Free Elemental Reality by Cesya Cuono

first. I had to get home. Luckily for me there was a cab driving down the street. I stepped off the sidewalk to hail it and jumped in before it even had the chance to come to a stop.
    “1048 Pepperdine Court. Please hurry!” Panic laced my words as the cabbie took off down the street. I relaxed into the backseat once I knew we were far enough away and thought about how I was going to explain everything to Oli.
    The cabbie drove me right up to my front door, which I was grateful for. I gave him the fare and a few extra for the curbside service and dashed into my house. I kicked my heels off at the foot of the stairs and padded into the living room where Dad was watching TV.
    “Dad?” I said softly so I wouldn’t startle him. But he had been too wrapped up in his show to hear the front door close and jumped off the couch. He spun around, and his hand flew up to clutch his chest.
    “Jesus! You scared the hell outta me.” He glanced at his watch. “Why aren’t you with Oli? He called here all worried, asking if you were okay. What happened?”
    “He called here? From his house?” I hoped he didn’t think I purposely bailed on our date, but I was so happy he was safe.
    Dad nodded. “That’s what caller I.D. said.”
    “Oh, thank God.” I was relieved and a little ticked, in all honesty. He didn’t even go after me. Still, I needed to see him—to explain. Though how did I explain what Cayden did to me when I didn’t even understand? “Dad, I gotta go. I’ll explain everything when I get back. I promise.”
    I ran to the closet by the front door, yanked it open, and rummaged through the numerous piles of shoes until I found my laceless white Chucks and slipped them on. In two long strides, I was at the front door and had my hand on the handle ready to leave.
    “Callie?” Dad said from behind me. “Honey, what’s going on?”
    I turned, my hand still on the handle. Worry lines creased his forehead.
    “I don’t know, Dad.” I sighed. “I really wish I did. I need to talk to Oli though. I’ll tell you everything when I get back.”
    I ran out the door, pulled it shut behind me, and took off down our driveway. The cold night air nipped at my face as I ran toward Oli’s. My legs started to feel like Jell-O—a side effect of failing to stay in shape since high school—but I ran through the pain until I reached Oli’s front door. I never realized how far apart the houses were in our little development until just then. I pressed a shaky finger to the doorbell, and the chime echoed inside. As I waited, I leaned over, placing my hands on my knees to try and catch my breath. The door opened and the light from inside flooded the porch along with a shadow. A woman stood before me. She wore purple pajama pants and a white T-shirt. I straightened. She was two inches shorter than me and stunningly beautiful. She had an air about her that made her seem wiser than her age. Because of that, I wasn’t sure if she was his mom or sister.
    “Hi. Sorry to just come over like this, but is Oli home?” What a great first impression. I showed up on their doorstep at night, frantic and out of breath, and who even knew what my hair looked like at this point from my sprint.
    “He is.” She eyed me skeptically before a warm smiled appeared on her full, pink lips. “Please, come in.” She gestured with her hand.
    I stepped over the threshold into the warmth of the house, rubbing my hands over my arms to warm them. The inside of the house was a mirror reflection of ours. The décor was all oranges, browns, greens, and blues that reminded me of fire and nature. The air was filled with a woodsy, rainy scent—I was expecting to find a waterfall in one of their rooms. It made me reminisce about camping in the great outdoors, yet it had a homey feel to it. Almost as if I belonged there. She led me into the kitchen and motioned for me to take a seat at the table.
    “I believe he’s in his room. Let me get him for you.” Her