The CHIEF October 2016

Story Time

"October Short Story" By Eve Pouliot

There on her bed a girl sits. She is curled up in the tiniest ball she can manage. As she sits she plans all sorts of things. Just as she starts to decide on which plan, she hears a knock on the door. The girl, her name being Kaiti, calls out in a voice best described as pained. “ Y-yeah? ” Is what she calls out. Another girl opens the door and enters this room. The first thing Kaiti notices about the girl who enters is her fantastic smile. The kind that is genuine and kind. This second girl is named Persephone. She visits Kaiti sometimes. Persephone is known for having great timing with her visits. Persephone enters with her fantastic smile and sits in front of Kaiti. Kaiti is obviously a little embarrassed. She was after all just crying and planning things that would make Persephone very sad. Yet there is Persephone, just smiling. Kaiti sniffles and wipes away the last of her tears. “ H-hey Persephone. What ’ s up? ” “ Oh nothing much, I just wanted to see you. ” Persephone replies. Persephone tilts her head to see Kaiti ’ s face since Kaiti turned away from her. Kaiti sort of glances down at Persephone. She almost starts staring at Persephone; after all, Persephone is a very pretty girl. But she remembers that she just got done crying so she looks away again.

“ Oh, that ’ s cool. I ’ ve been meaning to text you or something; I just haven ’ t really had the time. ” Kaiti says. This of course is a big lie. First of all, Kaiti never does anything but research online about a certain foster home that she used to live in. Second of all, Kaiti never thinks about contacting anyone. She ’ s just too sad. She doesn ’ t want to bum anyone else out. But the thing about Persephone is, she doesn ’ t mind when people are sad. She just wants to help them feel better. Kaiti does not quite understand this but she might get it eventually. “ Well, lucky I came by tonight. How are you feeling? ” Persephone asks, she doesn ’ t mind that her eyes are filled with concern for Kaiti. Kaiti looks at Persephone again and sees this concern. This just makes Kaiti feel guilty for planning things. “ Well, you know … Just the usual. ” Kaiti is trying to avoid telling Persephone how she really feels so Persephone will stop looking at her that way. Persephone is very perceptive so she knows this too. So she just smiles more.