow her whole. “ h-hey, ” she managed to croak, her body now warm with nervousness. the childhood best friend who’d begged her to run away with him.