Published September 4, 2026
Chapter 6: Cal
I carry Alex out of the cafeteria as fast as possible.
I run into the auditorium, a large room with about five hundred seats, a large, empty stage, and brick walls all around. I slide down against one of the walls, pulling Alex into my lap. She buries her face into my flannel, shoulders still shaking.
"I've got you," I whisper. My hand rests on the back of her head, my fingers tangled in her soft blonde hair. I press my cheek to her temple. "You're right here with me. No trees. No sky. Just me and you."
Alex gasps for air as she curls her fingers into the fabric of my shirt. She looks up at me, green eyes sparkling like stars. Her soft round lips tremble as she tries to find her voice, her breathing still shaky. A stray, damp lock of hair clings to her cheek, and I gently brush it away with my thumb, marveling at how soft her skin feels despite the chaos of the moment. Even through her panic, she radiates a warmth that grounds me. Looking down at her, the rest of the world fades away; there is no panic, no overwhelming noise outside those doors, just the quiet, undeniable feeling of holding her close.
As she looks up at me, her glassy eyes finally clear. She sees my face. She sees the raw, desperate devotion in my eyes—something I usually try to hide behind a wall of steady friendship.
"Cal," she breathes, her voice soft and fragile. "I'm so tired of being scared."
"I know," I murmur, brushing a stray tear from her cheek. My heart hammers against my ribs, pushing the words I've kept locked away for years right to the edge of my teeth. I want to tell her that I love her, that I would rather burn my own house to the ground than let anyone hurt her again.
Before I can say the words, a sharp voice echoes from the doors.
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141,046 Literary Works • 673,936 Reviews
This is a sad chapter. Poor Alex. Maybe it would be better if Cal told her. Maybe that would stop the panic if she knew. It is a good representation of repressed memories and trauma. Cal clearly cares about her a lot. I wonder if Lucy knows any of this or if she is very confused. Cal clearly loves Alex a lot and it shows well here. Again, has no one seen them? Would other students not be using the auditorium or be in the way in the halls? Not a major flaw but it would help me understand the surroundings of the world, as I find it hard to visualise things sometimes.
Hello there, human! I'm reviewing using the YWS S'more Method today!
Shalt we commence with the jinxed S’more?
Top Graham Cracker - Cal takes Alex to the auditorium, where he comforts her and wishes that he could tell her more, but knows he can’t. Not yet.
Slightly Burnt Marshmallow - I have no recommendations to make as of right now, but if you would like to edit this, you may.
Chocolate Bar - I like that Cal takes her to the auditorium, away from everyone else, so that he can calm her down and make her feel safe even when he knows that she’s not. He’s trying his best to care for her.
Closing Graham Cracker - Overall, a sweet chapter to this story! I have enjoyed reading this and I will be certain to read the next chapters that come after this. Now, while I know that Alex and Cal are the main characters, I would like to see more of Lucy’s perspective. But if that’s not what you have planned, then you may ignore this. And…
I wish you an amazing day/night! ^v^
Thank you! I actually hadn't planned on doing more of Lucy's perspective, but I don't want this to be unsatisfying to anyone! Therefore, back to working on the story!
Thank you, have a good night/day, and be safe!
Yw!!
I especially liked the emotions and little details throughout the story, as they added more depth to the overall experience. The writing style was smooth and easy to follow, which made the chapters enjoyable to read. There were several moments that caught my attention and made me want to continue reading.
I genuinely enjoyed reading this story. You did a great job of creating an interesting plot and keeping the story moving at a comfortable pace. The characters were written in a way that made them easy to understand and connect with.
Overall, this is a well-written and enjoyable story that I would recommend to other readers.
Thank you, I really appreciate it!
Have a good day/night, and be safe!